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I'm new at flashes so this question might sound dumb. I understand I can remotely trigger the SB-600 flash over wireless using my D80 built in commander, but does my built in flash have to fire in order for the remote flashes to work?

scoobydoo

Hi ScoobyDoo,
Yes, this is how the two flashes communicate. Although it will seem like they are both going off at the same time the exposure is taken, if you watch closely (and quickly), there is a very small gap between the flashes and the SB600 will take the final flash (which is during the exposure).

To try and dumb it down (for want of a better description), it happens something like:

D80: sends flash to SB600 to tell it to take a test fire
SB600: test fires
D80: meters during the test flash and determines how much flash is required, then sends a final flash to the SB600 to tell it to flash again and by how much
SB600: flashes appropriately and the camera takes the exposure at the same time.

This all happens extremely quicky.

This might not be 100% accurate but it gives you an idea on how they work together.

Ah thanks Aussie Dave for the quick reply. That was easy to understand.

Now I just need to look for a reasonable price SB-600. I'm still trying to justify the price difference between the SB-400 and SB-600 ($100 vs $400)

Yeah i'm also on the hunt for reasonably priced SB600. Just in case you weren't aware - after making 50 posts you can usually gain access to the 'bargains' section of DSLRUsers - read the FAQ on this. You'll definitely get a better price than $400.

I also note that a website has the flash for about US$180 + at least $40 postage (B&H Photo). (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... light.html)

Otherwise as other members have brought to our attention, the SB400 is currently at Teds Camera stores on sale for $119 (http://www.teds.com.au/www/6/1001102/di ... 1229_.html) - where was your $100 price from?

Yup I saw that SB-400 at Teds too. Oh sorry I was roughly using $100, maybe should have written ~$100.

Wow thats actually pretty good price on bhphoto on that SB-600. Thanks to the strong Aussie dollar.

D-D photographics have the sb600 listed at $259. and the 800 at $439, haven't bought from them before but I believe a few people here have. they are in north sydney

http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/nikonslracc.htm

You can only tilt a SB400 0-90 degrees from the axis of your lens. SB-400 cannot run remotely and has no manual or any mode than Auto. (Except that I think it can be run on manual with the D40 via menu.)

With SB600, you can tilt AND ROTATE 0-90 and -180 to +90 from your lens axis, respectively.

In short, the SB600 gives you much more control over how you want your light to fall and allow you to bounce your flash on the ceiling if you are taking a portrait oriented shot, you can't with SB400.

Yup. I think the SB-600 is probably what I'd go for. I'll put that on my list for next month's purchase. I just bought some filters this month. I'm trying to hold back on my spending. Who knew this hobby was expensive.

I have an SB-400 and a SB-800, but I take the SB-400 everywhere I go. I only use the SB-800 for weddings and events as I find the SB-400 does what I need in most situations. Not being able to rotate the head towards the ceiling for portraits isn't too bad when you've got a wall to bounce off.

Can anyone confirm if you can use the SB-400 with the SC-28/29 cable, I can't see why not, then you can get the sb-400 off camera and have all sorts of angles to play with, while still keeping TTL functionality.

The SC-28 works with the SB-400

Can I ask, are there any substantial differences between an SB-600 and a Sunpak PF 30 X?

brentsky wrote:Can I ask?

You can.

And you may.

And you have.


To help answer your secondary question, what specific Nikon functionality does the Sunpak support? That would, I suspect, form a large part of the answer to the question you didn't actually ask.

thankyou!

im shy

in any case, the Sunpak supports D-TTL, i-TTL, and TTL flash compatability. I suppose the wireless function (and possibly build quality) sets them apart?

With the SB-900 out and the cheap prices on the SB-800 I would definately stretch for a SB-800, I own a SB-400 (good for casual stuff, beats the pop up), a SB-600 (picked up CHEAP off a mate, I use this as an off camera flash) and a SB-800 (the flash I use the most, it seems to find its way into my kit whenever I take a flash out with me).

Back on topic, you can set the commander flash (your pop up) not to contribute to the overall lighting but it will still set off your SB-800/600, I have done this on numerous occaisions.