V6 with Nikon SB800 - Not able to change flash's power from TX to RX

stefanodelia

Hi, 
I just bought two V6, I've tried them with a Nikon SB800 (I've got a Nikon D800 camera). 
I seem to follow all the instructions (I attach the flash, set it in TTL mode, I switch on the V6 in RX mode, same channel as the TX and set the flash profile) and when I shot a picture the flash fires, but it seems impossibile to change the power from the transmitter. 
It seems also strange that despite the group I select for the flash, if it's on the same channel, the TX will make it fire (example: RX on group B, channel 1. The TX have all the others groups selected or none of them and when I shot the picture the flash fires anyway, I don't think it's normal, is it?)

Main issue here is to change the power of the flash from the TX and it doesn't seem possible to do it.  
Also I noticed that the little antenna icon on the right of the RX doesn't have any bars on it (as it's described in the instructions instead). I don't know if it means anything. 

Is there something I'm missing? It should be simpler than this, doesn't it?
Thanks again for your help. 

Stefano

Antonio

Hi Stefano,

Sure, it should be simpler than what you experienced.

Please check the following:

1. What is the firmware version currently used on the V6 units? The latest is 2.1.001. You can check by holding down group buttons A and D and switching on the unit.
   
2. What was the distance between camera and flash?  Try leaving sufficient distance. For testing purposes, set it at least 1m apart.
   
3. Try other channels. If you were in Ch 2, try Ch.13, something on the other spectrum.
   
4. Try setting <WORK RANGE> to "Short"

Thank you.

TimHoover

Antonio

I just responded on a similar thread but forgot the title so I'm not sure how to locate any responses. Anyway, sorry for the duplication but I'm having the same problem.

Nikon d850. SB24 and SB700 flashes. Firmware 2.1.001

I tried to follow the steps exactly, including the order of operations but no luck getting the flash power to change. I'm also a bit confused as to why the flash needs to be in TTL mode. I DO NOT want the camera making any decisions for me. I want to control the flash power and camera exposure independently.

Thanks for any help you can give.

TimHoover

Well, I seem to have made a little bit of progress. I understand why the flash needs to be in TTL and I have succeeded in getting the SB24 flash to work properly (including changing the power remotely). The problem I was having was that the profile was not correct. 

Unfortunately, I still cannot get the SB700 to work. I have tried to adjust everything to match the SB24 (but with the SB700 profile, of course). Now, I cannot even get the flash to fire at all! The transmitter seems to talk to the receiver (the receiver light comes on when the transmitter is activated) but the flash does not fire. However, the 'flash' button on the back of the speedlight blinks when the transmitter triggers, so clearly it is getting some sort of signal. If I switch the receiver profile to manual the flash fires but of course the power level is fixed.

Yikes, this is frustrating!

Anyone have any ideas?????

Tim

Antonio

Flash profile should be the corresponding Nikon model, set the flash in TTL mode, and it should work like a gem.

Could you confirm the above?

Thanks!

gemarne

In may 2020 I experience the same problem. I've installed the latest firmware. The Nikon SB700 seems locked when I put it onto the cactus, I can't change the power manual, the red flash lamp stay's on the whole time.
Other problem is that I can't change the power of the SB700 thru the TX. I tried different chanels and the problem stay's the same.
The only thing that works is the flash. I thought I bought finally good stuff :-(