Continuous flash speed on Nikon D3

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tiddlybiz

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Name
Chris
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Hello,

I have noticed that I can't seem to get my sb-910 flash to operate at 9fps on my Nikon D3. I'd estimate the fastest it gets is about 6fps and it is nothing to do with maxing out the power of the flash. This is fine for most things but I don't understand why other photographers around me have their cameras firing away at full speed! If the flash is on manual mode it speeds up so perhaps it is something to do with ttl or high speed sync and my cameras processing power. Or perhaps not... Does anybody have any words of wisdom or has anybody experienced anything similar?

Cheers,

Chris
 
I usually shoot 14 bit RAW and jpeg but without the flash there is no problem. The buffer is probably about 20 shots.
 
In case anyone is interested, I've found it to be the TTL pre-flashes which are a problem. The FV lock works great. The other photographer I mentioned was using a D4s which may well be better at processing the pre-flash and I believe he had dialled it back to 9fps from 11.
 
Is the other photographers using TTL?
 
They were yes however their frame rate was not at full speed. My D300 also doesn't fire at full 6fps with ttl flash it would appear. By using fv lock I can set off the pre-flash separately by pressing the assigned button (ae-l since it is useless for anything else) and then shoot away like a lunatic at 9fps should I feel the urge.
 
tiddlybiz said:
In case anyone is interested, I've found it to be the TTL pre-flashes which are a problem. The FV lock works great. The other photographer I mentioned was using a D4s which may well be better at processing the pre-flash and I believe he had dialled it back to 9fps from 11.
Click to expand...

Yes, that figures, though I'd guess it's more the delay added by the pre-flash cycle before the shutter opens rather than the processing. Other things that can affect frame rate are AF (eg servo AF in focus-priority) and also lens aperture if you have maybe an f/1.4 lens and are shooting at a highish f/number (takes time to stop down).

Edit: just tried it with my Canon 7D, and it rattles along at 8fps in manual or E-TTL flash. But shooting at f/16 instead of f/1.4 slows it down a lot, I'd say to maybe 5fps.
 
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