Master flash advised for D700? - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG HSM for Nikon

02/22/2011 07:49:01 AM · #1

I've got some gift cards to melt at an overpriced electronics dealer here in Germany and have decided to splash for flash.

The D700 very nicely serves as a master/commander flash unit, so... is there any reason to spring for a master flash unit such as the SB900? Or should I just use the D700 to do the controlling and get a couple slaves? Brand I'll be getting is actually Metz, if anyone has specific recommendations. Thanks!

MichaelC

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary

02/22/2011 07:57:25 AM · #2

I first bought 2 x SB-600s but then in some cases found I wished I had a master besides my on-board. Couldn't justify the price of the SB-900s so I bought a Nissin Di-866.

I was so happy with it I just bought my 2nd one, they do almost everything the SB-900 does at a 1/3 of the price.

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG HSM for Nikon

02/22/2011 08:30:40 AM · #3

Thanks for that feedback. It's a good deal less than what I've been looking at as well. Out of curiosity, if I may, what would be an example when you wished you had it but didn't?

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

02/22/2011 08:34:05 AM · #4

I personally have SB900's, and like them, but they're hefty chunks of money. I've heard some good things about the Sigma 500 Super's, if you're looking to do CLS as well. Not sure on the Metz line. The important difference between the third party flashes is whether or not they support CLS or not. If they don't, then you'll be using manual settings and this may change your selection significantly because you may be able to get a more simplistic flash since all you need is A: an optical slave or B: a port to hook an optical slave into that you bought. I'm not sure if it is the case with all of the third party flashes, but I know the Sigma 500 sets up sorta strangely for the CLS system, in that you have to mount it to your hotshoe, then set it, then put it off camera. There may be similar oddities for other non-Nikon flashes, so be aware of that. Ports should be considered in any case, however, as they will dictate how useful the flash will be if you want to use radio triggers later. One thing to note that is important, is you require an SB800 or 900 or the SU800 for FULL CLS control, meaning with hypersync and an additional flash group (3 vs the 2 you have on your D700).

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG HSM for Nikon

02/22/2011 09:52:39 AM · #5

Thanks. Good advice on checking all the compatibility. Yeah, I'm aware of the flash group difference, but at this time I can't really see myself going more than two off camera flashes as I don't typically shoot that kind of stuff, but you never know what direction your interests will take you once you try it I suppose.

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG HSM for Nikon

02/22/2011 04:37:34 PM · #6

A little bump for hopeful feedback.

Just wondering if anyone else had been using their camera as their master flash unit and ran into situations where it wasn't enough.

Bonus stupidity-revealing question: Is it possible to use a second commander to relay/boost signal range and/or add additional flash groups?

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

02/22/2011 04:55:39 PM · #7

The onboard flash and CLS control or slave control works pretty well in the right conditions. Indoors, in smaller spaces where there is a lot of bounce/reflection for the controlling flash, so the slave sensors can pick it up. In bigger spaces, sometimes I got misfires. I found it to be pretty unreliable outdoors. If you watch any Joe McNally videos, he is usually using a speedlight on his camera, with a diffuser, so the command flash is powerful and more omni-directional.

I may be remembering incorrectly, but I think SB600's don't have a slave function, though they do support CLS. SB800's do both. And both of those are discontinued, so if you want them, used is the only way to go. I believe the new SB700 model does support slave in addition to CLS.

I don't know if the second commander thing is possible. If you have to work over a longer range, you could use a radio trigger system to fire one speedlight, which would then trigger your other slaves. To my knowledge, Pocket Wizards have the best range specs.

Citadel

Nikon D7500

02/22/2011 05:01:56 PM · #8

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

I've heard some good things about the Sigma 500 Super's, if you're looking to do CLS as well.

I have a Sigma 530 and its not too bad. Its actually cheaper than a SB600 and has approximately the same power as a SB800. (And you can use it as a slave) However it can be a little tricky to get the Nikon wireless TTL to work. I wrote a how-to on my blog about it:
//craigrtaylor.blogspot.com/2010/06/sigma-530-super-flash-in-wireless-ttl.html

Not terribly hard just not as easy as it could be.

Message edited by author 2011-02-22 17:06:28.

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG HSM for Nikon

02/22/2011 06:15:02 PM · #9

Great info! Thanks a lot.

MichaelC

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary

02/22/2011 06:23:15 PM · #10

Originally posted by bohemka:

....what would be an example when you wished you had it but didn't?

Chromeydome already mentioned the most common situations when you are shooting in larger/brighter areas and the on-board just doesn't cut it. Another one might be where you're shooting in front of the off-camera units or otherwise don't have line of sight on 'em cause of flagging etc.

The only 2 things I have found the Di-866 can't do that an SB-900 can are:
Balance fill
Full rotation of flash head

Otherwise I have found full compatibility with all my Nikon gear, CLS system and cheap triggers

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

02/22/2011 09:17:24 PM · #11

While I agree that the on board winker of the D700 does OK in commander mode. Sometimes you just need the power of a SB900. I have two and love them.

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

02/22/2011 10:11:37 PM · #12

Originally posted by chromeydome:

You are right, SB600's do not have SU-4 slave mode, 700's do.
I don't think you can piggyback them. To do that would require you to put one of the off camera flashes into commander mode, which would mean that it doesn't accept the signals your wanted it to repeat. Piggybacking for distance must be done with wireless remotes.

I agree with

chromeydome about outdoors. I can generally get things to work in about the position I want them to be with some screwing around, but it is sorta unpredictable. Some setups that you swear will work won't, and some that you expect to not fire do. Most of my outdoor work has been done at dusk, though I have done some midday and saw a decrease (though not wholly significant) in range/performance.