sb-600 pre flash on D80 question

[Destin]

Alright, so I just sold my D40, to upgrade to either a D90 or a D7000. In the mean time, I'm borrowing my friends backup camera, a D80.

I just threw my sb-600 on it to mess around, and make sure everything worked the same. But, whenever I take a photo in P, S, A, or M mode, I get three really annoying (and time consuming) pre-flashes. I was assuming they were just ttl pre flashes, but now I'm not so sure.

I put the flash in manual mode, and it still pre flashes, even if the camera is in manual mode too. It never did this on my d40, ever. Anyone know what's going on?

 

[Destin]

Anyone?

 

[mwcfarms]

In your flash custom settings you can turn that off iirc.

 

[Big Mike]

Maybe you have it set to 2nd curtain sync and a longer shutter speed?

Maybe the flash is set to act as a focus assist, and is thus flashing/strobing while you focus?

 

[KmH]

In manual mode a SB-600 won't pre-flash. It sounds like something else is going on.

As it is, pre-flashes happen very quickly right before the front shutter curtain begins to open.

Flash works differently in various modes: Camera Flash: Exposure scroll down to "Flash Exposure Modes".

 

[Robin Usagani]

It is probably AF assist to help you focus in low light. You can turn that off.. but im not a nikon user.

 

[Destin]

It is probably AF assist to help you focus in low light. You can turn that off.. but im not a nikon user.

I don't think it is, because it would have done it on my d40 too, right? The sb-600 uses a red grid lamp for AF assist, not flashes as far as I know.

It could be though, but why would it not do it on my d40 then?

EDIT: Correction. It is definitely not AF assist because it happens AFTER i lock the focus. Here is the sequence:

1.)half press shutter button to focus (sb-600 red AF assist lamp comes on until focus lock is achieved)

2.)press and hold shutter button all the way down. Sb-600 flashes three times, and a fourth while the shutter opens.

 

[kundalini]

I've had this happen before also. TBH, I can't remember what the solution was other than.............. I read the camera and flash manuals. Honestly. It was a simple setting change.

 

[Destin]

I've had this happen before also. TBH, I can't remember what the solution was other than.............. I read the camera and flash manuals. Honestly. It was a simple setting change.

Got it. I feel like an utter moron right now. The camera body was set to "red eye" flash mode. If I had been using my old d40 I would have caught this right away. I'm just not used to the D80. Sorry guys.

 

[Robin Usagani]

red eye flash mode LOL. Glad you figured it out!

 

[Destin]

red eye flash mode LOL. Glad you figured it out!

thanks haha. I hate when stupid things like that piss me off!!

 

[Big Mike]

It's usually something so simple that you (we) overlook it. At least now it's on the forum and maybe someone else will see it and figure it out when they have the problem.

 

[Destin]

It's usually something so simple that you (we) overlook it. At least now it's on the forum and maybe someone else will see it and figure it out when they have the problem.

Yepp, thats usually how it works.

But I'll bet the next person to experience this just asks it again, and doesn't bother to use the search function first. Nobody ever does anymore

 

[Big Mike]

But I'll bet the next person to experience this just asks it again, and doesn't bother to use the search function first. Nobody ever does anymore

That's true.

 

[Garbz]

But I'll bet the next person to experience this just asks it again, and doesn't bother to use the search function first. Nobody ever does anymore

And then posts in a forum. And then bumps the message only 30min later because they are impatient and fail to realise this isn't as fast as txting your friends