AF-Assist light on SB-800 not working

[leek]

I've just noticed that the AF-Assist light on my SB-800 doesn't seem to be working...

AF-Ill is displayed on the flash LCD and the AF-Assist is working on the D70, so what is wrong? Have I overlooked a setting, or does the SB-800 need to go in for a service???

[birddog114]

leek,
I'm sure Wendellt had the same problem and the setup is from setting up of the SB800.

[smac]

Hi John,

This has happened to me with my D2X but it was because the focus was on Manual (M) or Continuous (C)...it has to be on single (S). May not be the problem with your D70 but worth a try.....Good Luck

Stuart

[Onyx]

Is it dark enough? AF assist only comes on when it's dark, but the D70's AF might struggle in adequately bright but low contrast situations that won't turn on the assist.

[wendellt]

John

AF assist illumination on the sb800 is an option in the menu where you press the select button for more than 2 seconds to gain other menu items
scroll down the icon lkist and pick the illumination icon, then turn that on

single servo mode is also needed, but i don't think the d70 has single servo mode as a switch lik ethe d2x does.

[leek]

Thanks for the suggestions...

smac: Focus on the D70 is set to AF-S
onyx: Yes, it was dark enough... I was outside at night
wendell: I've checked that setting and it is ON

I'll have another play tonight, but if anyone has any further suggestions, let me know...

[smac]

I guess the next step before sending the SB800 in for repair is to try it on someone elses camera. At least that way you can rule out camera settings being the problem and isolate the problem to the flash.

[leek]

I guess the next step before sending the SB800 in for repair is to try it on someone elses camera. At least that way you can rule out camera settings being the problem and isolate the problem to the flash.

Agreed... I'll try it out on someone else's D70 at the next opportunity...

After some more experimentation, I've also found that when the SB-800 AF-Assist is switched on - it also disables the AF-Assist on the D70. If I switch the AF-Assist off on the SB-800 then the D70 fires up its little white light...

I have also tried the SB-800 on the SC-29 cable and neither AF-Assist lights work there either... It's looking like it's the camera not the flash - maybe a fault in the hotshoe... I've tried cleaning the contacts and that hasn't helped.

[birddog114]

leek,
It's time to get the D2x and be ready for you coming holiday in the UK
Will your D70 survive for the entirely coming trip to the UK? ex: Big Pix

[leek]

leek,
It's time to get the D2x and be ready for you coming holiday in the UK
Will your D70 survive for the entirely coming trip to the UK? ex: Big Pix

Hmmm... Unfortunately, a D2x is out of the question at the moment...
I was planning to take the D70 into Maxwell's for a service anyway... Now I have another reason...

[big pix]

lucky I had my trusty Nikon 4500 with me........ the airlines are starting to weigh hand luggage if it appears too heavy, and I also saw the odd passenger hand over hand luggage at the boarding gate......... hand luggage max 7kg plus a laptop I was told........ the cheekie grin worked again...........

[leek]

OK... Problem solved for now...

Not sure that I did anything apart from remove the SB-800 and refit it... but now it's working correctly. Might just've been a temperamental contact on the hot-shoe.