SB700 Remote Selection Awkward??

Drpepper99uk

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Hi,

Having purchased a Nikon SB700 Speedlight unit I have found that selecting the remote mode using the switch on the right rather awkward. Holding the unit with my left hand, and then using my right hand to switch it to remote for off camera usage is not that easy as you have to press down the button on thr switch and then move the switch, just turning it on you can move the switch quite easily.

I have to use my whole thumb to press the button in, and then move the switch which just looks silly when showing people how to use it off camera. Does anyone else have this problem at all or is it just me? Why have Nikon chosen to make this feature when selecting remote mode? It's quite obvious that you have seected remote mode or master as the front sensor flash's red every few seconds and on the display it says remote/master so why you need to do this is weird to say the least.

Mike.
 
I understand what you’re saying, but if you apply a little pressure when pushing in the button with 1 finger, you can twist your finger to move the button. You don’t need to turn the button form the side.

I can do it on mine, but I do have to put my foot on the bottom of the light stand to hold it steady or I will push it over, if it’s on the camera then it’s easy to do 1 fingered.

Hope that make sense :)
 
I take it you've never had an SB600 then? :lol:

Or an 800.....

Both of them have different and pretty disastrous ways of activating CLS. The one on the 700 sounds like the same as the 900. Not perfect - but better than the rest....
 
I'm not sure I understand the problem. You're problem is that you have to hold the flash with one hand and use the other to turn it on to remote mode? How do you just turn it 'on' normally? I always just rotate the entire switch with my thumb anyway.... same as the SB900 and SB910. Much easier than the 600 or 800 we have.

The 700/900/910 are a dream compared to the older models and MUCH easier than ANY of the Canon models!
 
I'm not sure I understand the problem. You're problem is that you have to hold the flash with one hand and use the other to turn it on to remote mode? How do you just turn it 'on' normally? I always just rotate the entire switch with my thumb anyway.... same as the SB900 and SB910. Much easier than the 600 or 800 we have.

The 700/900/910 are a dream compared to the older models and MUCH easier than ANY of the Canon models!

Hi,
The "Problem" I have with it is that I really don't see the need to having the switch utilising the button when moving it past the first selection from turning it on. I could understand if there was a setting which might inadvertently cause the speedlight to delete settings etc if you tuen ir past the first option....but when you turn on your Nikon SLR, you don't need to press down the shutter button and then turn on the power switch? It's kind of like the selection dial on the D300 for continous shooting low,timer,mirror up etc you have press the small black button in front of the dial..is it really necessary?

Another problem is that I find that whether the flash be mounted on the hotshoe, or off the camera, because of the pressure I have to apply to the button with my whole thumb I have to hold it with the other hand. This wouldn't be a problem as such If there weren't a lock on the button from the first position.

Mike.
 
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I agree. It's fiddly and when wearing gloves (as I was today) its not easy. I understand that its a failsafe so the fladh isn't put into remote/master mode by mistake, but the button is too small in reality. Yes, compared to the menu-based selection process on the sb800 it is better, but it ain't perfect. An individual button would have been better.

While were on it, I hate the fact you have TP 'engage' the scroll wheel by first pressing the SEL button. Pales into comparison against the functionality of the SB800.
 
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