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Z6ii with SB800 Flash

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Arkayem

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I tried to use my SB800 flash on my Z6ii to shoot a nearly dark event, and the camera refused focus most of the time. Then, I realized the the focus lamp on the SB800 was not coming on. On my Nikon DSLRs, the focus lamp comes on as long as I am in AF-S focusing mode. I made sure I had the Z6ii in that mode, but it doesn't seem to work.

I realize there is a green focus lamp that turns on on the Z camera, but the lens tends to block it so it is not very effective in near dark conditions.

Any idea how to make the red focus lamp on the SB800 come on for focusing in near dark conditions?
 
Wahrsager said:
Arkayem said:
I tried to use my SB800 flash on my Z6ii to shoot a nearly dark event, and the camera refused focus most of the time. Then, I realized the the focus lamp on the SB800 was not coming on.
Click to expand...
Doesn't function on Z bodies. :-(

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62445446
Click to expand...
Darn. That's a disappointment.

How can you shoot flash shots of dancing in a dark room with the Z6ii?

Do any of the speedlights that work with the Z6ii have a focus assist lamp?
 
Arkayem said:
Wahrsager said:
Arkayem said:
I tried to use my SB800 flash on my Z6ii to shoot a nearly dark event, and the camera refused focus most of the time. Then, I realized the the focus lamp on the SB800 was not coming on.
Click to expand...
Doesn't function on Z bodies. :-(

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62445446
Click to expand...
Darn. That's a disappointment.

How can you shoot flash shots of dancing in a dark room with the Z6ii?
Click to expand...
Prefocus a general distance and skillfully match up your focus square with a glint on your target or near your target’s distance.
Arkayem said:
Do any of the speedlights that work with the Z6ii have a focus assist lamp?
Click to expand...
I vaguely recall hearing about something that “may“ somewhat work some years back but I think if it was truly a solution it would be spoken about more frequently. It was a believe it was a third-party flash

Maybe Profoto makes a Nikon version of this:

 
Last edited:
Wahrsager said:
Wahrsager said:
Do any of the speedlights that work with the Z6ii have a focus assist lamp?
Click to expand...
I vaguely recall hearing about something that “may“ somewhat work some years back but I think if it was truly a solution it would be spoken about more frequently
Click to expand...
I guess the Z6ii is not intended for wedding receptions, since often those shots require flash in very low light. Focusing is a big deal under those conditions. I lost nearly every shot last night trying to figure out why the camera wouldn't focus. I'd press the shutter button but the shutter wouldn't release.

So, my D810 will remain my go-to camera for people events, even though it gets really heavy after a few hours! It focuses almost instantly, and every flash shot is crisp and clear.
 
Arkayem said:
I tried to use my SB800 flash on my Z6ii to shoot a nearly dark event, and the camera refused focus most of the time. Then, I realized the the focus lamp on the SB800 was not coming on. On my Nikon DSLRs, the focus lamp comes on as long as I am in AF-S focusing mode. I made sure I had the Z6ii in that mode, but it doesn't seem to work.

I realize there is a green focus lamp that turns on on the Z camera, but the lens tends to block it so it is not very effective in near dark conditions.

Any idea how to make the red focus lamp on the SB800 come on for focusing in near dark conditions?
Click to expand...
Red light does not work with Z camera sensor. Green light is needed. So even if you will have it work it will not help to focus.
 
Wahrsager said:
Arkayem said:
How can you shoot flash shots of dancing in a dark room with the Z6ii?
Click to expand...
Prefocus a general distance and skillfully match up your focus square with a glint on your target or near your target’s distance.
Wahrsager said:
Do any of the speedlights that work with the Z6ii have a focus assist lamp?
Click to expand...
I vaguely recall hearing about something that “may“ somewhat work some years back but I think if it was truly a solution it would be spoken about more frequently. It was a believe it was a third-party flash

Maybe Profoto makes a Nikon version of this:

Click to expand...
That Profoto is exactly what we need for the Nikon Z family. I'm glad to know that you and the guy in that video know exactly what I've been fighting with.
 
Sagittarius said:
Arkayem said:
Any idea how to make the red focus lamp on the SB800 come on for focusing in near dark conditions?
Click to expand...
Red light does not work with Z camera sensor. Green light is needed. So even if you will have it work it will not help to focus.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that info. Yet another disappointment.
 
Arkayem said:
I guess the Z6ii is not intended for wedding receptions, since often those shots require flash in very low light. Focusing is a big deal under those conditions. I lost nearly every shot last night trying to figure out why the camera wouldn't focus. I'd press the shutter button but the shutter wouldn't release.

So, my D810 will remain my go-to camera for people events, even though it gets really heavy after a few hours! It focuses almost instantly, and every flash shot is crisp and clear.
Click to expand...
Going to have to disagree with you there. I've yet to find a wedding reception, or dancing, I couldn't focus in. Between my Z6 and Z6ii that's around 50-60 of them.

Keeper rate will go down of course, but it's more than do-able!

I never did use the focus assist anyway, as I use off camera flash, and at any rate it's not nice to paint people with the red beam!
 
Last edited:
Arkayem said:
I tried to use my SB800 flash on my Z6ii to shoot a nearly dark event, and the camera refused focus most of the time. Then, I realized the the focus lamp on the SB800 was not coming on. On my Nikon DSLRs, the focus lamp comes on as long as I am in AF-S focusing mode. I made sure I had the Z6ii in that mode, but it doesn't seem to work.

I realize there is a green focus lamp that turns on on the Z camera, but the lens tends to block it so it is not very effective in near dark conditions.
Click to expand...
Which lens do you have block for the green AF-light on Z6II? I allways take off the hood. No AF-problems when using my lenses (hoods are not needed when there is dark :-) )
Arkayem said:
Any idea how to make the red focus lamp on the SB800 come on for focusing in near dark conditions?
Click to expand...
I have SB-910 which works the same way. We can't get the red AF-light. Use the green AF-light on Z6II. It will work fine. If you want to quickly turn the green AF-light on and off, you can use "My Menu" to quickly find it and turn it on or off.
 
Last edited:
Arkayem said:
Wahrsager said:
Arkayem said:
Do any of the speedlights that work with the Z6ii have a focus assist lamp?
Click to expand...
I vaguely recall hearing about something that “may“ somewhat work some years back but I think if it was truly a solution it would be spoken about more frequently
Click to expand...
I guess the Z6ii is not intended for wedding receptions, since often those shots require flash in very low light. Focusing is a big deal under those conditions. I lost nearly every shot last night trying to figure out why the camera wouldn't focus. I'd press the shutter button but the shutter wouldn't release.
Click to expand...
First, set the focus to Release in the menu rather than Focus so it will take a picture even if it thinks focus is not perfect. It's silly when the camera freezes up if set to Focus.

People use the Z6 and flash for weddings all the time so you have the wrong idea about that. The focus assist light is not much good at distance if I remember right anyway, and it totally annoys people.

You need a fairly fast lens to gather light if you are going to be shooting events in dim locations, and shoot wide open when necessary. You need to find at least something with a bit of contrast to focus on like a person's glasses, jewelry, or even something else that is the same distance away as your dimly lit subject.

Turn the lights down at home and practice. I'm constantly amazed at how well my Z6 can focus in the dark when pressed into action.
Arkayem said:
So, my D810 will remain my go-to camera for people events, even though it gets really heavy after a few hours! It focuses almost instantly, and every flash shot is crisp and clear.
Click to expand...
 
ThomasHeye said:
Wahrsager said:
Arkayem said:
I tried to use my SB800 flash on my Z6ii to shoot a nearly dark event, and the camera refused focus most of the time. Then, I realized the the focus lamp on the SB800 was not coming on.
Click to expand...
Doesn't function on Z bodies. :-(

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62445446
Click to expand...
Maybe they’ll introduce a new flash with the Z9?
Click to expand...
I guess that's the best we can hope for, although I have mostly retired from professional photography, so I probably will just use my D810 and D500 whenever I take on a job like a wedding reception again. I don't think I will spend the big bucks for the Z9.

The Z6ii with the SB800 simply couldn't take any acceptable keepers at that dance the other night. It would slowly focus using its green light, and by the time the shutter would release, the moment was gone. The D810 with the SB800 hit every single one instantly resulting in lots of keepers. Glad I brought it along!
 
Yes but the 800, like my 910 use a fast flash burst as a modeling lamp, but the godox uses an led that you can turn on and off and adjust the brightness. Works better than my 910's fast burst flash
 
Arkayem said:
ThomasHeye said:
Wahrsager said:
Arkayem said:
I tried to use my SB800 flash on my Z6ii to shoot a nearly dark event, and the camera refused focus most of the time. Then, I realized the the focus lamp on the SB800 was not coming on.
Click to expand...
Doesn't function on Z bodies. :-(

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62445446
Click to expand...
Maybe they’ll introduce a new flash with the Z9?
Click to expand...
I guess that's the best we can hope for, although I have mostly retired from professional photography, so I probably will just use my D810 and D500 whenever I take on a job like a wedding reception again. I don't think I will spend the big bucks for the Z9.

The Z6ii with the SB800 simply couldn't take any acceptable keepers at that dance the other night. It would slowly focus using its green light, and by the time the shutter would release, the moment was gone. The D810 with the SB800 hit every single one instantly resulting in lots of keepers. Glad I brought it along!
Click to expand...
Sounds like you had low light autofocus turned on. If so, a mistake for the circumstances you were shooting in.
 
powerbook said:
ThomasHeye said:
Wahrsager said:
Arkayem said:
I tried to use my SB800 flash on my Z6ii to shoot a nearly dark event, and the camera refused focus most of the time. Then, I realized the the focus lamp on the SB800 was not coming on.
Click to expand...
Doesn't function on Z bodies. :-(

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62445446
Click to expand...
Maybe they’ll introduce a new flash with the Z9?
Click to expand...
What about SB-5000? Does it have the AF-light on Z-cameraes?
Click to expand...
No.
 
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