No HSS w/ Fujifilm X-T10 & RF60, Weird Exposure W/ Nikon D800

focalcraft · December 2016

This is my second Cactus V6II unit. The first unit I could not acheive HSS with either my X-T10 or my D800 so I sent it back to B&H and received my new unit today.

New unit came with v1.1.005 firmware.

D800 Problem:

V6II does acheive HSS with D800 but has uneven exposure, a small over exposed band at bottom of image at speeds of 1/400 and faster. 1/320 has small black band at bottom of image and 1/250 and slower are normal.

X-T10 Problem:

V6II syncs normally up to 1/200. There is no flash fired when HSS "learn" is used at 1/1000 and "Forced HSS" is "ON" radio range switched to "SHORT".

All testing performed with RF60 flash v204 firmware.

Here is a video I made showing my problems.

focalcraft · December 2016

Antonio · December 2016

Thanks @focalcraft for the update and the video.

I am sorry that both your cameras are having issues with the V6 II.

The bright line / banding issues on the bottom of the image, we reckon it cannot be fixed because it's a hardware limitation on the RF60 (not the V6 II). People with other cameras usually don't experience this because their cameras are not as quick as your Nikon D800. I wish this problem could be addressed on the latest firmware 1.1.006, but probably not. Have a try anyway?

On your X-T10, have you tried redoing LEARN HSS?

I hope the X-T10 is not like the X-Pro1 where we suspect its timing jumps all over the place. What it means is if you do LEARN HSS now, it captures the timing, and then when you do the actual shot, the camera's timing changes. So it would be a hit and miss.

Let us know if redoing Learn HSS works.

Thank you.

Antonio · December 2016

@focalcraft, would you have other speedlight to test? One that works on the V6 II and supports HSS?

Antonio · December 2016

Please also try setting your RF60 at greater distance from the camera and flashing it against an object further away. See if this helps with the banding issues?

FYI a fellow D800e user have not experienced any banding issues as seen in your case. I reckon both D800 and D800e shares the same mechanical parts and the only difference is lack of an AA filter.

Thank you.

focalcraft · December 2016

Spent some more time testing today. Updated to v1.1.006

D800:

Flashing the RF60 against subjects further away did help the over exposed banding noticeably, I think I can live with that. In fact it's almost gone even at close distances too. I still get a small amount of black band at 1/320sec only...strange, it's as though the HSS does not kick in until 1/400. If I skip over 1/320 from 1/250 and go straight to 1/400 it's fine. I guess I can live with that too. I would say problems here is 98% resolved, good enough.

X-T10:

I did not think the X-T10 internal flash settings would effect V6II/RF60 operation but they do! I normally have internal camera flash setting on "commander". Once I changed the setting to "Forced Flash" the V6II and RF60 were able to HSS. However the HSS is not reliable. Some images have shutter banding some do not, almost every 2-3 shots come out properly exposed. Very strange. Perhaps it has to do with the jumping timing you mentioned?

focalcraft · December 2016

Update:

After changing the D800 Flash Sync speed menu from "1/320 Auto FP" to "1/250 Auto FP" the V6II operate perfectly through the entire shutter speed range. No black band at 1/320 and no over exposed banding either. Very happy with this result. I would say D800 issues 100% resolved.

Still have irratic sync with the X-T10, sometimes it syncs, sometimes it doesn't and I get banding.

Antonio · December 2016

Update:
After changing the D800 Flash Sync speed menu from "1/320 Auto FP" to "1/250 Auto FP" the V6II operate perfectly through the entire shutter speed range. No black band at 1/320 and no over exposed banding either. Very happy with this result. I would say D800 issues 100% resolved.

This is great information!
Thanks for posting your new findings.

...Still have irratic sync with the X-T10, sometimes it syncs, sometimes it doesn't and I get banding.

As for the X-T10, we are still trying to find one to test. until then we cannot confirm compatibility. I will try and urge the purchase team to get one.

Thank you for your understanding during this time.

No HSS w/ Fujifilm X-T10 & RF60, Weird Exposure W/ Nikon D800

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