D300 fails to shoot with 60mm AF-D & Type IIIn converter

[Larry C]

The last few dive weekends, I've had a persistent problem with pulling the trigger on my D300 and nothing happening. I think it started with the installation of my type IIIn converter, but I've had less frequent issues previously. With the 60mm AF-D lens, I'll line up a shot, fix focus and squeeze. Nothing. Squeeze harder. Nothing. Camera goes out of focus, squeeze again. Click, flash, crappy shot. Had an issue with changing the C,S,M setting accidentally while handing off the camera. made sure I was on S. Same problem. Tried using the focus lock button. Camera fired. Checked my menu settings to make sure I hadn't activated the focus lock button instead of half-press. Nope. Aimed the focus light right at the subject to make sure I was getting adequate light for focus. Same problem. Going nuts. Help!!!!

 

[jcclink]

Possible compatibility problem between new converter & older strobe? Or between hot shoe adapter & strobe? Just guessing. Is all ok without converter? I've had compatibility issues with my Nexus & new/old strobes (YS90 vs 110). Hot shoe adapter issue in wiring and/or components.

 

[Larry C]

According to sale specs, IIIn is compatible with YS-110's. I suppose there could be a wiring issue between the camera and the converter port. I don't think I had the problem when using a dual cord and manual strobe settings. I think I'll take the dual cord with me this weekend just in case.

 

[Larry C]

All our dives this weekend were done with the 60mm on the camera. First dive, I continued using the converter. I had consistent problems with focus and firing. Checked all settings. Couldn't find any problems except that the metering had gone from spot to small area at some time between installing the camera and the end of the dive. Again, I would squeeze the shutter lever and get focus, and the camera wouldn't fire. I did have one other issue. Before the dive, one strobe wouldn't turn on. Checked the batteries and found I had reversed one. After switching it, the strobe worked.
Second dive, I switched to the dual cord and removed the ttl unit. Camera still had focus issues, and refused to fire at least half the time.
Sunday, we were diving off a commercial boat for a special July 4 dive at Point Lobos, so I stopped at CVS and bought some lithium aa's to replace the 2 year old eneloops that I've been using in the strobes. I recharged the eneloops and tested them on my load tester, and all of them came out fine, though one tested 80% on the first try, 100% thereafter. With the lithium batteries, I think the strobes had an overvoltage issue, as the aiming lights and the red powerlight dimmed slightly every few seconds on both strobes. I had to up my settings from what I had been using for similar shots, even though the water in Carmel was much brighter than our usual Monterey pea soup, but the camera and the strobes fired consistently, with only one or two misfires and the exposure was predictable, unlike the day before.
My first thought is, maybe the batteries were the issue. Second thought is, maybe the camera autofocus is having so much trouble with crap in the water between camera and subject that even though it looks perfectly focused through the viewfinder, the camera doesn't think so.
I might try using the ttl converter with the lens on manual focus and see if that solves the issue. I'm going to try going back to the eneloops as well to eliminate them as part of the problem.
BTW, I'm using a Fisheye Fix mini focus light, which I flooded last week and replaced with a new one on Saturday before the first dive. I also turned on the infrared camera focus assist light for Sunday's dives. I don't think it was on previously.

 

[jcclink]

I think you're on the right track. Battery or hot shoe wiring issue are next things to check. Stay with NiMH batteries. Eneloops typically have less capacity & are only an advantage if you usually let them sit around for days/weeks without charging (slow discharge rate). I've always had the best luck with recently charged batteries. When new YS110's didn't work with my Nexus D300 setup I put scotch tape over the 2 rear hot shoe contacts on camera body. Everything worked fine after that.

 

[Larry C]

I always charge the batteries the night before diving, but was having problems with NimH batteries dying after only a few weeks of disuse. The eneloops seem to hold up a lot better and I haven't had any problem with the power level over the last 4 years using those same strobes with my old SP350. If anything, I blew out a lot of shots. Recovery rate was fine, too. The Heinrichs/Weikamp converter on my SP functioned beautifully, though I could only adjust +/- levels in camera. The Sea & Sea has an external adjustment, but I haven't had much luck so far. Hopefully, I can get it straightened out.