Speedlight issues
Discussion
Ten minutes from the end of yesterday's wedding I suddenly found it impossible to get AF in very low light. Wasn't sure whether the problem was camera (D200), flash (SB800) or synch cord (SC29) so I set the camera to release priority for the last bit, and was able to finish the day.
The SC29 cord is great because it has an additional AF assist light - in low light when neither the camera or Speedlight can get a grip on the scene to focus, it projects a red 'barcode' which the AF can then lock onto.
Testing today with back-up D200 and SB800 showed that the first SB800 is the issue. It works perfectly well apart from its AF illumination, which simply doesn't come on. I deduce that the AF assist from the flashgun must activate the one on the SC29. All contacts are clean.
Just wondered if anyone else has had this problem, and also, since it's no longer of use to me, whether an SB700 would be up to it, or if there's nothing for it but the bulky SB900.
The SC29 cord is great because it has an additional AF assist light - in low light when neither the camera or Speedlight can get a grip on the scene to focus, it projects a red 'barcode' which the AF can then lock onto.
Testing today with back-up D200 and SB800 showed that the first SB800 is the issue. It works perfectly well apart from its AF illumination, which simply doesn't come on. I deduce that the AF assist from the flashgun must activate the one on the SC29. All contacts are clean.
Just wondered if anyone else has had this problem, and also, since it's no longer of use to me, whether an SB700 would be up to it, or if there's nothing for it but the bulky SB900.
Not had any problems with my SB-600, but don't often shoot in very low light.
I have the AF assist turned off on my D90.
Have you tried "resetting to default values" as per page 12 of the manual ?
http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/Speedlights/SB...
I have the AF assist turned off on my D90.
Have you tried "resetting to default values" as per page 12 of the manual ?
http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/Speedlights/SB...
manual I linked to above said:
v Notes on using the Wide-Area AF-Assist Illuminator
• If the focus indicator does not appear in the camera’s viewfinder even through the WideArea AF-Assist Illuminator turns on, focus manually.
• The Wide-Area AF-Assist Illuminator will not light up, if the camera’s autofocus is locked
or the SB-800’s ready-light does not come on.
• Refer to your camera’s instruction manual for more information.
t Activating and canceling the Wide-Area AF-Assist Illuminator
You can set the SB-800’s Wide-Area AF-Assist Illuminator to activate or cancel in the
Custom settings mode (p. 67).
• By default, the Wide-Area AF-Assist Illuminator is set to activate.
t Canceling the SB-800’s flash firing but not the Wide-Area
AF-Assist Illuminator
The SB-800’s Wide-Area AF-Assist Illuminator comes on but the flash unit will not fire when
“FIRE” is set to “OFF” (canceled) in the Custom settings mode (p. 67).
• By default, “FIRE” is set to “ON”
Have a look at page 62 onwards.• If the focus indicator does not appear in the camera’s viewfinder even through the WideArea AF-Assist Illuminator turns on, focus manually.
• The Wide-Area AF-Assist Illuminator will not light up, if the camera’s autofocus is locked
or the SB-800’s ready-light does not come on.
• Refer to your camera’s instruction manual for more information.
t Activating and canceling the Wide-Area AF-Assist Illuminator
You can set the SB-800’s Wide-Area AF-Assist Illuminator to activate or cancel in the
Custom settings mode (p. 67).
• By default, the Wide-Area AF-Assist Illuminator is set to activate.
t Canceling the SB-800’s flash firing but not the Wide-Area
AF-Assist Illuminator
The SB-800’s Wide-Area AF-Assist Illuminator comes on but the flash unit will not fire when
“FIRE” is set to “OFF” (canceled) in the Custom settings mode (p. 67).
• By default, “FIRE” is set to “ON”
Note that the AF illumination won't work if the camera's AF is locked.
HTH
Daniel.
Simpo Two said:
Thanks for the thought - but how does one reset the flashgun to default values? I didn't think there was an option to disable AF illumination (on flashgun not camera) but don't claim to be a Speedlight expert!
Pretty sure my now-defunct SB600 had the option to disable AF illumination. Never looked into it with either of my 800samnesia182 said:
Have a look at page 62 onwards.
Note that the AF illumination won't work if the camera's AF is locked.
HTH
Daniel.
Thanks for that - I looked in the PDF index for 'default' and it only listed page 6.Note that the AF illumination won't work if the camera's AF is locked.
HTH
Daniel.
Quite how a flashgun can turn its AF illumination off in the middle of a wedding - ie working one moment, not the next - is unclear as I only use Flash EV and don't go near custom settings. I'll check tomorrow. Thanks.
Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 18th September 23:48
Morning John, using the 600,800 and 900, I've only had this happen once. The cause - low batteries. Not trying to teach you suck eggs, but have you checked the cells?
BTW - the flash was still flashing, just non-functioning AF illuminator.
(also - your not accidentally in AF-C are you?)
BTW - the flash was still flashing, just non-functioning AF illuminator.
(also - your not accidentally in AF-C are you?)
Edited by Ledaig on Monday 19th September 10:57
Well now it's a funny thing but the usual sign of flattening batteries is either sudden underexposures and/or the flashing triangle at top left. This time, all was fine until the AF packed up.
So I've just swapped the batteries from the good SB800, and bingo, you were absolutely right Steve
One to add to the troubleshooting section of the manual perhaps!
(AF-C is the first thing I checked; it can get knocked sometimes)
So I've just swapped the batteries from the good SB800, and bingo, you were absolutely right Steve
One to add to the troubleshooting section of the manual perhaps!(AF-C is the first thing I checked; it can get knocked sometimes)
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