D200 + Metz 45CL4 (non-digital) + SB800

[Reschsmooth]

Howdy all,

I currently have the D200 + 45Cl4 and will hopefully be getting the SB800 in a couple of weeks.

I am planning on doing a fair bit of off camera lighting stuff and will probably set up the inbuilt flash in commander mode for the SB800 which may then remotely fire the Metz.

Now, the Metz can be fitted with TTL functionality via SCA adaptors. However, I understand this can't be done in conjunction with the above set-up for the SB800.

I guess I have two ambiguous questions:

1. Compared to the SB800 on camera, does anyone have a view on the Metz if I was to get the relevant SCA adaptors as an alternative flash on camera (I don't think I will have i-TTl capabilities as the Metz is not the digital version) or would the compatibility between camera and SB800 provide a better on-camera solution? I guess the simple version of the question is: is SB800 with i-ttl better than Metz with ttl?

2. Off camera, does anyone know if I can run a sync chord to the Metz and simultaneously use the in-built flash to fire the SB-800? (I have a remote sensor/trigger for the Metz, but I am concerned that the pre-flashes of the inbuilt flash will fire it prematurely unless I can shield the sensor from the inbuilt flash).

Many thanks and apologies for the ambiguity.

Cheers

P

[wendellt]

technically i can't give you any light oin this

but for 2.

i have seen a number of photogra[phers use a combination metz and standard speedlight either attached via remote cord to camera(metz to camera) and speedlight attached to hotshoe

or speedlight attached or pop up flash firing the metz

see setup here
photographer uses metz for bounce flash lighting and the speedlight is used for fill

[Reschsmooth]

Thanks Wendell,

Unless I have done something wrong, it appears that I can't use the pop-up flash as commander for the SB800 (which I got last weekend ) whilst running the Metz via the synch chord. So, my options will therefore be:

1. I am picking up a 16ft (what's that, 5m?) synch chord tomorrow so I can place the Metz well off camera and use the SB800 on camera.
2. Try to arrange the slave trigger for the Metz to only pick up the flash from the remote SB800 and not 'see' the pre-flashes of the pop-up flash in commander mode.
3. Buy another SB800/600 and run one in commander mode on camera, the other in remote mode off camera and the Metz off camera via the synch chord.

I will aim for options 1 or 2 first to try to get the most of what I have.

Any feedback would be well appreciated - I am still learning the joys of flash, particularly off camera (I would love to spend more time reading the strobist blog).

CHeers

P

[gstark]

Patrick,

You should be able to disable the pre-flashes from the built-in flash, and thus use that as the commander, and drive the 45 as a slave.

I would be aiming to use the camera in A mode, rather than iTTL.

[Reschsmooth]

Thanks Gary, I will give it a shot.

P