Problem with D850, SB-600, and Godox trigger

[CJN02840]

Hello:

I own a new D850 and learned that the SB-600 does not function in Commander Mode when mounted on-camera. So, I purchased the Godox XPro-N/X1R-N combination and am using it in TTL mode with the SB-600. A majority of the time the flash photos are perfectly exposed but the flash output has been inadequate several times in successive photos (same subject, same distance, etc. and flash recycled). Has anyone else experienced this or is there something I may be doing wrong?

Thank you for any help,

Chris

 

[Parry Johnson]

Hello:

I own a new D850 and learned that the SB-600 does not function in Commander Mode when mounted on-camera. So, I purchased the Godox XPro-N/X1R-N combination and am using it in TTL mode with the SB-600. A majority of the time the flash photos are perfectly exposed but the flash output has been inadequate several times in successive photos (same subject, same distance, etc. and flash recycled). Has anyone else experienced this or is there something I may be doing wrong?

Thank you for any help,

Chris

I've run into something similar with my Yongnuo triggers and SB-800 flashes. Usually, it's because I think the batteries are okay, but they're not quite good enough. Replacing with new batteries (especially in the flashes) usually solves the problem. For some reason, off-camera flash with radio uses more power.

 

[CJN02840]

Thank you for the reply. Upon further experimentation, it seems to consistently do it when I take the first photo after turning everything back on (camera/xmitter & remote flash/receiver). It seems that would contradict the battery idea?

 

[Parry Johnson]

Thank you for the reply. Upon further experimentation, it seems to consistently do it when I take the first photo after turning everything back on (camera/xmitter & remote flash/receiver). It seems that would contradict the battery idea?

Hmm, it seems like a communication problem, then. Have you tried it with other flashes, or that flash with other triggers?

I found out that the TTL, although handy controlling off-camera through my Yongnuo controller and triggers (4) is simply not as reliable as manually setting the power on the flash. I've even had to resort to the SU-4 mode, which means slave sensor like the good ol' days before i-TTL/CLS. It really all depends whether your lighting or subject distance changes, or whether you can consistently fire multiple shots (e.g. portraits or product photos) without many changes. Remember the energy drain, as that can sneak up on you quickly if there's a lot of flashes, so it might be connected to battery after all. Are you using good brand-name batteries? (I now only use Duracell or Energizer. I hate the environmental impact, but sometimes the job takes precedence.)

 

[David Lal]

Controlling off-camera through my Yongnuo controller and triggers (4) is simply not as reliable as manually setting the power on the flash. I've even had to resort to the SU-4 mode, which means slave sensor like the good ol' days before i-TTL/CLS.

Actually, I use the so-called SU4 mode quite a lot and in preference to iTTL/CLS. I have read of timing issues with radio triggers.

Although I have the iTTL/CLS capable SB800 I find the user interface unfriendly. Instead I use the very much older SB26. The SB26 has a delayed auto mode which means it can be used in conjunction with a CLS gun or popup on the camera. In fact, I have three SB26s which play very nicely with each other and with the camera. They have built-in optical triggers and are powerful flashguns (36m @ ISO=100) that sell cheaply on Ebay - I've just bought another one for GBP£ 25.

As to batteries, my choice is Panasonic Eneloop Pro.

 

[Parry Johnson]

Controlling off-camera through my Yongnuo controller and triggers (4) is simply not as reliable as manually setting the power on the flash. I've even had to resort to the SU-4 mode, which means slave sensor like the good ol' days before i-TTL/CLS.

Actually, I use the so-called SU4 mode quite a lot and in preference to iTTL/CLS. I have read of timing issues with radio triggers.

Although I have the iTTL/CLS capable SB800 I find the user interface unfriendly. Instead I use the very much older SB26. The SB26 has a delayed auto mode which means it can be used in conjunction with a CLS gun or popup on the camera. In fact, I have three SB26s which play very nicely with each other and with the camera. They have built-in optical triggers and are powerful flashguns (36m @ ISO=100) that sell cheaply on Ebay - I've just bought another one for GBP£ 25.

As to batteries, my choice is Panasonic Eneloop Pro.

I had an SB-26 for awhile, and the equally good SB-28, but early DSLRs wouldn't sync properly with them. (Remember the SB-28DX?)

Optical slave flashes or triggers (I love the Wein slave) are great at short distances, but not around corners like in real estate photography, so often manual settings with both make the most sense. Sure, it takes a bit more time setting up correct exposure, but it can be VERY frustrating and time-consuming (not to mention a bit embarrassing when doing portraits) if flash doesn't work. SU-4 can often come to the rescue.

 

[David Lal]

I had an SB-26 for awhile, and the equally good SB-28, but early DSLRs wouldn't sync properly with them. (Remember the SB-28DX?)

I have never tried the SB28DX and also never tried any of my SB26s with my oldest DSLR which is a D70. I have quite old D90; D300 and a bit newer D750, with all of which the SB26 plays nicely.

You may be interested to know that I modified one of the SB26s to emit only infrared. That is an interesting thing with which to play, especially with my D90 which is infrared modifed at 720nm.

Yes, I have a Wein slave trigger too. I agree, yes, it does take a bit of effort to do things manually or semi-manually but not beyond the wit of man.