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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> SB-800 Flash, Help needed
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 08/27/2006 03:46:50 AM · #1
Hello, something weird happened to me tonight... I shot a wedding today, I have been using my SB-800 flash. My camera (D70s) was set on manual (it's always set on manual) and my SB-800 was set on A (automatic). Now, all day I was using it as fill-flash. All day I had control of my shutter speed. In the evening at the reception, all of sudden, I realize I could not go faster than 1/500 sec. Looking at my picture data, it seems the earliest pictures was set on "Flash-sync mode; Not attached", that's when I had full shutterspeed control. Then, all the pictures set at 1/500 has the "Flash-sync mode:Front curtain" and a new data appears... "Auto flash mode: Auto aperture". The settings was changed within seconds without me knowing.

Now it doesn't matter what setting I try, I can't go faster than 1/500 with the SB-800 on.

1. What the hell happened?
2. How do I get back to my original setting?

Thanks.

Message edited by author 2006-08-27 03:48:15.
 08/27/2006 03:59:53 AM · #2
Have you tried rear curtain mode?
 08/27/2006 04:36:12 AM · #3
rear curtain mode is for SLOW shutter speeds to blur motion.hae you tried setting the camera to S mode and the flash to auto?
 08/27/2006 08:18:00 AM · #4
1/500 is the fastest sync speed you will get with the SB-800. Set your flash to "TTL" and you should be fine.

"A" doens't stand for "Automatic" on the flash, it stands for "Aperture", and "AA" stands for "Auto Aperture."

08/27/2006 09:52:55 AM · #5
I don't think I can help you but...

are you sure you were shooting above 1/500 with the flash firing? I can do this but I have to cover two of the contacts on the flash in order to trick the D70 into thinking there is no flash attached. I will then have to use full manual mode b/c TTL is not available...but the flash will fire.

Is this the first time you've shot with SB800 firing flash above 1/500?

Did you cover any contacts? If not, and you are sure you were shooting above 1/500 with flash, please let me know how you did it!

EDIT: I just tried my D70 and SB800. I put the flash on "A" mode and the D70 on Manual and was NOT able to go above 1/500 sec. Your problem is very strange....if you are sure you did not cover any of the contacts, then is it possible that the contacts were "dirty" which would allow you to shoot above 1/500?

Let me know b/c this is bothering me big time!

Skid

Originally posted by grandmarginal:
Hello, something weird happened to me tonight... I shot a wedding today, I have been using my SB-800 flash. My camera (D70s) was set on manual (it's always set on manual) and my SB-800 was set on A (automatic). Now, all day I was using it as fill-flash. All day I had control of my shutter speed. In the evening at the reception, all of sudden, I realize I could not go faster than 1/500 sec. Looking at my picture data, it seems the earliest pictures was set on "Flash-sync mode; Not attached", that's when I had full shutterspeed control. Then, all the pictures set at 1/500 has the "Flash-sync mode:Front curtain" and a new data appears... "Auto flash mode: Auto aperture". The settings was changed within seconds without me knowing.

Now it doesn't matter what setting I try, I can't go faster than 1/500 with the SB-800 on.

1. What the hell happened?
2. How do I get back to my original setting?

Thanks.


Message edited by author 2006-08-27 10:10:35.
 08/27/2006 06:46:27 PM · #6
I found out what happened... My flash was not set in completly (not pushed all the way) when I locked it in position... Yes it was firing and yes, I've shot up to 1/1600 shutterspeed.

Message edited by author 2006-08-27 18:46:42.
 08/27/2006 07:19:52 PM · #7
Originally posted by grandmarginal:
I found out what happened... My flash was not set in completly (not pushed all the way) when I locked it in position... Yes it was firing and yes, I've shot up to 1/1600 shutterspeed.


That just means that you didn't have TTL most of the day, but it gives you high speed flash synch up to like 1/4000 or something if not all the TTL contacts are umm.... in contact. Some people electrical tape them to shoot water drops and stuff.
 08/27/2006 07:30:53 PM · #8
nikon d70 syncs up to 1/500 with all dedicated flashes without using high speed sync.

there's your answer.

if you want to shoot faster than with a flash you risk not getting all the light from your flash and you need to either not have all contacts touching like mentioned or use a non dedicated strobe such as a vivitar or sunpak.

edit to add: pretty much no other digital slr's even sync at 1/500. you have the best there is in that feature already.

Message edited by author 2006-08-27 19:31:34.
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