SB-28 w/F4S. Man have I got questions

[EdColorado]

OK, new Nikon guy here, with some questions...

I recently picked up a clean F4S just cause it was too cheap to pass up. It came with a Nikkor 70-210 f5.6 AF lens(no "D" or any other indicators). I also purchased a Tamron 24-135 SP AF lens (really nice). Just arriving on the scene is a SB-28 flash. I have manuals for both the camera and flash but still am confused.

The flash never indicates it is in Matrix Balanced Fill Flash mode or any other TTL mode except for straight TTL. I never see the little man under the sun emblem as shown in the manual. I've tried all the F4S' metering options.

Also, the flash wont automatically adjust its zoom setting. I think I have to have a CPU equipped lens for auto zooming to work, but the flash manual says I should get Matrix Fill Flash without a CPU lens. I would have thought though that my Nikkor lens at least has a CPU, right? wrong? How bout the Tamron?

And, the flash never changes its ISO setting when I change ISO on the camera. Do I have to have film loaded for any of this stuff to work? Is my flash busted? Am I just too much of a Canon guy to get this? I mean heck, I used to be quite proficient with the T90 and multiple 300TL flash units so this shouldn't be too tough!

What I find odd and somewhat complicating is how everything with Nikon seems dependent on which model lens you have. This is a design "feature" I just don't understand. In the Canon world its all about the body really. With a T90 every metering function works with any FD lens and the 300TL flash unit couldn't care less about which lens is mounted on the T90. It makes it all much easier, much more user friendly. Overall though I think the F4S is a pretty cool camera, it just comes with a rather steep learning curve.

 

[BobNewYork]

Ed - sounds like the camera isn't "communicating" with the flash unit. Make sure all the contacts are clean - camera and flash - and that the flash unit is fully seated on the hot shoe and tightened down.

Bob H

 

[mudman]

Stupid question but did you try pressing the mode button on the zoom to change TTL to Matrix TTL? I agree with Bob, make sure all the contacts are clean. The AF lenses should communicate with the flash. depending on the body, some of them won't make the flash autozoom i.e. the 8008s for example. I don't know about the F4.

 

[Warren T.]

Hi Ed,

I have the same setup: F4s, Tamron 24-135mm, SB-28. It's a great combo. I had a 70-210mm non-d many years ago, but eventually sold it because the lack of speed hindered me. I also have a SB-24 but I like the compactness of the SB-28, and I don't do rear curtain or slow sync flash so I don't miss the missing features on the SB-28 w/ F4.

first of all, like everyone says, make sure your contacts are clean and you have a good connection.

your sb-28's auto-zoom mode may be turned off. Try pressing the Zoom and + keys simultaneously for at least 2 seconds to toggle this feature.

read more about how to set the sb-28 here: MIR Site

--Warren

 

[dpurdy]

I had the exact same problem with the flash on my F100 a few weeks ago during a environmental portrait job. I had a back up and used that. Later examining the faulty flash I discovered the part that fits into the shoe and makes contact was cracked and was not making good contact. Communication problem.

 

[EdColorado]

Thanks for the help everyone!

I cleaned the contacts on the flash, the hot shoe, and under the viewfinder but still no joy. I need to figure out if its a problem with the camera, or the flash so does anyone know what the signals are supposed to be on the hot shoe? I know the center is the trigger but I don't know what the other two should be. I'd guess though that one of them should change as the lens is zoomed so I guess I could just monitor each pin with my oscilloscope and see what happens. A pin out would however be really helpful!

 

[nicefor88]

Hi Ed,
I think the dedicated flash for the F4 are the SB 24 and SB 25. I owned both of them. Actually, if I'm not mistaken the SB 28 "belongs" to the F5, at least that's how Nikon present it.
If you read carefully the instructions manuals, Nikon always say their flash are all compatible with previous models, for instance, the use of a SB 28 would pose no problem with an older camera like the F4 (just a few years older you will say and you're right). But Nikon also indicate that "some functions of a particular flash unit may not be compatible with all cameras". I"m afraid that's what it means.
A last thing, clever sellers always told me my SB 28 would not work on a digital nikon. Ha! I've used it on a D200 and D2x (in Auto mode, TTL does not work) and it works great.
Hope this helps.:rolleyes:

 

[EdColorado]

Nicefor88, yeah your right, there are some functions that wont work with the F4S but those that should (ISO setting, zooming, and matrix balance fill) don't work on mine. I thought about the SB-24 vs SB-28 thing quite a bit before buying the 28. My decision was based on price, as there wasn't much difference, size (the 28 is a bit lighter) and the fact that I like the F5 and who knows, maybe I'll have one some day.
I took my SB-28 to my local repair guy and he tried it on his test body. The flash still wouldn't function correctly so its been returned to KEH and I'm patiently awaiting my replacement!
Thanks for the help,

 

[Russ - SVP]

Sounds like a communication problem. I used to live in Loveland. Nice town. I love my Tamron SP 24-135 on my F100 body.

Kiron Kid