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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Alternative to SU800 commander?
Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Princeton | IN | USA | Posted: 12:34 PM on 07.15.09 |
->> Hi everyone, I use a D300 and often like to use the camera and SB 800 flash in commander mode by using the built in flash as my firing mode technique. I would prefer the built-in camera flash not fire as it does emit a small amount of light.
Is there something besides the SU800 commander that can be used, a generic version perhaps? The Nikon is so expensive and I was hoping there was something available that would do a suitable job. I use a generic MB-D10 grip on the camera that has worked out very well and I'm not opposed to buying another generic as long as it works. Thanks |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Princeton | IN | USA | Posted: 12:36 PM on 07.15.09 |
| ->> BTW, I have a pocket wizard, but only the transmitter. I don't have a receiver. Would the SB800 read the transmitter only or does it have to have a receiver as well? |
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Kirby Yau, Photographer, Assistant
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 12:52 PM on 07.15.09 |
->> Jeff, I would suggest just biting the bullet and get the SU-800. $250 in the world of Camera gear is a bargain when compared to even pocket wizards.
I use it all the time and its incredibly handy. Being able to control the flash output on different flashes without going to each sppedlight is quite a benefit.
The only gripe I have would be that it blows through 123A 3V Lithium Batteries. |
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Max Simbron, Photographer, Assistant
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Phoenix | AZ | USA | Posted: 1:00 PM on 07.15.09 |
->> "I would prefer the built-in camera flash not fire as it does emit a small amount of light." Is that light bothering you because it affects the exposure, or just in g3eneral, because theres the SG-3IR panel which blocks the pop up flash from contributing to the exposure, while still allowing wireless ttl.
Otherwise, you're just gonna have to look for a used SU-800 commander to get a deal |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Princeton | IN | USA | Posted: 1:05 PM on 07.15.09 |
| ->> The camera battery itself drains a little quicker when the built in flash fires. But as Kirby suggested, I may just end up doing the SU 800. |
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Shelley Cryan, Photographer
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New England | CT | USA | Posted: 1:09 PM on 07.15.09 |
->> Hi Jeff,
Using custom menu settings, you can set the D300 so the built-in flash does not affect the exposure -- it just triggers the sb800/600. Yes, you'll see a flash, but that's just to trigger the remote unit and is timed so it won't affect the exposure.
If that preflash is troublesome for some reason, you could buy a sc-29 cord and hardwire the sb800. Not as elegant, but not too expensive, either.
Another inelegant but cheap and workable option is to tape some kind of small angled gobo on the popup flash so the sb800 sees it, but the popup flash is not directed forward. Line the camera-side gobo with reflective material (aluminum foil?) to increase your odds.
Shelley
www.shelleycryan.com |
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N. Scott Trimble, Photographer
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Lake Oswego | OR | USA | Posted: 1:51 PM on 07.15.09 |
| ->> The new pocket wizards for strobes that take advantage of the full capabilities of the Nikon system would, to me, be worth the extra expense than the SU-800, just because of the wider versatility in other situations. Plus, can you trigger one flash with that set on command mode to control the other strobes? I am curious. |
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Alan Schwartz, Photographer
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Rochester | NY | U.S.A. | Posted: 3:29 PM on 07.15.09 |
| ->> Guess you could use a SB-800 and point it in another direction away from the subject, or place something over the light, might still work. I have not tried this so I'm just mentioning an idea that came to mind. |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Princeton | IN | USA | Posted: 2:37 AM on 07.16.09 |
->> Hey gang,
I got an email from a SS member who sent me a link about a device called a Flashpoint IR Remote Trigger. Costs $29.95 at Adorama. I spoke with a rep on the phone and she indicated it should fire the SB 800 wirelessly with no issues. So I ordered it and we'll see. I figured for $30, it was worth a shot. Plus, the shipping on it was free.
www.adorama.com/FPIRR.html |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 2:15 AM on 07.17.09 |
->> If you want to use the advanced TTL functions of the Nikon speedlight system including off-camera (and multiple) FP (high-shutter speed) mode, you have to use the SU800 or the D300/D700 built-in Commander Mode.
Radio triggering systems like Pocket Wizards are much more reliable than the 3rd party IR triggers, especially outdoors. But a Pocket Wizard will cost you $250 (more for the more functional Multi Max) a unit and you will need a transmitter and at least one receiver. You also lose TTL function and FP mode.
The Radio Popper will work in TTL mode, but again, you have the cost of a transmitter plus a receiver for each strobe you want to use.
There is a way to shut off the D300/D700 built-in strobe from affecting the photo when using an off-camera flash in Commander Mode, but there still will be a "pre-flash". (Using the SU800 will eliminate use of the pre-flash because you're not using the built-in flash.)
It comes down to whether you want to maintain the ability to use Nikon TTL function or you're going to go manual. |
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N. Scott Trimble, Photographer
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Lake Oswego | OR | USA | Posted: 1:03 PM on 07.17.09 |
| ->> Robert, its my understanding that the new Pocket Wizards for speedlights DOES give full TTL ability to Canon and Nkon Flashes, no? |
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Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 4:36 PM on 07.17.09 |
->> Are you having problems with the built in flash being used in commander mode affecting your actual images or just when your testing it at home ?
When I first switched to Nikon I was really excited about having the ability to use the pop up flash as a CLS commander. Very useful to have a built in way to control a remote flash after all and by carrying just a single speedlight you can then always have the option to get the flash off the camera. good stuff.
Anyways, I was testing this at home to try to learn the system and even though I'd set the on camera flash to not fire, it was still showing up in my test images and I couldnt figure out what was going on.
Well what I learned was happening is that because I was shooting at such close range, the iTTL wireless control flash signal was contributing to the exposure. If you shoot at a lower ISO or smaller apeture its less of a problem as it is a very weak flash pulse. The above mentioned IR filter does solve this issue.
However, in actual assignments I was doing, it never proved an issue at all with typical working distances.
I can put two speedlights on some little Bogen stands, with umbrella's and use my D700's pop up flash to fire those, works great.
I do have pocketwizards, which I'd use for long range stuff, but really given how well the popup works as a commander, I couldn't see the need to spend the money for a SU800. I'm sure its a great unit but if you've got a working tool built into the camera, why spend more money ?
So before buying anything else, I'd sugguest you give the commander mode on your D300 some realworld test and see if its still an issue. I don't belive it will be because at normal shooting distances that preflash just ins't going to contribute to the exposure in the slightest.
And then if it does, try to hold out til Fall when the iTTL compatible pocket wizards for Nikon should be on the market.
I've tried the Canon ones and while not perfect they are still really awesome.
Nothing wrong with manual flash and normal radio triggers but having the ability to get some iTTL functions is great for working quickly and in changing light. No more having to keep setting down your camera and running over to the remote flash and adjusting its output. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 2:59 AM on 07.18.09 |
->> The new Pocket Wiz products are currentyly Canon only. Nikon compatabilty is in the near future.
But like the Radio Popper there is a significant cost...$200+ per speedlite plus the transmitter.
I like the idea of expanding the range of off-camera ttl...but adding $1000 (transmitter and 4 receivers) is too much even for a gadget freak like me...
Especially since there is a small work around... |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 11:02 AM on 07.18.09 |
| ->> Go to your local bookstore or a decent camera store and pick up a copy of McNally's latest tome. |
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