Random pictures I have a Nikon D70 + a brand new SB-600 speedlight. Worked just fine for me the first day of use, but now its a hit and miss with the photos recording on my camera. All I get is a very, very faint outline of a photo on my LCD screen. Occasionally I will get a good photo with camera on P mode and speedlight on M. Any suggestions??

Hi grwcamp, Sorry to hear about it not working at the graduation. Are in the correct position (I am sure you did but, we must start someplace). Look inside, see if there is battery acid in there.
If with new/fresh batteries it still does not work call Nikon. You have a warranty on it so it should be covered.
Nikon digital 1-800-645-6689

It's called a pre-flash. It's so the camera can judge the settings needed for proper exposure.

the sync speed for the sb-600 is onlt 1/200 on most cameras i think so if your shutter is faster then that then all you will see is black/ the curtans behind the shutter.

basicly just try again with a slower shutter speed

From the Nikon site, do you have one of these flash units.
Support for the Nikon Creative Lighting System when using SB-900, SB-600, or SB-400 Speedlights, or the SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander
If so You set the flash mode to "comander" the pop up flash must be UP

This Video by Nikon shows how but you will have to read the manual to get a full description go to the flash section http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d300s/index.html

Then look at them all :)

Have you tried using the wireless mode? Even if there is a problem with the hot shoe interface, it might still work using the wireless mode. To do this you have to set both the camera and the flash. On the D70, under the menu with the icon that looks like a pencil, select Flash Mode|Commander Mode|TTL|OK. On the flash, hold down the Zoom and [-] buttons to get the CSM menu. When you see the zigzag arrow, push the Mode button to turn on the wireless mode.You may have to use the [+] or [-] buttons to cycle through the menu to find the zigzag arrow.

Now you should be able to use the flash detached from the camera. Just pop up the D70 flash, which will tell the SB-600 what to do via light pulses. There are other settings that may be required (channel and group settings must match between camera and flash) and be careful not to block the light sensor on the side of the SB-600. If the wireless system is still working, you may find you like it better than hot shoe operation.

You can download a PDF from www.nikonusa.com (www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/Speedlights/SB-600.pdf) and print it out.

THE REASON THE LCD IS FLASHING IS THIS . yOU HAVE LOST THE PROGRAMING ON YOUR MAIN CPU . WHEN THE CHIP IS REPROGRAMED THEN IT WILL WORK .

You probably haven't changed the camera and/or flash back to TTL mode from wireless mode.  Make sure they are both set to TTL, not commander mode and you should be fine.  Note that the LCD on the flash will indicate which mode it is with a little graphic.  On the D70 you had to switch between TTL and Commander mode to set it up to work using the built in flash as the commander, so you just have to switch back.

Are you using the built in speedlight on the camera with the lens hood fitted? If you are this will cast a shadow. Try removing the lens hood when using the pop up flash.