firing SB800 while using Metz76

[Oz_Beachside]

if I have a Metz 76 on a D200, mounted on bracket, TTl to hotshoe, can I somehow trigger remote SB800/600's?

Wondering if I use the Metz76 as a main light, very strong, get a good bounce off a wall, I still want to rim light (or hairlight) with a remote sb800, can I get the SB800 to fire from the Metz? Or would I have to use the onboard to trigger the SB800s?

Thinking to use the remote SB's on manual, and since the Metz76 would occupy the hotshoe, other trigger options via the hotshoe are out.

This line of thinking, is that I could get more use out of the power of the metz76, rather than using an SB800 on camera bracket, triggering to remotes.

Just wondering if anyone has fired an SB800, with a Metz 76 (or 70) on board?
thanks
Oz

[Paul]

Set your SB-800 to SU-4 mode, it will then fire when "any" flash is fired which means other camera flashes will fire it.
You'll then have to manually adjust the power output on the SB-800 to suit your location shoot as you will lose all i-TTL functions.
Good luck and have fun with the remote flash mode!

[Oz_Beachside]

thanks.

Do you know if the SB-600 has an SU-4 mode? I am looking through the manual, but cant see it?? Wondering if it needs a "NIkon Signal" from a camera flash, or another SB-800?

regards,
Oz

[Paul]

Oz,
The SB-600 does not have the internal menu option for selecting the SU-4 mode unlike the SB-800.
However you can buy a SU-4 module to attach to your SB-600 hotshoe to allow for this option.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=201231&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

[Yi-P]

thanks.

Do you know if the SB-600 has an SU-4 mode? I am looking through the manual, but cant see it?? Wondering if it needs a "NIkon Signal" from a camera flash, or another SB-800?

regards,
Oz

I dont think the SB600 has the SU4 mode.

SU-4 modes put the flash as a slave flash and any flash unit without a preflash can trigger it. As long as it sees a short burst of flash, it will fire.

I think this is one of the features in SB800 only.

As Paul mentioned, you can get the slave unit from stores.

[Oz_Beachside]

if I knew that when buying the SB600, I wouldnt have. WHat a piece of crap, new flash, and they leave out a basic slave from any flash feature (marketing trying to force us to stay with nikon CLS, not other brand friendly).

Might have to rethink a Metz76. I just wanted it for its power output... and complement it with 1 SB600 (already own), and get another SB800.

Might go in and check one out today.

[Reschsmooth]

Oz, I run a SB800 and Metz 45CL4 (non-digital). I often use the SB800 via hotshoe (either directly or via SC29) and run the Metz via a slave or long synch cable.

Basically this means that you don't run the Metz via TTL, but the SB600/800 via TTL.

I hope that makes sense.

Cheers

P

[Oz_Beachside]

Oz, I run a SB800 and Metz 45CL4 (non-digital). I often use the SB800 via hotshoe (either directly or via SC29) and run the Metz via a slave or long synch cable.

Basically this means that you don't run the Metz via TTL, but the SB600/800 via TTL.

I hope that makes sense.

Cheers

P

thanks, makes sense. I wanted to use the more powerful metz76 as main, close to lens axis (on bracket) and SB's as rim lights, background lights etc.

[Reschsmooth]

Oz, I run a SB800 and Metz 45CL4 (non-digital). I often use the SB800 via hotshoe (either directly or via SC29) and run the Metz via a slave or long synch cable.

Basically this means that you don't run the Metz via TTL, but the SB600/800 via TTL.

I hope that makes sense.

Cheers

P

thanks, makes sense. I wanted to use the more powerful metz76 as main, close to lens axis (on bracket) and SB's as rim lights, background lights etc.

To the extent that the length of the SC29 is sufficient, you can still run the Metz on the bracket using the pc-synch and the SB600/800 TTl via the SC29. If it isn't long enough, umm, send your Metz through to me and I will see what I can do