Talk to me about flashguns?
Discussion
Dark Arts!
For simplicity (although that's only relative, when it comes to the Nikon CLS system) I would be tempted to keep to the Nikon SBs.
I have two SB-800s which get a fair amount of use, but I have to confess I need to dive into the manual nearly every time I try and work out how to control one as a master and one as a slave!
The newer SBs (the SB 900 and 910 at least) are much better at having controls on the 'gun rather than being buried in some stoooopid menu system
Plus - haven't you a built in pop-up-jobbie? From the look of the D800 details I reckon that it's getting a lot easier to control the SBs remotely.
For simplicity (although that's only relative, when it comes to the Nikon CLS system) I would be tempted to keep to the Nikon SBs.
I have two SB-800s which get a fair amount of use, but I have to confess I need to dive into the manual nearly every time I try and work out how to control one as a master and one as a slave!
The newer SBs (the SB 900 and 910 at least) are much better at having controls on the 'gun rather than being buried in some stoooopid menu system
Plus - haven't you a built in pop-up-jobbie? From the look of the D800 details I reckon that it's getting a lot easier to control the SBs remotely.
Have a look at the "Flash" tutorial (It's s p o k e n v e r y s i m p l y for Americans!) http://www.nikonusa.com/fileuploads/Digitutor/D800...
2 minutes in it gives you a quick look at the menu system for controlling remotes. Presumably the D7000 is similar (does RTFM help? Has it even got this covered in the manual?)
Depends also on what you want to do.
There's one particular photographer that makes it all seem very simple and I have had some success with his techniques - search for a guy called Uzair Kharawala - for example: this
2 minutes in it gives you a quick look at the menu system for controlling remotes. Presumably the D7000 is similar (does RTFM help? Has it even got this covered in the manual?)
Depends also on what you want to do.
There's one particular photographer that makes it all seem very simple and I have had some success with his techniques - search for a guy called Uzair Kharawala - for example: this
Ari said:
Thank you. Yes, it has the pop up jobby, does that help?
Unless they've changed it recently it's called Commander Mode. The built-in flash fires just before the exposure and triggers the external flash. It doesn't contribute to the exposure.However it requires the external flash to be able to detect the flash from the camera - OK indoors but limited outside. Then you need a radio system.
Simpo Two said:
K12beano said:
mm - disagree somewhat, as it relies on IR and line of sight.
Radio isn't infra-red and goes 360...And, yeah, but no, but yeah, but no.... infra red and radio are the same but different. And Radio set ups are generally more reliable in lots of circumstances but, depending on OPs intended uses, Nikon built in CLS is a clever bag of tricks to try out first.
Certainly the cheaper option, yes, and light/IR can bounce around a room surprisingly well. But doesn't bounce outdoors. I found that using a SB800 in commander mode in a park was very hit and miss.
Having said that I think off-camera flash (unless you're in a studio setup) is a bit overrated. A bounced on-camera flash is very handy and much easier to use/set up - as long as there's something to bounce it off of course!
Having said that I think off-camera flash (unless you're in a studio setup) is a bit overrated. A bounced on-camera flash is very handy and much easier to use/set up - as long as there's something to bounce it off of course!
Simpo Two said:
Unless they've changed it recently it's called Commander Mode. The built-in flash fires just before the exposure and triggers the external flash. It doesn't contribute to the exposure.
However it requires the external flash to be able to detect the flash from the camera - OK indoors but limited outside. Then you need a radio system.
That's very cunning!However it requires the external flash to be able to detect the flash from the camera - OK indoors but limited outside. Then you need a radio system.
I need it for photography in small spaces where I might need to add some light in another area so the flash would likely be out of line of sight with the camera. Hmmm...
Ari said:
That's very cunning!
I need it for photography in small spaces where I might need to add some light in another area so the flash would likely be out of line of sight with the camera. Hmmm...
Outdoors, the receiver of one flash has to be able to see the flash from the other unit because there's no other way to know it's fired. But inside things are easier - it will (should) pick up the 'flash' even if the other unit is in a room.I need it for photography in small spaces where I might need to add some light in another area so the flash would likely be out of line of sight with the camera. Hmmm...
Simpo Two said:
Outdoors, the receiver of one flash has to be able to see the flash from the other unit because there's no other way to know it's fired. But inside things are easier - it will (should) pick up the 'flash' even if the other unit is in a room.
That's great, thank you for explaining.Currently thinking about this just because all the reviews suggest it's really easy to use, although I could really do with spending somewhat less.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-4809-SB-910-Speedlig...
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