D2Xs V D200 Remote SB800 / 600 Flash advice needed

[Hudo]

Guys,

With the D200 I can with the inbuilt flash use the wireless flash comander mode setting to remotley fire multiple SB800 and SB600 flashes. Can the D2Xs do this since there is no inbuilt flash? Or do you need to use another SB 800 on the camera hot shoe or the SU800?

Help !!!

Thanks,

Mark

[daniel_r]

Mark,

Thats right. You'll need either a SB800 or SU800 to act as a commander on the D2Xs to use the Wireless/CLS flash.

When I need to use the wireless trigger functionality on my D2H (same flash system), instead of using a SB-800 attached directly and solely for the purpose of trigger other flashes, I connect my main SB-800 off camera via the SC-29 hotshoe cable, and run the SB-800 on the end of the cable as the commander. This method still gives me the off camera capability while still wireless triggering flash #2 (SB-600) without the need to purchase a third flash.

This set up may or may not work for you though depending on your shoot requirements.

[PiroStitch]

Bingo got it in one. Or if you have one of the SB2x range of speedlights, you can set the SB800 on SU-4 and trigger it. Obviously this will go off if it detects other flashes in the vicinity.

Have a look at my Sweeney Todd photos. I took them using a 580EX on the 5D, but the rear lighting was lit up using the SB-800 on SU-4.

[Hudo]

Hey,

Thanks Daniel you answered my question. The SC29 cable may be a cheaper solution. However then limits your lighting setup so another SB800 may be needed.

Wayne yes I did see your pics. I have been using remote flash set ups on the D200 for the past 12 months with various result. We have been shooting models outdoors with this setup as it'd been a cheaper option than buying a battery pack mono block system. When indoors we can take our mono blocks, soft boxes and the other multitude of lighting gear we have but it's hard work. I like the flexability of the SB units and have several small stands and mounts to accomadate them.

Maybe a trip and another SB800 tonight $500 V $1600 for a battery pack and head. If money was not in question considering I have 2 x SB800 and a SB600 as well as the triggering system for mono blocks what would serve me best?

Thank for the quick reply.

Mark

[PiroStitch]

IMHO, if you already have 2 x SB800 and 1x SB600, you have more than enough to do a fair bit of creative lighting similar to studio lighting. Consider getting the SC29 as well to trigger the SB800 off camera and have the rest set up as slaves. Experiment with that setup until you really hit the wall then you can justify getting the battery pack and head.

I haven't worked with that many lights outdoors, but Wendell has. I remember his Fred Bare shoot on the beach involved 3 SB800s strapped together which worked a treat.

[Hudo]

We do a fair bit of it outdoors and indoors (away from our studio). I have a model and car to shoot tomorrow and outdoor model shoot on Sunday. Monday we have Promo pics to shoot for 2 of the shows for the Comedy Festival. I'm out of breath lol.. So I'm trying to always maximise our results. Maybe the D200 which is very adequate will just be used for any wireless flash setups.

Some times too much is just that. Last night in the studio shooting with a model we spent the last 30 minutes just using one mono block and a snoot. Keeping it simple and expertimenting with shadows. We are always learning and isn't that the fun part with what we do?

Mark