I got it setup but it's not working!!! HELP!

[Bram]

Alright trying smoke photography, got everything set up right beside me.

Alright so, i'm trying to use my remote trigger to snap the photo (ML-L3) and I got my wireless trigger attatched to my flash standing at 3:00. Now when I hit the remote the flash doesn't always fire and its a long exposure. I'm in Manual. What am I missing. I'm at F5 right now. shutter speed 1/60th

 

[MattxMosh]

I don't know much about Nikon, but my first thought is are you letting the flash recycle long enough?

 

[480sparky67 66]

Is the lock-down lever on the strobe turned clockwise?

Are the batteries fresh?

 

[kundalini]

Does not compute. Your ML-L3 is a shutter release and has nothing to do with your flash. Backtrack a little. What are your settings for the flash and camera?

 

[Bram]

Just checked everything, taken about 150 shots. Getting better!

 

[480sparky67 66]

Have you changed anything?

 

[Bram]

Yes, shutter is 1/50th, flash is set to 1/2 power. ISO is 100. aperture is 5.6.

 

[kundalini]

While using flash, x-synch or synch speed is typical at 1/200s to 1/250s. At 1/50s, you are letting in a $hitload of ambient light. Is that necessary for smoke shots? Curious, never done them myself.

 

[Bram]

I tried my flash at 1/2 and then the shutter speed to 1/160th even and it was black so I dialed it down and got some good ones.

Uploading to comp, then editing and i'll post some in a few hours.

 

[bluetibby1]

Interested in seeing the results....

 

[480sparky67 66]

I'm also interested in what the real problem was.

 

[kundalini]

I tried my flash at 1/2 and then the shutter speed to 1/160th even and it was black so I dialed it down and got some good ones..

Something smells fishy.

 

[KmH]

I tried my flash at 1/2 and then the shutter speed to 1/160th even and it was black so I dialed it down and got some good ones.

It wasn't black because of the shutter speed.

Did you have the camera in manual mode?

Here is one that was made using 1/250, f/8, ISO 200, light at 1/2 power, and manual focus.

 

[Stradawhovious]

The flash won't always fire, eh?

How long are you waiting between shots? The default setting on the SB-600 will put it into standby mode after a bit to conserve on bateries. When that happens, the first shutter actuation will wake it up, the second will fire it. I have learned that I need to physically check the unit to make sure it's ready before pulling the trigger.

Maybe that's the issue?

 

[Davor]

try making a snoot for your flash so its flash is directed into a specific area instead of it spreading out everywhere