I don't think this part of it is wrong - the final pre-flash is before the main flash (it must be, I guess, since presumably it's what triggers the main flash), but they both take place while the shutter is open.

Me too.

As I said on the other thread, considering the complexity and precision of what happens during leading and trailing curtain sync, I don't think it's all that unreasonable to have thought they'd be able to solve the timing problems.

Not only odd, but quite perverse, if you think about the reason for having the controller/master distinction in the first place.

I imagine the good reason is that it was simply too difficult/expensive/would have taken too long to do it properly, and for most purposes the reduced power at which the builtin fires during the exposure isn't enough to make a big difference.

Life's a compromise, sadly.

I was convinced of this, too, until Mannesty put me right.

Check out this thread.

I didn't know Fender made violins.

Yep, very jealous now.

Yours is definitely bigger than mine...

The one I sold was a MF one. I kept the AF one, and there's not much chance I'll let it go now.

It's worth persevering with, Martin. My results have been a bit hit and miss, but the small proportion I've taken that are any good, suggest to me that although that bird capture is excellent, the lens is capable of a lot sharper.

Not for much longer...

I liked some of the earlier landscapes you posted enormously. They were fabulous in their detail, their symmetry (there were quite a few with beautiful reflections on still days), their lighting, and left me absolutely entranced, wanting to be there.

I hope very much that you won't be offended if I confess to being forced, in the interests of absolute honesty, to say that your recently posted photographs haven't been quite at the same level. I do like this, but not in the same way.

If I set the custom settings like that, I can take several shots in RAW+ with no problems.

However, if I leave it between shots long enough for the Auto-off to operate, a half-press on the shutter release button switches it back on again, but RAW+ is no longer selected.

Could it be just that your camera is switching itself off when you've noticed this?

On mine, you have to hold it pressed for about half a second. Pressing it and releasing it very quickly has no effect.

I don't. I edit photos (JPG and RAW), and the EXIF survives all the edits without my having to do anything.

I don't know if it's relevant, but I don't use Bridge.

Perhaps you could describe your workflow in more detail to see if there are any clues.