commander mode verses sc-29

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steve waugh

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stephen
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Here again,
Can anyone tell me if setting in TTL my d90s built-in flash to
commander mode gives me the same connectivity to my sb900,as
connecting them via an sc-29 TTL cable.
Rgds Steve.
 
Not exactly.
Setting the built in flash to commander mode gives you the option of having the built in, on camera flash fire as well as the off camera SB900 and gives you the option to independently control the output of the on camera flash and the SB900 from the camera.
Using a TTL cable will stop the on camera flash popping up so you will only have 1 light source available, not sure if you would be able to control the output from the camera, you should be able to.
 
Does that mean that I didn't need to buy
the sc-29..if that question is totally stupid,please
be gentle,I am a complete novice.
Steve.
 
6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

Commander is a good option when you want to A) place the flash out of range of what the cable can extend to, and B) when you want to move around freely, keeping the flash in the same position.

Cable connection means one light, easy 'plug and play' connectivity (no messing with menus) but reduced to the range the cable can stretch to.

I use wireless remotes myself but the cable still has it's place when I want to take a flash off-camera in an instant. Plus, they retain the AF assist light. Very useful tool to have for working 'on-the-fly' and when I can't be ar$ed to set up wireless flashes....
 
Last edited:
steve waugh said:
Does that mean that I didn't need to buy
the sc-29..if that question is totally stupid,please
be gentle,I am a complete novice.
Steve.
Click to expand...

It depends what you want to do.
The sc-29 will fire your flash no matter what whereas relying on the popup as a commander is subject to light conditions (ie in very bright light the commander signal flash can get 'lost') and the slave unit being able to see the commanding flash (ie if something shades the slave unit from the commanding flash it wont fire).
As is being discussed in the "D90 Problem" thread, although you can set the popup to not fire during the exposure but still act as a commander, the commanding 'preflash' can sometimes still be seen in the final image, using a cable stops this.
I use a TTL cable to do off camera flash with my D3 as it doesn't have a built in flash and the cable is easier than having a speedlight on my hotshoe commanding a speedlight in my hand.
The TTL cables tend to be coiled and pretty stiff so they don't reach far so can be difficult to use on a tripod etc, most people I know use them with the off camera flash in their hand so you have to be able to use your camera one handed. Not as much of an issue with a D90 as a D3 I'll bet!
 
Thankyou eveybody,
Seem's I can enjoy the best of both worlds
and I should also change my sign in name to
"every day's a school day"
Steve...aka..edasd.
 
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