Do you need to use the pop up flash in Nikon commander mode?

velonoir

velonoir

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This is probably a stupid question but I'm just starting to pay around with off camera flash and I'm using a d200 with a couple of nissin di622 mk2s. These are compatible with Nikon ittl. With the camera set in commander mode am I right in thinking the nissins will only fire if the on camera pop up flash fires? Is the pop up flash just firing a signal slightly before the nissins are triggered and as such not contributing to the lighting of the scene?
I've also tried using commander mode with a Nikon sb400 and one of the Nissins but when using one of these three off camera unit doesn't fire. Am I right in assuming that it has to be a flash like an sb800 or similar mounted on the camera to fire the of camera units?
Any assistance appreciated.
 
I use the pop-up flash on my D7000 to control a YN565EX. In the flash menu on the camera you can choose to put in commander (CMD) mode, and it will not affect the exposure.
 
Sorry, yes, as you said; it fires before the shutter.
 
you could always diffuse the on camera flash as to NOT effect exposure- I use some tissue paper to diffuse the on camer unit, when using the Commander mode on my Sony's


Les :thumbs:
 
beyond the blue said:
I think you will find it will affect exposure unless you select --for built in flash on the commander screen.
Click to expand...

Perfect, that's what I was looking for... That makes sense. Thanks for the advice, just read my initial post again and would like to clarify that I can normally spell quite well but typing on a phone is a bit of a nightmare :)
 
velonoir said:
This is probably a stupid question but I'm just starting to pay around with off camera flash and I'm using a d200 with a couple of nissin di622 mk2s. These are compatible with Nikon ittl. With the camera set in commander mode am I right in thinking the nissins will only fire if the on camera pop up flash fires? Is the pop up flash just firing a signal slightly before the nissins are triggered and as such not contributing to the lighting of the scene?
I've also tried using commander mode with a Nikon sb400 and one of the Nissins but when using one of these three off camera unit doesn't fire. Am I right in assuming that it has to be a flash like an sb800 or similar mounted on the camera to fire the of camera units?
Any assistance appreciated.
Click to expand...

Nikon off-camera flash system uses Morse code-like light signals from the commander unit (ie the pop-up flash) to control remote guns. They must all be compatible receivers, which the SB400 isn't.

Light-code commander instructions are sent before the shutter opens, but it's all too fast to see. You can choose to have the pop-up contribute to the exposure, or not. However, even when switched off the pop-up still fires but only at very low power. This might affect the image if you're very close, like a couple of feet away, and you may see it reflected in shiny objects.
 
HoppyUK said:
Nikon off-camera flash system uses Morse code-like light signals from the commander unit (ie the pop-up flash) to control remote guns. They must all be compatible receivers, which the SB400 isn't.

Light-code commander instructions are sent before the shutter opens, but it's all too fast to see. You can choose to have the pop-up contribute to the exposure, or not. However, even when switched off the pop-up still fires but only at very low power. This might affect the image if you're very close, like a couple of feet away, and you may see it reflected in shiny objects.
Click to expand...

That's great, I should clarify that I wasn't attempting to use the sb400 remotely, I was attempting to use it on the camera instead of the pop up to unit. Presumably the sb-400 isn't capable of being the commander from on top of the camera body.
 
velonoir said:
That's great, I should clarify that I wasn't attempting to use the sb400 remotely, I was attempting to use it on the camera instead of the pop up to unit. Presumably the sb-400 isn't capable of being the commander from on top of the camera body.
Click to expand...

No, only top-end guns can act as commanders, and some of the pop-ups higher in the camera range. Most guns can act as remotes though, and they have a dark red plastic window on the front where the the receiver sits (in addition to the brighter red plastic AF-assist light) and that needs to get a decent 'look' at the commander unit, preferably line of sight.
 
beyond the blue said:
I think you will find it will affect exposure unless you select --for built in flash on the commander screen.
Click to expand...

even then it can, depending on the subject, distance etc etc. The way to avoid althogether is to either use the stupidly over priced gizmo Nikon sell for the purpose, or tape either an old, exposed film neg or a quality street wrapper over it
 
HoppyUK said:
a dark red plastic window on the front where the the receiver sits (in addition to the brighter red plastic AF-assist light) and that needs to get a decent 'look' at the commander unit, preferably line of sight.
Click to expand...

Nikons use a small recessed black plastic disc window on the side of the flash by the battery case actually. It made the lack of full movement of the 800 head somewhat problematic, apparently (I'm a Canon user personally). Canons use front mounted red plastic receivers.

See
D3S_7688-1200.jpg
 
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