Hi everyone,

I’m troubleshooting a repeatable sync issue with:

• Nikon Z8

• Nauticam NA-Z8

• Factory Nauticam optical trigger

• PCB marking: NA446-01-161-1-A / 2022-09

• Retra Flash Pro Max in M mode

At 1/160s, everything is normal.

At 1/200s, the first shot can show a dark sync band, but the next shots are normal.

For example, three consecutive NEF files at 1/200s, f/11, ISO 64:

• Shot 1: sync band

• Shot 2: normal

• Shot 3: normal

The shots were about 0.8 seconds apart.

I also did a few cross-tests:

• Replacing the Nauticam trigger batteries made no difference.

• The same Z8 + Nauticam trigger works normally at 1/200s with an MF-2(learning function disabled).

• The Retra Pro Max also works normally at 1/200s when triggered optically through the fiber by a Godox flash.

So the issue seems specific to the Nauticam trigger + Retra combination, and the fact that only the first shot is affected makes me suspect some state-dependent trigger timing behavior.

I previously had another compatibility issue with this same Nauticam trigger and an MF-2, where the MF-2 learning behavior interfered with Manual triggering. I also found the previous WaterPixels discussion mentioning a modified Nauticam trigger with PreFlash Learning disabled.

Has anyone seen similar first-shot behavior with the Z8 / Nauticam trigger? And if anyone has the modified “PreFlash Learning disabled” trigger, could you check the PCB revision and see whether it is also NA446-01-161-1-A or a different version?

Thanks.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by jyuny1

I made some of the original post about this issue with the Nauticam trigger. I will check my trigger details shortly and share that info.

However:

• Does it matter? I always take a few sanity shots when i turn on my rig to test strobe firing, lens cap test 😉, etc. This is when learning components do their learning. Your issue might well be considered by design.

• Get a better trigger. I recently got a manual i-Turtle3 trigger wlthat supports HSS and Rear Curtain, which the (frankly crap) Nauticam trigger does not support. The Underwater Light and Magic trigger would be another good option.

I suggest testing shooting 3fps for about 10 frames at low power. This was the fatal issue that i had with the Nauticam trigger, no work arounds.

9 minutes ago, jyuny1 said:

Hi everyone,

I’m troubleshooting a repeatable sync issue with:

• Nikon Z8

• Nauticam NA-Z8

• Factory Nauticam optical trigger

• PCB marking: NA446-01-161-1-A / 2022-09

• Retra Flash Pro Max in M mode

At 1/160s, everything is normal.

At 1/200s, the first shot can show a dark sync band, but the next shots are normal.

For example, three consecutive NEF files at 1/200s, f/11, ISO 64:

• Shot 1: sync band

• Shot 2: normal

• Shot 3: normal

The shots were about 0.8 seconds apart.

I also did a few cross-tests:

• Replacing the Nauticam trigger batteries made no difference.

• The same Z8 + Nauticam trigger works normally at 1/200s with an MF-2(learning function disabled).

• The Retra Pro Max also works normally at 1/200s when triggered optically through the fiber by a Godox flash.

So the issue seems specific to the Nauticam trigger + Retra combination, and the fact that only the first shot is affected makes me suspect some state-dependent trigger timing behavior.

I previously had another compatibility issue with this same Nauticam trigger and an MF-2, where the MF-2 learning behavior interfered with Manual triggering. I also found the previous WaterPixels discussion mentioning a modified Nauticam trigger with PreFlash Learning disabled.

Has anyone seen similar first-shot behavior with the Z8 / Nauticam trigger? And if anyone has the modified “PreFlash Learning disabled” trigger, could you check the PCB revision and see whether it is also NA446-01-161-1-A or a different version?

Thanks.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your reply.

The black band always appears on the first shot. I also tested continuous shooting at 3 fps for about 10 frames at low strobe power. The first frame showed the black band, while the following frames were normal. When I started another sequence, the black band appeared again on the 11th frame.

So it seems like the trigger may not actually be “learning” the pattern, but rather that something different happens on the first trigger after a pause.

I only noticed this issue recently. I normally shoot at 1/200s when using a snoot, while for colored-background shots I usually use shutter speeds slower than 1/200s. I only came across this problem when I started experimenting with a new shooting style.

And now I am looking for a better trigger

This is the "good" version of the Nauticam trigger. It's seemingly the same as yours by the numbers.

However I am not sure the hardware tells the full tale, there may be a firmware component as well. There seems to be only one IC on this circuit board, and I have no idea if it is programable.

4 minutes ago, Dave_Hicks said:

This is the "good" version of the Nauticam trigger. It's seemingly the same as yours by the numbers.

However I am not sure the hardware tells the full tale, there may be a firmware component as well. There seems to be only one IC on this circuit board, and I have no idea if it is programable.

The PCB layout looks exactly the same as mine, but apparently my trigger still doesn’t work properly at 1/200s.

I’m planning to get a UWTechnics 11032-HSS as a replacement trigger, and I’ll report back once I’ve had a chance to test it.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by jyuny1

15 minutes ago, jyuny1 said:

The PCB layout looks exactly the same as mine, but apparently my trigger still doesn’t work properly at 1/200s.

I’m planning to get a UWTechnics 11032-HSS as a replacement trigger, and I’ll report back once I’ve had a chance to test it.

FYI - The Turtle Manual trigger is about $150 less if you don't need TTL and I and I confirm it works. Support HSS / Rear Curtain / Rapid Fire. It's also a bit more portable and not a fixed design for a specific housing.

https://www.backscatter.com/TRT-i-Turtle-SMART-3-MANUAL-Trigger-for-Nikon-Mirrorless-DSLR-Cameras?custcol32=2

16 minutes ago, Dave_Hicks said:

FYI - The Turtle Manual trigger is about $150 less if you don't need TTL and I and I confirm it works. Support HSS / Rear Curtain / Rapid Fire. It's also a bit more portable and not a fixed design for a specific housing.

https://www.backscatter.com/TRT-i-Turtle-SMART-3-MANUAL-Trigger-for-Nikon-Mirrorless-DSLR-Cameras?custcol32=2

Thanks Dave, I will take a look!