Flash question - SB-600 / D60 - Resolved!

Daysleeper40

Daysleeper40

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Hi All,

I took delivery of my new SB-600 flash yesterday and promptly went out and bought a off camera flash cord to co with it.

Now I am trying to learn how to use it today and when I've got it mounted directly on the hotshoe so far so good. When I try to connect it via the cable - nothing. Nada. Zip.

I have been reading both the camera and the flash user manuals but I just can't see if there a particular settings I need to use when connecting via a cord.

Can any kind soul help me please? :thinking:
 
What sort of cord do you have? How many pins are on its hotshoe?

If the cord only has a single pin on its hotshoe, then you will be limited to only being able to shoot manual mode (as in, manual flash mode).
 
It's ok thankyou - idiot alert... I had it connected the wrong way round on the hotshoe :bonk:
 
Daysleeper40 said:
It's ok thankyou - idiot alert... I had it connected the wrong way round on the hotshoe :bonk:
Click to expand...
LOL, easy mistake to make, everyones done it before; like asking why something wont power on, then realising you havent plugged it in :p
 
1. make sure the camera has recognised the flashgun connection, it should act in the same way as if it was on the hotshoe.

2. make sure the flash isnt on slave mode, make sure the flash is actually turned on and make sure your pointing the flash at the subject.

3. check your aperture isnt really small because even in dim conditions the flash wont compensate.
 
Thanks Luke - I will give it another go. Maybe it is as simple as not positioning it in the right place :thinking:
 
Ok I've tried again - still not good :(

It is like it is firing a test flash rather than a proper flash when it's connected by the cable. It is a jessops TTL cable if that makes any difference?
 
I have a bigger problem now - the flash is recognising the camera when connected by the cord and the flash seems to be firing (looks like the test flash it does) but the flash is having no effect - everything VERY dark. I don't know what I'm doing wrong :(
 
Daysleeper40 said:
I have a bigger problem now - the flash is recognising the camera when connected by the cord and the flash seems to be firing (looks like the test flash it does) but the flash is having no effect - everything VERY dark. I don't know what I'm doing wrong :(
Click to expand...

Can you post a pic (with the EXIF data intact) that illustrates the prolem?
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Can you post a pic (with the EXIF data intact) that illustrates the prolem?
Click to expand...

This is with the flash on the hotshoe:



...and this is via the cable. When I say dark - I mean black!



Any ideas?
 
People really need to see the exif data to help fully.
 
I've got a D60 and SB 600 so can copy your settings if given :)
 
fracster said:
People really need to see the exif data to help fully.
Click to expand...

Sorry - do you mean this:

On hotshoe:

Camera Make NIKON CORPORATION
Camera Model NIKON D60
Exposure 0.01667 sec (1/60)
F-Number f4.5
Focal Length 28 mm
Exposure Bias 0
Orientation 1
X Resolution 300 dpi
Y Resolution 300 dpi
Date and Time (Original) 2010:02:01 19:29:30
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:02:01 19:29:30
ColorSpace sRGB
Flash Flash fired, auto mode, return light detected
Software Used Ver.1.01
Sensing Method One-chip color area sensor
Image Height 2592 pixels
Image Width 3872 pixels
Date Time 2010:02:01 19:29:30
YCbCr Positioning 2
ISO Speed ISO-100
Light Source unknown
Metering Mode Pattern
Maximum Lens Aperture 4.3


On cable:

Camera Make NIKON CORPORATION
Camera Model NIKON D60
Exposure 0.01667 sec (1/60)
F-Number f4.5
Focal Length 28 mm
Exposure Bias 0.666666666666667
Orientation 1
X Resolution 300 dpi
Y Resolution 300 dpi
Date and Time (Original) 2010:02:01 20:34:17
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:02:01 20:34:17
ColorSpace sRGB
Flash Flash fired, auto mode, return light detected
Software Used Ver.1.01
Sensing Method One-chip color area sensor
Image Height 2592 pixels
Image Width 3872 pixels
Date Time 2010:02:01 20:34:17
YCbCr Positioning 2
ISO Speed ISO-100
Light Source unknown
Metering Mode Pattern
Maximum Lens Aperture 4.3
 
I've tried it in TTL, TTL auto and manual. Situation not helped by the fact I don't know what I'm doing in any of them . It wouldn't fire at all in manual - obviously user error. I have RTFM but it didn't mean a lot to me TBH.

EDIT - thankyou for trying to help - sorry I'm being a muppet!
 
Don't be annoyed with me for suggesting this, but you do have it on the cable hotshoe the right way round, don't you? You wouldn't be the first person to mount it the wrong way round.......
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Don't be annoyed with me for suggesting this, but you do have it on the cable hotshoe the right way round, don't you? You wouldn't be the first person to mount it the wrong way round.......
Click to expand...

Funny you should say that because that is what I did to start with! :bonk:

It wasn't even recognising the camera then and it is now so I'm pretty sure I have it the right way round now... but I'm willing to try anything. Back in a minute...
 
Yep - it's definately the right way round now.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Put the camera in manual at, say 1/200 and f/8 and see if it fires now
Click to expand...

It still seems to be firing in TTL and TTL auto but the picture is still coming out black. Doesn't fire in manual.

Tried putting it back on the hotshoe and it fires in all modes just fine. Do I just have a dodgy cable do you think?

I was so looking forward to having off camera flash... now I just want to stamp on the damn thing.
 
Reset the flash (there should be a two-button reset) just to make sure it's back at base setting. Reset your exposure comp if you're in a program mode in the camera. Reset any flash compensation that may be on in the camera.

The TTL should be compatible with Nikon for a start - is it? Otherwise, everything shoudl work out fine. Have you tried using the same setting with it on camera as off camera? Are you sure you haven't changed the aperture value at all in between using it on and off the camera?

One way to make sure the camera and flash are 'talking' to each other is to zoom the lens and adjust the aperture; the read-out on the rear of the flash so echo these changes. The zoom is an easy one because as you zoom you'll hear the flash zooming too.....
 
Definately :(
 
:D

I know I'm clueless but I'm not quite that bad!
 
Make sure you lock both on tight before you fire. I've had one just fire as if it wasn't completely communicating with the D60 properly. Like a dodgy connection. It was the end on the camera that was causing the problem. Bit of a small wiggle seemed to fix it.
 
sorry about that ! ...:(

just a thought - if the flash didn't fire and the camera operated, surely there would be "some" image from the ambient light ?

it looks as if you have no image at all - being black

can you try/borrow another lead?

John
 
the TTL cord for my D40 from FITP has 4 contact pins on the hotshoe end

one central
one at 5 o'clock, one at 7 and one at 11
 
I'm going to take the lead back tomorrow and see if I can swap it for a different one or get my money back. I'm a bit concerned that it is the camera or the flash but I don't have another lead to try at the moment.
 
Take your camera and flash with you when you return the cord :)
 
Daysleeper40 said:
I'm going to take the lead back tomorrow and see if I can swap it for a different one or get my money back. I'm a bit concerned that it is the camera or the flash but I don't have another lead to try at the moment.
Click to expand...

frankly I'd get a refund and order one from FITP - never heard of a duff one yet
 
It won't be the camera or flash if it works fine on camera. It will be a dodgy connection on the cable either at the camera or at the hotshoe. I ran into similar problems with a cable. I since went wireless and haven't looked back
 
Thankyou all for trying to help (especially FITP) - I have a new cord and so far so good. At least I know now it is the cord and the camera / flash are both fine. If it stops working again I definately know who to go to for a replacement... ;)
 
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