View Full Version : SB800 Power Zoom Function
ZulSim
06-29-2008, 11:29 AM
Bought a new SB800 end of last year. Only now have the time to read the manual. I fixed the speedlight onto the hotshoe of my D80 with 18-200mm VR lens attached & turned to P mode. According to the manual, if a small letter "M" appear above the word "ZOOM" in the LCD, press the multi-selector left or right several times, the letter "M" should disappear. Did that, but the letter won't disappear. Is the speedlight faulty or did I do something incorrectly? Please, can someone kindly advise.
"M" basically means you can zoom from 24 to 105mm (not sure about SB-800's range) manually...
it should go from Auto, Manual 24mm, Manual blablabla, Manual 105mm, and then back to Auto...if it doesnt chances are your SB-800 is:
1. not communicating with the D80 (try cleaning the contacts)
2. it's in slave mode..
dinduboy14
06-29-2008, 03:20 PM
not sure but is there a way to reformat the settings of the speedlite to original setting?
maybe uve just been playing and messed the setting up.. :?
ZulSim
06-29-2008, 04:46 PM
"M" basically means you can zoom from 24 to 105mm (not sure about SB-800's range) manually...
it should go from Auto, Manual 24mm, Manual blablabla, Manual 105mm, and then back to Auto...if it doesnt chances are your SB-800 is:
1. not communicating with the D80 (try cleaning the contacts)
2. it's in slave mode..
Thanks. The range is same as what you quoted, 24 to 105mm. The speedlite was not in slave mode. Maybe it's the contacts. BTW, what do you use to clean the contacts?
not sure but is there a way to reformat the settings of the speedlite to original setting?
maybe uve just been playing and messed the setting up.. :?
I have reset to default values by pressing mode button & ON/OFF button simultaneously for 2 sec. The problem is still there.
At page 117 of the manual, it says if the wide-flash adapter is broken off, it's no longer possible to set zoom-head position to other than 14mm or 17mm. Coincidentally, the reading on the LCD stuck at 14mm f5. I tried to go to Custom Settings, but the icon for "Zoom-head position setting" does not appear.
Now, I wonder whether the wide-flash adapter (whatever that is) is broken or not. If icon for "Zoom-head position setting" does not appear, how else to adjust zoom-head position? Can someone please help. Should I send the speedlight to Nikon Service Centre?
ShaolinTiger
06-29-2008, 06:24 PM
You better check the wide-flash adapter is fully pushed in, even if it's slightly out the flash zoom setting will be stuck at the widest setting regardless of what lens you use.
ZulSim
06-29-2008, 06:46 PM
You better check the wide-flash adapter is fully pushed in, even if it's slightly out the flash zoom setting will be stuck at the widest setting regardless of what lens you use.
Thanks ST. Checked & found that was the problem. Much obliged.
shouldn't it display "14mm" if the wideangle panel is flipped out?
p.s. i just use an eraser to clean contacts..works for anything i've used so far
ZulSim
06-30-2008, 12:25 PM
shouldn't it display "14mm" if the wideangle panel is flipped out?
p.s. i just use an eraser to clean contacts..works for anything i've used so far
Well, that's what was displayed. Maybe the wide angle panel was not fully secured in its place. I just pulled it out & pushed it back again. And it works fine. Thanks to ST again. It would be embarassing if I had been to the Nikon service centre! Thanks for the tip on cleaning the contacts.
edward chan
06-30-2008, 12:44 PM
Well, that's what was displayed. Maybe the wide angle panel was not fully secured in its place. I just pulled it out & pushed it back again. And it works fine. Thanks to ST again. It would be embarassing if I had been to the Nikon service centre! Thanks for the tip on cleaning the contacts.
another funny behaviour with my sb 800 is that it flashes momentarily for no apparent reason when switch on and on the flash shoe. then I know it is time to clean the hot shoe with a eraser. Maybe this only happens to me though
kiankheong
06-30-2008, 01:40 PM
another funny behaviour with my sb 800 is that it flashes momentarily for no apparent reason when switch on and on the flash shoe. then I know it is time to clean the hot shoe with a eraser. Maybe this only happens to me though
That was an indication before my flashgun died.
Sent to Nikon for major parts replacement, luckily it was still under warranty.
another funny behaviour with my sb 800 is that it flashes momentarily for no apparent reason when switch on and on the flash shoe. then I know it is time to clean the hot shoe with a eraser. Maybe this only happens to me though
not circuitry problem ar? =x
dangerous leh if flash got circuitry problem..it'll kill you (as in literally it might kill you)
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