 Amy Anderson |
Flash Recyling Time My flash seems to take longer to recycle these days. Is it probably a bad batch of batteries or could something else be going on with the speedlight unit? It's a Nikon SB-800, and it just seems to be tired these days.
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Jon Close |
What kind of batteries, and how old?
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Corrosion on the contacts?
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Amy Anderson |
Brand new box of 36 Duracell AA's. Flash is just over one year old and looks like it's in great shape.
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Jon Close |
Alkaline batteries, like the Duracells, are long lasting, but the voltage drops with age and use. While there is plenty of charge left, they will take longer and longer to cycle the flash. If the flash is firing at close to full power - eg. as the main light source indoors, if using a diffuser, or trying to light distant subjects - the speedlight will take a deeper cycle and draw more from the batteries. So they'll lose voltage faster. Alkalines are ok and economical if you only use the speedlight occasionally, but for frequent and heavy use rechargeable NiMH or NiCads are preferred for faster flash cycling (and are less expensive over the long term). The voltage of these batteries stays level until just before exhaustion. Batteries (all types) also weaken when cold, so if shooting outside it helps to keep a 2nd set warm in a pocket and swap them with the cold ones often. Ditto Gregory's suggestion to check the battery compartment to make sure the contacts are clean and free of corrosion.
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