Nikon F5 with SB910

Hello,

I have a Nikon F5 that I used to use a sb 800 with. I went to my rental spot and they now have the 910 in place of the 800. I rented one after confirming with the rental house that it would work with my F5. I have a 28-70 f2.8 D lens on the body but I’ve not been able to get the flash to seemingly recognize the iso on the camera or the focal length of the lens. The flash will fire but I’m not sure it’s actually reading the scene. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Ah, the joys of using film! *

The flash coverage should at least 'zoom' with the lens focal length.

Do a two-button reset of the flash - simultaneously press the two green-dotted buttons for two seconds or more. Also clean the contacts on the flash and the camera hotshoe. See if that cures the issue.

If you have a flashmeter you can check that the flash output is in line with the camera aperture.

*What some call the "instant gratification" of digital is really an assurance that you've got the picture and that everything is working correctly.

The method for TTL flash is different between film SLRs and DSLRs. Nikon DSLRs from the D2H in 2003 and later use iTTL, which uses a pre-flash to determine the right exposure. The SB-800 is compatible with both types of TTL, but from the SB-900 and later, they can only work with DSLR’s iTTL.

You can still use the SB-910 on your F5, but there will be no TTL flash.

Tried that. It’s just not compatible. Thanks thought.

Ah, of course! If the F5 isn't CLS/i-TTL compatible, then you'll lose nearly all automation. Apart from Auto-Aperture mode (which is more reliable than i-TTL in my experience).

The SB-800 was the last Nikon speedlight to be backwardly compatible with film TTL. However, things like an SB-28, 26, 25 etc. can be picked up used for - probably - less than a few days hire charge on an SB-910. They all have the same measured full output 'power' as an SB-910 or SB-800, which hasn't changed on Nikon's flagship speedlights in decades. (Witness all of their service manuals showing a 1400uF/350v main storage capacitor - giving a maximum theoretical energy of around 80 Joules)

Off topic but, I just checked around *Bay and the like. Wow! The market for 'obsolete' Nikon speedlights has gone mental. With prices having trebled in about 6 months.

Wagwan bro? Wagwan?

It is possible to revert to older methods.

Tell me about it.

In my experience the old Auto Aperture mode is more consistent and reliable than i-TTL - direct, bounced, diffused, whatever. And it doesn't waste any flash energy putting out a pre-flash and CLS 'Morse code'.

It all depends on whether you require TTL. It is possible to revert to older methods.

Sure but if you don't want TTL you can get cheaper flashes that are just as good.

you can get cheaper flashes that are just as good.

Or better. My cheap YongNuo 560ii & iii speedlights actually recycle quicker (full pop to full pop) than my SB800 with the extra cell holder fitted. Almost as quick as a Nikon flash plus SD-8 belt pack.

Or better. My cheap YongNuo 560ii & iii speedlights actually recycle quicker (full pop to full pop) than my SB800 with the extra cell holder fitted. Almost as quick as a Nikon flash plus SD-8 belt pack.

Does the YongNuo support non TTL auto aperture mode? I think it's only support D-TTL or manual and may not support the F5.

Does the YongNuo support non TTL auto aperture mode?

There are various YongNuo models. I have a YN565EX as well as YN560ii/iii. All appear to have equal light output and recycle time. The 565 is Nikon/Canon i-TTL/eTTL (software switchable) compatible as a slave.

No, they don't support AA mode, and that's a pity, but as fully manual and RF triggerable speedlights they're in many ways superior to Nikon's unreliable optical triggering CLS models.

The F5 will trigger any manual flash or hotshoe trigger transmitter. Just bin the idea of any sort of flash automation being a good idea for multiple light setups. But if you must use ugly on-camera light, at least bounce it.

FYI, SB-600 is also compatible with both systems.

But unfortunately it's also a stop less powerful than an SB-800, or even a YN560. Meaning a short 3m 'round trip' bounce from a white ceiling leaves you working at about f/4 with 100 ISO, rather than f/5.6.

FYI, SB-600 is also compatible with both systems.

Once again the SB-600 doesn't have AA mode.

Once again the SB-600 doesn't have AA mode.

No, but there never seems to be any shortage of used SB-24, 25, 26 or 28 speedlights that all support AA mode and can easily be used with any Nikon SLR or DSLR.

Of the above, the SB-25 is my favourite. The SB-24 lacks some facilities and has a limited 'power' selection range. While the SB-28 doesn't allow easy change of manual ISO speed. (The SB-26 seems rarer on the used market and I have no experience using one - it may also be a good choice.)

No, but there never seems to be any shortage of used SB-24, 25, 26 or 28 speedlights that all support AA mode and can easily be used with any Nikon SLR or DSLR.

 

Of the above, the SB-25 is my favourite. The SB-24 lacks some facilities and has a limited 'power' selection range. While the SB-28 doesn't allow easy change of manual ISO speed. (The SB-26 seems rarer on the used market and I have no experience using one - it may also be a good choice.)

It's a pity that very few new flashes now that support AA mode which you would agree that works better than TTL and would be compatible to any camera. Manual is fine but you would likely need to pop it to get a test shot or flash metering. There are many situation when that is not possible.

It's a pity that very few new flashes now that support AA mode which you would agree that works better than TTL..

Getting off-topic now, but I think it's a fashion thing. Nissin incorporated AA mode into their semi-pro speedlights until recently, but now appear to have dropped it. While Metz have pulled out of the flash business altogether.

Still plenty of old and barely-used flash gear with AA mode around though. So no issue that I can see.

TTL works adequately enough for paparazzi snappers, which I suspect is the major speedlight market, followed by wedding and event users. However, a growing trend at events and wedding receptions is to set up a 'photo booth' (and optional dressing up box) with fixed lighting, where guests can come to be photographed to commemorate the event. This seems a more civilised and organised way to do things than randomly snapping people on the dance-floor - almost inevitably catching unflattering, ridiculous expressions and postures.

Once again the SB-600 doesn't have AA mode.

True, but it does do TTL for both film and digital just like the SB-800.