Why is my Nikon SB-600 flash not working anymore?
I have a nikon sb-600 flash, been working fine for 3 years with my nikon d90 and d7000. Today its been misfiring. It will fire off maybe 3 or 4 times, then it doesn't fire, then few seconds later it will work again, very random. I waited 20 seconds to make sure it was recharging, but it still wouldnt fire. I'm using Energizer Rechargable batteries, which i just charged for 6 hours.
Could it be a bad bulb? Or would that make any sense, since it still fires, just not every time.
If anyone could give me some suggestions id appreciate it
Are the rechargeable batteries new or the same ones you used 3 years ago? Rechargeable batteries don't last forever.
Try a known good set of alkaline batteries - just as a test - to see if the flash behaves normally.
Firstly, with a set of fully charged batteries, try firing the flash OFF camera by pressing the test button.
If you get a good sequence of test firings ( after waiting until the flash has recycled) then your flash can be considered OK. What you may be experiencing is bad contacts through the hot shoe.
If any condensation has got onto the contact points on the hot shoe, ten it's possible that the electrical contacts that fire your flash will be short-circuited (this happened to me many years ago when a steam engine driver let off a cloud of steam which drenched both me and my Nikon F4S causing the contacts to short-circuit, and subsequently the flash wouldn't fire). If this is the case, then I'm afraid that repairs will set you back around the equivalent of £85 plus parts, plus carriage and (if applicable) VAT.
Another matter to consider is trigger voltage.
The bulbs light so they work. I suggest you try a fresh new set of Energizer Lithiums to see if there's a difference. It may already be time to replace your rechargeables. If the flash behaves the same way then it must be a circuit problem. Have the flash checked by Nikon.