Nikon flash question ??

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Archive 2009 · Nikon flash question ??

dgcrane
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p.1 #1 · Nikon flash question ??

OK, I have been trying to figure this out for a while....

setup :

Nikon D3, sb-900 off camera in commander mode attached to the camera with a PC sync cord. sb-600 off to the side set in remote mode Channel 1 group A.

My goal was to be able to fire both the 900 and 600 in M mode.

Can this be done ? If so how, since I cant get the 600 to fire

Adding an optical slave to the 600 would work I guess......

Thanks
dgcrane

Nov 13, 2009 at 10:45 PM

Two23
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p.1 #2 · Nikon flash question ??

Why are you attaching SB-900 with sync cord? Which sync cord is it--a regular cord or a NIkon TTL cord? Optical triggers don't have much more range than CLS does, and you have to be careful what kind you get. The older style will be set off by the iTTL preflash. Also, to use optical on SB-600 you will need to buy a hot shoe with PC connection. If you are just just using flash and camera in M mode, buy some radio triggers such as RF-602. Apparently there are new radio triggers coming out very soon that also support iTTL (TR-331, not JrX or PW, something newer and cheaper.)

Kent in SD

Edited on Nov 13, 2009 at 11:25 PM · View previous versions

Nov 13, 2009 at 10:58 PM

Timm
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p.1 #3 · Nikon flash question ??

If you're using a Nikon TTL cord to link the 900 to your camera, you should have full control of both flashes from the SB900. I use a similar set-up frequently for studio product work, and it works fine. The only problem is having to set the flashes from the SB 900 which is remote from the camera. If you're using only two flashes, it's much more convenient to use the pop-up flash as the commander--then you have full control of both flashes from the camera. The only time I use the commander flash off-camera on cord is when I need to control more than 3 groups of flashes.

Oh, crap--you're shooting one of those crappy D3s with no pop-up flash--guess you're stuck with it!

Nov 13, 2009 at 11:05 PM

dgcrane
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p.1 #4 · Nikon flash question ??

A sync cord is all I have for off camera. I bought a pc sync cord from flashzebra. I have two
softboxes and two flashes.... No popup commander flash on camera

I didn't think it would be hard to fire both flashes in manual mode. The 900 fires great with the sync cord....

Nov 14, 2009 at 12:42 AM

Timm
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p.1 #5 · Nikon flash question ??

Yes, the 900 fires in manual just fine using the PC cord, but it won't work as a commander. Break down and spend the bucks for an iTTL sync cord, and your problems are solved.

SC-28 off-camera sync cord: $55 ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300477-REG/Nikon_4765_SC_28_TTL_Off_Camera_Shoe.html ).

Being able to control multiple flashes in any mode from a single unit: Priceless.

PS: If it's possible to use the SB600 in SU-4 wireless mode, then you should be able to use it in manual or non-TTL auto with the SB900 on a PC cord as the trigger flash. The SU-4 mode mimics an old-school light slave: It fires the flash when it sees another flash.

Nov 14, 2009 at 10:37 PM

Avi B
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p.1 #6 · Nikon flash question ??

SB600 does not have SU4 mode. SB800 and SB900 do.

Nov 14, 2009 at 11:31 PM

dgcrane
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p.1 #7 · Nikon flash question ??

i am trying to work with what I got... which I feel is a lot

I now have a super crappy sb-15 connected via sync cable in one softbox... the 900 on camera firing the sb-600 remotely.

I believe this will fufill my needs for now.

Thanks for taking the time to write.

dgcrane

Nov 14, 2009 at 11:37 PM

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