SB800 problem when Master in CLS setup

[Bruce_Thatcher]

Greg,

I suspect your problem might be the use of the cord. Suggest you try mounting the SB800 directly on the hot shoe and substituting one of your SB600's in the unbrella. If that eliminates the problem then buy a commander or another SB600/800.

Bruce

[Greg_Halinda]

Bruce,
I've been successfully using the SB 800 as a master on the end of a TTL cord for months. Is there a logical reason why it shouldn't work in this way? Sometimes this master flash no doubt gets a pretty strong hit from the SB600 it's controlling, but my last few location shoots it's almost always too weak, whether the other CLS flashes are 3 or 10 or more feet away from the master.

[Doug_Kerr]

Hi, Greg,

Originally Posted by Greg_Halinda

Bruce,
I've been successfully using the SB 800 as a master on the end of a TTL cord for months.

Could you remind us about what is different between "that" setup and the setup that does not now behave properly?

Thanks.

Best regards,

Doug

[Bruce_Thatcher]

Originally Posted by Greg_Halinda

Bruce,
I've been successfully using the SB 800 as a master on the end of a TTL cord for months. Is there a logical reason why it shouldn't work in this way? Sometimes this master flash no doubt gets a pretty strong hit from the SB600 it's controlling, but my last few location shoots it's almost always too weak, whether the other CLS flashes are 3 or 10 or more feet away from the master.

Greg,

I know I have a Quantum with the Nikon TTL module which works fine when in the hotshoe but will not work on an extension cord (cannot explain why). I am suggesting eliminating the cord as the first step to trouble shooting your problem; make your set-up as simple as possible and then add one variable at a time until you understand where the failure is.

Bruce

[Greg_Halinda]

I think I may have found the problem. I was using an older Nikkor AF zoom lens, my 35-70mm f2.8 (non-D, non-G lens), when the Master flash was not providing adequate TTL. Tonight, I recreated the setup. Whether the Master flash was on the camera's hot shoe or on a TTL cord, the Master's exposure was under.
Then I tried my recent Nikkor AF VR 24-120mm G lens, and the problem all but disappeared, although slightly evident when using the TTL cord setup for the Master. I guess CLS meters flash best with a D or G type lens.

[Doug_Kerr]

Hi, Greg,

Originally Posted by Greg_Halinda

I. . .
Then I tried my recent Nikkor AF VR 24-120mm G lens, and the problem all but disappeared. . .

Very interesting finding.

I don't know nearly enough about the Nikon flash metering system and its operation under CLS to be able to conjecture a cause-and-effect relationship here.

Best regards,

Doug

[SebastianPhoto]

Originally Posted by Greg_Halinda

Just want to see if anyone else has had this problem before I send my SB800 to Nikon service...when using the SB800 as a Master flash on my D200 body, either in the camera's hot shoe or on a Nikon TTL extension cord, the SB800 is triggering my 2 SB600 remotes fine, but the SB800 itself either isn't flashing, or is flashing so weakly that it's effect on the subject matter is invisible. I usually have the SB800 firing into a small umbrella high over my shoulder as my fill flash, with the SB600's on stands serving as key and accent flashes. Sometimes if I cycle the SB800's power off and on again, I'll get one or two shots where it provides it's sync and intended flash ratio as fill, then it stops providing fill and only serves to trigger the SB600s.

The lenses used recently with this configuration are non-D AF Nikkors, a 35-70mm f2.8, and a 24mm f2.8. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Greg,

Not sure if you have found your solution, but I have had a similar issue with my flash on its own and in master mode. Found out that the flash tube was burned out. I actually have had the flash tube replaced several times in both my SB 800's until I recently found out that I need to use a different brand of batteries. Not using the right batteries and not allowing a cool down period for the flash every time in use will cause over exertion on the flash tube and it will burn out. The flash will appear to fire but very dimly. Maybe that will answer it for you

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