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Hi, I have just bought this camera and although I like it a lot I am finding
that my Vivitar 285 flash unit does not fire on it. Please don't tell me
they have designed a prosumer camera that will ONLY fire a Nikon flash unit!
What about using my studio flash lights? Am I missing something here? Is
there a workaround? Hope you can help and that I haven't wasted my money.
Phil

PS this post modified from one sent to Nikon hence the anguished tones.
PPS first post here, hi all!

Phil Rose wrote:
> Hi, I have just bought this camera and although I like it a lot I am
> finding that my Vivitar 285 flash unit does not fire on it. Please
> don't tell me they have designed a prosumer camera that will ONLY
> fire a Nikon flash unit! What about using my studio flash lights? Am
> I missing something here? Is there a workaround? Hope you can help
> and that I haven't wasted my money. Phil
>
> PS this post modified from one sent to Nikon hence the anguished
> tones.
> PPS first post here, hi all!

I don't have a 5700, but I do use a D100 DSLR. If the 5700 flash works the
same as the D100, it will only work in TTL flash mode with a "DX" flash
unit (SB50DX, SB28DX, or SB80DX). This is because the DX flash units fire a
pre-flash that is used to calculate TTL exposure, then the camera sets
correct exposure and fires a second flash while taking the picture (this
all happens in a fraction of a second, so you cannot see the pre-flash).

However, non-DX flash units will work if used in the Auto mode of the flash
unit with the camera set for Standard (non-TTL) flash mode.

As for using studio lights, simply use a Nikon AS-15 flash adapter ($20) to
hook up your studio sync cables. Then use your flash meter to determine the
correct exposure and set the camera/flash as required.

= Dan =

In article <Yn7fb.13242$ k.net>,
Phil Rose <> wrote:

> Hi, I have just bought this camera and although I like it a lot I am finding
> that my Vivitar 285 flash unit does not fire on it. Please don't tell me
> they have designed a prosumer camera that will ONLY fire a Nikon flash unit!
> What about using my studio flash lights? Am I missing something here? Is
> there a workaround? Hope you can help and that I haven't wasted my money.
> Phil

OK, I won't tell you. But if you follow the manufacturers
recommendations, not only should you be using a Nikon flash, it has to
be the RIGHT Nikon flash.

I use an older Coolpix 995; and according to Nikon, my SB-28 is
compatible, but my SB-27 is not.

I realize many people have had success with third-party flashes; others
(like you) have not. For a sensitive piece of electronic equipment
that's still under warranty, better safe than sorry.

On Thu, 2 Oct 2003 23:30:57 -0700, in rec.photo.digital "W6DKN"
<w6dkn-nospam-@qsl.net> wrote:

>I don't have a 5700, but I do use a D100 DSLR. If the 5700 flash works the
>same as the D100, it will only work in TTL flash mode with a "DX" flash
>unit (SB50DX, SB28DX, or SB80DX). This is because the DX flash units fire a
>pre-flash that is used to calculate TTL exposure, then the camera sets
>correct exposure and fires a second flash while taking the picture (this
>all happens in a fraction of a second, so you cannot see the pre-flash).

This is NOT supported on the 5700, from p 138 of the 5700 user's manual:

Set the external Speedlight flash mode to TTL.
At this setting, the amount of light produced by the external Speedlight
is measured by the camera’s photocell, and the flash shooting range
adjusted automatically to ensure optimal exposure. D-TTL flash control
(available with the SB-80DX, SB-50DX and SB-28DX) is not supported.
__________________________________________________ ______
Ed Ruf Lifetime AMA# 344007 ()
http://members.cox.net/egruf
See images taken with my CP-990 and 5700 at
http://members.cox.net/egruf-digicam

So I seem to be getting mixed responses here. Can I REALLY damage my camera
by putting something as simple as an old fashioned flash unit on it? That's
hopeless. Do others agree that the AS-15 will allow me to safely use my
studio lights? Thanks for your help so far.
Phil

"Phil Rose" <> wrote in message
news:3Udfb.7$ t...
> So I seem to be getting mixed responses here. Can I REALLY damage my
camera
> by putting something as simple as an old fashioned flash unit on it?
That's
> hopeless. Do others agree that the AS-15 will allow me to safely use my
> studio lights? Thanks for your help so far.
> Phil
>

It may be a good idea to check the firing voltage on your strobe.
http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

On Fri, 03 Oct 2003 12:24:31 GMT, "Phil Rose" <>
wrote:

>So I seem to be getting mixed responses here. Can I REALLY damage my camera
>by putting something as simple as an old fashioned flash unit on it? That's
>hopeless. Do others agree that the AS-15 will allow me to safely use my
>studio lights? Thanks for your help so far.

No. The AS-15 will give you a mechanical connection. It will not
provide any voltage limitation. You need something like a Wein
'Safe-Sync' to do that.


--
- Lee

With my Coolpix 950, I contacted Nikon after buying adaptors and
learned that the camera could safely be used with low voltage flashes
such as my old Pentax but not with my Metz flash which is high
voltage. Nikon recommended that the flash not exceed 12 volts.
Then I placed the camera into aperature setting to coreespond with the
flash and via trial and error was able to get good pictures. I also
used remote sensors with good results aftre trial and error.
I have not spent the time to try this with my 5700 yet.
Pete C