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12/30/2011 02:33:22 PM · #1 |
| What are my options for triggering a Nikon SB600 on an umbrella mount? |
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12/30/2011 02:45:51 PM · #2 |
I have the sb900 (well, my brother had it and I have it currently). I simply set it to manual slave. I flash off the built in pop up flash my camera set to lowest intensity being blocked with some duct tape or paper or something. The 900 still triggers off the flash then and the pop up flash simply acts as the trigger.
There are probably definitely better ways, but this is what I do. Will be watching here for alternatives.
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12/30/2011 03:18:40 PM · #3 |
The SB600 has neither an optical slave mode nor a sync connection. I am guessing that the D70 does not have the Nikon CLS features?
So, for off camera use, you need to get a hotshoe adapter: it mounts on the hotshoe and will usually have at least one sync connector (often two). I got mine from FlashZebra at the time, but I think you can get them from various sources. I think Paul Buff now sells some. You will be using the SB600 in Manual mode.
Then you have options on how to trigger, what to connect to that sync port. If you want to use it as an optical slave, you can find small optical triggers. If you plan to use your pop up flash in the shot, or you already have another off camera lighting set up to which you simply want to add your SB600, this can be a good approach. Or, if you already have a trigger system, you can add another receiver to fire the SB600.
If you don't currently have any trigger system, then you can choose one: transmitter for the hotshoe on your camera, receiver for the SB600. I use the Paul Buff CST and CSRB trigger system and love it. Reliable, reasonably priced. Pocket wizard is another choice, pricier, but with more options. I believe (but do not know for certain) that Pocket Wizard now has a system that will connect to your camera and the SB600 and give you remote control of the output levels, and/or ttl control.
There are a lot of other trigger choices (radio poppers, cactus, etc) that I have never used, so cannot speak to them.
Oh, one other pesky thing that can fake you out: the SB600 will go into a standby mode after a certain (programmable?) time. So if you take a bit of time between shots, you will press the shutter and the flash will not fire. It is not a misfire problem with your triggers or connections, but simply that the SB600 went to sleep. When I have taken some time between shots, and when I remember to do so, I press the test button on the CST, wake up the flash, then shoot. When I don't remember, I press the shutter release, curse, press the test button on the CST, and then shoot. :-)
Message edited by author 2011-12-30 15:24:45. |
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12/30/2011 05:30:33 PM · #4 |
I have the Cybersync triggers for my SB600 which are super easy to use. I found the website somewhat confusing but the following became my small shopping list:
1. Cybersync Plus Receiver (battery operated) which attaches to the flash
2. Male/Female Hotshoe Adapter (attaches the receiver above to the flash)
3. Cyber Commander and / or Cyber Trigger.
Notes: you'll have to use the SB600 flash in Manual mode. The triggers do not have an on / off button, but will go off automatically after 60 minutes.
Here's a video which may be helpful to you:
CyberSync for Nikon sb600 |
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12/30/2011 06:12:41 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by hihosilver:
I have the Cybersync triggers for my SB600 which are super easy to use. I found the website somewhat confusing but the following became my small shopping list:
1. Cybersync Plus Receiver (battery operated) which attaches to the flash
2. Male/Female Hotshoe Adapter (attaches the receiver above to the flash)
3. Cyber Commander and / or Cyber Trigger.
Notes: you'll have to use the SB600 flash in Manual mode. The triggers do not have an on / off button, but will go off automatically after 60 minutes.
Here's a video which may be helpful to you:
CyberSync for Nikon sb600 |
I think you would only need the cybersync plus receiver if you get the cybercommander, and both would be "overkill" for using a single SB600. On the other hand, this set up would be a good foundation for eventual Einstein or Alien Bee purchases :-)
I have both the CST and Cybercommander. I and others (via the Paul Buff tech forum) have noted that the Cybercommander works "okay" on the camera hotshoe, but the hinge is not super tight, and manipulating the controls while on the hotshoe is a bit awkward (for some users, anyway, including me). In that case, users are putting a CST on the camera, and handholding/lanyard hanging the CC for the remote controlling and light metering functions. It also serves, then, as a back up trigger if needed :-) |
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12/30/2011 06:41:45 PM · #6 |
| Of course...;-). You may wish to note the "and / or" I added in there. Thanks for the clarification for which I should have added "optional" instead. The commander gives room to grow...;-) |
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12/30/2011 06:44:23 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by hihosilver:
Of course...;-). You may wish to note the "and / or" I added in there. Thanks for the clarification for which I should have added "optional" instead. The commander gives room to grow...;-) |
Yep, I did notice that. :-) I was also noting that the CSRB+ might not be necessary for a speedlight only situation, and that the CSRB would work well for that purpose, even with a cyber commander) |
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12/30/2011 07:24:23 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by chromeydome:
Originally posted by hihosilver:
Of course...;-). You may wish to note the "and / or" I added in there. Thanks for the clarification for which I should have added "optional" instead. The commander gives room to grow...;-) |
Yep, I did notice that. :-) I was also noting that the CSRB+ might not be necessary for a speedlight only situation, and that the CSRB would work well for that purpose, even with a cyber commander) |
Perhaps, but doesn't the commander require the plus version? If so, then the plus version offers the wider range of options for future growth. |
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12/30/2011 07:53:39 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by hihosilver:
Originally posted by chromeydome:
Originally posted by hihosilver:
Of course...;-). You may wish to note the "and / or" I added in there. Thanks for the clarification for which I should have added "optional" instead. The commander gives room to grow...;-) |
Yep, I did notice that. :-) I was also noting that the CSRB+ might not be necessary for a speedlight only situation, and that the CSRB would work well for that purpose, even with a cyber commander) |
Perhaps, but doesn't the commander require the plus version? If so, then the plus version offers the wider range of options for future growth. |
The commander does not actually require the plus version, it will fire the regular version. The plus version IS required IF you want subtier grouping of speedlights/strobes, or if you want remote CC control of Alien Bee power levels. The plus version adds the subgroup cabability, plus the phone jack for a cord to the AB, WL etc, that allows you to control the output levels remotely via the CC. It won't allow that degree of remote control on a speedlight, though. It is a twenty dollar difference, so not too much for some future growth potential (if you expect to add an Alien Bee in the future, for example). But if you expect to add an Einstein instead, the CSRB+ will not interface with the Einstein to allow full remote control from the CC (you have to get a CSXCV for that--but it is only 30 bucks instead of 90). So it really depends on what you might anticipate doing in the future.
If you plan to go strobist and get multiple speedlights, then the CST/CSRB is an effective, economical approach. Changing the CST to a CC gets you a lightmeter if needed. Getting a CC and CSRB+'s will, I believe, get you the ability to group your speedlights so that you could fire one group, the other group, all groups. (I think if I was looking at a multiple group, many speedlight approach in the future, I would have to do some careful evaluation of the newish Pocket Wizared offerings that would allow not only group control, but output power adjustment, ttl control, etc.). Or you could go the McNally route and get hold of an SB910 (or a used SB800) to use as a CLS master control for other Nikon lights
For my specific purposes, since I have Einsteins, I occasionally mix in a speedlight for a rim light, or some similar thing. The features provided by the CSRB+ are of no use to me, and the 20 dollar savings on each of two of them helped pay for a third so that I have one for each speedlight.
But it really does depend on your intended use, the gear you have, and the gear you intend or hope to have :-) If I already had an AB or planned to get one at some point, the CC/CSRB+ combo would certainly make sense.
Message edited by author 2011-12-30 19:55:08. |
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12/31/2011 04:35:34 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by chromeydome:
The plus version IS required IF you want subtier grouping of speedlights/strobes, or if you want remote CC control of Alien Bee power levels. The plus version adds the subgroup cabability, plus the phone jack for a cord to the AB, WL etc, that allows you to control the output levels remotely via the CC. It won't allow that degree of remote control on a speedlight, though. |
This is the ONLY think I hate about the cyber setup so far... would it have really killed em to add the sub-groups to the basic trigger (I think skyports did that from memory but maybe only on the branded one not the regular - not 100% sure)... another dial to dial in the freq/channel whichever it is.
I would and did just do all plus models for IF I even buy an AB - although I have gone down the einstein path anyway.... only down side is they are a little larger but on the plus side (no pun intended) - they have a loop to hang from which I know is an issue for the non plus receivers.
Edit: I have no aff with this guy but Lon at flashzebra.com has nice quality stuff for all this (including the extra shoe you need for that 600) at decent prices and just great service... if your unsure shoot him an email.
Message edited by author 2011-12-31 16:41:40. |
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12/31/2011 05:38:55 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by SEG:
What are my options for triggering a Nikon SB600 on an umbrella mount? |
I believe your D70 has commander mode (per the internet) (if you don't want to spend more money on additional equipment).
Here's a link Nikon D70 wireless TTL flash.
ETA:
Nikon D70 commander mode set up link.
Message edited by author 2011-12-31 18:04:41. |
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12/31/2011 05:46:03 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by chromeydome:
The SB600 has neither an optical slave mode nor a sync connection. I am guessing that the D70 does not have the Nikon CLS features? |
The Nikon SB600 flash does have optical slave capability. I have one that I use for off camera flash with my D80 set on commander mode. Works great! Does not require any additional equipment if your D70 has a commander mode for the built in flash.
Message edited by author 2011-12-31 17:49:05. |
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12/31/2011 05:55:20 PM · #13 |
To add: I think the D70 has commander mode but only one group. So if you have more that one SB-600 that you want to fire, they'll all be the same light output. I think its D70s and newer Nikons that have two or three groups to control different light output per group.
Another option is to get an SU-800 ($250) to fire the SB-600 (can control three groups) (but if your camera has commander mode, what's the point.) |
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12/31/2011 07:48:53 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by dswann:
Originally posted by chromeydome:
The SB600 has neither an optical slave mode nor a sync connection. I am guessing that the D70 does not have the Nikon CLS features? |
The Nikon SB600 flash does have optical slave capability. I have one that I use for off camera flash with my D80 set on commander mode. Works great! Does not require any additional equipment if your D70 has a commander mode for the built in flash. |
You are correct that the SB600 does have the Nikon CLS capability to be controlled by an on camera flash in commander mode. Here, though, I use "Optical Slave" to mean the more generic optical slave triggering mode, where the unit triggers in response to any detected flash. The SB600 does not have this capability.
Originally posted by robs:
This is the ONLY think I hate about the cyber setup so far... would it have really killed em to add the sub-groups to the basic trigger (I think skyports did that from memory but maybe only on the branded one not the regular - not 100% sure)... another dial to dial in the freq/channel whichever it is.
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I think the CSRB+ units came out at the same time as the Cyber Commander. The CSRB (no +) was out a long time before the Cyber Commander existed, as were the CST's. All in all, I am very happy with the CST, CSRB, and CSXCVs for speedlights and Einsteins. I do not use the cyber commander as much as i expected, but it is still useful for situations where the Einstein is way up on a boom, or otherwise difficult to access. |
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01/03/2012 09:32:05 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by The_Tourist:
Originally posted by SEG:
What are my options for triggering a Nikon SB600 on an umbrella mount? |
I believe your D70 has commander mode (per the internet) (if you don't want to spend more money on additional equipment).
Here's a link Nikon D70 wireless TTL flash.
ETA:
Nikon D70 commander mode set up link. |
This is the process I use for my SB600 on my D70. Excellant post. |
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