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Using a Phoenix RL-59 ring flash

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Blkmagikca

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I'm interested in trying to take some macro shots with my D70. Since the lens I got with the D70 is the 24-120mm VR, I picked up an older Micro-Nikkor 55mm f-3.5 lens with the M2 extension tube. To provide an inexpensive light source, I got the Phoenix RL-59N ring flash. (Note: I have the SB-600 flash; consequently I'm not really interested in a suggestion to buy the Nikon SH-29s at megabucks.)

What I am finding is that I cannot get the flash to trip. With both the D70 and the flash off, I attach the flash - and turn on the D70 and then the flash. The LCD panel shows that the flash is attached. With the settings to manual, shutter at 1/60, the D70 refuses to shoot. The LCD shows [r04] as the message (where the frame counter is), but that is the same message I get when I remove the flash and take a shot.

Has anyone managed to get a combination such as this to work with the D70?
 
In re-reading Thom Hugan's book, it looks as though this combination won't work. The only flashes that work in TTL mode with the D70 are the SB-600 (which I have) and the SB-800. The Phoenix, unofrtunately is the older TTL mode which is not supported AND there is no provision to switch it off from TTL to manual mode on the flash.

Has anyone managed to get a non-iTTL flash to work with the D70 -- did anyone try using the AS-15 Sync Terminal Adapter to bypass this situation? I'd be interested in seeing how I can get to use this ring flash for macro work.
Blkmagikca said:
I'm interested in trying to take some macro shots with my D70.
Since the lens I got with the D70 is the 24-120mm VR, I picked up
an older Micro-Nikkor 55mm f-3.5 lens with the M2 extension tube.
To provide an inexpensive light source, I got the Phoenix RL-59N
ring flash. (Note: I have the SB-600 flash; consequently I'm not
really interested in a suggestion to buy the Nikon SH-29s at
megabucks.)

What I am finding is that I cannot get the flash to trip. With both
the D70 and the flash off, I attach the flash - and turn on the D70
and then the flash. The LCD panel shows that the flash is attached.
With the settings to manual, shutter at 1/60, the D70 refuses to
shoot. The LCD shows [r04] as the message (where the frame counter
is), but that is the same message I get when I remove the flash and
take a shot.

Has anyone managed to get a combination such as this to work with
the D70?
Click to expand...
 
Blkmagikca said:
Has anyone managed to get a non-iTTL flash to work with the D70 --
did anyone try using the AS-15 Sync Terminal Adapter to bypass this
situation? I'd be interested in seeing how I can get to use this
ring flash for macro work.
Blkmagikca said:
I'm interested in trying to take some macro shots with my D70.
Since the lens I got with the D70 is the 24-120mm VR, I picked up
an older Micro-Nikkor 55mm f-3.5 lens with the M2 extension tube.
To provide an inexpensive light source, I got the Phoenix RL-59N
ring flash. (Note: I have the SB-600 flash; consequently I'm not
really interested in a suggestion to buy the Nikon SH-29s at
megabucks.)

What I am finding is that I cannot get the flash to trip. With both
the D70 and the flash off, I attach the flash - and turn on the D70
and then the flash. The LCD panel shows that the flash is attached.
With the settings to manual, shutter at 1/60, the D70 refuses to
shoot. The LCD shows [r04] as the message (where the frame counter
is), but that is the same message I get when I remove the flash and
take a shot.

Has anyone managed to get a combination such as this to work with
the D70?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--

I use a DigiSlave RF-50 Ring flash fired with its built in slave. You can see examples at http://www.pbase.com/digital_darrel/macro

BTW I purchase the flash thru Ebay.

I set the camera to manual 1/500 sec shutter speed and aperture is base on histogram. The important part of this is the ringflash my have a manual setting. IF I recall correctly the Phoenix RL-59N has only an auto setting.

Darrel
--
Nikon D70 w/ Kit lens
Nikon 28-105
Sigma 70-300 APO
Vivitar 100mm f3.5
DigiSlave RF-50 Ring flash
http://www.pbase.com/digital_darrel
 
That's right. The Phoenix does not have a manual setting, only a TTL setting, and the D70 won't work with it. In fact, I hooked the D70 to my computer, and using Nikon Control I attampted to take a random shot - I immediately got an error message that the TTL mode was not compatible.

I guess I'll just sell the Phoeinx RL-59 -- I'm considering an older SB-21, which I'm sure maust have a manual mode.
Darrel Booth said:
--
I use a DigiSlave RF-50 Ring flash fired with its built in slave.
You can see examples at http://www.pbase.com/digital_darrel/macro

BTW I purchase the flash thru Ebay.

I set the camera to manual 1/500 sec shutter speed and aperture is
base on histogram. The important part of this is the ringflash my
have a manual setting. IF I recall correctly the Phoenix RL-59N
has only an auto setting.

Darrel
--
Nikon D70 w/ Kit lens
Nikon 28-105
Sigma 70-300 APO
Vivitar 100mm f3.5
DigiSlave RF-50 Ring flash
http://www.pbase.com/digital_darrel
Click to expand...
 
Blkmagikca said:
I'm interested in trying to take some macro shots with my D70.
Since the lens I got with the D70 is the 24-120mm VR, I picked up
an older Micro-Nikkor 55mm f-3.5 lens with the M2 extension tube.
To provide an inexpensive light source, I got the Phoenix RL-59N
ring flash. (Note: I have the SB-600 flash; consequently I'm not
really interested in a suggestion to buy the Nikon SH-29s at
megabucks.)

What I am finding is that I cannot get the flash to trip. With both
the D70 and the flash off, I attach the flash - and turn on the D70
and then the flash. The LCD panel shows that the flash is attached.
With the settings to manual, shutter at 1/60, the D70 refuses to
shoot. The LCD shows [r04] as the message (where the frame counter
is), but that is the same message I get when I remove the flash and
take a shot.

Has anyone managed to get a combination such as this to work with
the D70?
Click to expand...
The SB-29s doesn't support ttl on Nikon digital cameras either it would be manual only.

What type of macro photography do you want to do that the SB-600 isn't adiquate, there are some tricks to get ringflash like lighting.

--
Kramp
http://martind.smugmug.com
Hummingbird Hunter #4
 
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