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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Remote Flash Fire unit
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Showing posts 1 - 11 of 11, (reverse)
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05/06/2012 02:38:04 PM · #1
Hey everyone,

I have a Nikon D700, an Sb-800 Flash and an Alien Bee 800 Strobe. I'm looking for a way to trigger them wirelessly outdoors and I can't afford to get a set of Pocket Wizards. Does any one know of something I can get that will work for less cash?
05/09/2012 01:47:45 PM · #2
I have these and they work perfect!

//www.cowboystudio.com/product_p/npt-04-extra%20receiver.htm
They come with a cord for studio strobes.

Cheers
Ed
05/09/2012 02:13:20 PM · #3
check out flashzebra.com. Maybe they have some stuff you can use inexpensively. You would be able to make everything work as an optical slave maybe.
05/09/2012 02:15:25 PM · #4
I asked the same question (but for canon) a little while ago.

Here's the thread -- there was some interesting information there.

radio triggers

I ended up buying the Yongnous
05/09/2012 03:21:07 PM · #5
fwiw, dont buy from ebay if it comes from China.

shipping takes FOREVER!
05/09/2012 09:25:26 PM · #6
Originally posted by Maver:

Hey everyone,

I have a Nikon D700, an Sb-800 Flash and an Alien Bee 800 Strobe. I'm looking for a way to trigger them wirelessly outdoors and I can't afford to get a set of Pocket Wizards. Does any one know of something I can get that will work for less cash?


You technically don't need to buy anything to trigger this setup as is, however you may want to make your trigger system more resilient by buying radio triggers.
As is, your AB800 has a slave, your SB800 can be placed in SU4 mode, and you can use your onboard at low power to slave fire both together optically.
05/14/2012 12:54:53 PM · #7
Thanks for the info everyone! very helpful.

Spiritualspatula: I do then when shooting indoors, it works well.. but when i'm shooting on location, outdoors on a sunny day the pop up flash on my nikon won't fire the AB due to the bright sunlight.
05/14/2012 01:40:21 PM · #8
Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by Maver:

Hey everyone,

I have a Nikon D700, an Sb-800 Flash and an Alien Bee 800 Strobe. I'm looking for a way to trigger them wirelessly outdoors and I can't afford to get a set of Pocket Wizards. Does any one know of something I can get that will work for less cash?


You technically don't need to buy anything to trigger this setup as is, however you may want to make your trigger system more resilient by buying radio triggers.
As is, your AB800 has a slave, your SB800 can be placed in SU4 mode, and you can use your onboard at low power to slave fire both together optically.


This may or MAY not work. In SU4 mode I believe there is a preflash that may potentially set off the AB, the other issue is outdoors it's not likely to work at all.

On the cheap hit Cowboystudio up, or pick up a set of Cybersync's from AB and you can fire both of them in manual mode very reliably.

Matt
05/14/2012 03:06:03 PM · #9
I am using the Yongnou 603C's. You can get them om Amazon for about $35 a pair. I have had good luck with them so far and they have pretty good range (300 ft.) if my memory serves me correct. They will only work in manual mode so you won't have any TTL, ETTL, second curtain sync, etc.
05/14/2012 03:17:26 PM · #10
Originally posted by Maver:

Hey everyone,

I have a Nikon D700, an Sb-800 Flash and an Alien Bee 800 Strobe. I'm looking for a way to trigger them wirelessly outdoors and I can't afford to get a set of Pocket Wizards. Does any one know of something I can get that will work for less cash?

Lots of options but have a look at the cyber sync's from AB are in the middle ground from cheap ones to PW's..... They work great and while not having the range of PW's they are long range. I mention it because of the AB800... later on you can expand to a system where you can wireless control the power of that AB light (not the strobes).

Depends on light placement but can you get away with the camera to main light on radio and the others optical triggers from main - that would save some $$ as you only need to get the radio on the long hop with the cluster all been optical (then expand with more triggers as needed).

Edit: Also Cybers can be strung to repeater mode and re xmit the signal - I have put 2 on a string with the one in the middle grabbing and passing on the signal - not sure how far they can be strung but it's some flexibility for later if you need it. I know PW's can do that but not sure of the cheaper amazon/ebay ones.

Message edited by author 2012-05-14 15:19:50.
05/14/2012 06:42:29 PM · #11
Originally posted by MattO:

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by Maver:

Hey everyone,

I have a Nikon D700, an Sb-800 Flash and an Alien Bee 800 Strobe. I'm looking for a way to trigger them wirelessly outdoors and I can't afford to get a set of Pocket Wizards. Does any one know of something I can get that will work for less cash?


You technically don't need to buy anything to trigger this setup as is, however you may want to make your trigger system more resilient by buying radio triggers.
As is, your AB800 has a slave, your SB800 can be placed in SU4 mode, and you can use your onboard at low power to slave fire both together optically.


This may or MAY not work. In SU4 mode I believe there is a preflash that may potentially set off the AB, the other issue is outdoors it's not likely to work at all.

On the cheap hit Cowboystudio up, or pick up a set of Cybersync's from AB and you can fire both of them in manual mode very reliably.

Matt


The SU4 mode is for triggering only and fires the flash as a dumb slave that can be used with any system, so if you can get the sb800 to see the flash from the popup, the power from the sb800 firing should trigger the less sensitive AB800 unit. However, as OP noted this is only a sometimes feasible option as bright sunlight certainly hinders things noticeably. You may have to turn up the power on your onboard in order for triggering to work, which of course might mess up your shot anyway.

In any case, I'll third the Cybersyncs, which do work nicely and are reasonable. I have run into one instance where they triggered sorta weird, but I'm pretty sure it was due to distance. I could get them to fire but only if the trigger transmitter was elevated. Definitely could have been any number of things, but as robs noted it could have been solved by doing a repeater if I had an extra with me.
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