Good Slave for SB-80DX and D100 combi

[engineermunn]

The subject says it....

What's a good brand of slave unit (the IR accessory that is mounted on the hotshoe) for the D100 and SB-80DX combi? And how much is it?

What's the max remote distance the flash can be away from the camera?

I intend to use it for product photography.

Thanks.

[Larry]

SB-30 Speedlight - "Built-in Infrared Remote Commander -- Allows for triggering of off-camera speedlights during wireless multiple-flash operations"

http://www.nikon.com.sg/PRODUCT/FLASH/SB30.htm

[e_liau]

Originally Posted by Larry SB-30 Speedlight - "Built-in Infrared Remote Commander -- Allows for triggering of off-camera speedlights during wireless multiple-flash operations" http://www.nikon.com.sg/PRODUCT/FLASH/SB30.htm

Just curious. Will the slave be triggered off early by the main flash's pre-monitoring flashes? Seem to me like it's using the flash light to trigger the slave light sensor.

Is it similar to the SU-4 unit?

I thought there's such a device that actually use radio frequency or something like that to trigger flash? Or am i mistaken?

[raychan]

Have you considered the Nikon SU-4. It offers wireless TTL flash mode.

Shd be less than $200.....correct me if I am wrong.

[engineermunn]

so which is cheaper? The SU-4 or the Sb30?

I was looking at the SU-4 specs.. it did not say anything abt supporting the Sb80, so I'm abit skeptical.

BTW, can the built-in flash of teh D100 trigger the Sb80 remotely?

Please help... This function of the combi I cannot figure out!

[e_liau]

Originally Posted by engineermunn so which is cheaper? The SU-4 or the Sb30? I was looking at the SU-4 specs.. it did not say anything abt supporting the Sb80, so I'm abit skeptical. BTW, can the built-in flash of teh D100 trigger the Sb80 remotely? Please help... This function of the combi I cannot figure out!

I have the SU-4 which I bought last year at Cathay Photo for $125nett when I was back in Singapore for visit. I don't know about the price now.

The SU-4 is basically a light sensor that detect sudden burst of light (either from your master flash mounted on your camera or another light source). Upon detection, the SU-4 will trigger the mounted slave flash. It is independent of the brand of master flash.

Do note the following:-
(a) SU-4 triggered whenever there's a sudden flash of light. So if there are more than one photographer, then the SU-4 will keep on triggering...

(b) In bright area, the SU-4 may not detect your flash light from the master flashgun.

(c) In order to use the SU-4, you have to turn off the pre-monitoring flash on your master flashgun. The pre-monitoring master flash CAN trigger the SU-4.

(d) The power of the mounted slave flash on the SU-4 has to be set according to your requirements and the camera set to TTL mode.

[e_liau]

For product shots or marco shots, I don't recommend having the flash mounted on the camera. My confignation is to use the "TTL remote cord SC-17" to connect my SB-80DX and D100. Then use the SU-4 and mount another flash eg SB-28 for wireless flash.

[engineermunn]

e_liau:

That means you have

1 x D100
1 x SC-17
2 x SB-80
1 x SU-4

?????

Should I just get a cord instead? Wah..... headache...

but thanks anyway!

[e_liau]

Originally Posted by engineermunn Should I just get a cord instead? Wah..... headache...

The SC-17 is of limited length, I think it's about 1 metre or so (didn't really measure it). There is a longer one, but I couldn't remember the model. The cord is cumbersome when you want to place the flash away from the camera and the cord sort of get in the way. Good about the cord is you can buy the power bracket and you can mount the flash BESIDE your camera. This configuration is suitable when you want to take portrait shots, because your flash is always on TOP of your camera. So the cord has dual purpore but its length is the limiting factor.

The SU-4 is good if you have a master flash to trigger off it. However, it work best in a controlled environment because any stay light/flash may trigger the SU-4.

I can't remember but there's a product that's use radio frequency or infare red rays to trigger a slave flash. You suppose to mount one unit on the hotshoe of the camera, and the another on the flash. I used that while in the UK. You may like to ask around in clubsnap.

[Knighthunter]

I wonder why Mr. e-liau using SU-4 on SB 80DX? Never read the manual? SB 80DX doesn't need SU-4, it has build it IR reciever for slave function. SU-4 is for SB 28/28DX which doesn't have build in IR receiver.
BTW, are you the same person who claimed bought your D100 for 2.5k in Cathay Photo?


Engineermunn,
No need to buy extra slave flash if you want to do DIY like wat I did last time. All you need is a full exposed slide (black) and make some simple attachment to your D100 build in flash. Then set D-TTL off in the D100 custom function, since the pre-flash will trigger your slave.
Set your SB 80DX to slave mode and set it to manual, adjust the flash output.
Voila you have manualwireles flash with shoe string budget.....

The full exposed slide mounted on your build in flash will act like IR filter so it won't affect your pictures.

[e_liau]

Originally Posted by Knighthunter I wonder why Mr. e-liau using SU-4 SB 80DX? Never read the manual? SB 80DX doesn't need SU-4, it has build it IR reciever for slave function. SU-4 is for SB 28/28DX which doesn't have build in IR receiver. BTW, are you the same person who claimed bought your D100 for 2.5k in Cathay Photo?

Knighthunter, typo error, you are right, you don't need a SU-4 for the SB-80DX. Was about to correct that in my earlier thread. Yes, I was the one who bought my D100 for $2,500 while in Singapore early this year. And alot of clubsnappers doubted my claims. So be it. And what's the price of the D100 now? Profit margin for DSLR is very high. So I'm not pulling anyone leg when I claimed I bought my D100 earlier on huh?

[engineermunn]

Whoa!

THis is a revelation! I mean the fully exposed slide trick! 100% can work?

Not that I doubt you, but how can the built-in flash work like IR with the exposed slide? I'm sure it'll involve quite a bit of trial & error as well?

Does this mean that the slave flash has to be in direct line-of-fire of the built-in contraption?

[e_liau]

Originally Posted by Knighthunter No need to buy extra slave flash if you want to do DIY like wat I did last time. All you need is a full exposed slide (black) and make some simple attachment to your D100 build in flash. Then set D-TTL off in the D100 custom function, since the pre-flash will trigger your slave. Set your SB 80DX to slave mode and set it to manual, adjust the flash output. Voila you have manualwireles flash with shoe string budget..... The full exposed slide mounted on your build in flash will act like IR filter so it won't affect your pictures.

Actually the package for the SU-4 comes with a plastic to be mounted on the hotshoe of the camera to act as the so-call IR-filter. But I encountered a problem, the flash has to be beside the camera. If the flash is away from the camera, then the flash light from the D100 pop-up flash may not be able to reach the SB-80DX. That said, it still involve trial and error. And as I said earlier, SU-4 is recommended to be used under controlled environment.

[engineermunn]

so what's the best bet now?

Su-4 is out...

leaves Knighthunter's exposed slide suggestion and Larry's SB30 suggestion.

Unless I stick to the limiting SC-17 cord.

hmmmm....

[Knighthunter]

Originally Posted by engineermunn Whoa! THis is a revelation! I mean the fully exposed slide trick! 100% can work? Not that I doubt you, but how can the built-in flash work like IR with the exposed slide? I'm sure it'll involve quite a bit of trial & error as well? Does this mean that the slave flash has to be in direct line-of-fire of the built-in contraption?

No way you can get full TTL wireless flash with Nikon system until SB800 launch in the market using DSLR. When you set the D-TTL OFF at you D100, the build in flash will fire at full blast. That's why to adjust the flash output you need to set your SB 80DX to full manual with wireless slave function on. If you take product out door you need to put the flash in front of your camera but if indoor you can put it any where but subject to the room size and distance. I play alot with my SB 80DX and SB 50DX combination using this method. I can say it works and depend on your passion and persistance to get the best result. In simple term is trial and error.......
If I can make it to SEED tomorrow and if you around with your toy I can teach how to set it up..... Do not get SU-4.

e-liau, I have nothing against you. But your advice may cause someone loose money getting gadget that not neccessary. I never use SU-4 but I know what SU-4 used for. SU-4 and SB 80X is totally irrelevant.

[e_liau]

Originally Posted by Knighthunter e-liau, I have nothing against you. But your advice may cause someone loose money getting gadget that not neccessary. I never use SU-4 but I know what SU-4 used for. SU-4 and SB 80X is totally irrelevant.

Oh, it's alright with me!! I'm just sharing my experience here. I bought the SU-4 when I am using my F5 with SB-28 and SB-22s. For my product/macro photography, I use more than 1 flash. and I do own 2 SB-80DX.

Anyway, thanks for the clarification. May i suggest you read through the whole thread to see how we arrive at the SU-4 topic?

[Knighthunter]

Forgotten to explain,
The fully exposed slides mounted on your build in flash will act like infra red filter, it will block the visible ray and let the IR pass. This IR will trigger your slave flash but your build in flash won't able to illuminate because of the reason above.

Correction due to typo........

[Larry]

Originally Posted by engineermunn Whoa! THis is a revelation! I mean the fully exposed slide trick! 100% can work? Not that I doubt you, but how can the built-in flash work like IR with the exposed slide? I'm sure it'll involve quite a bit of trial & error as well? Does this mean that the slave flash has to be in direct line-of-fire of the built-in contraption?

oh you mean using a piece of exposed slide film to block the flash and use as a IR trigger? actually, yes it works! i've rigged an old SB22 before to do it before quite some time back, with an SB28 mounted on a cheap slave unit. works fine, although the exposure needs a bit of tweaking.

[Jay]

Originally Posted by raychan Have you considered the Nikon SU-4. It offers wireless TTL flash mode. Shd be less than $200.....correct me if I am wrong.

There is also a third-party remote sensor that could trigger the flashgun remotely from the flash fired from the main gun. This unit has a built-in light sensor and in form of a hotshoe on which the remote flashgun is attached.

I have tested it with my SB25 and Vivitar 636AF as the remote and it works. The pre-flash of the main gun has to be switched off (as it triggers off the remote) and the remote gun set to Automatic and not TTL.

Seen this sensor at Konota yesterday and it cost me about $20 when I bought it from another shop then.

Hope this help too.

Cheers

[nsinggih]

Hi, sorry to jump in with slightly different question, but I find that this conversation is very close to my question.

I have a Nikon Coolpix 5700 and a SB80DX, can I use the same trick from Knighthunter to trigger my SB80DX? Or do I need to purchase a trigger like what Jay said?

Basically I want to use my SB80DX as a light source for portrait, and I want it to be located about 1.5m away from the camera, 45 degrees to the subject.

Thanks for the help.