Nikon CLS

F-Stop

F-Stop

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What is the best way to trigger my SB-600's when using them outdoors?

I currently just use the pop-up flash method, but are there triggers (other than the SU-800 which seems to work well indoors, but not outdoors) that I can use to fire both flashes and still utilize the CLS?

I hope I'm being clear... I really don't know what to ask. haha.

I'm basically wanting to set the output for each flash in my camera CLS settings, but not have to use the pop-up flash as a trigger.
 
If it's the same as the SB-900 yes you can use triggers, however as far as i know, it will only work in manual mode and not TTL, i believe Pocket wizards are addressing this issue though, but you will be looking at big bucks £200ish, whereas you can pick up triggers for about £25ish.
 
F-Stop said:
I currently just use the pop-up flash method, but are there triggers (other than the SU-800 which seems to work well indoors, but not outdoors) that I can use to fire both flashes and still utilize the CLS?
Click to expand...

Popup flash (depending on the body), SU-800, SB-800 or SB-900, that's it.
 
Thanks for all the responses guys.

And Kaouthia clears it up pretty well (at least the question I tried to ask lol).

So a popup flash, SU-800, SB-800/900 can utilize on-board (camera) CLS settings. Triggers will not utilize CLS at all, but they will fire my SB-600's remotely (settings are manual).

Cool.
 
I have heard rumours that the Radio Poppers Graham suggested will allow remote control via radio with Nikon TTL (and settings adjustable from the camera), although I've not been able to have a paly with them personally as they're only available in the US due to some EU limitations on the frequencies they use or whatever.
 
Kaouthia said:
I have heard rumours that the Radio Poppers Graham suggested will allow remote control via radio with Nikon TTL (and settings adjustable from the camera), although I've not been able to have a paly with them personally as they're only available in the US due to some EU limitations on the frequencies they use or whatever.
Click to expand...

Hmmm. Might be worth the try then. I'll have a look and see what I can find as I am indeed in the states.

This is what amazon.com US has...

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-...owboystudio/dp/B002W3IXZW/ref=pd_bxgy_p_img_a

Might be worth trying... especially for 22 bucks. haha
 
Nope, still didn't see it mentioned on their homepage. I actually didn't even notice they had a blog link though until you mentioned it. :)

No news on prices though until about 9pm. :(

You'd think if they're launching a new product for Europe, they'd do it at a time when Europe are still awake. ;)
 
Kaouthia said:
Nope, still didn't see it mentioned on their homepage. I actually didn't even notice they had a blog link though until you mentioned it. :)

No news on prices though until about 9pm. :(

You'd think if they're launching a new product for Europe, they'd do it at a time when Europe are still awake. ;)
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Prices? Substitute $ for £ ;)

We'll give you permission to stay up past your bedtime just this once, John :D
 
Actually, tonight's one night I can't, gotta be up at like 5am to get to Manchester airport tomorrow to meet the wife. :(
 
Kaouthia said:
Actually, tonight's one night I can't, gotta be up at like 5am to get to Manchester airport tomorrow to meet the wife. :(
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That sad face, because you're going to meet the wife :bat: :thinking: :nono:?
 
rofl, no, I just hate getting up that early. ;)
 
Knew i had seen Pocket wizards with TTL somewhere :)

[YOUTUBE]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/831L0RvFd2Y&amp;hl=en_GB&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/831L0RvFd2Y&amp;hl=en_GB&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

You may also find this video helpful ;)

[YOUTUBE]<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pf7HL64Xc1s&amp;hl=en_GB&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pf7HL64Xc1s&amp;hl=en_GB&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]
 
The pw's are only available for Canons at the moment, Nikon versions still in development.
 
TG. said:
thought i read somewhere the Nikon's were available from June
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Yes, in May they said June, in April they said May, in March they said April, etc, etc. ;)
 
So I'm pretty much just boned for the time being huh? Haha. The SU-800 doesn't get good ratings outside (I figure the SB-800/900 is about the same).

I guess I just need to wait until those PW ControlTL deals come out for Nikon... And I win the lotto. :D
 
The SB-800 and SB-900 are both much better than the SU-800 outdoors because you can rotate and "zoom" the head to help with the range and direction.
 
Kaouthia said:
The SB-800 and SB-900 are both much better than the SU-800 outdoors because you can rotate and "zoom" the head to help with the range and direction.
Click to expand...

I thought all the controls (infrared stuff) was housed in the body and not the head? Or does that even matter? Just not sure how what you're talking about works and I'm curious. :)

As far as distance and firing accuracy, are the 800/900 pretty good?
 
The SB-800 & SB-900 fires its regular light to trigger the flashes with CLS, but only the infra-red gets through due to the cover on the sensor on the side of the slave flashes.

The 900's great on distance, the SB-800 should probably be ok too, but the head doesn't zoom as far as the 900 so not quite the same reach.
 
Kaouthia said:
The SB-800 & SB-900 fires its regular light to trigger the flashes with CLS, but only the infra-red gets through due to the cover on the sensor on the side of the slave flashes.

The 900's great on distance, the SB-800 should probably be ok too, but the head doesn't zoom as far as the 900 so not quite the same reach.
Click to expand...

Ahhh gotcha. I've always thought everything was passed via the sensors via infrared... Wasn't aware it was the actual flashes infrared. (shows how much I know on the subject haha). Thanks for the clarity.

I've seen some people cover up the head of an SB-800 master though... I assume the infrared passes through still?
 
Kaouthia said:
The SB-800 and SB-900 are both much better than the SU-800 outdoors because you can rotate and "zoom" the head to help with the range and direction.
Click to expand...


Interesting, I'm sure Joe McNally said something about feeling that the SU-800 gave a better range than using an SB800/900 as a CLS trigger. I haven't tried a side-by-side test though, maybe I should.....
 
Yup, they cover up the head of the SB-800 (or other flash) to block the visible light so that it doesn't show up as a reflection or an extra catchlight in eyes, for example.

Some of the Nikon flashes (like the SB-50DX) actually used to come with an IR cover as standard for the purpose of having it as an on-camera flash triggering optical slaves.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Interesting, I'm sure Joe McNally said something about feeling that the SU-800 gave a better range than using an SB800/900 as a CLS trigger. I haven't tried a side-by-side test though, maybe I should.....
Click to expand...

I wonder what sort of range & conditions he's talking about. It's rare I've had an SB-900 acting as a commander fail to do its job unless the slaves' IR ports are physically blocked from view.
 
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