Flash disabled on Z9 -solution-

[synmo]

I ran into an issue when I first got my z9 of not being able to use a flash or trigger in the hot shoe, and I thought I would share the solution in case anybody else makes the same mistake.

When I received my camera, I did not like the shutter sound effect, so I went to the menus and turned on "Silent Mode" assuming it muted the sound effect. It DOES mute the sound effect, however it's a bigger setting than the the effect, it's about making the whole camera operate as quietly as possible. One of the things it does to ensure this is disabling the flash entirely.

All you have to do is disable silent mode. If you don't want the shutter sound effect, the mute and volume control for that is in the menu option directly above Silent Mode.

I shot a whole event thinking that I couldn't use my SB-800 with the Z9 and had it rigged to my Z7 instead as my flash body. It actually worked just fine for the event, but I'm relieved to still be able to use my flash, and triggers with the Z9.

I hope others can learn from my blunders!

 

[michaeladawson]

Is silent mode a different setting than simply turning off the shutter sound?

actually, I just answered my own question. It is a separate setting.

--
Mike Dawson

 

[synmo]

Is silent mode a different setting than simply turning off the shutter sound?

actually, I just answered my own question. It is a separate setting.

Well now I don't feel as alone in misinterpreting the setting! Hopefully this saves someone from a headache somewhere down the line.

 

[tdwesbo]

Just in case you’re curious, setting ‘Silent Photography’ to On in any Z camera does the same thing with the same effect.

 

[Cryhavoc38]

Just in case you’re curious, setting ‘Silent Photography’ to On in any Z camera does the same thing with the same effect.

yup, found that out on my Z's back when I first got the Z6 and the 7II

setting silent mode on kills the ability to use a flash. I was like why the heck isn't my flash firing...

 

[synmo]

I remember that on my Z7, but I guess I assumed since there is no shutter in the Z9 that it wouldn't be the same.

 

[dacrema]

Thanks! My Z9 is in route. I likely would have done the same as you did. I have a Z7 but after first trying it a couple years ago have never shifted to silent mode.

 

[jthomas39]

Thom Hogan mentions that even the lens VR sound is quieter in Silent Mode. I wonder if that reduces the effect of the lens VR somewhat?

Dec 1 2021 Z9 Questions

"Note also that there's a new "quieter" ability for the VR system, set via the Silent Mode menu item."

 

[Ox_Loops]

THANK YOU! I had the same issue with the flash sync and flash options disabled, and since I disabled silent mode it all works like a dream!

 

[Cryhavoc38]

Wonder if Nikon would ever implement a setting to allow flash whilst in silent mode?

 

[synmo]

I think it's just a bit of a semantics issue. You can shoot with the flash, and without the shutter sound effect.

"silent mode" does more than just turn off the sound effect. It attempts to limit a mechanical lens sounds as well, and I suppose it considers the flash zooming and firing as one of those sounds. It's a strange mode that honestly doesn't seem to provide a ton of benefit over shooting regular with the shutter sound effect disabled.

 

[photodb]

Thank you so much. Almost ordered a new flash when both of my SB-800's stopped working. Thought it was a recent firmware update that did it. Glad I kept Googling and found your post.

 

[Yuktuk]

More than a year later, your post is still helping people. You just fixed my problem that occurred today. Thank you!

 

[Trin56]

This is just one more example of why DPReview will be sorely missed.

 

[Jake James]

This is just one more example of why DPReview will be sorely missed.

True, but Amazon doesn't give a Rodents Rectum...

 

[Sagittarius]

More than a year later, your post is still helping people. You just fixed my problem that occurred today. Thank you!

BTW it is stated in the manual that flash photography cannot be combined with silent mode.

 

[synmo]

I'm so glad. Thanks so much for mentioning that it helped. I'm going to miss this forum. I'm looking for a new home now!

 

[LuvLatins]

This is great if I am using flash and ambient light together and I want to see how the ambient light looks without the flash I now know how to do it. Thank you

 

[Normajean65]

Thank you so much!!!! I was about to send in my new Z9 thinking it had a problem!!! I had my Z9 on silent mode because I went out to shoot a tennis game and couldn’t have the sound on! Thank you so very much!!!!

 

[JMD-70]

I too just discovered the same exact issue! The Z9 would not 'Fire' the flash (SB-900)! I was franticly trying to figure out what was wrong! I though it was a bad "Off-Camera" flash cord,...then a bad "Hotshoe",...then a bad "Flash". Good thing I had the Z8 with me.

Later,...after going through "Menu item" after Menu item,...I finally decided to search for the issue via Google,...which led me to this thread.

I don't recall when I enabled "Silent Mode" but it was definitely "Enabled". I immediately Turned-Off "Silent Mode" and the problem was resolved.

Nikon needs to address this - Now!

Recommended Fix:

Menu item: Silent Mode

Sub-Menu item: Sound Only

Sound and Flash