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I would like to remotely control my off camera flash with my on camera flash. I am not looking for a separate remote unit like packetwizard. I would like the remote built in the flash itself. Canon has the 600EX-RT with a remote in the flash. You can filly control the off camera flash with the on camera Canon flash. Currently Nikon doesn't have a flash like this however I am wondering whether there is any Chinese made flash unit with features similar to the Canon 600EX-RT.

You can get a radio trigger that will convert the optical messages from the flash to wireless relay them to the other flash and then feed them into that flash as optical messages, so the Nikon iTTL system still works as it normally would.

For the life of me I can't think of their name, but I've seen Dave Black use them in a sports photography video.

What's your objection to using something like a Pocket Wizard? These tools are very reliable, and work very well.

They also permit greater flexibility, and will work across pretty well any strobe head that you throw at them.

If Canon are using the onboard flash to control the remote flashes then it is using an optical system NOT a radio system.
Choose one. Either Radio OR controlled by the onboard flash.

Almost any of Nikon's flashes will do remote triggering controlled by the onboard flash. See the SB900,800,700,600 and their variants.

Pocket Wizard have their Flex system - the TT5, TT1 and AC3 which I use with a mixture of SB900 and 800s. I originally bought the PWs for outdoor use where the Nikon optical system is less reliable. Since i find the AC3 easier to use than the Nikon interface, I use it all the time now even for studio work where the Nikon system is 100% reliable..

Phottix do a compatible flash system (Mitros) that is cheaper than Nikon, and some reviews I have seen claim it is better. They also do a radio system similar to the PWs that preserves iTTL information called Odin. I haven't seen any reviews of it. But generally Phottix is highly regarded in the "off brand" market. I suspect in a few years they will become one of the major players in this arena.

Greg, the new Canon 600 flashes have built in optical AND radio communication.

Wink wrote:Greg, the new Canon 600 flashes have built in optical AND radio communication.

OK I stand corrected, but the radio subsystem is NOT being controlled by the on board flash.

I guess that depends on your definition of "on camera flash." I assume the OP is talking about having a speedlite on the camera to communicate to another speedlite. If it's referring to the pop up flash found on some models then you're right. It will only work in optical mode.

You can put the ST-E3-RT transmitter on the camera to control the 600 series too.

I like the fact that canon gives you this as an option. It doesn't interest me perse but the fact they make one and are thinking about it is admirable. Personally I prefer separate controllers like my cybersyncs. They work with any flash and any body and work just as well as PW's for half the price. I just use old nikon sb28's that I got cheap on eBay. I also love that I can slide my commander on any camera body and it controls the flashes seamlessly.




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The advantage of this is it offers full control of the flash(es) from the camera as well as being ETTL capable rather than just a simple trigger.

I have the PW Flex/Mini systems and I think it's fantastic. If this in built capability was available when I bought my gear then I probably would've skipped the PW gear.

True if you want ettl, there are options like radiopopper that do that too. I just dot like the idea of my triggers being tied to a system. I like the flexibility of using it on anything cos I do shoot lots of different cameras.

I'm also not big on having a large flash unit mounted either.


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gstark wrote:What's your objection to using something like a Pocket Wizard? These tools are very reliable, and work very well.

They also permit greater flexibility, and will work across pretty well any strobe head that you throw at them.

It makes everything more complicated. I am a wedding photographer. I don't have time to waste my time with wireless remotes.

Mr Darcy wrote:If Canon are using the onboard flash to control the remote flashes then it is using an optical system NOT a radio system.
Choose one. Either Radio OR controlled by the onboard flash.

Almost any of Nikon's flashes will do remote triggering controlled by the onboard flash. See the SB900,800,700,600 and their variants.

Pocket Wizard have their Flex system - the TT5, TT1 and AC3 which I use with a mixture of SB900 and 800s. I originally bought the PWs for outdoor use where the Nikon optical system is less reliable. Since i find the AC3 easier to use than the Nikon interface, I use it all the time now even for studio work where the Nikon system is 100% reliable..

Phottix do a compatible flash system (Mitros) that is cheaper than Nikon, and some reviews I have seen claim it is better. They also do a radio system similar to the PWs that preserves iTTL information called Odin. I haven't seen any reviews of it. But generally Phottix is highly regarded in the "off brand" market. I suspect in a few years they will become one of the major players in this arena.

It is not true. Canon 600EX uses radio....

Mr Darcy wrote:

Wink wrote:Greg, the new Canon 600 flashes have built in optical AND radio communication.

OK I stand corrected, but the radio subsystem is NOT being controlled by the on board flash.

Yes, it is. Check the 600 version.

Rooz wrote:I like the fact that canon gives you this as an option. It doesn't interest me perse but the fact they make one and are thinking about it is admirable. Personally I prefer separate controllers like my cybersyncs. They work with any flash and any body and work just as well as PW's for half the price. I just use old nikon sb28's that I got cheap on eBay. I also love that I can slide my commander on any camera body and it controls the flashes seamlessly.




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I used to have the small nikon flashes. They are awesome for the money you pay for them. They bring back good memories!

Wink wrote:The advantage of this is it offers full control of the flash(es) from the camera as well as being ETTL capable rather than just a simple trigger.

I have the PW Flex/Mini systems and I think it's fantastic. If this in built capability was available when I bought my gear then I probably would've skipped the PW gear.

Yes, I agree! Even if it makes the camera/flash system more expensive...

Rooz wrote:True if you want ettl, there are options like radiopopper that do that too. I just dot like the idea of my triggers being tied to a system. I like the flexibility of using it on anything cos I do shoot lots of different cameras.

I'm also not big on having a large flash unit mounted either.


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Me, neither... LOL It can be complicated when you have 4 seconds no more to take the picture.

What Gerg was getting at, was the fact that the on board (pop up) flash is not RF even when used in conjunction with the 600RT, you need either another 600RT or an ST-E3.

Back to the OP's question you can always use the Phottix Mitros+ combined with either an ODIN Transmitter or with second Mitros+, very much the same situation with the Canon 600RT.

Unfortunately the Mitros+, ODIN and Strato TTL solutions are all linked back to either Nikon, Canon or Sony for TTL to work, so there is no cross brand compatibility.

agreed cam. if you're a one system shooter, the proprietary ttl restrictions are largely irrelevant.