SB800 manual mode

[Escapism]

Hi all

Is it just me or is the manual for the SB800 very difficult to digest?

I am simply trying to shoot off camera flash in manual mode, with a view to allowing me to manually vary the flash output intensity. I have experimented and read (and re-read) the manual and Im just getting more confused. As such, could anyone PLEASE help out....

1. What mode do I put the camera (D300) in for non TTL remote flash (SU4???)?

2. What mode do I put the flash in?

3. How do I change the output intensity...?

Really big cheers for any help anyone might be able to give me.

[digitor]

Do you want to trigger the SB800 with the D300 built-in flash? If so, set the D300 flash to manual, and the SB800 to SU4 (slave) mode, it will then trigger when it sees the D300 flash. Set the SB800 to manual output, and change the output level by using the +/- buttons.

If you use the D300 TTL flash mode, it will fire the SB800 with the pre-flash (a bad thing).

Cheers

[Escapism]

Sorry I should have mentioned that I am using the onboard flash to trigger the SB800.

So are you saying I should NOT set the flash on the D300 to Commander mode but rather leave it as Manual?

[digitor]

You can use the (needlessly overcomplicated) CLS mode if you like, to control the remote SB800. In that case, set the D300 flash in Commander mode, and set the output of your SB800 through the options there. Set the SB800 as described starting at p76 of its manual. It works, but I find it a lot easier to use Pocket Wizards

Cheers

[Escapism]

Yeah PW's would be great...just not something I can justify at the moment. What you have explained is not really what I am after....I will try and explain things a bit better...

Camera set to 250th (max synch speed) at F16

Dark room with very little ambient light...as such, shot is very dark if no flash is used, which is exactly what I want...now:

I want to:

Add one flash behind subject at half power and one off to the left at 1/4 power.

TTL doesnt do that, it simply blows light everywhere (and the on camera flash adds to the light as well)

How is this best done?

[digitor]

See your D300 manual, p294. Don't use TTL, but use manual and set the power of the SB800s using the options in the Commander menu.

Personally, I think it's a lot easier to use SU4 mode, and set the power on the flashes using the +/- button. Just make sure to dial your D300 flash down enough so it doesn't have an undue influence on your exposure, but it still triggers the SB's reliably. They are quite sensitive indoors in SU4 mode.

Cheers

[aim54x]

gah this is the second time today that i have typed and submited a reply and it didnt work.

I was going to suggest setting up the pop up flash as commander and then setting its mode to '--' so it wont contribute and then setting the group A to 'M' mode so you can manually control it. Then all you have to do is set up the SB-800 to Group A and make sure your on the right channel and away you go.

If your indoors then I dont think you will have any issues using CLS, I have only had trouble with it outdoors at night over distances of 5-6m. SU-4 will work as well but you cant really delete the pop up flash effect.

[Jeff]

Hi
Not wishing to hijack this post,but I have not been able to come to terms with the operation of the SB800 other than very basic settings. Can you guys suggest some reading matter or DVD that explains it all in simple terms so that a dummy like me can understand.
Thanks
Jeff

[Mr Darcy]

gah this is the second time today that i have typed and submited a reply and it didnt work.

Ditto. I put in a reply to this thread that is not here now.

You can use the Popup in manual and set the SB800 to SU-4 to remote as mentioned above. This is not a good idea if others are using flash in the vicinity. Otherwise it will work fine for one flash

Or you can set the popup to Commander, SB800 to remote and control the SB800 from the camera. It is a bit of a pain as the commands are buried in the bowels of the menu (D200 at least) but it is very versatile & allows full control of multiple flashes from the camera (this is particularly handy if a flash is out of reach e.g. taped to the ceiling), and allows for multiple flash users in the vicinity. Just remember that the camera and flash need to be on the same channel (1..4) and you need to control the group (A..C) that the flash is set to.

and then setting its mode to '--' so it wont contribute

Not necessarily. If the subject is highly reflective, you will still get some impact from the P/U in the result. Use a card to block the light if this is an issue. My Avatar had the P/U set to --, and as you can see, there is still a significant impact in the photo - Camera was pointing straight at a mirror.

I have not been able to come to terms with the operation of the SB800 other than very basic settings.

I think Thom was going to do an eBook on this. Not sure if he ever did. My advice is to just play.
Or maybe we need a workshop run on the subject.

[Aussie Dave]

Can you guys suggest some reading matter or DVD that explains it all in simple terms so that a dummy like me can understand.
Thanks
Jeff

THIS video tutorial may be of interest

[digitor]

and then setting its mode to '--' so it wont contribute

Not necessarily. If the subject is highly reflective, you will still get some impact from the P/U in the result. Use a card to block the light if this is an issue. My Avatar had the P/U set to --, and as you can see, there is still a significant impact in the photo - Camera was pointing straight at a mirror.

Nikon has an IR filter (SG-3IR) available to block the visible light from the popup flash to stop this effect. I've heard it said that a piece of exposed and processed colour film works as an IR filter, although I haven't tried it.

Cheers

[Mr Darcy]

Nikon has an IR filter (SG-3IR) available to block the visible light from the popup flash to stop this effect. I've heard it said that a piece of exposed and processed colour film works as an IR filter, although I haven't tried it.

I have. It works well, but these days a piece of card is easier to come by; and as the issue was using an SB800 remotely rather than unwanted flash reflections, I didn't feel the need to go into detail. (BTW I wanted the flash lit up in my avatar)

[Escapism]

Can you guys suggest some reading matter or DVD that explains it all in simple terms so that a dummy like me can understand.
Thanks
Jeff

THIS video tutorial may be of interest

That video is the exact method I was trying to actually change. He is using TTL via the CLS...I wanted remote strobe using completely manual flash output. The good news is, I grabbed a glass (or 3) or wine and spent the evening experimenting with a couple of speedlights and a D300...long story short, I have worked it out and am now 100% confident I can manipulate any number of remote strobes either via SU4 on flash or in commander mode via the camera menus. Works a treat!! Thanks for all your help folks.

[Jeff]

Thanks for the link.
Has anybody read the e-book on the SB800 by Mike Hagen if so what did we think of it.

Jeff