Talk to me about Nikon's Creative Lighting System

StewartR

StewartR

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I'm a Canon user and I'm an available-light photographer, so I don't really understand flashes and I really don't understand Nikon flashes. But I'm looking at buying some flash equipment for hiring out, so I'd appreciate some help from Nikon users.

The main question I have is about controlling off-camera flashes.

I know the SB-900 can be used as a master, and I don't really care about the lesser flash units such as the SB-700 because I won't bother buying any. (Or should I? And if so, which ones and why?)

But what if you don't want to use an external flash like the SB-900 as the master? Do you need an SU-800 speedlight commander? Do some Nikon bodies have the flash controller built-in, and if so which ones? Is there anything that only the SU-800 can do?

Thanks for your help.
 
StewartR said:
I'm a Canon user and I'm an available-light photographer, so I don't really understand flashes and I really don't understand Nikon flashes. But I'm looking at buying some flash equipment for hiring out, so I'd appreciate some help from Nikon users.

The main question I have is about controlling off-camera flashes.

I know the SB-900 can be used as a master, and I don't really care about the lesser flash units such as the SB-700 because I won't bother buying any. (Or should I? And if so, which ones and why?)

But what if you don't want to use an external flash like the SB-900 as the master? Do you need an SU-800 speedlight commander? Do some Nikon bodies have the flash controller built-in, and if so which ones? Is there anything that only the SU-800 can do?

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

Nikon D300, D700, D90 (I'm assuming) D7000 bodies can use the pop up flash as controller. The D3/s/x has no pop up so needs something to act as controller (not sure about the d3000,d5000 etc)

Personally I wouldn't bother with an SU-800 and would use another SB-900 as controller, but others may differ
 
Thanks Hugh.

Any more from anyone else?
- Can we develop a list of exactly which bodies do and don't have the capability to act as a flash controller?
- Are there any reasons (other than cost) why one might want to use a unit other than the SB-900?
- Is there anything the SU-800 can do that the SB-900 and/or the camera bodies can't do?
 
D70, D80, D90, D7000, D200, D300, D300s, D700 all can do built in flash commander. Nothing else can, notably the D40, D60, D3000, D3100, D5000.
- Are there any reasons (other than cost) why one might want to use a unit other than the SB-900?
- Is there anything the SU-800 can do that the SB-900 and/or the camera bodies can't do?
Click to expand...

su-800 is a hardware device, makes it easier to adjust power levels without diving into menus.

Doesn't offer a vast amount over the sb900 other than it's a bit easier to use, buttons-wise, and it 100% doesn't contribute to the exposure 9can be a good or bad thing with the sb900).

if you're trying to put together a kit like your canon kit...two sb900's and an su800 will be what you want.
 
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StewartR said:
Thanks Hugh.

Any more from anyone else?
- Can we develop a list of exactly which bodies do and don't have the capability to act as a flash controller?
Click to expand...

Built-in Commander mode - body list

  • D3x - No
  • D3s - No
  • D3 - No
  • D700 - Yes
  • D300s - Yes
  • D300 - Yes
  • D200 - Yes
  • D7000 - Yes
  • D90 - Yes
  • D80 - Yes
  • D70 - Yes
  • D5000 - No
  • D3100 - No
  • D3000 - No

NB. Bodies with built-in Commander mode can control either one or two groups. SU-800 can control three groups and has four different channels.
 
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StewartR said:
- Are there any reasons (other than cost) why one might want to use a unit other than the SB-900?
- Is there anything the SU-800 can do that the SB-900 and/or the camera bodies can't do?
Click to expand...

The SU-800 is small and light compared to the SB-900 (which is big and heavy). It's quicker to set up and it doesn't use pre-flash.
  • SU-800 = 5.6oz (160g)
  • SB-900 = 14.6oz (415g)
 
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As Dave says, I'd get the SU-800 and SB-900.

I'd also get some SB-700 guns for those who don't want the size & weight of the SB-900.
 
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