trying to figure out my sb600

lilmomma

in ttl mode, it only sometimes zooms when I adjust the lens zoom . is it supposed to do it all the time? Also sometimes when I have it off camera and wirelessly synced, it doesn't always go off. Do I have a faulty one or is there a secret to this?

Qarik

lilmomma wrote:

in ttl mode, it only sometimes zooms when I adjust the lens zoom . is it supposed to do it all the time? Also sometimes when I have it off camera and wirelessly synced, it doesn't always go off. Do I have a faulty one or is there a secret to this?

when you say wirelessly synched..do you mean radio triggers or the built master/salve through IR? If rradio triggers they should be going off every times or you have faulty setup. If it is IR and you are using the d90 built in flash as the commander it has to be mostly line of site. The sensor on the flash should be pointed at the master flash for best results

lilmomma

just commanding from my on camera flash. Other ways are light years ahead of me right now!

What about the zoom thing? when it's mounted it only zooms with my lens sometimes. Is that just because it doesn't always need to?

You are always so helpful Qarik, thank you... oh and btw, the photos of your wife are beautiful!

Wil Davis

lilmomma wrote:

in ttl mode, it only sometimes zooms when I adjust the lens zoom . is it supposed to do it all the time? Also sometimes when I have it off camera and wirelessly synced, it doesn't always go off. Do I have a faulty one or is there a secret to this?

As qarik says, the window through which the SB600 is controlled has to have a fairly unobstructed view of the commander flash (built-in or an SB800 or SB900), but also you might check the M ZOOM setting:

When set to "ON", the flash will not zoom as the lens zooms. If you want to set the flash head for a different zoom value, you can still manually press the ZOOM button on the back of the flash to change the setting.

When set to "OFF", the flash automatically zooms with the lens (yup, it looks confusing, but actually makes sense)

I've noticed with my SB600 that it is consistent in its behaviour in whatever mode it is set, so you might just have a bad unit…

- Wil

lilmomma

it's probably operator error....I do see an M around the zoom area and it blinks alond with the zoom length.(not for the flash) is that what you mean? how do I turn it off?

Qarik

lilmomma wrote:

it's probably operator error....I do see an M around the zoom area and it blinks alond with the zoom length.(not for the flash) is that what you mean? how do I turn it off?

To be honest the zoom on the flash is not going tobe an issue 95% of the time. Try it out..zoom the flash to the max distance take a shot..zoom it to the min distance and a take a shot? Notice the difference? Probably not..if you do see a difference..it may not be one that you care about.

Further more if you flash is diffused it matters even less.

The only times I might see an issue is you are shooting at 10mm and your flash is set to 200mm undiffused or vice versa. Otherwise flash zoom never crosses my mind.

Exception..if you are shooting through a large umbrella, then you wan tthe min zoom on the flash to get the whle umbrella working.

Thanks for you comments..I will pass them on to my wife!

Tim Kamppinen

The sb600 only zooms to 85mm... so if you're zooming your lens past that it's going to stop at that point and stay there until you zoom back out wider than 85mm. Also just to be clear, the IR sensor on the flash is the little round circle next to the battery compartment on the side of the flash, not the window on the front of the flash (this is the AF assist beam). Make sure the IR sensor is pointed toward your camera for maximum reliability. In reality, if you're shooting indoors it doesn't really matter as the light from the commander will be bounced all around the room, but it's still a good practice to eliminate potential problems, and it is important if you're shooting outdoors where there's not much for the light to bounce off.

wadesworld

What about the zoom thing? when it's mounted it only zooms with my lens sometimes. Is that just because it doesn't always need to?

Probably, a "no-duh," but keep in mind that when the provided diffuser is used (or anything that depresses the switch), the flash automatically zooms all the way out and stays there. Zooming the lens or even attempting to change the zoom settings on the flash will have no effect. (At least that's the way it is on the 800 - I assume it's the same on the 600.)

Tim Kamppinen

wadesworld wrote:

Probably, a "no-duh," but keep in mind that when the provided diffuser is used (or anything that depresses the switch), the flash automatically zooms all the way out and stays there. Zooming the lens or even attempting to change the zoom settings on the flash will have no effect. (At least that's the way it is on the 800 - I assume it's the same on the 600.)

Nope. There is no "provided diffuser" nor is there a switch for it to engage on the 600. Only the 800 and 900 have this.

time2smile

The flash should zoom all the time, from 24-85mm, unless you set to manual or pull out the wide angle diffuser.

Check to see that the flash is seated on the shoe tightly, and the contacts are clean.

lilmomma

Thanks for the help everyone, i'm starting to figure it out a little more now. I had the zoom turned off (duh). Ill probably have more questions as time goes on but for now its doing what i need it to!