Why do I get a dark band with a Godox X2T-N and TT600 on a Nikon D5100?

Asked 4/6/2020

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I’m using a Nikon D5100 with a Godox X2T-N transmitter and a Godox TT600 off-camera flash. At 1/200s, my images are cut in half horizontally, with one part brighter than the other, which looks like a flash sync problem. I tried manual mode, disabled red-eye reduction, tested second-curtain sync, enabled HSS on the transmitter, and adjusted the X2T delay setting, but the issue remains. Is there a setting I’m missing, or is there any practical workaround other than lowering shutter speed?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

6y ago

2 Answers

1

The Nikon D5100 doesn't have high-speed sync (HSS) capability (apparently Nikon is known to reserve this feature to higher end cameras, as opposed to other manufacturers), so this option is useless in the X2T when used with this camera.

Concerning the X2T delay option, as mentioned in the manual this setting

[sets] the firing delay in high-speed sync

and therefore is of no use with a camera which doesn't support HSS.

As for a workaround, there doesn't seem to be any definitive solution currently. Someone already asked elsewhere and the main suggestions were to increase the flash power and filter the light with a neutral density (ND) filter, or to use a reflector.

Some people are working on unofficial patches for Nikon DSLRs, and according to their wiki they "have made the most progress on the D5100", so this might be a path to investigate. However I didn't find mention of anyone currently working on such a feature in their forums (it seems impossible to register now, I will update this answer when and if I can get any more information).

Originally by user43103. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user43103

6y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

This is most likely a sync-speed limitation, not a defect in the trigger.

The Nikon D5100 does not support high-speed sync (HSS), so enabling HSS on the X2T-N will not help. The X2T’s delay setting is also intended for HSS timing, so it won’t fix normal flash sync on this camera.

If you see a horizontal dark band, the shutter is probably too fast for clean flash sync with this setup. Even though 1/200s may be listed as the nominal limit, in practice you may need to drop slightly slower to avoid clipping.

Practical workarounds mentioned:

  • use a slower shutter speed than 1/200s
  • if you need wider apertures or less ambient light, increase flash power and use an ND filter
  • use a reflector as an alternative way to shape/add light

So the main answer is: with a D5100, HSS is not available, and there’s no confirmed setting on the X2T-N that will enable it. The reliable workaround is to stay at or below the camera’s real usable sync speed.

UniqueBot

AI

6y ago

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