D50, SB800 and SB600 - DPChallenge Forums

07/10/2008 03:45:35 PM · #1

I just got the SB800 to start learning off camera flash. My D50 does not have a commander mode so I purchased the SB800 to be on camera and then be able to trigger the SB600 off camera.

My question: the manuals say to set the camera to Aperature Priority. However I cannot change any settings in any mode other than Manual. All other modes (P/S/A) have a 30" shutter and am not able to change it.

At first I could not get the SB600 to fire, then discovered it was defaulting to channel 3. once I changed the SB800 to channel 3 it would trigger the SB600. but again I have to use Manual mode....

Is this right? is it the flash or the camera?

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon

07/10/2008 04:39:01 PM · #2

can anyone help?????

Jchamp

Nikon D300

07/10/2008 04:45:54 PM · #3

dassilem, You should be able to change aperture setting in P, A and M mode on the D50.

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

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

07/10/2008 04:46:51 PM · #4

Try using the SB-600 on camera and setting the SB-800 to SU-4 mode. I believe you can do that with out using manual mode. Edit to add you should shoot in manual mode anyway you have more control.

Message edited by author 2008-07-10 16:48:41.

Jchamp

Nikon D300

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon

07/10/2008 04:47:00 PM · #5

Hate to ask a dumb question but are you rotating the dial to try and change the settings once in P and A mode?

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

07/10/2008 06:38:41 PM · #6

Thanks everyone.....the changing of the aperature/shutter is only a problem if I have my SB800 on camera....and triggering the SB600. it remains at 30".

waz, I know I should be using Manual but I often screw it up and am more comfortable in A or P.....but then again this may MAKE me learn the Manual.

I can't put the SB600 on camera and trigger the SB800 because the D50 does not have commander mode.
I don't know what SU-4 mode is?

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

07/10/2008 06:45:18 PM · #7

Originally posted by dassilem:

I can't put the SB600 on camera and trigger the SB800 because the D50 does not have commander mode.
I don't know what SU-4 mode is?

You don't need the commander mode when the SB-800 is in SU-4 mode. Your SB-800 manual page 72 will tell you how to put it in that mode. In SU-4 mode the flash is a pure slave triggered by the flash of the SB-600.

Message edited by author 2008-07-10 18:45:32.

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

07/10/2008 08:34:02 PM · #8

Sounds like you have 3 manuals to read through again. :)

FireBird

07/11/2008 02:29:38 AM · #9

I don't own a D50 but it's much like my D200. There is a menu setting where you can adjust flash shutter speed and sync speed. You should also be able to use flash with the manual in manual mode. I do it all the time. So check out those manuals as suggested. If you'd like to ask your question at a forum that is more technically oriented, try Nikonians.You can register free of charge. A nice group of people who have a wide range of knowledge on Nikon products from day one.

Good luck.

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

07/11/2008 08:08:12 AM · #10

ok....thanks everyone....guess I've got some more reading to do....(which confused me the first time....lol)

sorry for the dumb questions.....it just may be abit over my head.

mjwood0

Nikon D200

07/11/2008 11:54:15 AM · #11

I have a D50 and have used it extensively with an SB-600 and know it works. Unfortunately, I've never used an SB-800 and my D50 is on loan in another state or I'd pull it out and try to help.

It sounds like there may be some interaction between the SB-800 and the D50. Do you have all of the flash settings on the D50 at their defaults? Or is the SB-800 defective and somehow reporting odd values back to the D50 (not sure if this can actually happen).

Good luck!