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OK guys - a simple external flash menu question

Started Aug 27, 2019 | Discussions
Ben Herrmann
Ben Herrmann Forum Pro • Posts: 21,163
OK guys - a simple external flash menu question

This is driving me nuts because occasionally I get a brain fart and I know the answer is probably simple, yet it eludes me (happens quite a lot as one gets older).

OK - on my NX30 and NX500, no matter what I've tried, the External Flash item on the menu is grayed out - even when I connect a TTL dedicated flash to the camera (such as the Metz).  I've tried to rack my brains to remember how to do it, but I cannot choose the external flash in the menu in order to adjust settings, etc.

I shoot in RAW mode, Single shot (not continuous), have the manual shutter engaged (not electronic).  I shoot in Aperture Priority mode, AWB.

What am I doing wrong where I cannot access the external flash settings in the menus?

Thanks in advance...

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Best of luck and health to you all!

Bernd ("Ben") Werner Herrmann
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina USA

As a reminder, keep in mind that my postings represent my opinions only - not those of other folks, nor am I implying that others will feel the same way that I do about a given issue. However, If you feel compelled to argue about a personal opinion of mine, please feel free to go ahead and do so - without my participation of course - and that would be quite an interesting conversation to say the least.

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otto k Senior Member • Posts: 2,252
Re: OK guys - a simple external flash menu question

Are you sure the electrical contacts are OK? If you didn't use it for a while, try cleaning the contacts.

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Massao Senior Member • Posts: 2,580
Re: OK guys - a simple external flash menu question

I think it happened to me once and the problem was probably that I didn't insert the flash fully in flash shoe :-).

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Kind regards,
Massao
--
First camera: Canon FTB; First autofocus SLR camera: Pentax; First Nikon: F601 (N6006); First digital camera: Sony DSC-W5; First DSLR: Nikon D70; First mirrorless ICL camera: Samsung nx11

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Ben Herrmann
OP Ben Herrmann Forum Pro • Posts: 21,163
My contacts were pristine, but...

...I cleaned them again - still no access.  Remember, it's an issue with both my NX30 and NX500 (and the NX300 before that) - so there must be something in the menu I'm overlooking.

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Best of luck and health to you all!

Bernd ("Ben") Werner Herrmann
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina USA

As a reminder, keep in mind that my postings represent my opinions only - not those of other folks, nor am I implying that others will feel the same way that I do about a given issue. However, If you feel compelled to argue about a personal opinion of mine, please feel free to go ahead and do so - without my participation of course - and that would be quite an interesting conversation to say the least.

 Ben Herrmann's gear list:Ben Herrmann's gear list
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Ben Herrmann
OP Ben Herrmann Forum Pro • Posts: 21,163
Flash is properly seated...
-- hide signature --

Best of luck and health to you all!

Bernd ("Ben") Werner Herrmann
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina USA

As a reminder, keep in mind that my postings represent my opinions only - not those of other folks, nor am I implying that others will feel the same way that I do about a given issue. However, If you feel compelled to argue about a personal opinion of mine, please feel free to go ahead and do so - without my participation of course - and that would be quite an interesting conversation to say the least.

 Ben Herrmann's gear list:Ben Herrmann's gear list
Canon EOS M Fujifilm X-E2S Fujifilm X-T2 Fujifilm X-T20 Canon EOS M6 +4 more
Ben Herrmann
OP Ben Herrmann Forum Pro • Posts: 21,163
I found the answer...
1

In order to have access to the external flash menu item, you have to first attached the SEF580 flash to the camera.  Other external flash units will NOT allow you to access the external flash menu in the camera.  Whewwwwww....at first I thought my cameras were faulty.

-- hide signature --

Best of luck and health to you all!

Bernd ("Ben") Werner Herrmann
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina USA

As a reminder, keep in mind that my postings represent my opinions only - not those of other folks, nor am I implying that others will feel the same way that I do about a given issue. However, If you feel compelled to argue about a personal opinion of mine, please feel free to go ahead and do so - without my participation of course - and that would be quite an interesting conversation to say the least.

 Ben Herrmann's gear list:Ben Herrmann's gear list
Canon EOS M Fujifilm X-E2S Fujifilm X-T2 Fujifilm X-T20 Canon EOS M6 +4 more
CraigVMN Contributing Member • Posts: 808
Re: I found the answer...

Ben Herrmann wrote:

In order to have access to the external flash menu item, you have to first attached the SEF580 flash to the camera. Other external flash units will NOT allow you to access the external flash menu in the camera. Whewwwwww....at first I thought my cameras were faulty.

Sucks that's the only one it works with.

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otto k Senior Member • Posts: 2,252
Re: I found the answer...

Wait, shouldn't NX30's built in flash work as master as well?

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Ben Herrmann
OP Ben Herrmann Forum Pro • Posts: 21,163
Yes, but...

I cannot access the external flash or slave (wireless) flash items in the menu - that's the thing.

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Best of luck and health to you all!

Bernd ("Ben") Werner Herrmann
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina USA

Just a friendly reminder here homies - bear in mind that any posting of mine represents my opinion only - not those of other folks - nor am I implying that others will feel the same way that I do about a given issue or camera. I advance suggestions or information based on my having used a camera (or cameras) - not purely on blind speculation. However, If you feel absolutely compelled to argue about a personal opinion of mine, please feel free to go ahead and do so - without my participation of course - and that would be quite an interesting conversation to say the least.

 Ben Herrmann's gear list:Ben Herrmann's gear list
Canon EOS M Fujifilm X-E2S Fujifilm X-T2 Fujifilm X-T20 Canon EOS M6 +4 more
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