Anybody using SB800 as a master flash unit wirelessly

kopio · 23rd April 2007

Anybody using SB800 as a master flash unit wirelessly?
I understand that the camera's build-it will still fire(in order to trigger SB800), anyone have the experience of using this? Can share?

Scaglietti · 23rd April 2007

Originally Posted by kopio

Anybody using SB800 as a master flash unit wirelessly?
I understand that the camera's build-it will still fire(in order to trigger SB800), anyone have the experience of using this? Can share?

What do you mean by "master flash unit"? ... as in the master for controlling slave flashes?

BC

kopio · 23rd April 2007

Originally Posted by Scaglietti

What do you mean by "master flash unit"? ... as in the master for controlling slave flashes?

BC

Yes, master for controlling slave flashes. Sorry I didn't phrase it correctly.

camelot88 · 23rd April 2007

Hi, I am currently using the SU-800 wireless commander to trigger 2 SB-800's. The SU 800 uses IR only to trigger the SB-800's, so no flashing by the camera's in-built is required.

I bought the wireless commander as I found that the when I used the in-built flash as commander, the flashing by the in-built flash affected shots taken especially in very low light. You may want to use the SU800 if you too are affected by the flashing by the in-built flash.

kopio · 23rd April 2007

Originally Posted by camelot88

Hi, I am currently using the SU-800 wireless commander to trigger 2 SB-800's. The SU 800 uses IR only to trigger the SB-800's, so no flashing by the camera's in-built is required.

I bought the wireless commander as I found that the when I used the in-built flash as commander, the flashing by the in-built flash affected shots taken especially in very low light. You may want to use the SU800 if you too are affected by the flashing by the in-built flash.

Thank you so much for understanding my question. Is there any other way to avoid this without buying the SU800? As my current budget only allow me to add an SB800 as I already have the SB600.

Artosoft · 23rd April 2007

Originally Posted by kopio

Anybody using SB800 as a master flash unit wirelessly?
I understand that the camera's build-it will still fire(in order to trigger SB800), anyone have the experience of using this? Can share?

Which camera do you want to use as a master?

If you are using D200, the build in flash can take an account on photo. If you are using like D70, it is commander only, the build in flash will not take an account on photo.

Regards,
Arto.

kopio · 23rd April 2007

Originally Posted by Artosoft

Which camera do you want to use as a master?

If you are using D200, the build in flash can take an account on photo. If you are using like D70, it is commander only, the build in flash will not take an account on photo.

Regards,
Arto.

I'm using D80.

Artosoft · 23rd April 2007

Originally Posted by kopio

I'm using D80.

IIRC D80 is similar like D200. Read the manual because I don't have it.

So, you can use D80's build in flash as a commander to control SB800. The D80's build in flash will not take into photo. If you like the build in flash also take into photo, you can set it too.

Regards,
Arto.

Robin · 23rd April 2007

Yup........Built in flash can be set to trigger the wireless flashes only.....or to trigger and have effect on exposure also........ should be the same for d80 and d200........

Youhong · 23rd April 2007

You can use your D80 body as the commander... It is already like having a SU-800 in the body itself. The flash can play a part in the illumination of the subject as well as just triggering your remote flashes (but when shooting reflective objects, it still affects. however can overcome by using a IR filter on the built-in flash)

With the D80 body, you can use it to trigger the SB-600 you already have. You may consider getting SB-800. This is because the built-in flash may not be strong enough at times or you wanted to bounce, you need to mount a flash with the capablity to be commander.

With a SB-800, you can put it to SU4 mode, put SB-600 on the camera and fire. At times, your remote flashes may not trigger by the AWL method. Putting SU4 mode sort of increase the chances of it firing. But no using of TTL.

kopio · 23rd April 2007

Thanks so much for all the sharing. I'm going to get my SB800 today.

camelot88 · 23rd April 2007

Originally Posted by kopio

Thank you so much for understanding my question. Is there any other way to avoid this without buying the SU800? As my current budget only allow me to add an SB800 as I already have the SB600.

No problem. Glad to help.

If you wish to avoid getting the SU800, then since you are using a D80, set your in-built flash to commander mode and you can rely on the in-built flash to trigger the SB-800. Do try using a filter to block off the in-built flash from affecting the subject of your photo too much, but from my tests using my D200, the in-built flash will still have an impact on your shots even with a filter unfortunately in low light.

Also do note that I am not sure if using a filter on your on-board flash will affect the effective range for trigerring the SB800.

Give it a try and let us know.

23rd April 2007	#1
kopio Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: East Posts: 1,062	Anybody using SB800 as a master flash unit wirelessly Anybody using SB800 as a master flash unit wirelessly? I understand that the camera's build-it will still fire(in order to trigger SB800), anyone have the experience of using this? Can share?

23rd April 2007	#4
camelot88 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pasir Ris, Singapore Posts: 115	Re: Anybody using SB800 as a master flash unit wirelessly Hi, I am currently using the SU-800 wireless commander to trigger 2 SB-800's. The SU 800 uses IR only to trigger the SB-800's, so no flashing by the camera's in-built is required. I bought the wireless commander as I found that the when I used the in-built flash as commander, the flashing by the in-built flash affected shots taken especially in very low light. You may want to use the SU800 if you too are affected by the flashing by the in-built flash. __________________ http://rajeshs.smugmug.com

23rd April 2007	#9
Robin Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tanah Merah Posts: 646	Re: Anybody using SB800 as a master flash unit wirelessly Yup........Built in flash can be set to trigger the wireless flashes only.....or to trigger and have effect on exposure also........ should be the same for d80 and d200........

23rd April 2007	#10
Youhong Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: North Posts: 3,909	Re: Anybody using SB800 as a master flash unit wirelessly You can use your D80 body as the commander... It is already like having a SU-800 in the body itself. The flash can play a part in the illumination of the subject as well as just triggering your remote flashes (but when shooting reflective objects, it still affects. however can overcome by using a IR filter on the built-in flash) With the D80 body, you can use it to trigger the SB-600 you already have. You may consider getting SB-800. This is because the built-in flash may not be strong enough at times or you wanted to bounce, you need to mount a flash with the capablity to be commander. With a SB-800, you can put it to SU4 mode, put SB-600 on the camera and fire. At times, your remote flashes may not trigger by the AWL method. Putting SU4 mode sort of increase the chances of it firing. But no using of TTL. __________________ I am NOT a PROfessional photographer and photography is NOT my hobby

23rd April 2007	#11
kopio Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: East Posts: 1,062	Re: Anybody using SB800 as a master flash unit wirelessly Thanks so much for all the sharing. I'm going to get my SB800 today.