d200, 80-200mm f2.8,sb-800,sd-n2 issues

[tony_young]

Hi all,

 

My outfit used to be d1x, d70, with an old sb-24,sb-28 quantum turbo power

pack and I have recently added to my collection with D200, 80-200mm f2.8,sb-

800 and sd-n2.

 

Application: HS-basketball.

 

Before setup: D70 with Quantum Turbo and SB-24/sb-28 (3 live Ni-MHs with a

fake green battery unit)with repeating flash mode,35-135mm f3.5-4.5 af nikkor

(did not have anything to say about D or S lens) with marco. Camera set for

variety of P,S and A with low and high speed frame rate.

 

Results: Could not get decent multiple flashes (less than 2 secs worth) shots.

Red light flashing on flash unit therefore could not focus and get ready for

the next shot. D700 started to act up on slow and high frame rate even w/o the

flash unit attached) and focus seems to be really slow. Quantum turbo LED

showed power level is still good but could not be used on any other flash

units. SB-28 stopped working. The red rubber test button on sb-28 could not be

used to fire the flash manually.

 

Now setup: D200, SD-N2 power pack, SB-800 on TTL mode (with Ni-MHs batteries

fully charged), 80-200mm f2.8 ED lens. Pretty much the same set up on D200.

 

Problem:

a) Battery slowed down tremendously after few sets (3 frames group) of quick

recycle shots (less than 10 sets). Wait time about 3-4 secs and in some case

much longer.

b) When battery regained full power for next shot(after slowing down recycle),

focus is very slow & hard.

 

Question: What did I do wrong? Or what should be the right set up for that

scenario? Anything you would recommend? I was able to shoot near/ or behind

the hoop. Thanks

[frank_skomial]

"What did I do wrong?" - you did not read SB-800 Instruction Manual, page 51. If you continue shooting the way you do, your SB-800 will share the faith of your SB-28 soon. Your expectations of fast flash sequences, or understanding of SB-800 limitations is the problem.

 

"Anything you would recommend?"

 

1 - if you can get closer to "near/behimd the hoop", use 85/1.4 or 50/1.4 and do not use flash. Depending on lighting 80-200/2.8 should be OK too. Use high ISO and get a noise removal software.

 

2 - if you are allowed flash, get a heavy duty flash and shoot in Manual mode with lower power ratio, high ISO, and wide aperture.