SB910 flashes 2-3 time before shot

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Ron Carlson

Senior Member
Just got my SB910 not long ago and trying to learn it's menu system and what not. I was practicing with it the other day and it flashed like I expected. Tried it last night and now it flashes 2-3 times before the actual flash with photo. Tried researching on the net, but all I could find were comments about flash in general and red-eye setting. I'm using the flash with my D7100. I don't recall making any changes in my camera settings, but I am getting old. I'm curious to know what exactly is going on and if its the flash, a camera setting, or a combo of both units. Thanx for the help in advance.
 
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nickt

Senior Member
Is there a little 'eye' on your top lcd under the battery symbol (on the camera)? If so, hold the flash button down and turn the command wheel to cycle through the flash modes.
 
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DraganDL

Senior Member
It looks like it is normal when the "red eye reduction" is on. Check your camera/flash menu settings and turn this option off. These 2-3 pre-flashes are actuated to get the eyes of the subject(s) used to the intensive light which is just about to occur... Also, bear in mind that you can use the flash unit not only with dial knob set to "auto+flash", but in some other camera modes too... Experiment with these options - it is very amusing.
 
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Ron Carlson

Senior Member
Wow that's strange. I didn't have the eye icon displayed. But didn't think to check for it, I was looking for a setting in the menu system(I assumed attaching a speedlight would override this). But cycled through all the settings with the command wheel a couple of times, went back to no setting and took a few shots and now works. Thank you!
 
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nickt

Senior Member
Rear curtain sync can give you multiple flashes too. In ttl, the camera makes some preflashes to meter and then the final real flash. Normally too fast to notice. With rear sync, you get the pre-flashes, then the shutter and the full flash towards the end of the shutter cycle. So with a slow shutter speed, you will see two flashes, just mentioning in case that comes up.
 
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