waynesview

<p>Nikon D3, Nikon 28-70 2.8G ED. Family portrait session out on the beach at dusk. One SB800 on camera, on SB800 off camera, Pocketwizard transceivers. The entire session, from beginning to end, 100+ exposures. My focus point was either the subjects eyes or mouth (if I was a little bit farther away). Every shot is just a little bit out of focus at 100% (in the eyes) and a few are very much so - especially as the sun went down. The strange thing is, the grassy dunes in the background, or the waves behind them, were in perfect focus! In checking the back of my camera during the shoot, I have always checked for the meter values and exposure. Never had to worry about zooming in close to check focus before. I tested the same exact setup this evening and it was pin sharp, shot after shot. The only thing I can think of is that maybe my lens was not seated properly? or the humidity was effecting the camera/lens? It ruined a wonderful portrait opportunity for this family, and probably lost me their trust and future business.</p><div></div>

<p>Thank you all for your responses. I think from reading the above maybe my problem is that I fire the flashes too quickly - as the batteries get rather warm too. I think as suggested above - I need to invest in flashed made for more frequent/heavy duty use and maybe even try no to fire them so often. Nikon Pro charges $110 per flash to repair - so I think I can justify the expense! :-)<br>

Cheers from Murrells Inlet, SC</p>

<p>Now I show my ignorance so please bare with me: Is the power level the same as the F-stop?</p>

<p>I have twice now burned out two of my Nikon SB800 speedlights while using them as off-camera flashes, (fired by Pocket Wizards). I have four SB800s and I switch them out consistently, so it's not the lights themselves. I've read everything I can find from Nikon. My setup: Locations: Wedding reception (dance floor) Nikon D3 with a SB800 & Pocketwizard on top, two other off-camera SB800s on stands with Pocketwizards recving. The on-camera flash does not overheat/burn-out, but the two off camera ones do, even though they are all three fired together. Same batteries. What am I missing? Please help - thank you in advance! Wayne</p>

<p>What Pete said!</p>

<p>Thank you Shun! It was the "select single point" that I was not getting - I read that section of the manual three or four times. I guess I need to detach the D3 from my the end of my arm and get more used to the settings on the D600! Cheers! BTW - nice surf pics! Wish we had waves like that here on the Grand Strand!</p>

<p>D600 - Focus point - I must be missing something and actually feel like the answer is probably right in front of me. Is there a way for me to set the focus point myself while shooting? I cannot have it bouncing all over the place like it does! I set it manually on my D3 all the time.</p>

<p>Eye-Fi won't work on the D3 - been there tried all of that. Don't waist your time. No inexpensive solution.</p>

 

<p>I've been getting that "chatter" with my same lens since day one - I believe it is normal.</p>

<p>I use 3 SB800s and a SB600 with a D3 and could not be happier. I borrowed an 900 from Nikon Pro and gladly sent it back when my time was up. Reliability, and the CLS was terrible. At a wedding it only fired intermittently which is unacceptable - an over-heating issue it was not - I double checked for that. I'm told the 910 is a much improved speedlight. I would def buy a couple SB800s at $300 if I needed them.</p>

<p>What Andrew said...ditto....</p>

<p>Did you change anything with your apple id? or your setup on the pc/mac/network? I was in itunes and created a new location to store my images from on my pc and had a heck of a time making my ipad find it. Just a thought. Good luck!</p>

<p>Now, if we could get a Win7 64bit .dng codec from Adobe!</p>

<p>...also, it is better NOT to fill the card to its max, another bonus with Nikon's underestimating</p>

<p>I've been using Black Rapid's strap for about 15 months - D3, with 24-70 and 70-200 lens. Often shoot on the move, walking to multiple locations. The strap performs flawlessly. If I could change anything, it would be to make a way to keep the shoulder pad up on my shoulder, but that's not a show stopper. I have the strap adjusted so that when the D3 is hanging at my side, it is exactly where my hand naturally meets the grip - I seldom let go of the camera while moving, but I do let the strap take the weight.</p>

<p>I've been a professional (using income from photography to live off of) for 5+ years and I'm still a beginner. To answer your Q's: 1. and 2. The 24-70 2.8 is my main/workhorse lens. I recommend you rent one and compare what it can do for you, to the Sigma. and 3. I've heard nothing but great things about the 80 1.8, but considering the cost, again rent and try before you buy. You might find that you already have what you need to make your weddings as special as your brides deserve. On a semi related note: Someone once explained to me that Sigma glass was not as high quality as Tamron, that Tamron's owners were three ex-Nikon engineers, which explains why Tamron has such high quality. Not sure about all of that, or if it is even true, but I would definitely borrow/rent first. Just my 2 cents. Cheers</p>

<p>Been experiencing mis-fires with my SB800s (2 of them) lately. About every 3rd or fourth shot (D3 body) either over or under exposes. In commander mode, same problem - and the remote only fires intermittently (even when pushing the test button). I had both units in to Nikon Pro Services a few months ago to replace the bulbs. I've eliminated the batteries, the camera (WHEW!) and other possibilities. I borrowed a friends SB800 and no problems on my D3. Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience. Cheers from Murrells Inlet, SC</p>

<p>One other point - ADL has no effect on your image file if you are shooting raw. This setting is only visible on jpeg images.</p>

<p>I'm certainly not the expert on this, but I do not think the Active D-Lighting works in RAW, since RAW is a digital neg. <br>

Another option to blown our faces is adjusting the f/stop, shutter speed and ISO (shooting in manual of course). For data storage, consider converting to DNGs, which will save you a little bit more space. </p>

<p>Bridal Preparations - Just prior to the walk<br>

Nikon D3, Nikor 24-70, 2.8 @ 24mm, off-camera speedlight - SB800</p><div></div>

<p>Micah! Utterly beautiful! I am speachless. Beautiful images. Thank you so much for offering this to us!</p>

<p>Take a look at BayPhoto.com</p>

<p>What happened to the image I uploaded? "Destination Wedding"? I guess I didn't do something correctly? OH! I just scrolledup to the top - "BRIDAL PORTRAIT" Good thing it wasn't a bus!</p>

 

<p>Destination Wedding 2nd try (Why is this so difficult?)</p><div></div>

<p>Team Work</p><div></div>