Does anyone know why my Z8 "Flash Control" menu is greyed out?

[Norman Quinn]

The camera is set for single shot and I have done a camera reset. The camera displays the message "this option is not available at current setting or camera's current state." The "Flash Mode" menu below works fine.

 

[Frankie J]

The camera is set for single shot and I have done a camera reset. The camera displays the message "this option is not available at current setting or camera's current state." The "Flash Mode" menu below works fine.

Please specify which flash unit you have attached to your camera.

 

[madecov]

I'm pretty sure you have to use a Nikon branded flash. And it needs to be the SB5000

 

[Norman Quinn]

Does it have to be connected to a flash for the Flash Control to work? I have connected the camera to an Ikelite underwater flash designed to work with the Z8.

 

[madecov]

Does it have to be connected to a flash for the Flash Control to work? I have connected the camera to an Ikelite underwater flash designed to work with the Z8.

More than likely it is for hot shoe mounted speedlight, I suggest you download the manual and read the section on flash

 

[Norman Quinn]

The Z8 manual does not address the grey out issue, but I suspect it only for speedlights.

Thanks

 

[Sagittarius]

The Z8 manual does not address the grey out issue, but I suspect it only for speedlights.

Thanks

And it is only for the Nikon SB5000, SB500, SB400, SB300. All other flashes have to be adjusted on flashes themselves.

 

[Gilbert D]

The camera is set for single shot and I have done a camera reset. The camera displays the message "this option is not available at current setting or camera's current state." The "Flash Mode" menu below works fine.

I don't have Z8. But usually the flash does not fire if using electrical shutter.

 

[AstigmaticOwl]

The camera is set for single shot and I have done a camera reset. The camera displays the message "this option is not available at current setting or camera's current state." The "Flash Mode" menu below works fine.

I don't have Z8. But usually the flash does not fire if using electrical shutter.

Z8 (and Z9) lack a mechanical shutter.

 

[atigun]

It is the same with my D500 and SB500: The SB500 mounted in the hot shoe needs to be turned on AND in TTL mode, not set to any of the group modes, otherwise the Flash Control menus item is grayed out.

 

[JustSomeone]

The Z8 manual does not address the grey out issue, but I suspect it only for speedlights.

Thanks

Here:

https://onlinemanual.nikonimglib.com/z8/en/psm_flash_control_141.html

"Flash Control Mode
Choose a flash control mode and flash level and adjust other settings for SB‑5000, SB‑500, SB‑400, or SB‑300 flash units mounted on the camera accessory shoe.

The options available in the flash control display vary with the option selected for [Flash control mode].
Settings for flash units other than the SB‑5000, SB‑500, SB‑400, and SB‑300 can only be adjusted using flash unit controls.
Settings for an SB‑5000 mounted on the accessory shoe can also be adjusted using the controls on the flash unit."

 

[Gilbert D]

The camera is set for single shot and I have done a camera reset. The camera displays the message "this option is not available at current setting or camera's current state." The "Flash Mode" menu below works fine.

I don't have Z8. But usually the flash does not fire if using electrical shutter.

Z8 (and Z9) lack a mechanical shutter.

Oops. Yeah, that’s right. How can I forget that.

 

[DJLEITCH]

I just found the same issue.

It could be you are in Silent mode. A silent shutter stops the flash working. I turned that off and my Godox flash then worked fine.

 

[Bernard Delley]

The Z8 manual does not address the grey out issue, but I suspect it only for speedlights.

Thanks

The flash menu on the Z8 and Z7ii camera is greyed out. The menu on the flash unit controls flash settings. It looks and works the same on the D850.

 

[kayaker353]

I have the flash control menu problem with the Z9 and SB800 flash (also without the flash). I have tried everything I can think of, and all suggestions made here. I have found that the flash mode on the mode control dial does what I need: type of flash discharge and EV control. Do not know what other controls there are with the menu item. I can get done what I need with that dial.

 

[madecov]

I have the flash control menu problem with the Z9 and SB800 flash (also without the flash). I have tried everything I can think of, and all suggestions made here. I have found that the flash mode on the mode control dial does what I need: type of flash discharge and EV control. Do not know what other controls there are with the menu item. I can get done what I need with that dial.

It only works with the newest models of Speedlight. The SB5000 being one of them.

 

[Norman Quinn]

Thanks

 

[madecov]

It's only available with certain Nikon brand speedlights

 

[Sagittarius]

It's only available with certain Nikon brand speedlights

Isn't that what I wrote?

 

[Norman Quinn]

Camera was set to silent mode. When I turned silent mode off flash controls appeared. Many thanks for the help.!!!