SB600 question

[Grandpaw]

Does a SB600 always fire at full power if the compensation + or - on the flash is set at zero? I just want to make sure that there isn't another way to lower power, Jeff

[Dylan8i]

on my d200 you can + or - the flash power, i assume it affects an external flash power ( not just built in camera flash)

[Grandpaw]

on my d200 you can + or - the flash power, i assume it affects an external flash power ( not just built in camera flash)

I checked my camera and my flash and both are neutral and set to zero. It just seems to me that my flash should be stronger than what I am getting. I'm just trying to make sure it is putting out the maximum power. Thanks for your reply, Jeff

[jorgemonkey]

Are you shooting in TTL mode or manual?

The few times I've pulled out my 600 I keep thinking its malfunctioning due to the fact I'm so used to the power of the 800

[another view]

I have to admit I haven't played much with my SB800 other than in TTL or wireless mode. With older flashes I've used them in manual (don't ask me how I did it!), but it's really easy to be sure you're at 100% - just make sure it says 1/1.

Are your flash shots underexposed? What aperture, ISO and subject distance are you using? Small flashes (800 and 900 included) really don't generate a large quantity of light, and light follows the inverse square law so twice the distance equals one fourth the light level - this should give you an idea how fast it disappears.

Unless the flash itself is in manual mode, it'll only send out as much light as the camera "thinks" it needs to properly light the scene. Most Nikon flashes have a ready light that'll blink immediately after exposure if the flash fired at 100% but the camera still thinks it underexposed the scene. I guess my point is that a flash firing at 100% is only a good thing if it's needed to light the scene. It's like saying that if f5.6 is good, f4 is better, I guess. 100% power also takes a lot more time to recycle, and makes the battery life go quicker.

[Grandpaw]

Thanks to both of you for taking the time to respond. My SB600 just doesn't seem like it is as powerful as I think it should be. When I bounce the flash it seems to loose more than I think it should. I guess it take getting use too. I tried it in AP mode and in auto with TTL and the setting are just not what I expected. I will keep playing with it and see if I can work it out.

My older Vivitar flashes had settings for 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and full power. I was wondering if there were some way that my Nikon SB600 had something like this and it was set at a lower setting. I understand that it doesn't fire full power every time and adjusts itself as needed. What I was trying to determine is if it would fire full power if the need called for it. Thanks again, Jeff