D90 with SB900 in Commander Mode

[geebs2006]

Just bought an SB900 yesterday and have been trying out commander mode. I have the in built flash popped up to trigger the SB900 but the in built flashes as well - is this supposed to happen?

Also I am condidering getting the wireless triggers that Flash in the Pan sells - does this do away with having to use the pop up flash or is it still required?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Flash In The Pan]

In Commander mode the onboard flash on the D90 needs to send out a pre-flash to the SB-900, if you set it to "--" in the D90 menu it won't in theory contribute to the overall exposure of the image.

The wireless triggers remove the need to use the onboard flash, however you lose ttl/CLS and need to set the power output on the 900 manually, rather than being able to control it from the camera, as you can with CLS.

 

[geebs2006]

In Commander mode the onboard flash on the D90 needs to send out a pre-flash to the SB-900, if you set it to "--" in the D90 menu it won't in theory contribute to the overall exposure of the image.

The wireless triggers remove the need to use the onboard flash, however you lose ttl/CLS and need to set the power output on the 900 manually, rather than being able to control it from the camera, as you can with CLS.

Yea I had set it to "--", so does this mean that even when it flashes, its still ok?

Probably going to get triggers anyway because once SB900 is in the softbox its probably not going to work in Commander mode outside.

 

[whittyp]

Yes the onboard flash still flashes. The manual is very confusing in that you would expecting no light from the camera at all.

From shots I have taken I can confirm that the camera flash does not affect the final result.

 

[Arkady]

What he says ^^ - according to the manual, it can affect really close-up subjects, so the head should be swivelled away - if it really bothers you - get the SU800 commander module...no flash head...

 

[Lensflare]

The commander mode will work perfectly with the 900 in a softbox. The thing to remember is the little round window, next to the battery door, needs to point roughly towards your position, or towards a reflective surface that you can bounce the command signal off (this allows you to get the flash to work round corners!)

You would be surprised just how far and how hidden the off camera flash can be, PROVIDED that sensor window is pointed towards the signal, or where it can pick the signal up from (white wall, mirror, sheet metal.....)