sophie_zhang Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 Hi all, I just received my SB800 two days ago. I've been reading the manual and some guide book, however, none of them seems to help me understand why my flash won't flash sometimes. I hope it's not a question of the SB800 being defective, but sometimes when I fire it (and it's mounted on my nikon d70) it just doesn't flash. I swtiched to other modes, still doesn't flash. The ready light however, blinks after the shutter is released, supposedly to tell me my flash is ready to flash when the blinks stops. But when it stops, still doesn't flash. I would like to know why this happens. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_skomial Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 Flash could be in a wrong mode, e.g. commander mode ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juanjo_viagran Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 Try to put new batteries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iambaxter Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 Try a two button reset. Make sure the flash is seated in the hot shoe properly. Try new batteries. (my SB-800 does strange things when the batteries are starting to die)If that does not work, take the flash and camera back to the store that you bought the flash. Try the flash on a different camera and a different flash on your camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
errolyoung Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 The reset should work but if it doesn't go into the menu. There is a way to tell the flash not to flash. Reset that. Errol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tisbone Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 I just put a sb-800 on my d70 and tried to make it not flash.. the only way it won't flash is when the flash is in the remote mode or you set it to 'off' in the very last settimgs box. but this seems not to be a problem if it only won't flash SOMETIMES. try checking if the hot shoe connectors are clean and make sure you lock it with the lever when you put it on.. otherwise, check other batteries or take it to the store and see other cameras/flashes, as Len said. good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elliot1 Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 As Daniel mentioned, make sure your flash is attached securely to your camera and locked in place. You may also want to clean the contact on you camera with alcohol and a q-tip. If this does not help, find another camera and test it on it. If it does the same think on the other camera, the flash is likely defective. My guess is that because the light blinks after you take a picture the flash is defective. A few weeks ago, I accidentally dropped my sb-600 (a $100 mistake for me). It would not flash after that but the red light blinked after I took a picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 If possible, a simple test would be to find another functioning SB-800 and compare. Admittedly, the SB-800 is complex and the manual isn't all that well written, but if you have been playing around for 2 days and it sometimes just doesn't flash, I would start assuming that the flash is defective. I have 2 SB-800 flashes that I purchased separately. The first one had some subtle problems that it sometimes created over or under-exposed flashes. I had inconsistent results for several weeks but didn't realize that it was defective until I bought the 2nd one, which worked perfectly. I sent the first one back to Nikon for warranty repair, and they replaced some circuit board inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2yellowdogs Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 If your ready light is blinking, that tells you that the flash used all of its power the last time it fired. Particularly when your batteries are running down, it could take a significant amount of time for the flash to recycle. I'll bet that a fresh set of batteries (try lithiums) will fix your problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophie_zhang Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 What a caring forum. Thanks guys! I'll purchase some rechargable batteries today and change them, see if it helps - I certainly hope it's not defective. =S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophie_zhang Posted June 16, 2007 Author Share Posted June 16, 2007 so I changed batteries today (panasonic rechargable) and now I have to complain that my flash is too bright. =P Is it bright like that even when it's iTTL bal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 So old batteries was the problem. If you want faster recycle time, try the 5th battery option. Just open the battery compartment lid to about 45 degrees and push the tip of it sideways. The lid will come off easily and you can then slide in the little container for the 5th battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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