Nikon F4 view finder LCD/light flashing with flash

[Creagerj]

Hi All,

I recently picked up an SB-26 for my F4. However, I'm running into some problems. With the flash attached and turned on the viewfinder LCD display and illumination light (the green light) blinks/flashes for a few seconds. The flash ready light in the viewfinder also does not illuminate and the flash does not control the shutter speed on the body in TTL mode.

I tried cleaning the contacts on the DP20 hot shoe and the contacts on the body for the DP20 but that didn't resolve the issue. The flash itself still fires when the shutter is pressed. Has any other F4 owner encountered this issue?

 

[Phil_F_NM]

What lens are you using?

Phil Forrest

 

[Creagerj]

Actually, after replacing the batteries in the F4 the behavior related to the blinking/flashing LCDs and VF lamp have stopped. Although I'm not really sure how the flash plays a roll in that as the flashing/blinking did not happen with the flash off.

The flash ready light still does not function though. I'm wondering if maybe the TTL circuit is shot.

 

[Creagerj]

What lens are you using?

Phil Forrest

I have a 50mm f1.2 AIS on it. Not a CPU/AF lens.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I have a 50mm f1.2 AIS on it. Not a CPU/AF lens.

TTL can't work without knowing the distance to the subject.
Phil Forrest

 

[Creagerj]

Ah, I did not realize this. Thanks Phil.

 

[sanmich]

TTL can't work without knowing the distance to the subject.
Phil Forrest

How come? regular flash TTL predates by a whole camera generation the chip in lenses...

 

[Freakscene]

I just got out my F4 and SB-26 and an 85/1.4 Ai-S lens. The camera definitely does TTL flash with Ai-S lenses and on mine the ttl light illuminates. The ttl system uses the pre-flash alone rather than combined with lens focus distance to calculate the flash exposure, although the F4 can use distance information from AF-D lenses.

What mode is the camera in? The SB-26 manual: https://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/Speedlights/SB-26.pdf p42 makes it clear that AI-S lenses only do ttl in manual or aperture priority modes.

Marty

 

[Creagerj]

Thanks for double checking with your F4 Marty. I have tried setting both manual and aperture priority modes on the camera. These are the behaviors I see with an Ai-S lens attached.

Manual:

- Shutter is set to 1/250 when shutter dial is set to X. Shutter is set to whatever shutter speed is selected on the dial otherwise.
- SB-26 reads "TTL"
- Pressing the "M" (mode) button does not change anything on the SB-26 display regardless of what metering mode is selected on the DP-20 VF.
- The flash ready light in the F4 VF does not illuminate.
- Flash fires when the shutter is pressed fully.

Aperture Priority:
- Shutter speed adjusts based on lighting but goes above 1/250 if metering a bright light source and "Lo" when the lens cap is placed over the lens. I'm not sure if this is expected.
- SB-26 reads "TTL".
- Pressing the "M" (mode) button does not change anything on the SB-26 display regardless of what metering mode is selected on the DP-20 VF.
- The flash ready light in the F4 VF does not illuminate.
- Flash fires when the shutter is fully pressed.

Other behaviors:

- The camera wakes up the SB-26 when it is set to standby mode and the shutter release is partially pressed.

Unfortunately I don't have any AF or AF-D lenses to put on this camera. But if those behaviors mirror what you see with the SB-26 and an Ai-S lens on your copy of the F4 I'm guessing the flash ready light simply does not work on my F4. If these behaviors are not the same I'm guessing there must be something wrong with the TTL circuit on my DP-20 or F4.

 

[Freakscene]

In aperture priority mine won’t go over 1/250 and does not show ‘Lo’.

Something is up either with the camera or the flash, but try some film, it might be more complex than my understanding which is admittedly minimal.

Marty

 

[Creagerj]

Thanks Marty. I suspect there is something up with the body given the issues with the flash ready light on the body.

Out of curiosity, when you press the "m"/mode button on the SB-26 in TTL mode, does the "man-and-sun" image appear on the LCD?

 

[Freakscene]

Thanks Marty. I suspect there is something up with the body given the issues with the flash ready light on the body.

Out of curiosity, when you press the "m"/mode button on the SB-26 in TTL mode, does the "man-and-sun" image appear on the LCD?

Yes, pressing M alternates between regular ttl and man-and-sun for spot, centre weighted or matrix ttl, depending on metering mode.

Marty

 

[Pál_K]

From the great MIR web site:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf4/htmls/spec.htm


"Flash synchronization: 1/60 to 1/250 sec. in PH, P or A mode; in M or S mode, shutter fires at speed set and when set from 1/250 to 1/8800 sec., shutter is automatically set to 1/250 sec.; down to 30 sec. shutter is available by using SB-24, SB-26 or other equivalent Nikon speedlights etc. in rear curtain sync in PH, P or A mode Flash ready-light: Viewfinder LED lights up when Nikon dedicated Speedlight is ready to fire; blinks to warn of poor camera/ Speedlight connection or insufficient light for correct exposure"

The sync speed is 1/250 and anything set "faster" (a shorter time interval) uses 1/250 to avoid a partial-frame exposure.

 

[Creagerj]

Yes, pressing M alternates between regular ttl and man-and-sun for spot, centre weighted or matrix ttl, depending on metering mode.

Marty

Thanks again. That definitely confirms the TTL circuit on my F4 is no good. I have an 8008 and the flash mode can be set as expected with the SB-26.

Bummer.