SBrodsky Loc: Northern Colorado

Have a 700 Nikon Speedlight, which I use w/a Nikon 7200. Used it quite a bit about 3 weeks ago @ my grand niece's wedding, to the point where it overheated and would not fire late that day. Was then not used for 2 weeks. One day as I was trying to dial in a Gary Fong diffuser, it would not fire. Reset my camera's shooting menu, and got it to work again, only to have the problem resurface on another day, after it had been idle in my bag for another week or so. Had to do the shooting menu reset again, and it did work. Did I do something to it at the wedding?Any thoughts, suggestions and or other remedial steps? Both units are 1.5 years old, and were purchased new.
Thanks.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I have an SB 700, I use on a D7200, and the only time I've ever had a problem, with it is when the batteries, are low. Other than needing to charge or replace the batteries it has never given me any problems. An interesting observation I've made regarding lithium batteries, when they get low they tend to stop working but if they sit for a few minutes they come back to life for a few more flashes. They will do this a few times until they are truly dead and need to be charged.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I doubt its over heating from what you describe.

I would first look to the batteries. Batteries deteriorate with use and time. Use a charger that has a condition feature and use it every 10 cycles or so to recondition the batteries. Also get some Eneloop batteries, highest mAh you can find. They cost a little more but are head and shoulders above the rest. Avoid lithium batteries unless shooting in cold conditions. They tend to get hot.

Also clean the contacts on both camera and flash.

If this doesn't solve the problem there is a malfunction some where so test the flash off of the camera to find out where it is.

SBrodsky Loc: Northern Colorado

I have been using two sets of rechargeables-Duracell and Energizer, which I recharge with a Duracell charger. Perhaps I should trash 'em both and get the Eneloops? Also perhaps pick up a charger that reconditions as well?
Thanks,

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

I have two SB 700s and use them on my D7200, on and off camera. Great combo, and no issues here.
The new SB 5000 has a cooling system to keep it from over heating.
Duane

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

Agree. Check your battery box and super clean the contacts with the eraser on a wooden pencil. Never store your lights with the batteries installed: if they leak, and can, they will hose your lights.

SBrodsky Loc: Northern Colorado

Joe- Thanks for the tip. Picked up some Eneloop rechargeables a few weeks back, as Costco had a special on them. Haven't looked back. My nearby compadre, who hooked me in to DSLR photography, and has a 900 Speedlight, experienced a similar problem, at his nephew's wedding no less. Told him about the Eneloops and to also periodically clean the camera /flash contacts w/alcohol.