Flash for SLRn

[Pascal04]

I have a Kodak SLRn and was wondering if there is a specific nikon flash unit that works best with this SLR.

I tried the SB-25, SB-600, SB-800, and SB-30. Also tried the Metz 45 in the store. All of these flash units seem to either over-expose - I mean really over-expose where all you see is just a ghost image of the subject. The SB-800 underexposed to the point where I could almost not even see the image and it left me wondering if it even fired. I know that there is communication between the camera and flash as I can see the flash head move when I zoom the lens (24-85 or 17-35) and it recognizes the prime when I mount a 50mm f1.8. But the output is overkill in most cases when I use the flash in TTL or in "A" mode.

I tried the above flash units with the camera in Program mode as well as aperture priority and in Manual. Setting the camera to manual and setting the flash unit (SB-25) to manual results in a pretty good exposure. No complaints there. But once things go to "Auto" (P or A), everything goes downhill from there.

I also own the SLRc and use it with the Canon 580EX, 580EXII, and 220EX and don't have this issue. This seems a bit specific to the SLRn.

Is there a specific setting for flash use on the SLRn ?
What mode do you use for inddor shoe mount flash ?
What mode works best for outdoor fill flash ?

Is there a specific flash unit that works well with the SLRn ?

I would appreciate any help on the matter so that I can start using the SLRn for inddor shooting.

TY

 

[attaway2]

I'm fond of my sb-50dx. It was part of my F100 kit. Small, reasonably powerful. Only drawback is it takes expensive cr123a batteries.

The slr/n uses d-ttl, Nikon's first digital flash technology. You need to read through the specs on any flash you are thinking of buying and make sure it can do d-ttl. I-ttl is completely different and won't work on our old Kodaks.
--
Stephen Attaway
http://www.stephenattaway.com

 

[Pascal04]

Does the SB-50dx work on the SLRn ?

What about SB-28.... is there a special designation for the flash units that work on the SLRn ?

 

[attaway2]

Yes... and d-ttl is the special designation for flashes that work with the slr/n.
--
Stephen Attaway
http://www.stephenattaway.com

 

[LVPG]

...and is compatible with all the flashes you mention [metz will need a special adaptor I believe]. With the exception of "high-speed sync," all function of the flashes mentioned should work fine.

You did not mention if you used a sync cable to test the flashes or used them on camera. It sounds as though the camera/flash never achieved complete sync. I use the SLRn with the SB-800 frequently and it is usually very reliable. But, when I do not have the lock-down on the sync cable correct, I will experience the same overexposure you mention. The reason is the flash is receiving no information other than "flash." So, it does...at full power.

Also, there are a host of various flash setting with the SB-800 including over/under exposure setting. It could be, because it was a demo, someone changed the settings.

Your camera contacts could also be dirty, causing some issues.

In my opinion, you simply had a bad experience for what ever reason. But, incompatibility between camera/flash was not one of them. There are a few of us on the forum who use the SB800 with the Kodak without issue...and all of us wish the high-speed sync would work . I would get one without hesitation, as it really is a very good flash.

Best of luck.

I have a Kodak SLRn and was wondering if there is a specific nikon
flash unit that works best with this SLR.

I tried the SB-25, SB-600, SB-800, and SB-30. Also tried the Metz 45
in the store. All of these flash units seem to either over-expose - I
mean really over-expose where all you see is just a ghost image of
the subject. The SB-800 underexposed to the point where I could
almost not even see the image and it left me wondering if it even
fired. I know that there is communication between the camera and
flash as I can see the flash head move when I zoom the lens (24-85 or
17-35) and it recognizes the prime when I mount a 50mm f1.8. But the
output is overkill in most cases when I use the flash in TTL or in
"A" mode.

I tried the above flash units with the camera in Program mode as well
as aperture priority and in Manual. Setting the camera to manual and
setting the flash unit (SB-25) to manual results in a pretty good
exposure. No complaints there. But once things go to "Auto" (P or A),
everything goes downhill from there.

I also own the SLRc and use it with the Canon 580EX, 580EXII, and
220EX and don't have this issue. This seems a bit specific to the
SLRn.

Is there a specific setting for flash use on the SLRn ?
What mode do you use for inddor shoe mount flash ?
What mode works best for outdoor fill flash ?

Is there a specific flash unit that works well with the SLRn ?

I would appreciate any help on the matter so that I can start using
the SLRn for inddor shooting.

TY

--
Rick

I've found life just doesn't fit in 1 camera or manufacturer vision.

 

[John Nollendorfs]

I use the old Vivitar 283 and 285, and set the camera on manual with the indicated f-stop selected. Works fine for casual shots. Otherwise I set up lighting on stands and use a remote trigger on the camera.
--
John Nollendorfs

 

[Pascal04]

...and is compatible with all the flashes you mention [metz will need
a special adaptor I believe]. With the exception of "high-speed
sync," all function of the flashes mentioned should work fine.

You did not mention if you used a sync cable to test the flashes or
used them on camera. It sounds as though the camera/flash never
achieved complete sync. I use the SLRn with the SB-800 frequently
and it is usually very reliable. But, when I do not have the
lock-down on the sync cable correct, I will experience the same
overexposure you mention. The reason is the flash is receiving no
information other than "flash." So, it does...at full power.

Also, there are a host of various flash setting with the SB-800
including over/under exposure setting. It could be, because it was a
demo, someone changed the settings.

Your camera contacts could also be dirty, causing some issues.

In my opinion, you simply had a bad experience for what ever reason.
But, incompatibility between camera/flash was not one of them. There
are a few of us on the forum who use the SB800 with the Kodak without
issue...and all of us wish the high-speed sync would work . I
would get one without hesitation, as it really is a very good flash.

Best of luck.

I did try the SB-800 only at the store - as I do not own one. I am not sure on the settings for the SB-800, but if others use the SB-800 with the SLRn without issue, perhaps it is worthwhile for me to take a trip back to the store to check back on the flash one more time before giving up.

All the flash units I tried out at the store were mounted on the camera hotshoe and all of them fired - just had the issue with full/high power and overexposure.

I did check up on the flash contacts and wiped them down with a clean moist cloth and then lens cleaning cloth to make sure they were clean. Perhaps, hopefully when I go back to the store and test out the SB-800 again, it may work. It could have been a connection issue which I will recheck again - just never thought of it at that time. If the SB-800 works, I would much rather purchase it than hunt down an SB-28DX or SB-80DX.

Can you please let me know what settings you use the SB-800 at with the SLRn. Is it set to full auto or is there a special setting for d-ttl.

Thanks again for the useful information.

 

[Paul Spatafora]

The SB800 works well on the SLRn. It's my main flash for weddings along with the Lumedynes. I don't have iTTL but it does work in TTL mode. Like every flash, it can at times act up usually when you're too close to the subject. It might work better with an iTTL camera, but for now it's pretty trusty on the "old" Kodak.

Hope this helps.

Paul

 

[LVPG]

I did check up on the flash contacts and wiped them down with a clean
moist cloth and then lens cleaning cloth to make sure they were
clean.

Not certain when you did this, but if the cloth was dampened with water, then wiped with a lens cloth shortly before you did the test, that could cause an issue. Water conducts electricity and lens cloths are not that absorbent. It could be that moisture remained on the contacts, causing a failure in communications. As you had issue with all the various flashes, it would further a credence to the theory. A better choice would be rubbing alcohol.

Can you please let me know what settings you use the SB-800 at with
the SLRn. Is it set to full auto or is there a special setting for
d-ttl.

No, there are no special setting on the camera. I use it primarily in aperture priority and manual. I use the flash in either A mode [like the old thyristor flash units] or in TTL. You have to run through both the flash and camera setting to make certain either/both are not set to under/over exposure compensation.

Again, having written all that, when the connection isn't correct [missing a full seat of the unit on the camera by only 1/8 of an inch] will cause contact problems.

Good luck.

Also, like John writes below, I too used older Vivitars. Two big gains from the SB800 [even in A mode] will be battery longevity and WB. Both are extremely better on the SB800. WB alone is enough to change...let alone the fact that 5 rechargeable AA batteries will take you through an entire wedding and you'll never again need to carry a battery pack...LIBERATING!

Thanks again for the useful information.

--
Rick

I've found life just doesn't fit in 1 camera or manufacturer vision.

 

[Pascal04]

Thank you for the information.

I did switch to alcohol wipes / lens cloths. I have managed to get the SB-800 and it works - at least the first initial shots seem to fire ok.

I am quite impressed with the SB-800. I have used/currently use the Canon 580EX-II as well as the Olympus FL-50R and find the Nikon SB-800 is simply superb compared to either the canon or the olympus. The SB-800 is definitely smaller and seems to have a rather fast recycle time.

The flash output on the SLRn is a bit funky compared to shooting the SB-800 on a D300 - I noticed that it sometimes limits aperture on the SLR to f4.8 and then once I switch to manual mode on the camera (from P), it changes the flash output accordingly. This works out fine as I usually shoot in "A" or "M" mode anyway.

The larger aperture shots on the 50mm f1.8 are somewhat over exposed, but this is a minor issue which is easily corrected by modifying the flash exposure settings.

All said and done, I am quite pleased with the performance of the SB-800 with the SLRn and I am glad I did not buy the SB-28DX or SB-80DX on the used market instead.

Comparing the SLRn + SB-800 to the SLRc+580EX-II, I am very pleased with the output on the SLRn+SB-800 combination compared to the canon setup. Just wish the SLRn went to FP/High Speed Sync like the Canon did.