Flash Not Firing Everytime?

d_kid_21

New member
I have a Nikon D3500. I have it set to "M" mode. For what I am photographing, I need the flash to fire every time. I have taken off the TTL flash setting and set it to the manual flash setting, I also have the flash mode set to "fill flash". From the manual and from what I have found online, this should make the camera flash every single time. It is only flashing about half the time and I have to retake all the photos that the flash didn't fire. Any clue on how to get the flash to fire every single time? Thanks for any help!
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Could it be possible that you don't wait long enough between shot and the flash just doesn't have time to recharge itself?
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.
We look forward to seeing more posts and samples of your work.

A couple of question to help us help you:
Are you using the built-in flash or an external flash?
If using external flash, which brand and model and are both the camera and flash set to manual, non-TTL and M mode?
Why have you disabled TTL mode?
 

d_kid_21

New member
Hi,

I am using the built-in flash.

I take product photography in a heavily lit area, but still need the flash to really make the product pop off the screen. For some reason when I put the camera in TTL mode, about half the time the flash is either too bright or too dull so I have to keep retaking photos.

I feel like a single product should take me about 30 seconds to take the 7-8 photos I need. But instead it's taking me several minutes due to all the retakes I have to do.

I've had this camera for about a year and only remember having this issue for the last couple months. I'm not sure if that's because I'm just now noticing or if it's because something with the camera changed.
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
7-8 photos in 30 seconds w/D3500 is probably pushing the limits with a brand new battery... How old is the camera and that battery???

I'm not sure what safeguards are built into that camera's flash mechanism or even if there are any...but higher end Nikon flashes will heat up with rapid, continuous firing and turn themselves Off to protect the thermistors from over-heating and damaging the flash...
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Have you considered a separate flash unit? A flash unit can still be used on camera although off-camera tends to offer better results. Godox makes a couple that are quite good and are in the $85 to $110 range. You can even get a sync cord and set the flash off to the side without having to buy a trigger.
 

WayneF

Senior Member
It is only flashing about half the time and I have to retake all the photos that the flash didn't fire. Any clue on how to get the flash to fire every single time? Thanks for any help!

There is a "lightning symbol" for a Flash Ready indication at right end of the lower bar in the viewfinder. This symbol goes out when you flash it, and the internal flash will not flash again until it recycles and comes on Ready again. That could take a full couple of seconds to recycle if at a high power level (You probably require the depth of field, but stopping the aperture down to like f/16 would be high power level, and f/4 would be much lower power level, and faster recycle). So it sounds like you are shooting pretty fast without watching for Flash Ready. Also, flashing it too many times too fast at high power could be a damaging overheating issue.

This Flash Ready symbol is #10 on diagram on page 4 of the camera Reference Manual. The Reference Manual is a much larger and much more complete manual than the User Manual, and that PDF manual is free from Nikon at https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/471/D3500.html

Using a hot shoe speedlight would recycle Ready faster at the same power. (Yes, it will also take a couple of seconds at highest power, but will have much more power, so it would be at a lower power level, and faster, if at your same current lighting level).
 
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Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
There is a "lightning symbol" for a Flash Ready indication at right end of the lower bar in the viewfinder. This symbol goes out when you flash it, and the internal flash will not flash again until it recycles and comes on Ready again. That could take a full couple of seconds to recycle if at a high power level (You probably require the depth of field, but stopping the aperture down to like f/16 would be high power level, and f/4 would be much lower power level, and faster recycle). So it sounds like you are shooting pretty fast without watching for Flash Ready. Also, flashing it too many times too fast at high power could be a damaging overheating issue.

This Flash Ready symbol is #10 on diagram on page 4 of the camera Reference Manual. The Reference Manual is a much larger and much more complete manual than the User Manual, and that PDF manual is free from Nikon at https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/471/D3500.html

Using a hot shoe speedlight would recycle Ready faster at the same power. (Yes, it will also take a couple of seconds at highest power, but will have much more power, so it would be at a lower power level, and faster, if at your same current lighting level).


Wayne although I don't have a D3500 I was unable to duplicate the OP complaint that the flash didn't fire. If the flash wasn't ready the camera wouldn't release the shutter (camera M flash M onboard flash.). As we don't have samples or a detailed description of work flow, could it be the distance is not constant and the "pop off the screen" is not there because the flash was now further back and not able to over come ambient ("working in heavily lit area"). Guess the real question is if the flash fired or not.
 

Sandpatch

Senior Member
I'm probably missing something here, but my D5100 has a button with a lightning bolt on it that will force the flash to rise, then fire when the shutter button is pressed. I'm guessing that the D3500 lacks this or that it won't fire in manual mode?

What are you gaining in manual mode that you can't working settings with [A]?

Nikon D5100 Flash Hook On Sandpatch Camera.jpg
 

WayneF

Senior Member
What are you gaining in manual mode that you can't working settings with [A]?

If the NO FLASH mode was on, then it would not fire the other times either.

Manual camera mode is very handy good practice with "studio" flash (at least in dimmer ambient light), because it overrides ambient metering to allow control of shutter speed, to either allow or restrict the amount of ambient contribution. A primary consideration indoors is that max sync shutter speed can keep out the orange incandescent light (flash exposure is not affected by shutter speed).

In dim light, mode A will usually give only 1/60 second shutter (but advanced models with E2 menu can set it slower, but not faster). Or Slow Mode or Rear Curtain modes will allow actual metered slow shutter speeds. Otherwise in dimmer light where flash is needed, A, S, or P modes will get 1/60 second, which is not always the optimum choice.

But M mode allows any desired shutter speed, up to Maximum Sync speed, and that's very handy for indoor flash.

 
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WayneF

Senior Member
Wayne although I don't have a D3500 I was unable to duplicate the OP complaint that the flash didn't fire. If the flash wasn't ready the camera wouldn't release the shutter (camera M flash M onboard flash.).


If you actually tried it, then I request you repeat the test. I think it is a wrong conclusion.

I don't have a D5300 either, but I doubt it works different than the other DSLR models.

If the Internal flash is not ready yet, the shutter does trigger, but the internal flash does not fire.

A hot shoe external flash will fire, but at reduced power if not yet Ready, so that is unacceptable too.

The Flash Ready indicator is to help that situation. And another use also, if the flash does not have sufficient power for the attempt tried, then this Ready Indicator flashes rapidly three times to signal that the exposure likely was insufficient, and something else must be changed for it expose properly. Technically, the three flashes means TTL flash was AT maximum power, but it most likely means it was insufficient power.
 
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Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Ok after retesting and coming to the same conclusion.
I continued my learning exercise by looking in the manual, as I rarely use onboard flash.

D7100 manual
Shutter-release disabled:
• Memory card is locked, full, or not inserted (0 30, 31).
• Release locked is selected for Custom Setting f7 (Slot empty release lock; 0 258) and no
memory card is inserted (0 30).
• Built-in flash is charging (0 38).
• Camera is not in focus (0 37).
• CPU lens with aperture ring attached but aperture not locked at highest f-number. If B is
displayed in control panel, select Aperture ring for Custom Setting f5 (Customize
command dials) > Aperture setting to use lens aperture ring to adjust aperture (0 257).
• Non-CPU lens is attached but camera is not in mode A or M (0 298).


D3500 is the same while the the flash is charging the shutter release will be disabled.


I have seen the reduced power with hot shoe and remote flash using my SB800.
 

WayneF

Senior Member
Ah so. Thank you, then sorry, and I stand corrected. Old dog learned a new trick. :) My D300 and D800 are not that way, and I have not bought one since, so I was unaware of the change. The D5300 manual does agree with you.
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Ah so. Thank you, then sorry, and I stand corrected. Old dog learned a new trick. :) My D300 and D800 are not that way, and I have not bought one since, so I was unaware of the change. The D5300 manual does agree with you.

I had no idea either, we both learned something. :)
 
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