D3 and SB400 fill-flash

bambam

bambam

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Hi

Maybe being a bit slow here - but what settings do I need to get the SB400 to perform fill-flash with the D3?

I know it can be done but I can't seem to get it to work.

Any pointers??

Cheers
 
Put the camera in matrix metering mode, set the flash to iTTL BL FP (if you have those settings on the SB400) and dial in about -1 to -2EV on the flash - you will have to play around with the EV compensation to get it right.
 
unfortunately the SB400 has none of the above controls.

AFAIK with the D3 the SB400 will just fire in TTL mode. No flash comp is possible as the D3 doesn't have a separate button for this (only the ones with a built in flash have this button).

If anyone knows better than that it would be great, as I've been looking for a way to get this to work as well.
 
Ah right, I didn't realise.

In that case buy an SB-900. :D
 
I can't say I've ever seen an SB400 on a D3...

I agree though, an SB600 or above is your answer, but an SB900 is an ace bit of kit, only bettered by a number of SB900s ;)
 
Hi
Looks like doing balanced fill flash is not possible with the SB-400 and the D3 - bit of a pain as that's really what I bought it for.

Don't want to get a massive or over-complicated flash so looking at the SB-600 now - anyone used one on a D3? How easy is it to use for balanced fill-flash?

Cheers
 
Spend the extra and get an SB-900, it's anything but "overcomplicated" - if anything it's easier to use than the 600...
 
Absolutely no reason why an SB400 should not do perfect fill flash on any iTTL enabled camera, including the D3.

Set camera on P and shoot.

What settings are your using, what are you trying to shoot? What problems are you having?
 
Hi

I'll try it on P and see how that goes.

I've been using A or M and adjusting the exposure if needed. Sometimes the pics come out ok, but often they are over-exposed and very unnatural.

Must admit I haven't found it very intuitive and there are no controls on the SB-400 other than an On/Off switch.

I want to be able to do it easily so that when I hand the camera to someone else, it works as expected.

Thoughts?

Cheers
 
Get the sb900 it is an awesome flash gun, far easier than the sb800 to use.
 
bambam said:
Must admit I haven't found it very intuitive and there are no controls on the SB-400 other than an On/Off switch.

I want to be able to do it easily so that when I hand the camera to someone else, it works as expected.
Click to expand...

If the D3 is anything like the D60/D90 then the SB400 offers only iTTL or fully manual, set in a camera submenu. Cameras older than the D60/D90 offer only iTTL with the SB400, so you may get told otherwise. It's a very limited flash and no match for a D3!
 
Mud said:
If the D3 is anything like the D60/D90 then the SB400 offers only iTTL or fully manual, set in a camera submenu. Cameras older than the D60/D90 offer only iTTL with the SB400, so you may get told otherwise. It's a very limited flash and no match for a D3!
Click to expand...

The SB400 on the D40 uses i-TTL Balance Fill Flash when Matrix or Centre weighted metering is set. It uses Standard i-TTL when Spot metering is used.
 
Suvv said:
The SB400 on the D40 uses i-TTL Balance Fill Flash when Matrix or Centre weighted metering is set. It uses Standard i-TTL when Spot metering is used.
Click to expand...

Sorry if unclear, my specific point was manually controlling the SB400 isn't possible on cameras pre-D60/D90.
 
bambam said:
Hi

I'll try it on P and see how that goes.

I've been using A or M and adjusting the exposure if needed. Sometimes the pics come out ok, but often they are over-exposed and very unnatural.

Must admit I haven't found it very intuitive and there are no controls on the SB-400 other than an On/Off switch.

I want to be able to do it easily so that when I hand the camera to someone else, it works as expected.

Thoughts?

Cheers
Click to expand...

Sorry BB, but I think this is a case of RTFM... ;) No reason why SB400 shouldn't behave exactly as you want.
 
HoppyUK said:
Sorry BB, but I think this is a case of RTFM... ;) No reason why SB400 shouldn't behave exactly as you want.
Click to expand...

I have RTFM!!! :)

Judging from other posts it seems like I'm not the only one having these issues with D3 and SB-400.

SB-900 is not really an option at the moment as good as it is, I just can't afford it.

Cheers
 
bambam said:
I have RTFM!!! :)

Judging from other posts it seems like I'm not the only one having these issues with D3 and SB-400.

SB-900 is not really an option at the moment as good as it is, I just can't afford it.

Cheers
Click to expand...

D3 is a complicated beast, I'll grant you. SB-900 is a very complicated flash too. It won't make things easier for a bit of fill flash.

The reason people are saying get an SB-900 is that an entry-level SB-400 is a bit out of place on a high end pro camera. Nothing to do with whether it will work or not.
 
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