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02/08/2010 08:50:11 PM · #1 |
Hey everyone,
I'm trying to find out if there is a way i can use my Nikon SB-800 flash in Manual Mode without a cable? I know that i can use my on camera flash set to -- to fire the SB-800 when its in Remote mode.. but is there a way to fire it that way with the flash unit in Manual Mode?
the reason why i'm asking is because I don't have a cable and i'm in school so I can't afford one right now. |
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02/08/2010 08:59:09 PM · #2 |
| You can control the mode of the flash from your D300 in commander mode. Once you set your flash to remote mode so that it is a receiver, you can go into the menu of your D300 and under flash(Flash Control for built in flash-e3) select the group which the sb-800 is under(A, B, or C). If you lok on the back of your flash it will tell you which group it is. You can then set it to be it ttl, or manual, or AA mode. |
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02/09/2010 03:30:56 AM · #3 |
For anybody reading this that doesn't have built in commander mode, you can also use the SB-800's built in slave. Keep in mind no TTL flash support for the pop-up flash on your body because preflashes will trigger the SB-800 in this mode. This mode is also available on the SB-900 and is easier to access.
SB-800 Slave mode
It's pretty obvious how to do it with an SB-900, but here are directions anyway.
Message edited by author 2010-02-09 03:31:17. |
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02/09/2010 08:41:53 AM · #4 |
Hey Jdannels thanks for that post it helped out quite a bit.. kind of sucks that I have to keep going into the camera menus to change the power but its better than nothing.. Now i just need to figure out how the flash power, shutter speeds and apertures all work together to get some nice lighting.
Spiritualspatula: Thanks for you post as well... I haven't had a chance to check it out yet but I will and see if that will help also. |
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02/09/2010 11:18:02 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by Maver:
Hey Jdannels thanks for that post it helped out quite a bit.. kind of sucks that I have to keep going into the camera menus to change the power but its better than nothing.. Now i just need to figure out how the flash power, shutter speeds and apertures all work together to get some nice lighting.
Spiritualspatula: Thanks for you post as well... I haven't had a chance to check it out yet but I will and see if that will help also. |
With the sb-600,800, and 900, you can keep it in ttl mode and it will do all the thinking for you. I recently was second shooterallowed to tag a long for a wedding and for every shot I used the flash off camera I had it set to commander mode and the sb-800 to ttl. I find this much easier than manual because as people moved closer to and away from the flash, the output needed to be changed. But the camera analyzes what to do and shoots out the right amount of power for what ever the focus point is. If you want to the exposure lowered simply go into the menu and use the exposure compensation under the commander mode for that group.
In general, I use the shutter speed and aperture to control the ambient conditions just like you normally would. To make your subjects stand out you may want to underexpose the ambient conditions by a stop or two. Then go light your subject by playing with flash output, in manual mode you can start at 1/4 power and move your light source until you get the light output you want. if you want certain shadows or like the placement you have you can then go into the camera menu and adjust the flash output. If you have nothing to diffuse the light with, you can aim your flash at a wall to get nice diffused light. I think you will find being able to control the flash from the camera much easier then having to constantly go to your flash.
You can also check out this thread, DPC Strobist thread 2010 for examples and tips and a place to post your experiments. You could post your images on flickr and then post links so people could see what you are doing. :)
ETA:On the side of your sb-800 is a squiggly line/arrow pointing to a little circle, this is your sensor that needs to see the flash from your camera to set the sb-800 off. Once I realized this and faced it towards the camera my misfire rate went down to the point where I now I don't even worry about it at all. At the wedding I think I had maybe five misfires all day, and that was probably because I was hand holding the sb-800 and probably had my finger over the sensor.
Message edited by author 2010-02-09 11:26:05.
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02/09/2010 03:33:55 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Maver:
Hey Jdannels thanks for that post it helped out quite a bit.. kind of sucks that I have to keep going into the camera menus to change the power but its better than nothing.. Now i just need to figure out how the flash power, shutter speeds and apertures all work together to get some nice lighting.
Spiritualspatula: Thanks for you post as well... I haven't had a chance to check it out yet but I will and see if that will help also. |
Actually, being able to change the power from the camera menu is one of the big advantages of this arrangement: if you have the lights up on stands, etc, can be kinduva pain to adjust them, plus you can stand at your shooting spot, take the shot, chimp it, go to the commander menu and tweek one light up by 1/3rd stop, another down, arrange them in groups if you have more and control. Pretty cool setup, built in and available already.
I HIGHLY recommend this book from Nikonian Press-- it goes thru all the nikon speedlights, the various menus (and how to get to them) for each (the 600 is different than the 800, so when you mix em, it can get confusing). It has a short summary menu section that is handy at the shoot, and a lot of good info to peruse away from the shoot. |
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