SB 800 preflashes?

I am pretty sure these are not preflashes. I use a D300 and when I set my sb 800 to ttl mode to take a shot it will visibly flash 3 times for about 1 second, before finally taking the shot (the fourth flash). When I use the pop up flash on the camera with the same lens and everything (in ttl mode) it functions perfectly. How do I fix this?

 

Turn off the red-eye feature! That will help.

 

Red-eye reduction = EVIL
Bouncing flash = GOOD!

 

Here in Texas our mantra is "Ribeye good, redeye bad".

 

Definitely I like Texas.

 

"Ribeye good, redeye bad."
Texas good, taxes bad.

 

You guys. I have a headache today, quit making me laugh. Now I need multiple pops of ibuprofen.
Joseph, other SB-800 tricks will produce multiple pops, besides the red-eye reduction (which describes what you noted): slow sync rear curtain flash; the disco strobe modeling light - usually activated by the DOF preview button; and repeating flash mode.

 

You should not be able to see preflashes unless

1. your eyes have been upgraded to firmware v.7.1.*
2. your optic nerve is detaching from the retina **

-------
* USB port required for firmware update
**Please see your ophthalmologist immediately

 

How you can see your ophthalmologist if your retina is already detached?

 

Shun,
EXCELLENT point, that's why, when it happened to me, I went to the ear doctor, who just looked at me funny... At least I think he did... I couldn't see anything...

 

So you went to a ear doctor when you had an eye problem?

 

thanks matt.

 

Huh? Whadya say? I can't hear ya...

 

But seriously folks, take my flash please...