SB800 TTL BL FP functionality

[wanttosnap]

Hi there,

I'd need some help in understanding the SB800 TTL BL FP functionality. I don't understand the description in the instruction manual.

Extract from the instruction manual:

High-Speed flash synchronization at your camera’s highest shutter speed is
now possible. In this mode, the Auto FP High-Speed Sync mode is
automatically set when the shutter speed exceeds the camera’s sync shutter
speed. This is useful when you want to use a wider aperture to achieve shallow
depth of field to blur the background.
• Available with compatible cameras. You cannot set the Auto FP High-Speed sync mode
on the SB-800 directly, but must set it on the camera.
• High-speed flash synchronization is possible exceeding your camera’s sync shutter
speed up to your camera’s highest shutter speed.
• Auto FP High-Speed sync also operates in the Advanced Wireless Lighting mode.
• Available flash modes are i-TTL, Auto Aperture flash, Distance-priority manual flash, and
Manual flash when using a single flash unit. i-TTL, Auto Aperture flash, Non-TTL auto
flash, and Manual flash are available in multiple flash operation.

I'm using D70s but I can't figure out what are the settings to configure. Could someone please help me out here?

Your guidance is greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Kenneth

[zac08]

Let's start slowly.

iTTL BL FP

iTTL (thru the lens metering) Nikon's version of naming is meant to make it sound more intelligent and able to work better with the digital bodies.

BL = Balanced Lighting, meant to give a good balance of exposure for both subject as well as background. This will drop the flash output slightly to ensure that both BG and subject has the correct exposure.

FP = High speed sync mode, when you need to use a higher shutter speed when using flash, i.e. backlit subject which may require fill in flash and will go above the normal sync speed of 1/250 secs.

Personally, I'd go with iTTL FP with a slight flash ev correction downwards (-0.7 to -1.3, etc)

[kcuf2]

u dunno how to set it, because ur D70s cannot do the auto FP high speed sync mode..

ur D70s can only set to i-TTL + BL....
on a d70s, the max flash sync speed is 1/500s

to do the high speed sync mode (meaning using shutter speed of faster than 1/500s with flash), u need D200, D2h, D2hs, D2x, D2xs

HOWEVER, there is a way to do high speed sync mode with D70s...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

just cover (with tape) the last two contacts (near the eyepiece) on the camera hot shoe and you are good to go 1/500 and beyond.

Without knowing that a nikon flash is monuted on top, the camera/flash will sync. to 1/4000 sec. but only in automatic mode or manual flash mode.

The D70 will work in any of PASM mode.

Any other brand automatic/manual flash will work in this D70 pseudo HSS as well.

QUICK say thank you to me !!!

[wanttosnap]

Wahahaha!!!! Thanks Thanks!!!! That's really doing things on the sly!!!! Hmmmmm. Would this modification entail any risk in damaging the system????

Regards,
Kenneth

Originally Posted by kcuf2 u dunno how to set it, because ur D70s cannot do the auto FP high speed sync mode.. ur D70s can only set to i-TTL + BL.... on a d70s, the max flash sync speed is 1/500s to do the high speed sync mode (meaning using shutter speed of faster than 1/500s with flash), u need D200, D2h, D2hs, D2x, D2xs HOWEVER, there is a way to do high speed sync mode with D70s... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- just cover (with tape) the last two contacts (near the eyepiece) on the camera hot shoe and you are good to go 1/500 and beyond. Without knowing that a nikon flash is monuted on top, the camera/flash will sync. to 1/4000 sec. but only in automatic mode or manual flash mode. The D70 will work in any of PASM mode. Any other brand automatic/manual flash will work in this D70 pseudo HSS as well. QUICK say thank you to me !!!

[kcuf2]

Originally Posted by wanttosnap Wahahaha!!!! Thanks Thanks!!!! That's really doing things on the sly!!!! Hmmmmm. Would this modification entail any risk in damaging the system???? Regards, Kenneth

dun think so ba.... i have been doing it on a frequent basis on my d70s too hahaha..... a lot of ppl also doing it too

[wanttosnap]

Thanks for the tip. My d70s never ceases to amaze me.

[Artosoft]

Originally Posted by kcuf2 u dunno how to set it, because ur D70s cannot do the auto FP high speed sync mode.. ur D70s can only set to i-TTL + BL.... on a d70s, the max flash sync speed is 1/500s to do the high speed sync mode (meaning using shutter speed of faster than 1/500s with flash), u need D200, D2h, D2hs, D2x, D2xs HOWEVER, there is a way to do high speed sync mode with D70s... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- just cover (with tape) the last two contacts (near the eyepiece) on the camera hot shoe and you are good to go 1/500 and beyond. Without knowing that a nikon flash is monuted on top, the camera/flash will sync. to 1/4000 sec. but only in automatic mode or manual flash mode. The D70 will work in any of PASM mode. Any other brand automatic/manual flash will work in this D70 pseudo HSS as well. QUICK say thank you to me !!!

I don't think this hack is to allow FP on D70s. It is just blindfolded camera (D70s) to think that no flash is attached, so the camera shutter speed can go over 1/500s (which is not allowed when the flash is attached). And by chance of electronic shutter, its flash is captured by camera, thus we think we've got FP at over 1/500s.

To FP, the flash should be flash in strobe, which I believe is not happen in this hack mode.

I am might be wrong, so please if someone know more about it, correct it.

Regards,
Arto.

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by Artosoft I don't think this hack is to allow FP on D70s. It is just blindfolded camera (D70s) to think that no flash is attached, so the camera shutter speed can go over 1/500s (which is not allowed when the flash is attached). And by chance of electronic shutter, its flash is captured by camera, thus we think we've got FP at over 1/500s. To FP, the flash should be flash in strobe, which I believe is not happen in this hack mode. I am might be wrong, so please if someone know more about it, correct it. Regards, Arto.

Doesn't matter because FP mode is for mechanical shutter speeds above sync speed where the curtain travels in a slit fashion across the sensor because the rear curtain starts to close before the front curtain is fully open.

For D70(s)/D50/D40, the curtain remains fully open at 1/250 and the sensor is electronically cut off to achieve a shutter speed faster than 1/250. The reason why the sync is limited to 1/500 is because of triggering delays for the flashes.

[Artosoft]

Originally Posted by lsisaxon Doesn't matter because FP mode is for mechanical shutter speeds above sync speed where the curtain travels in a slit fashion across the sensor because the rear curtain starts to close before the front curtain is fully open. For D70(s)/D50/D40, the curtain remains fully open at 1/250 and the sensor is electronically cut off to achieve a shutter speed faster than 1/250. The reason why the sync is limited to 1/500 is because of triggering delays for the flashes.

So, am I correct to say that ?

Regards,
Arto.

[jeanie]

i'm also confused about the TTL BL FP.

1)if i'm shooting outdoors with f4 and 1/500s, and if i set FP on my d200, does that mean the flash will be able to sync with the body?or it's only restricted to 1/250s?

2)will ittl BL FP work if i use bounce flash?(tilt the head upwards?)

3)will ittl BL fire at FULL power everytime if i bounce my flash for every shot?or for bounce, it's better to use AA so that the flash will not fire at full power everytime?

i need a course on sb800 flash photography.i could have sworn studio strobes are so much easier to use.

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by Artosoft So, am I correct to say that ? Regards, Arto.

Sort of, I guess..

[zac08]

Originally Posted by jeanie i'm also confused about the TTL BL FP. 1)if i'm shooting outdoors with f4 and 1/500s, and if i set FP on my d200, does that mean the flash will be able to sync with the body?or it's only restricted to 1/250s? 2)will ittl BL FP work if i use bounce flash?(tilt the head upwards?) 3)will ittl BL fire at FULL power everytime if i bounce my flash for every shot?or for bounce, it's better to use AA so that the flash will not fire at full power everytime? i need a course on sb800 flash photography.i could have sworn studio strobes are so much easier to use.

1) In FP mode, your camera will be able to sync at 1/500

2) Yes

3) Depends on the ambient light available for the scene.

[deadpixel]

Originally Posted by zac08 1) In FP mode, your camera will be able to sync at 1/500 2) Yes 3) Depends on the ambient light available for the scene.

1/500 is the D70/D70s Highest Shutter-Flash sync speed, not the FP High Speed Sync. The D70/D70s does not support the FP High Speed Sync Mode.

A camera's highest shutter-flash sync speed refers to the shutter speed at which the flash can safely fire (once) without catching the shutter's rear curtain. The D70/D70s shutter uses a mixture of mechanical and electronic control, so it sort of "cheats" and gets to "sync" at 1/500 by cutting off power to the sensor. The reason why cheating by taping the shoe contact works is also because of the electronic "shutter".

In true FP High Speed Sync, the flash is suppose to emit a series of low powered flashes in syncro with the shutter as it moves across the front of the sensor. This helps to capture images at high shutter speeds that are properly lighted up. In the old days before this feature appeared, you could only set your camera's shutter speed to its highest shutter-flash sync speed, otherwise you'd get photos that were lighted at one end and dark at the other.

_

[deadpixel]

Originally Posted by jeanie i'm also confused about the TTL BL FP. 1)if i'm shooting outdoors with f4 and 1/500s, and if i set FP on my d200, does that mean the flash will be able to sync with the body?or it's only restricted to 1/250s? 2)will ittl BL FP work if i use bounce flash?(tilt the head upwards?) 3)will ittl BL fire at FULL power everytime if i bounce my flash for every shot?or for bounce, it's better to use AA so that the flash will not fire at full power everytime? i need a course on sb800 flash photography.i could have sworn studio strobes are so much easier to use.

3) TTL BL (as opposed to just TTL) works best for "Filling" up backlighted subjects. It evaluates the entire scene and attempts to Balance the lighting (works when your camera is on Matrix Metering). Because of this, whether or not it fires at 100% depends on how much light is needed to light up your backlit subject.

2) Yes it will, but bear in mind that FP mode works better for subjects that are closer as the flash's output is controlled and reduced/increased, depending on the shutter speed and aperture as the flash needs to emit a series of short bursts.

1) If you're using a D200, set the camera's flash sync speed (e1) to 1/250 (Auto FP). Now, when you shoot in 'M' or 'S' mode, you can push the shutter speed beyond 1/250.


Try this book: Nikon Creative Lighting System - Digital Field Guide

_

[jeanie]

Originally Posted by deadpixel 3) TTL BL (as opposed to just TTL) works best for "Filling" up backlighted subjects. It evaluates the entire scene and attempts to Balance the lighting (works when your camera is on Matrix Metering). Because of this, whether or not it fires at 100% depends on how much light is needed to light up your backlit subject. 2) Yes it will, but bear in mind that FP mode works better for subjects that are closer as the flash's output is controlled and reduced/increased, depending on the shutter speed and aperture as the flash needs to emit a series of short bursts. 1) If you're using a D200, set the camera's flash sync speed (e1) to 1/250 (Auto FP). Now, when you shoot in 'M' or 'S' mode, you can push the shutter speed beyond 1/250. Try this book: Nikon Creative Lighting System - Digital Field Guide _

thanks for the xpla.
why is it in auto FP, it only works in M or S?what if i use A?

[deadpixel]

Originally Posted by jeanie thanks for the xpla. why is it in auto FP, it only works in M or S?what if i use A?

Sorry, left out 'A' mode. With 'A' mode, you can use your lens wide open and the camera will compensate with a fast shutter above 1/250.

_

[keevy17]

can I tape the last 2 contacts in the horseshoe of my D40X and attached my SB800 so i can cheat it to sync above 1/125?

[deadpixel]

Originally Posted by keevy17 can I tape the last 2 contacts in the horseshoe of my D40X and attached my SB800 so i can cheat it to sync above 1/125?

There shouldn't be any harm trying.

But by the way, it's called a "Hotshoe" not a "Horseshoe"

_

[keevy17]

Originally Posted by deadpixel There shouldn't be any harm trying. But by the way, it's called a "Hotshoe" not a "Horseshoe" _

hahah all along i keep thinking its horseshoe and can asking the MS colour people using this term...jialat lah

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by keevy17 hahah all along i keep thinking its horseshoe and can asking the MS colour people using this term...jialat lah

If you've used a pre thyristor flash in the 70s or early 80s before you will know why it's called hotshoe.