Strobes not firering. Nikon D70 with Ikelite case and DS125 and DS50 strobes
Started by AlexB ·
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Strobes not firering. Nikon D70 with Ikelite case and DS125 and DS50 strobes
9 posts
Hi
I've recently bought a D70 in an Ikelite housing with Ikelite DS125 and DS50 strobes 2nd hand. Everything is great apart from one very annoying thing! :
The problem: My strobes don't fire all the time. Sometimes I connect it all together and it works and other times (Most times) It doesn't work! When it doesn't work-the camera tries to pop the cameras built in flash and then when that wont open (because of the housing and hot shoe adapter) it wont allow the camera to focus!!! And there for it wont let me take a picture!!! Very frustrating. Sometimes if I turn it off and on again it works but only occasionally!
Does any one have any suggestions?
Thanks for any help in advance )
How many of the pins are exposed in the hotshoe? All you need is the centre firing pin, you can cover the rest of them, and it will fire every time. Although on manual, not TTL
It is also possible there is a bad sync cord. Over the years i have had two ikelite cords that sometimes fire and sometimes not. Ikelite has updated the sync cords with more protection for the internal wires. Also if you shoot on full manual the camera built in flash will not pop up. I preset my iso and shutter speed and use the aperture setting for adjustment on most shots. Some i adjust shutter speed and aperture.
It's been a while since I shot with a D70, but I believe that you can turn the internal flash off IF you are using M, A or S modes. Or it will not pop up at all. The comment on bad sync cords is very true. That's why I left Ike strobes and went to S&S YS-D1s for FO connection. I always carried a couple extra sync cords on trips. I think FO is more reliable, but that's another discussion I don't want to start.
Sounds to me like you're shooting in Auto mode which is not the way to go UW. The flash will pop up in most cases if you are in Auto or any of the Program modes. Stick with M, A or S modes.
Good point Divengolf, it does sound like it may be on Auto mode
Aaah thanks guys. Some great advice there. . Yes I have indeed been trying to shoot in auto. I'm new to using an slr underwater so thought I'd start simply. I'll try shooting in the modes suggested and see how I fare. And I guess I should keep an eye out for a spare syn cord too as it sounds like it would be useful to have one in the box
Cheers guys
Alex
Alex,
Buy The Underwater Photographer, by Martin Edge. I believe that the 4th edition is the current one, but there may be a fifth by now. Many consider this the bible for UW photos, esp. when starting.
This design may exhibit intermittency with some more traditional Nikonos-style bulkheads. Two gold plated pins have been provided to eliminate this intermittency. These pins should only be used in conjunction with bulkheads featuring two spring-loaded contacts.
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. Yes I have indeed been trying to shoot in auto. I'm new to using an slr underwater so thought I'd start simply. I'll try shooting in the modes suggested and see how I fare. And I guess I should keep an eye out for a spare syn cord too as it sounds like it would be useful to have one in the box 
