Quick Nikon SB-800 Question - DPChallenge Forums

07/18/2009 04:39:50 PM · #1

Can one Speedlite unit trigger other speedlite units remotely?

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

07/18/2009 04:41:05 PM · #2

Yes. Unlike the SB-600, the 800 can (while on the camera).

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

07/18/2009 04:45:30 PM · #3

Cool. How exactly does it work, via radio?

hanserik

Nikon D700

07/18/2009 05:03:48 PM · #4

It's a preflash that sends commands to the remote flash.

Go visit the strobist and get hooked :)

millsa

Nikon D7100

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

07/18/2009 05:43:43 PM · #5

Originally posted by peterish:

Can one Speedlite unit trigger other speedlite units remotely?

Yes the SB-800 can, but also your D90 can do it with the inbuilt flash alone (it will fire a SB-600/800/900) very handy since it means you can do off camera flash with only one flash unit.

The flash sends an IR signal to to remote flash a pre-flash so you need line of sight (well the flash sensor needs to see a reflected pre-flash at least).

FF112173

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

07/18/2009 06:11:47 PM · #6

Originally posted by millsa:

Originally posted by peterish:
Can one Speedlite unit trigger other speedlite units remotely?

Yes the SB-800 can, but also your D90 can do it with the inbuilt flash alone (it will fire a SB-600/800/900) very handy since it means you can do off camera flash with only one flash unit.

The flash sends an IR signal to to remote flash a pre-flash so you need line of sight (well the flash sensor needs to see a reflected pre-flash at least).

I wish my 40D's inbuilt flash could trigger my 580ex II.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

07/18/2009 08:24:31 PM · #7

Yes, the camera itself can do it (I use the camera to control two SB-600's, which works great).

The limitation of the SB-600 I was alluding to is that you can't use it "on camera" and still use remote flashes. It's not capable of controlling other flashes.

The SB-800 can. Not that it's a real limitation for the SB-600, because I'd rather have them off camera.

Ivo

07/18/2009 08:59:56 PM · #8

I have an SU-800 Commander and two SB-600 slaves.

Regarding the SB-800? THIS will show you just how good the Nikon lighting system is!

It got me hooked.

07/19/2009 04:01:00 PM · #9

Cool! What kind of range is possible for an SB800 to control other SB800's ?

Ivo

07/19/2009 04:04:57 PM · #10

I think the range is something like 30ft in an outdoors situation? You should check out the other chats about the CLS system to give you a broader picture of the capabilities. I chose the route of the SU-800 because of the pre-flash complaint many have with the SB-800 as the onboard transmitter. Its no big issue in most cases but it is something that has been voiced to be a niggle.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

07/19/2009 06:39:55 PM · #11

I have found the IR triggering of the SB800/600 to be erratic Outdoors, using the onboard flash from my d90. I did notice in the McNally video Ivo posted that he uses an 800 on his camera, AND he puts the diffusion dome on it--I am guessing this helps ensure the preflash commands get sent more omni-directionally and the remote units pick it up more reliably. So diffusing the on-board built-in flash on the d90 might improve the situation over what I encountered.

I purchased cybersyncs for such work,, but you naturally lose any ttl or adjustment control from your camera with radio triggers.

BJokerud

Nikon D3s

07/19/2009 08:20:59 PM · #12

Originally posted by chromeydome:

McNally has speedlites to spare :p I think he got one bag just for SB-units. I use commander mode and the inbuilt flash to set of my 800 and 900. They'll work fine outdoors unless you're to far away and as long as you point the small sensor more or less directly towards the flash. I also used them in a big gymnastic hall. Set them up on either side of the hall. Both of them fired almost every time I shot. Gotta love Nikons CLS =)

tate

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

07/20/2009 12:09:08 PM · #13

The Nikon system definitely smells of awesome. What about when someone is looking for something less pricey? Is something like this Sunpak worth getting?

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

07/20/2009 01:33:40 PM · #14

Originally posted by BJamy:

They'll work fine outdoors unless you're to far away and as long as you point the small sensor more or less directly towards the flash. I also used them in a big gymnastic hall. Set them up on either side of the hall. Both of them fired almost every time I shot. Gotta love Nikons CLS =)

Yup--it is a Great system no doubt. The times I had erratic outdoor performance were actually when the units were very close (3-6 feet away, and the sensor aimed correctly). It would fire sometimes, not others. I suspect, after watching that vid, that my built in flash was simply not diffused enough--so even though I was line of site, the pre-flash command was just on the edge. Since McNally had the diffusion dome on his command unit, I bet doing something similar would improve outdoor results with the built in flash as commander.

When using indoors, I never had a misfire, as the command flash bounced around well enough.

And it is so cool to dial one flash up, one down, from the camera itself!