calling D300 users..HELP!!! (operating the flash and AF)

[nikolaiski]

Hi guys!

Alright, I know this might sound really silly, but I now have, in addition to my Canon 30D, a D300 tasked to my usage and I've been playing around with the camera for a while. However, I can't figure out two things, despite reading the (REALLY THICK) manual so I might have dodged a bullet here and there...

1- Can the AF of the Nikon operate in full auto mode like in the Canon 30D? ie. Point the camera at the item you want and then the focus lights automatically illuminate to indicate the POINTS of focus along the same plane. If so, which functions do it set it to? Until now I manually select 1 single point out of the 51-mode selectable points in single AF.

2- In commander mode, I can't get my 3 SB-900s to operate on it's own off-camera if the on-board camera flash doesn't pop up and fire. Is this normal, or can I ONLY operate multiple groups of SB-900s off-camera with a wireless remote, if i don't want to mount another flash on the camera? I'm aware of the other, similar thread on the D90 and the commander mode...but that addressed single flash issues only, not multiple ones.

ok thanks for any help rendered guys..appreciate it!

[satan_18349]

Originally Posted by nikolaiski Hi guys! Alright, I know this might sound really silly, but I now have, in addition to my Canon 30D, a D300 tasked to my usage and I've been playing around with the camera for a while. However, I can't figure out two things, despite reading the (REALLY THICK) manual so I might have dodged a bullet here and there... 1- Can the AF of the Nikon operate in full auto mode like in the Canon 30D? ie. Point the camera at the item you want and then the focus lights automatically illuminate to indicate the POINTS of focus along the same plane. If so, which functions do it set it to? Until now I manually select 1 single point out of the 51-mode selectable points in single AF. 2- In commander mode, I can't get my 3 SB-900s to operate on it's own off-camera if the on-board camera flash doesn't pop up and fire. Is this normal, or can I ONLY operate multiple groups of SB-900s off-camera with a wireless remote, if i don't want to mount another flash on the camera? I'm aware of the other, similar thread on the D90 and the commander mode...but that addressed single flash issues only, not multiple ones. ok thanks for any help rendered guys..appreciate it!

1) Set to Dynamic AF, focus mode to AF-C, choose either 9, 21, 51 or 3D-51pts on the menu.

2) You need to pop the built-in flash to activate the other flash in CLS mode unless you have another SB800 or 900 mount on your cam.

[uranium2k]

Anyway, it is normal for the built-in flash to fire a pre-flash. It is to send the signal to the remote flashes to tell them what to do.

[lrrp77]

If I am not wrong, Canon cameras does not have this function.

Remember to position your SB-900s in line of sight with your built-in flash.

Your built in flash will emit a short invisible burst to your SB-900s shortly after u press your shutter.

[chanjyj]

Originally Posted by lrrp77 If I am not wrong, Canon cameras does not have this function. Remember to position your SB-900s in line of sight with your built-in flash. Your built in flash will emit a short invisible burst to your SB-900s shortly after u press your shutter.

Assuming you are in an enclosed area, you can disregard the rule of line-of-sight. The slave flashes will still trigger (internal flash of D300 powerful enough to bounce off walls and ceilings).

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by nikolaiski Hi guys! Alright, I know this might sound really silly, but I now have, in addition to my Canon 30D, a D300 tasked to my usage and I've been playing around with the camera for a while. However, I can't figure out two things, despite reading the (REALLY THICK) manual so I might have dodged a bullet here and there... 1- Can the AF of the Nikon operate in full auto mode like in the Canon 30D? ie. Point the camera at the item you want and then the focus lights automatically illuminate to indicate the POINTS of focus along the same plane. If so, which functions do it set it to? Until now I manually select 1 single point out of the 51-mode selectable points in single AF.

Yes it can. Just need to flick the AF area mode switch next to the LCD to the big rectangle. You can choose how many AF points to use from the custom menu. This is documented in page 64.

Quote: 2- In commander mode, I can't get my 3 SB-900s to operate on it's own off-camera if the on-board camera flash doesn't pop up and fire. Is this normal, or can I ONLY operate multiple groups of SB-900s off-camera with a wireless remote, if i don't want to mount another flash on the camera? I'm aware of the other, similar thread on the D90 and the commander mode...but that addressed single flash issues only, not multiple ones. ok thanks for any help rendered guys..appreciate it!

The popup has to fire for command and synchronization. You can set the power for 2 groups and the popup flash separately in the menu. This is documented in page 294-295.

[nikolaiski]

Originally Posted by lsisaxon Yes it can. Just need to flick the AF area mode switch next to the LCD to the big rectangle. You can choose how many AF points to use from the custom menu. This is documented in page 64. The popup has to fire for command and synchronization. You can set the power for 2 groups and the popup flash separately in the menu. This is documented in page 294-295.

Hi Lsisaxon!

Thanks for the advice man (and everyone as well!)

One more thing - I know that when I select the "big rectangle" by flicking the switch all the way to the top, I can't see any of my focus points and that's a little scary sometimes..heh..any way to fix this? I can't seem to find it in the manual either. Tried "Displaying all AF points" in the custom functions but still no avail.

thanks!!!

[Michael]

Originally Posted by nikolaiski Hi Lsisaxon! Thanks for the advice man (and everyone as well!) One more thing - I know that when I select the "big rectangle" by flicking the switch all the way to the top, I can't see any of my focus points and that's a little scary sometimes..heh..any way to fix this? I can't seem to find it in the manual either. Tried "Displaying all AF points" in the custom functions but still no avail. thanks!!!

you will see the focus points for a short while once focus is acquired, however ONLY in single AF mode since in continuous AF mode AF points keep changing.

[kenkoh]

Originally Posted by nikolaiski Hi Lsisaxon! Thanks for the advice man (and everyone as well!) One more thing - I know that when I select the "big rectangle" by flicking the switch all the way to the top, I can't see any of my focus points and that's a little scary sometimes..heh..any way to fix this? I can't seem to find it in the manual either. Tried "Displaying all AF points" in the custom functions but still no avail. thanks!!!

I think you'll need to select S (single shot AF). Selecting C (Continuous AF) will not allow you to see the AF points selected by the camera.

[kenkoh]

Originally Posted by nikolaiski Hi guys! 2- In commander mode, I can't get my 3 SB-900s to operate on it's own off-camera if the on-board camera flash doesn't pop up and fire. Is this normal, or can I ONLY operate multiple groups of SB-900s off-camera with a wireless remote, if i don't want to mount another flash on the camera? I'm aware of the other, similar thread on the D90 and the commander mode...but that addressed single flash issues only, not multiple ones. ok thanks for any help rendered guys..appreciate it!

I think your popup needs to be up to operate in commander mode, but you can set the popup flash output to 0 so that no visible light comes from it, only the signal to operate the remote speedlites.

[powerbookg4]

Originally Posted by chanjyj Assuming you are in an enclosed area, you can disregard the rule of line-of-sight. The slave flashes will still trigger (internal flash of D300 powerful enough to bounce off walls and ceilings).

I think you can disregard the LOS totally. You could actually set the built in flash output to zero, the remote SB900 will still fire. It is not dependent on LOS. But of cos that being said dont put it too far away.

Interesting though I have not tried the range of the Commander yet. Anyone?

[chanjyj]

Originally Posted by powerbookg4 I think you can disregard the LOS totally. You could actually set the built in flash output to zero, the remote SB900 will still fire. It is not dependent on LOS. But of cos that being said dont put it too far away. Interesting though I have not tried the range of the Commander yet. Anyone?

No you cant. The trigger is still the light from the commander, whether it is bounced round a corner or not. If the ceiling is too high and the walls are too wide, the light bounced from the commander is not strong enough to reach the slave - you have to use LOS then.

Range of commander - look at SB800/SB900 manual. I think they have a chart which shows you the angle (of commander to flash) vs distance where the slave will still fire (LOS).

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by nikolaiski Hi Lsisaxon! Thanks for the advice man (and everyone as well!) One more thing - I know that when I select the "big rectangle" by flicking the switch all the way to the top, I can't see any of my focus points and that's a little scary sometimes..heh..any way to fix this? I can't seem to find it in the manual either. Tried "Displaying all AF points" in the custom functions but still no avail. thanks!!!

Eh.. I think for 51pts, if they display everything, it will be very cluttered and distracting to the composition. I think it's deliberate that the unused points are not shown.