connecting camera to external flash

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

09/15/2008 11:48:41 PM · #1

I have the D300 and will buy a sb800 flash these days.
I was wondering how do I use it off camera and have the camera communicate with it?
I read the manual of the sb800 and it talks about master flash on the camera and another flash off camera. I would like to just use the flash off camera at first (maybe buy another one day). All the sites i see skip that part, they usually just say 'set up your external flash' and go on to the the next steps.
Do I need a wire? or can this be done remotely?
If anyone can help id be obliged, this seems like a mountain to me right now. I looked at strobist website, but they dont explain that part.

thanks in advance

Nikon AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D

09/16/2008 12:13:21 AM · #2

You will need to set the flash to remote, instructions in the manual.

Your flash should be set to channel 1, group A...

On the D300 under the custom settings menu, e3 Flash cntrl for built-in flash. You want commander mode. Once selected make sure the channel at the bottom is also 1, you can control the operation of your built in flash with the top entry, exposure mode, and optionally power. The second entry is for Group A, these are the settings you want sent to your remote flash. Start with TTL and 0 compensation. Press ok and pop up your flash, your remote flash should now work.

Sorry for the simple answer, the manuals for both will more clearly detail your choices but this should get you on track.

Good luck!

Shutter-For-Hire

Nikon D90

09/16/2008 12:20:10 AM · #3

you Could save some money and just buy a SB-600 because your D300 can be the master to a sb-600 as well... I have a sb-600 and an sb-800... there are some advantages of the SB-800 over the Sb-600, although you will never make use of the main one (being a master flash) because you do not need a master flash... your camera body itself IS a master to other flashes... it will be a master to a sb-600...

The best part of the master/slave relationship is that you can toss the slave flash anywhere in the room and then change the intensity/settings on it FROM the master flash/or D300 body WITHOUT TOUCHING THE SLAVE FLASH!!! it works beautifully!!! I use it all the time... BUT make sure you have fresh batteries... if the batteries are weak, they don't communicate well.. and don't block the black circle sensor on the side, or it won't work...

Good Luck =)

kolasi

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

09/16/2008 12:20:46 AM · #4

Thanks for the answer.. i think ill make sense out of it.
might send a few pm's if you dont mind when i get the flash

zackdezon

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

09/16/2008 12:22:12 AM · #5

I have the same question really. So does the onboard flash still fire and make it go optically? Because I don't want any of that horrendous onboard flash in my shot if possible...Does it fire low enough not to notice? Or does popping it up just activate some sort of wireless transmitter?

Shutter-For-Hire

Nikon D90

Nikon AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D

09/16/2008 12:24:00 AM · #6

try shooting into a mirror to be sure... =)

09/16/2008 12:24:01 AM · #7

kolasi, I don't mind, I will try to be helpful.

zackdezon, you can have the built in flash either on or off, if off it still flashes to control the remote unit but stops before the shutter release. There is a rumor that there is a very soft glow from the flash in some shots however I've been unable to confirm it.

09/16/2008 12:24:25 AM · #8

Originally posted by Shutter-For-Hire:

try shooting into a mirror to be sure... =)

Evil tricks!, Mirrors and all!

zackdezon

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

09/16/2008 12:33:55 AM · #9

Originally posted by togtog:

Sweet. Thanks for putting my mind at ease about that, finally. Don't know why it never occurred to me to ask you guys. This'll probably be the final point in my 'strobe/flash' dilemma, at least for now.

Oh, and SFH: Good idea with the mirror!

Message edited by author 2008-09-16 00:34:15.

09/16/2008 12:41:46 AM · #10

Ok, I just tried a mirror, a little embarrassed I had not thought of that before.

The on board always fires, however if it is set to off it fires at about 1/256 power, or like a small flash light / torch. It is a noticeable difference from it being on. Not sure why it does but I'm sure there is a good reason.

If that is an issue, someone invented a solution...

//www.adorama.com/INKSG31R.html

$12

Message edited by author 2008-09-16 00:45:29.

zackdezon

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

09/16/2008 02:15:45 AM · #11

Wow, would you look at that. What would you say the markup is on something like that? :P

kolasi