Help! D700 / Flash sync / pocket wizards

07/09/2009 02:49:33 AM · #1

Ok, I just got my D700 yesterday, and I have a pocket wizard on the cam, and one on my SB-28dx, but when I take a picture, it looks like the mirror is doing something funky, like it's turning at the wrong time. So depending on the shutter speed I use, it looks half dark and half bright. Anyone know what settings I should be using? For reference, it's similar to the SB800. Thanks for all your help!

07/09/2009 03:00:43 AM · #2

Try sync speed of 1/250 or below.

07/09/2009 03:05:05 AM · #3

D70 has electronic/mechanical shutter so the sync speed is very much higher. Reason why people still like the older D70. Something like 1/500.

07/09/2009 03:10:25 AM · #4

I've tried different sync speeds. Does the sync speed mean that I have to shoot at that speed or lower to get it to work? Nothing seems to help.

07/09/2009 03:11:12 AM · #5

Originally posted by sprite777:

I've tried different sync speeds. Does the sync speed mean that I have to shoot at that speed or lower to get it to work? Nothing seems to help.

Yup.

07/09/2009 03:16:52 AM · #6

Originally posted by faidoi:

Originally posted by sprite777:
I've tried different sync speeds. Does the sync speed mean that I have to shoot at that speed or lower to get it to work? Nothing seems to help.

Yup.

buuuut i used a 1000 or 1250 shutter with my d70 all the time. does that mean the sync was 1/1000+?

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

07/09/2009 03:21:20 AM · #7

Originally posted by sprite777:

Originally posted by faidoi:

Originally posted by sprite777:
I've tried different sync speeds. Does the sync speed mean that I have to shoot at that speed or lower to get it to work? Nothing seems to help.

Yup.

buuuut i used a 1000 or 1250 shutter with my d70 all the time. does that mean the sync was 1/1000+?

A quick search on Google states older d70 1/1250 with PW. Reason why people are still buying the older camera.

Message edited by author 2009-07-09 03:25:17.

Anti-Martyr

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

07/09/2009 03:32:12 AM · #8

You can try changing the sync speed in your camera settings to the high speed sync setting. That may or may not work.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

07/09/2009 03:35:58 AM · #9

Originally posted by Anti-Martyr:

You can try changing the sync speed in your camera settings to the high speed sync setting. That may or may not work.

Yeah. Basically I think that only works with...ahem...just about every flash except the ones I have.

Great.

But you are correct. It allows syncs up to 1/8000 for all those flashes.

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

07/09/2009 03:44:34 AM · #10

Originally posted by sprite777:

Originally posted by Anti-Martyr:
You can try changing the sync speed in your camera settings to the high speed sync setting. That may or may not work.

Yeah. Basically I think that only works with...ahem...just about every flash except the ones I have.

Great.

But you are correct. It allows syncs up to 1/8000 for all those flashes.

But remember that just because it will allow you to sync, the outcome won't necessarily be that good. Your power drops immensely in FP mode so your working distance has to drop down to compensate.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

07/09/2009 03:53:38 AM · #11

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by sprite777:

Originally posted by Anti-Martyr:
You can try changing the sync speed in your camera settings to the high speed sync setting. That may or may not work.

Yeah. Basically I think that only works with...ahem...just about every flash except the ones I have.

Great.

But you are correct. It allows syncs up to 1/8000 for all those flashes.

But remember that just because it will allow you to sync, the outcome won't necessarily be that good. Your power drops immensely in FP mode so your working distance has to drop down to compensate.

Sooooo... I just have to re-learn how to use this stuff. I guess in a lot of ways I was probably just relying on camera settings before anyway, and not so much on flash settings. I guess it sucks though since I'm not sure how to use a flash in daylight. Gosh. I feel like I'm learning photography all over again now.

FireBird

07/09/2009 04:29:34 AM · #12

Strobist

There are classes in small strobe lighting starting all the way at ground zero if you look around the site. Just one of several good places to learn small flash lighting on
the internet. Enjoy!

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

07/09/2009 04:48:01 AM · #13

Also, what kind of PW do you have? Not all support Auto FP use. PW II Plus will not support it. The new ones will.

As for re-learning... I THINK your flash will support high speed sync. You'll have to set it in your camera's Flash menu, sync speed. Set it to Auto-FP 1/250 if I remember correctly.
You would utilize this if you were outside and wanted to keep your aperture low for blurring or if you really wanted the high speed shutter for freezing action, otherwise you'll just have to stop down or use ND's to knock down the ambient.
This might give you an idea of how much power you lose in Auto-FP.
Blowing up Pumpkins w/ Auto-FP

ETA: Here is the chart for GN's for the SB-28 in FP mode.
SB-28 Manual Consult pages 49-51.

Message edited by author 2009-07-09 04:55:42.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

07/09/2009 05:00:57 AM · #14

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Yeah, I have the PW II Plus like you were saying. I assume if I get a cable or something that this would work? That's not too bad considering they're cheap and I can almost always just hold the flash when doing an outdoorsy type shoot. I don't get the connection between the smashing pumpkins link and losing power in auto-fp. In what sense would you lose power?

Oh, and I see you added a link. I'll check that, too.

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

07/09/2009 05:05:22 AM · #15

Originally posted by sprite777:

I don't get the connection between the smashing pumpkins link and losing power in auto-fp. In what sense would you lose power?

Oh, and I see you added a link. I'll check that, too.

My point was to show you how many flashes it took to light that using Auto-FP. He's using 12 speedlights for that....

ETA: While looking around I stumbled on this....
the guy claims to get Auto-FP with PW's but I don't really understand what he's saying (it's the last comment).
Auto-FP with PWII's
And yeah, you could use an SC-28 or similar for off camera, depending how much you wanted.

Message edited by author 2009-07-09 05:08:32.