SB-600 D200: flash reading inconsistent

[kenneth_logan]

I'm asking about the inconsistency I've experienced with the Nikon D200

combined with the SB-600 flash. I can take two shots of the same basic view,

with maybe 5% variation in the frame, no variation in camera settings, and get

significantly different flash exposures. With Nikon's reputed flash accuracy,

I'm wondering why such variation occurs. I'm about to do an important press

coverage with D200 and SB-600, and I'm wondering if my experience is similar to

experiences of others with this combination or whether I have malfunctioning

equipment. The SB-600 was new as of around the first of May, 2006.

 

I'd appreciate having insights/help.

[walterh]

I can't say about the SB600 but I am very happy with the SB800 on the D200. I just shot 10 baby-cats with a bit delicate exposure. The whites easily burn out. I took about 100 very similar shots in RAW. When I batch converted in camera raw I could adjust exposure for the whole set and needed only occasionally +- 0.05 individual adjustment. Pretty impressive i think. Between very different scenes I usually have to use flash compensation by about +- 0.3 to +- 0.7.

[walterh]

Delicate whites burn out very easyly. I know flash is not ideal but those kittens are fast as a flash ^^ at this age and if you have to do 10 of them ... flash seems an option :-P<div></div>

[Uhooru]

I'm not getting how to use my SB 800 on the D200 either. I found to get consistant results in dark settings I have to set my lens, (which has been either the 18-70 DX or the 50 1.4 AF) to wide open, and then use shutter prioriy and ttl etc. I often fine I compensate by -1 to .1.7 or even a little more. Once its dialed in, though, I do get very consistant results. But I just know I'm not utilizing correctly though I've found a way that seems to work for me.

 

<img src="http://static.flickr.com/94/243622519_6cd07f4e4f.jpg?v=0">

[elliot1]

I have boh the sb-600 and sb-800 for my d200's and find they both work extremely well.

 

Is it possible that your flash has not fully recycled from the previous flash at the time you got your badly exposed shot? Depending on your camera settings such as ISO and aperture and the condition of your batteries, it could take 3-5 seconds or more for the flash to recycle. If the red light is not on when you take your picture, the exposure will be off.