CLS set up SBx00 vs SU800

SK617

SK617

Messages
703
Name
Scotty
Edit My Images
Yes
OK,
Hopefully my SB28's and the other bits I have on ebay will go today, with the proceeds from this I am looking at getting another SB900.

In a few weeks I have a job lined up that will be paying for either another SB900, SB600 or SU800.

my question is would you rather have 3x SB900 or 2xSB900 & a SU800

I am using a D700 so I have the comander function built in, just thinking SU800 for a bit more versatility.
 
Personally I'd just get 3 SB-800s.

BTW with a D700 you don't need an SU-800 at all. But an SB-800 mounted will do just as well as a Commander.
 
as nice as the 'real' controls on the su800 are, I think I'd go for the 3* sb900s, that way you've got three lights that you can use in a pinch on CLS, using built in as commander -though use it too often and you'd probably find yourself wanting a su800 as well!.
 
itsdavedotnet said:
as nice as the 'real' controls on the su800 are, I think I'd go for the 3* sb900s, that way you've got three lights that you can use in a pinch on CLS, using built in as commander -though use it too often and you'd probably find yourself wanting a su800 as well!.
Click to expand...

:agree:

The built-in Commander is a pita to use, the SU-800 is expensive for a "non-flash" though...
 
I have to say I am swaying towards 3x 900's, if I need the extra oomph of the SU800 i can use a 900 on master mode!
 
SK617 said:
I have to say I am swaying towards 3x 900's, if I need the extra oomph of the SU800 i can use a 900 on master mode!
Click to expand...

My reasoning behind getting an SU-800 over another SB-900 was that the 900 will still emit a flash of light and although it's not supposed to have an effect on the overall exposure I'm still not 100% convinced.

That and it was about £100 cheaper :lol:
 
I would go with the flash too. Three flashes off camera controlled by the D700 is more flexible than two flashes controlled by an SU800 that is basically a duplicate of what is built into the camera anyway.
 
But can the D700 commander control 3 flashes? I have the D300 and it can only control itself, group A and group B - does D700 have a group C option?
 
barneyrubble said:
3 Flashes but in only 2 groups if i remember rightly
Click to expand...

It can control 103 flashes!

You can have 2 groups and 3 channels, the commander does 3 groups.

You can have 5 (or any number) of flashes all on group 1 channel 1, 3 (or again any number) of flashes on group 1 channel 2 and 10 (or again any number) on group 1 channel 3 it matters not :)
 
The idea is that you set your camera on group A.....

Then you can control 3 SETS of flashes. You could for example have 3 flashes on your background, 2 flashes in softboxes to one side and 2 flashes in softboxes to the other side. The three on the background would all be group 1 etc etc.

The channel thing is so that you could have 2 togs covering say a wedding. One tog uses group A the other channel B then you don't set off each other's flashes.

The extra channel available on the SU800 would allow 3 togs to cover the same event!


EDIT: woops corrected channel/group thing in first two paragraphs, did have it the right way round in the third one though hence the confusion. Just to explain you can set the power for each group so the rear lights could be full power with the front at a lower setting.
 
Without group C though via the built in commander, theres a lot less flexibility.Especially since you need to have separate control of each if you have say a key, a fill and a background or hair light. That wouldn't work if they were all set to group A for example, would it?
 
cowasaki said:
It can control 103 flashes!

You can have 2 groups and 3 channels, the commander does 3 groups.

You can have 5 (or any number) of flashes all on group 1 channel 1, 3 (or again any number) of flashes on group 1 channel 2 and 10 (or again any number) on group 1 channel 3 it matters not :)
Click to expand...

Sorry - you seem to have this the wrong way round.

You are talking about channels, not groups.

Each Tog would have their own channel.

He then controls groups A B and C of flashes from the SU-800.

And yes, the 3 flashes was only an example as that was the specific number asked by the previous poster.
 
barneyrubble said:
Sorry - you seem to have this the wrong way round.

You are talking about channels, not groups.

Each Tog would have their own channel.

He then controls groups A B and C of flashes from the SU-800.

And yes, the 3 flashes was only an example as that was the specific number asked by the previous poster.
Click to expand...

That was a slight mix up of terms (see my next post!) yes I meant each tog would have their own channel and each set of flashes their own group. You can set the power in each group seperatly so you could have more power to the rear lights for example, then less for each front group. It was late!
 
Have a look at the dtown tv episodes on cls they explain it very well. If you down know what I am talking about just google dtown tv and search through the episodes for the three on cls/sb flashes.
 
It was late - so late I actually had to go and get mine to make sure of what I was saying :lol:

I will say that these are absolutely rubbish outside.
 
barneyrubble said:
It was late - so late I actually had to go and get mine to make sure of what I was saying :lol:

I will say that these are absolutely rubbish outside.
Click to expand...

I have found them to be ok outside but it depends on the distance and the direction.
 
barneyrubble said:
It was late - so late I actually had to go and get mine to make sure of what I was saying :lol:

I will say that these are absolutely rubbish outside.
Click to expand...


I managed nearly 60ft straight line outdoors with my SU-800/SB-900, granted we don't get anything that would pass as sunshine round here, so that may have something to do with it :lol:
 
Well guys thanks for the thoughts, The D700 does only do 2 groups with the built in flash.
I may go for the 3 flash option anyway, I read in JM's 'Hot shoe diaries' that the SU800 fires a very 'linear' beam whereas a SB8/900 will throw it out a bit.
That might help a little outdoors and indoors with funny angles.
(and theres always the option of more flashes!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top