Fine. We can still eliminate the variable. I've had this problem even before I knew about this special mode!
I Absolutely HATE my SB-400!
(87 posts) (11 voices)-
Posted 3 years ago #
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Your camera has a set sync speed. For instance, My d60 is 1/200, a D3s is 1/250, and a d40 is 1/500. You can't shoot above those speeds, aside from the High-speed sync mode, which I do not think the SB-400 can do.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Oh yah?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Notice how there is no mention of the SB-400 in there? You can't do high speed sync (AUTO FP) with the SB-400, even if your body is compatible with high speed sync, you have to have a body and a flash that are compatible with it, not just the body.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I know you can't do high speed sync, but note it says "If other flash units are used, shutter speed is set to 1/320 s."
Posted 3 years ago # -
alphanikonrex is right about this - The D300 let's you push your luck and go a hair faster, even w/o FP.
I was wrong, that's why I corrected myself up above.Posted 3 years ago # -
Thanks for the support soap :^) Appreciate your help.
Posted 3 years ago # -
That still doesn't mean its going to work. The SB-400 can't do high speed sync. Nikons High speed sync has to do with the length of the flash of light coming from the flash unit, and the SB-400 can't make its flash burst longer than what it normally is. Most flashes have a burst of light that is visible for 1/1000 of a second at full power. When the flash is set to a lower power, the flash is even faster, around 1/10000. Take it off FP sync, reset all your settings and see if it works. Also, try and find another Nikon DSLR and see if it works on that one. If the borrowed camera has it, put it in auto mode.
Posted 3 years ago # -
You can use it at 1/320 but the image will be darker due to the flashes flash being only so long. You can force the Nikon D40/50/70 to do high speed sync with flashes due to it using an electronic shutter for shutter speeds faster than 1/500. The D40x/60/80/90/200/300/300s/700/3/3s/3x use it's mechanical shutter for all of its shutter speeds leading to a lower shutter speed and only high speed sync with an sb-600/800/900
Posted 3 years ago # -
Well, I've had this problem with my D70 too. DIdn't realize till I had manual control with my D300. On my D70 I would always have to use a higher ISO as well, despite the faster sync speed. Besides, this doesn't explain why I have to use an ISO 3-4 stop more sensitive in TTL than in manual, as the sync speed only needs to be lowered 1/3 a stop.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Let's stick with this core claim right here.
You're saying you get different exposures if you kick the ISO up three stops AND lower the shutter speed (or aperture) an equal three stops?
Sorry for the stupid questions, but I'm still trying to nail down exactly what variables have been controlled for.Posting two photos with full metadata would help me, and maybe the others.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Let me describe the three scenarios that occurred today. I'll try and get some pictures up...give me some time to do that. And don't think you're asking stupid questions—I really appreciate you helping me out.
1) M, 1/320, ƒ/4.5, Lo 1, 1/2 Flash Output = Correct Exposure
2) A, 1/60, ƒ/4.5, 1600, TTL Flash Output = Correct Exposure
3) M, 1/320, ƒ/4, Lo 1, TTL Flash Output = Under Exposure
Posted 3 years ago # -
Ok, so TTL failed when you were on > 250 sync speed. Does TTL fail when you aren't at 1/320th?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Just tested it out. Yep, TTL fails at >1/250.
Posted 3 years ago # -
And does TTL fail at slower or equal to 1/250th? Or is that what you were saying?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Basically it fails all the time.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Actually it seems the slower the shutterspeed, the more it underexposes.
Posted 3 years ago # -
hmm
A, P, S, or M?Posted 3 years ago # -
I've been using M, to keep all settings the same. Otherwise it'll try and make the shutterspeed slower!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Sounds like you have something wrong with the light source, which is the SB-400. Try it on someone elses camera and see if it does the same thing. Reset all settings on camera and try it in P. That's the most automated mode the D300 has. I'd trust the camera to select exposure at this point. You can manipulate the flash to work, but doing that you have to degrade the image quaity by bumping the ISO. If you have reset the camera and tried taking a picture with i-ttl flash exposure and the camera in Program Auto then their is a problem with your hardware. If your cam meters and exposes fine with no flash I would say their is something wrong with your flash. Better yet, stick it on your D70, put it in auto mode. If it makes a good exposure, your settings are messed up somewhere.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Ok, thanks. Let me try that.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Just tried it. In Auto mode on my D70 I got a good exposure. Actually it seems that it works well on my D70, as long as I ignore the underexposure warning. However, on my D300 in P, it still gives me the underexposure warning, and sure enough, that's what happens.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Ok, final test - as I still see no proof you have any problem. Since you have been short on details (an no offense, haven't performed tests which isolate for variables well) for all I know you've crippled the camera's ability to shoot. (ie - even in program mode you have a fixed ISO and a lock on how slow you're allowing the camera to shoot when the flash is on - the fact it is warning you of underexposure points to you hamstringing the camera.) (I'd say warning of underexposure and NOT underexposing is a more worrying state.)
Auto ISO off.
Take a shot in P mode and TTL flash. Post it somewhere we can read the metadata and evaluate what you're considering underexposed. (I'll give you an FTP account if you can't open a temp Flickr one.)Take a shot in M mode with identical aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and ambient light. Crank the manual flash all the way up.
Post it too.To the best of my thinking at this moment this test (or equiv.) is what is needed to prove you have a problem with camera/flash. Else we're talking settings hamstringing exposure.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I'll do just that.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Thanks. I hope I'm not coming across as insulting - it is not my intention. It is just that what you've told us so far is mired in free-floating variables we need to control for.
Posted 3 years ago #
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