SB-600 won't flash again

snj979s

Senior Member
I get them because they're cheap basically, I know you get what you pay for. I now have two which appear to work in every other way. Powers on, digital display shows like normal. But won't flash on test or with triggers. I'm assuming the bulb is burned out. Any experience with this? What are my options? ty as always...
 

hark

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I get them because they're cheap basically, I know you get what you pay for. I now have two which appear to work in every other way. Powers on, digital display shows like normal. But won't flash on test or with triggers. I'm assuming the bulb is burned out. Any experience with this? What are my options? ty as always...

I don't have that flash, but when my SB-910 developed corrosion from bad Duracell batteries, I had to send it in for repair. Even though I hadn't ever taken many shots with it (and I bought it new), Nikon replaced a lot of internal components. Whatever the flash thing is, it was replaced. So basically mine is like a refurbished unit. Total cost was around $200. They do that as preventative maintenance to help the units have a long life.
 

hark

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What I just posted above--somewhere I read that Nikon suggests sending in flash units on a regular basis to replace that flash mechanism as normal service. It isn't done free unless the units are still under warranty. I am assuming they consider it to be routine service in the same way sensors need cleaning. The flash mechanisms will only fire for so many shots, but that doesn't mean the unit isn't any good.
 

Nikonitus

Senior Member
snj979s and hark (all-in-one reply),,

In my most humble opinion, the SB-600 is a great little flash unit. Over the years I've used mine on so many occasions that I cannot even begin to recall half of them, and I've had it for MANY years now (since I bought a new D300 wayyyy back - so you can get a feeling of how old it is). I don't do a lot of flash work but it has served me faithfully when I did. My current D750 is the 3rd camera it has served and I see no reason as to why I shouldn't keep using it. It does however, have its limits, as I found out recently in an event with huge open show-ground indoor arenas where you clearly need lighting assistance. The SB-600 didn't quite have the output to handle many shots, especially where you had to back up to get the total subject into the shot. As a result I went and bought a Godox V860II, which can easily take up the slack that the SB-600 leaves in certain areas, and it really is a fantastic flash.. That doesn't mean that I want or have to sell the SB-600. It now means I have two units to choose from, and the SB-600 will still be a first contender for indoor residential work, because I know its capabilities etc, so why spoil a potentially great shot when you already have the working knowledge of the flashes usage.. I wanted to buy an SB-910 but the cost was very high compared to the Godox which is less than half cost, and the V860II keeps impressing many users, so I took the easy way out, and now I can have my cake and eat it too - I saved many dollars and got an equally as good flash, maybe even slightly better..

As for regular maintenance,, that sounds like a good scheme, especially from the manufacturers point of view, keeping the unit going and guarding their products reputation etc, but that's something you the owner would have to weigh up. The only piece of advice I could offer here is - NEVER leave batteries in any appliance once the session is over, regardless of what the appliance is, a flashgun or a child's toy. There are so many crap batteries around now, even some so called reputable brands which are farmed out to other companies and countries for manufacture to keep costs down and as a result, several reputable brands are now little better than the el-cheapo stuff you can buy anywhere.. Over the years I have had too many of my battery powered electrical gadgets, from TV remotes to expensive radio equipment, virtually with their insides half eaten out because of leaking or defective batteries. Except for where long life is needed, such as a flash unit, I just buy and use any old cheap battery, most of which die young but sometimes they really hang in there and surprise me, being almost as good as the "better" brands.. I learned a long time ago not to leave batteries in the appliance once you've finished using it and I even check TV remotes regularly to make sure all is well...

Good luck with the camera's and flashes to the both of you...
Nikonitus
 
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WayneF

Senior Member
NEVER leave batteries in any appliance once the session is over, regardless of what the appliance is, a flashgun or a child's toy.

Good advice. Here is my experience with Duracells AAA that never left the original packaging. They had aged in the closet, but were still several months short of the expiration date on the batteries.

duracell.jpg


I'd say especially for flashes, don't use that type. The alkalines are of course vastly better than older type zinc-carbon cells, but flashes draw several amps from the little AA cells (for a second or two of recycle), and flashes need especially high battery performance. The rechargeable batteries (such as Eneloop) perform better (and with faster recycle), and there seems to be no evidence anywhere of rechargeables leaking and corroding things.

However, there are newer style batteris that claim to be resistant to leaking. There are a few brands, even Duracell offers one of this new type, but one is Amazons Basic Performance AA cells, claiming "Improved anti-corrosion components and new zinc composition resulting in 10-years anti-leakage shelf life".
 
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pforsell

Senior Member
Good advice. Here is my experience with Duracells AAA that never left the original packaging. They had aged in the closet, but were still several months short of the expiration date on the batteries.

I'd say especially for flashes, don't use NiMH cells. They are of course vastly better than older type zinc-carbon cells, so NiMH is 2nd best, but flashes draw several amps from the little AA cells (for a second or two of recycle), and flashes need especially high battery performance. The rechargeable batteries (such as Eneloop) perform better (and with faster recycle), and there seems to be no evidence anywhere of rechargeables leaking and corroding things.

However, there are newer style NiMH cells that claim to be resistant to leaking. There are a few brands, even Duracell offers one of this new type, but one is Amazons Basic Performance AA cells, claiming "Improved anti-corrosion components and new zinc composition resulting in 10-years anti-leakage shelf life".

Your post is a bit convoluted. NiMH is a type of rechargeable battery and Eneloops are NiMH. I cannot follow your text from start to finish. What is it that you suggest to not use and what to use?
 

WayneF

Senior Member
Yes of course, sorry, my serious blunder, sort of a typo, but really just typing without thinking enough. Thanks, I will try to edit it to fix it.
 

snj979s

Senior Member
Got another sb600, it lasted about 2 weeks. Everything appears to be fine but no flash or test flash. I think I'm done with the sb600s.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Got another sb600, it lasted about 2 weeks. Everything appears to be fine but no flash or test flash. I think I'm done with the sb600s.

I'd suggest switching to a Godox based system. With built-in wireless, options for a 2000mAh lithium battery (or AA's if you prefer) and the XPRO1 controller I've never looked back. Adorama sells Godox gear (rebranded as Flashpoint) if you're squeamish about a warranty. My V860II-N has taken a couple powerful whacks and it just keeps on tickin'...
 

hark

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I'd suggest switching to a Godox based system. With built-in wireless, options for a 2000mAh lithium battery (or AA's if you prefer) and the XPRO1 controller I've never looked back. Adorama sells Godox gear (rebranded as Flashpoint) if you're squeamish about a warranty. My V860II-N has taken a couple powerful whacks and it just keeps on tickin'...

Even Scott Kelby suggests Godox as a mid-priced option over brand flashes. He also suggests Yongnuo, but those fall on the lower end of the scale. I was also going to suggest Godox. ;)
 

LouCioccio

Senior Member
Although this link is dated but it compares the sb600 with sb700. If you check out every so often at Cameta.com they have SB700 260$US these are refurbished and they will give you standard warranty of 1 year. I have bought these as they are small and not as large as 800/900 series.

Just my 2¢
Lou Cioccio
 

Call_me_Tom

Senior Member
Old thread but wanted to let others know that I had corrosion from batteries in a SB-600 before. I cleaned the contacts with acetone (nail polish remover) and a q-tip. The flash worked good as new.
 
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