What are the remote flash trigger options for D850

[RussE]

Hello,

I am just getting back into photography after a 12 year absence. I just purchased a used D850 and a used SB-900 flash. I'm hoping to find out what all options are available to me to remotely trigger the speedlight. I know I can buy an SU-800 speedlight commander. I've also read that you can trigger a speedlight with another speedlight. Does it have to be the same model? I feel like I had a pocket wizard before, but I just can't recall. Are pocket wizards still a possibility?

Thanks in advance

 

[David Lal]

I'm hoping to find out what all options are available to me to remotely trigger the speedlight. I know I can buy an SU-800 speedlight commander. I've also read that you can trigger a speedlight with another speedlight. Does it have to be the same model? I

I don't have a D850 nor SB900. I do however have a D750, two other Nikon DSLRs, SB800, SB26 (x3) flashguns, several other non-Nikon flashguns and make my own electronic triggers etc. So, I like and use flash a lot.

I believe you can trigger the SB900 with a SB800 or SB700 on-camera but not a SB600 or SB400. All that said, rather than Nikon CLS, I tend to prefer optical triggering with the target flashgun(s) set up in what I call autoranging mode in which the gun itself, not the camera, decides when enough light has been generated and reflected back.

Typically, I'll be using either the popup flash on the camera in TTL mode talking to one or more SB26s set up in autoranging mode. Very old school but it works well for me. Ihave a variety of cable and flash triggers too.

You might find this article of use:

https://photo.stackexchange.com/que...850 does not,control an off-camera speedlight.

Fox illuminated with remote SB26 triggered by SB400 on D750, 28-105mm lens.

By the way, the fox did not mind the flash at all.

 

[Topi]

As David wrote, in addition to an SU-800, you can use an SB-900, SB-800 and SB-700 for remotely triggering another SB flash, with the3 Nikon CLS system controlling the flashes/exposure. CLS is optical, so the flashes to be triggered must be visible from the camera.

You can also use a simple radio transmitter/receiver set by manually setting the flashes to suitable output in case you need to trigger flashes that are not visible from the camera, e.g. a number of flashes in the corners of a room, with bouncing the light off the ceiling. I'm not sure whether the A mode as descfribed by David would work in such a scenario.

As far as I know, the new Nikon flashes no longer use optical triggering for remote flashes, but they are also rather expensive.

-Topi

 

[David Lal]

I'm not sure whether the A mode as described by David would work in such a scenario.

I don't have any radio triggers so I cannot test this myself. However, as far as I know, this "A" mode should work regardless of how the flashgun be triggered. I have, for instance connected a remote flashgun with a cable and the A mode (sometimes called S1 or S2 mode, I think?) did work.

Modern flashguns with all the bells and whistles are indeed terribly expensive (and rather complicated). My decades old SB26s were about GBP£50 each on Ebay. They've got the optical triggering built in and a delayed flash facility. I tend to prefer them to my SB800.

 

[Topi]

I'm not sure whether the A mode as described by David would work in such a scenario.

I don't have any radio triggers so I cannot test this myself. However, as far as I know, this "A" mode should work regardless of how the flashgun be triggered. I have, for instance connected a remote flashgun with a cable and the A mode (sometimes called S1 or S2 mode, I think?) did work.

Modern flashguns with all the bells and whistles are indeed terribly expensive (and rather complicated). My decades old SB26s were about GBP£50 each on Ebay. They've got the optical triggering built in and a delayed flash facility. I tend to prefer them to my SB800.

I guess the A mode of the flash would work with radio triggers as well, as long as the flash is facing the subject.

I do also have an SB-28 as well as some SB-800s, but hardly ever use the SB-28. With the flash on camera I prefer to have TTL exposure and the SB-28 does not support it with my cameras.

An SB-800 packs plenty of punch with plenty of features, and second-hand they are quite affordable. However, the user interface of is horrible.

-Topi

 

[David Lal]

An SB-800 packs plenty of punch with plenty of features, and second-hand they are quite affordable. However, the user interface of is horrible.

-Topi

.. more!

I think this is why I don't use my SB800 much. It's too difficult to set it up then remember what I did.

 

[RussE]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[RussE]

As David wrote, in addition to an SU-800, you can use an SB-900, SB-800 and SB-700 for remotely triggering another SB flash, with the3 Nikon CLS system controlling the flashes/exposure. CLS is optical, so the flashes to be triggered must be visible from the camera.

You can also use a simple radio transmitter/receiver set by manually setting the flashes to suitable output in case you need to trigger flashes that are not visible from the camera, e.g. a number of flashes in the corners of a room, with bouncing the light off the ceiling. I'm not sure whether the A mode as descfribed by David would work in such a scenario.

As far as I know, the new Nikon flashes no longer use optical triggering for remote flashes, but they are also rather expensive.

-Topi

Much appreciated

 

[RussE]

Good to know. Thanks

 

[fotowbert]

Hello,

I am just getting back into photography after a 12 year absence. I just purchased a used D850 and a used SB-900 flash. I'm hoping to find out what all options are available to me to remotely trigger the speedlight. I know I can buy an SU-800 speedlight commander. I've also read that you can trigger a speedlight with another speedlight. Does it have to be the same model? I feel like I had a pocket wizard before, but I just can't recall. Are pocket wizards still a possibility?

Thanks in advance

Least expensive way to optically trigger the SB900 off-camera is to use its "SU-4" built in dumb optical trigger mode. In this mode the SB900 will fire when it sees the light from some other flash. Since the D850 does not have a built-in pop up flash you will need to put a stand alone flash in its hot-shoe. This can be an inexpensive thrift store manual flash or something you already may have but you should be aware of this trigger voltage issue and cameras with electronic flash sync circuits.

The very expensive Nikon SU800 controller is IMO a unwise option because Nikon has abandoned their CLS AWL smart optical wireless system and gone to RF (Radio Frequency) triggering. You can get the superior radio triggering from 3rd party vendors for way less money.

Least expensive way to use radio triggering would be a pair of basic manual radio transceivers like my YongNuo RF-603II units for about $40 US. These are usually sold in pairs with an included remote shutter cord. You want the "N1" package with the Nikon 10 pin connector . The SB900 will be in manual power mode and you will need to set the power level on the back of the flash.

Pocket Wizard are still around but the lower end of the market is now dominated by the highly affordable Chinese Godox brand radio triggers and their compatible speedlights and studio strobes. I surprised the Godox option hasn't been mentioned yet.

Godox's X1R-N is a receiver you can put under your SB900 giving it remote TTL auto exposure and remote manual power control from one of their receivers like the X2T or XProII for Nikon cameras. However if you are planning on more serious off-camera flash work in the future consider reserving your SB900 for on-camera use and instead of the X1R go with one of the Godox flash units. That's what I have done with my two SB600s. There's lots of options in the Godox universe and the holiday deals on Adorama's Flashpoint rebranded Godox gear was too good to pass up this year.

• John

--
"[If you don't sweat the details] the magic doesn't work." Brooks, F. P., The Mythical Man-Month, Addison-Wesley, 1975, page 8.

 

[RussE]

Hello,

I am just getting back into photography after a 12 year absence. I just purchased a used D850 and a used SB-900 flash. I'm hoping to find out what all options are available to me to remotely trigger the speedlight. I know I can buy an SU-800 speedlight commander. I've also read that you can trigger a speedlight with another speedlight. Does it have to be the same model? I feel like I had a pocket wizard before, but I just can't recall. Are pocket wizards still a possibility?

Thanks in advance

Least expensive way to optically trigger the SB900 off-camera is to use its "SU-4" built in dumb optical trigger mode. In this mode the SB900 will fire when it sees the light from some other flash. Since the D850 does not have a built-in pop up flash you will need to put a stand alone flash in its hot-shoe. This can be an inexpensive thrift store manual flash or something you already may have but you should be aware of this trigger voltage issue and cameras with electronic flash sync circuits.

The very expensive Nikon SU800 controller is IMO a unwise option because Nikon has abandoned their CLS AWL smart optical wireless system and gone to RF (Radio Frequency) triggering. You can get the superior radio triggering from 3rd party vendors for way less money.

Least expensive way to use radio triggering would be a pair of basic manual radio transceivers like my YongNuo RF-603II units for about $40 US. These are usually sold in pairs with an included remote shutter cord. You want the "N1" package with the Nikon 10 pin connector . The SB900 will be in manual power mode and you will need to set the power level on the back of the flash.

Pocket Wizard are still around but the lower end of the market is now dominated by the highly affordable Chinese Godox brand radio triggers and their compatible speedlights and studio strobes. I surprised the Godox option hasn't been mentioned yet.

Godox's X1R-N is a receiver you can put under your SB900 giving it remote TTL auto exposure and remote manual power control from one of their receivers like the X2T or XProII for Nikon cameras. However if you are planning on more serious off-camera flash work in the future consider reserving your SB900 for on-camera use and instead of the X1R go with one of the Godox flash units. That's what I have done with my two SB600s. There's lots of options in the Godox universe and the holiday deals on Adorama's Flashpoint rebranded Godox gear was too good to pass up this year.

• John

Very Much appreciated John, I went ahead and ordered PocketWizards TT1 and TT5. I found them used in excellent condition for $68 shipped.

 

[PMB]

Hello,

I am just getting back into photography after a 12 year absence. I just purchased a used D850 and a used SB-900 flash. I'm hoping to find out what all options are available to me to remotely trigger the speedlight. I know I can buy an SU-800 speedlight commander. I've also read that you can trigger a speedlight with another speedlight. Does it have to be the same model? I feel like I had a pocket wizard before, but I just can't recall. Are pocket wizards still a possibility?

Thanks in advance

I have a D850. I had purchased an SB-900 prior to acquiring the D850. Later, after getting the D850, I picked up a SB-5000. I can only remote trigger the SB-900 via an optical trigger. I used to remote trigger the SB-900 from the pop-up flash on my D7000. The D850 has no pop-up flash, nor does it generate an optical flash trigger. The SB-5000 can respond to either a radio trigger or an optical trigger. I also picked up a WR-R11a and WR-T10 to remote fire the D850 and to remote trigger the SB-5000. I can use both the SB-900 and the SB-5000 with the D850. I tend to put the SB-900 on camera and remote trigger the SB-5000 via the WR-R11a. All good.

I suppose I could have the SB-900 optically trigger the SB-5000 but I haven't tried that so far - haven't needed to.

Peter

 

[RussE]

Nice, thanks for the reply