Hello all,

My 2nd SB-800 stopped firing this past weekend. When I put fresh batteries (2500 mah) in it the LCD screen is active but I can't get it to flash. The modeling lamp won't work either. I reset the flash and it still didn't fire. It's also out of warranty.

My questions:
Do you think the bulb burned out?

Is it cheap to repair or should I just replace it?



Thanks for your help!

Hmm. My first thought was to clean the contacts on the bottom of the flash with an eraser. Or the ones on the camera's hot shoe.

I had this issue at a wedding. I put in some regular alkaline batteries in the flash and it started working again. I thought it was strange. Works fine with the rechargables, now. I have no idea what happened.

Is the flash getting info from the camera? Like, does it zoom when you zoom a lens? Is it showing the correct ISO number that the camera is set to?

It sounds like everything is connecting up properly, though, if you can't even fire it with the red button on the flash.

Were you using it a lot when it died? It could have (easily) overheated. When I'm flashing a lot, I try to use two SB-800s and switch them after a few minutes of flashing.

Thanks for the reply Adam.

The flash is connecting with the camera properly. When I change the ISO on camera it changes on the Flash LCD etc. I can't get it to fire at all. When I press the flash test button the red ready light flashes about 10 times repeatedly.

Last time I shot with the flash was about a month ago, and I didn't realize it was malfunctioning until I tried to use it this past weekend.

Is it trash or can I repair it cheap?

Does anyone know how many times the sb-800 can be fired before the bulb dies?

Anyone there? Where are the Nikon users at?????

We're here... just hoping our flashes don't do what yours did!

I'd check on the repair cost from Nikon -- or an authorized Nikon repair center. It has to be less than $100. If it's truly dead at worst you're out a little for shipping...

My SB800 is a monster.

I shoot it so much sometimes I think it just might catch on fire (those batteries sure can get HOT).

Once I was taking church formals when I heard an extremely loud POP. I though the bulb was a goner. Without testing anything I pulled the strobe off the hotshoe, and put it in my bag. I grabbed my spare and kept on going, without missing a beat.

Later, the next morning, I checked it out. The 5th battery, the one that replaces the door, EXPLODED. There was acid all over the little compartment. But the flash still worked perfectly fine. I ordered a new compartment, and haven't had a problem since.

So, I know this doesn't address your situation, but I though you might enjoy the story.