D800 self timer using a Flash

[stevebobb]

Hi guys i was using the pop up flash and also my speedlitenot at the same time of course. but when using the self timer, Ifound that if i want multiple pictures taken, the d800 will only take One picture with flash, and not the multiple shots (with flash) that you programmed into the self timer setting..??
Does anyone know if there is another setting that i should include, with the self timer settings??

I didnt have bracketing on..

I took the flash off and of course as expected the camera took the multiple shots as it should.

i am either missing something OR the camera just doesn't allow to take multiple flash shots with the self timer, if so i wonder if this could be changed in a firmware update in the future??

 

[WayneF]

Hi guys i was using the pop up flash and also my speedlitenot at the same time of course. but when using the self timer, Ifound that if i want multiple pictures taken, the d800 will only take One picture with flash, and not the multiple shots (with flash) that you programmed into the self timer setting..??
Does anyone know if there is another setting that i should include, with the self timer settings??

I am puzzled about what you mean, esp about the self timer.

If you want to take multiple pictures in a timed sequence, use the feature named Interval Timer.

My notion is that the feature called Multiple Exposure is not what you must imagine. It takes multiple pictures ON THE SAME FRAME, multiple exposures, but all on ONE picture, NOT multiple pictures. It is not timed, it takes a new exposure every time you press the shutter button. The self timer might add a delay every time you press the shutter (it should, but I have not tried this combination), but the self timer will not press the shutter button for you. The self timer just adds a delay between the time you press the shutter button to the time the shutter opens.

However, what you want is exactly what Interval Timer does. You program it to take N pictures, one after every X amount of time. Flash will work on every frame then, no issue.

 

[stevebobb]

I am puzzled about what you mean, esp about the self timer.

If you want to take multiple pictures in a timed sequence, use the feature named Interval Timer.

My notion is that the feature called Multiple Exposure is not what you must imagine. It takes multiple pictures ON THE SAME FRAME, multiple exposures, but all on ONE picture, NOT multiple pictures. It is not timed, it takes a new exposure every time you press the shutter button. The self timer might add a delay every time you press the shutter (it should, but I have not tried this combination), but the self timer will not press the shutter button for you. The self timer just adds a delay between the time you press the shutter button to the time the shutter opens.

However, what you want is exactly what Interval Timer does. You program it to take N pictures, one after every X amount of time. Flash will work on every frame then, no issue.

Thanks Wayne well with the self timer i.e it takes multiple pictures in sequence, separately (no flash) and I just assumed when getting familiar with the camera that all one needed to do was put a Speedlight on, or use the pop up flash, and it would simply take sequential separate pictures, but this time the flash would fire for the amount of shots that I set up with the self timer.
I was wrong with that assumption..

Ok great so to do what I want I need to use the "Interval Timer" Thanks for clearing that up for me..

 

[WayneF]

I figured it out... I have a D800, but did not realize it had that C3 menu for the self-timer. It does work.

C3 specifies number of shots and the duration between them, for use by the self-timer.

But for that to come into play, you have to actually use the self-timer mode, turning it on with the mode wheel on the left top of the camera (D800 manual page 106, hold release, and turn wheel to timer position). That works fine. Then the shutter button delays the time on the self-timer, and then it runs off all the exposures and intervals in C3. Flash works perfectly on each one.

But if you don't turn Self-Timer mode On, then the shutter button only takes one picture (as usual, since it is not using the Self timer then, if the Self-timer is not on).

 

[stevebobb]

I figured it out... I have a D800, but did not realize it had that C3 menu for the self-timer. It does work.

C3 specifies number of shots and the duration between them, for use by the self-timer.

But for that to come into play, you have to actually use the self-timer mode, turning it on with the mode wheel on the left top of the camera (D800 manual page 106, hold release, and turn wheel to timer position). That works fine. Then the shutter button delays the time on the self-timer, and then it runs off all the exposures and intervals in C3. Flash works perfectly on each one.

But if you don't turn Self-Timer mode On, then the shutter button only takes one picture (as usual, since it is not using the Self timer then, if the Self-timer is not on).

hi Wayne this is what I was trying to say in my first post!! If the self timer mode is on as manual page 106 states, if I set c3 self timer delay to 2s Number of shots to 3 interval between shots 3s and press the button on the camera to pop up the flash.....the camera only takes 1 photo with flash, and the other 2 (nothing happens) BUT if I do not use the pop up flash the in self timer mode it takes the 3 shots as per settings described earlier............I have found that using the "Interval timer shooting" this does fire multiple flashes..but its a pain, as you have to set the exact time for the camera to start.........The reason why I would like the self timer to make multiple flashes so I can test my camera and make self portraits etc.......Plus I want to confirm my camera is working correctly..................so if your saying that in self timer mode with multiple shots and flash ready....it does work for you right?? Must be something wrong with my camera then?? Today I found that the "built-in AF-assist illuminator" would not turn BACK on.....so reset the settings and it worked again.....I'm wondering if I have glitchy camera??

 

[WayneF]

I was using a hot shoe speedlight flash, and it works perfectly, as documented, as expected. I assumed you might not be turning self-timer on (which then is only one picture).

So, I tried the popup internal flash now, and my D800 does the same as yours, one picture, with the same settings that work with the external flash.

See notes on page 107 .. says "only one picture from the internal flash, regardless of C3'.

I would not have expected that either. I suppose they are being protective of the battery, or the recycle time, or something...

Interval timer has a menu option of "Start Now", instead of on some clock schedule.

 

[stevebobb]

I was using a hot shoe speedlight flash, and it works perfectly, as documented, as expected. I assumed you might not be turning self-timer on (which then is only one picture).

So, I tried the popup internal flash now, and my D800 does the same as yours, one picture, with the same settings that work with the external flash.

See notes on page 107 .. says "only one picture from the internal flash, regardless of C3'.

I would not have expected that either. I suppose they are being protective of the battery, or the recycle time, or something...

Interval timer has a menu option of "Start Now", instead of on some clock schedule.

Hi thank you for investigating, I don't know how I missed that note on page 107, must be word blindness...trying
to look at too much to quickly........But that's a really good that you told me you can have multi flash shots with hot shoe flash, I tried that myself, and it works as expected, I also used my off camera Yongnuo yn622-N flash triggers, and it worked also. i'm glad you have the same result as my camera when using the pop up flash..as it proves my camera is working as the manual says..

I only found that out myself, when on a trip, and my Speedlight wasn't working, and had to use the pop up in a hurry.. Yeagh your right I am sure Nikon designed multiple flashes only for external Speedlight's, probably to protect the main battery of the camera itself.. Great a mystery solved, and wont have to call Nikon..
Yeagh the "Interval timer has a start now" option, but I really needed a delay for my purposes, (like the self timer) as when you click (right now) it's immediate and starts taking pictures, just wished it had the option of a 0-10 second delay, so you can have enough time to get in front of the camera so the camera can focus correctly........But nothing is perfect.....I have a work around now, which is, don't use the pop up for multiple flashes. Use the Speedlight, as I use it for "bracketing" when testing the camera..
Thank you again for all your help..

 

[WayneF]

Yeah the "Interval timer has a start now" option, but I really needed a delay for my purposes, (like the self timer) as when you click (right now) it's immediate and starts taking pictures, just wished it had the option of a 0-10 second delay, so you can have enough time to get in front of the camera so the camera can focus correctly.......

The self-timer does not work like that. The Self-Timer focuses once, when you first press the shutter button. Page 103, Step 3, frame and focus. If you are not standing in front for it to focus on then, that's a problem. You could focus on something else there near that location you will be, or use manual focus, but better practice with that.

Then the shutter opens after the delay, on that previous focus.

I understand you are not interested in the Interval Timer, but should the popup need become greater, you can always Start Now, and simply ignore and delete the first couple of them not needed (whatever short duration the Self Timer could have provided). You could even wait until ready to open the popup, if its flashing might be a bother until then - and it will start flashing then.

Unlike the self-timer, Interval Timer will focus again at every picture (if it can in the dark - shutter in AF-S may be unreliable if it cannot focus - try the AF Assist light). I use manual focus to prevent that refocus for fixed settings.

If you are positioning in front of it, you probably will want some mode other than the normal AF-S single focus sensor. AF-C will trigger the shutter regardless if focused yet or not, so you may want to discard the first one anyway, and the second one might lock in.

 

[stevebobb]

The self-timer does not work like that. The Self-Timer focuses once, when you first press the shutter button. Page 103, Step 3, frame and focus. If you are not standing in front for it to focus on then, that's a problem. You could focus on something else there near that location you will be, or use manual focus, but better practice with that.

Then the shutter opens after the delay, on that previous focus.

I understand you are not interested in the Interval Timer, but should the popup need become greater, you can always Start Now, and simply ignore and delete the first couple of them not needed (whatever short duration the Self Timer could have provided). You could even wait until ready to open the popup, if its flashing might be a bother until then - and it will start flashing then.

Unlike the self-timer, Interval Timer will focus again at every picture (if it can in the dark - shutter in AF-S may be unreliable if it cannot focus - try the AF Assist light). I use manual focus to prevent that refocus for fixed settings.

If you are positioning in front of it, you probably will want some mode other than the normal AF-S single focus sensor. AF-C will trigger the shutter regardless if focused yet or not, so you may want to discard the first one anyway, and the second one might lock in.

Thank you for your great tips, that's a few more things, I didn't realize about the self timer, I thought the self timer focussed, just before shutter closes, mm didn't know that important point..
And now I know the difference between the methods of focussing with self timer and interval timer..
So really my situation I will use the "Interval timer" with "start now" and, as you say forget about the first shot, give a little time for interval between shots.. Oh yes and I have to remember to close the eye piece shutter when taking a timer shot..to stop light getting through the viewfinder Cheers, you have been a great help..