Help with off camera flash: This ones a simple question for the hogs. I have a D90 and an SB800. I am looking at pocket wizards. To trigger the flash can I get a single unit for on the...

sjrw Loc: Gunnislake, Cornwall, UK

This ones a simple question for the hogs.
I have a D90 and an SB800.
I am looking at pocket wizards.
To trigger the flash can I get a single unit for on the hot shoe to trigger the SB800s built in wireless slave function, or do I need two units - one for the flash as well.
I am hoping that the answer is the cheaper version...
Thanks in advance.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

sjrw wrote:

This ones a simple question for the hogs.
I have a D90 and an SB800.
I am looking at pocket wizards.
To trigger the flash can I get a single unit for on the hot shoe to trigger the SB800s built in wireless slave function, or do I need two units - one for the flash as well.
I am hoping that the answer is the cheaper version...
Thanks in advance.

You do know that the pop up flash can control the SB 800, right?
http://shouldigetit.com/2011/11/01/how-to-use-nikon-creative-lighting-system-cls-nikon-d90-nikon-sb600/
The above link is for the SB 600 but the camera menu is the same.

The SU-800 commander unit is more powerful and emits only infrared
-you can use it outside in full sun.

I have been looking at the Youngou YN 622N lately.
http://www.amazon.com/Yongnuo-YN-622N-Wireless-Trigger-Transceivers/dp/B00CXM03D2
Does ttl and will do High Speed sync as well.

Cheap fix is this $15 shoe-mounted panel from Nikon, if you are in a small area:
http://www.adorama.com/INKSG31R.html?gclid=CLyh4rmd87gCFek7MgodsRsAog

sjrw Loc: Gunnislake, Cornwall, UK

I have done that but I want to cut out the on camera flash.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

sjrw wrote:

I have done that but I want to cut out the on camera flash.

Why?? The on camera flash does not affect your exposure. Exposure will be based upon settings for off camera flash units. You also know that your can vary the exposure setting when using more than one flash, don't you? I use two off camera flash units and never had a problem with built in flash affecting exposure.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

If you set the D90's flash Mode to "--" it won't contribute much to the final exposure but a low-level 'trigger' flash can be seen in the final image under some conditions. Put the $15 flash panel I gave a link for and that will take care of it. The slight delay still bugs me a bit though.

The Pocket Wizard still needs a receiver as Nikon flash unit slaves don't work with radio.

brokeweb Loc: Philadelphia

I hope my comment contributes to this feed...I HATE FLASH!!. My reasoning is that why spend all that money to purchase a flash unit and spend MORE money to control it where you pay less money to use lighting that you can easily control?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

brokeweb wrote:

I hope my comment contributes to this feed...I HATE FLASH!!. My reasoning is that why spend all that money to purchase a flash unit and spend MORE money to control it where you pay less money to use lighting that you can easily control?

You must either be one of those "natural light" photographers who doesn't know how to use flash or your subjects don't need it. (landscape, etc)
Mother nature and schedules rarely cooperate with a deadline.

DavidT Loc: Maryland

sjrw wrote:

This ones a simple question for the hogs.
I have a D90 and an SB800.
I am looking at pocket wizards.
To trigger the flash can I get a single unit for on the hot shoe to trigger the SB800s built in wireless slave function, or do I need two units - one for the flash as well.
I am hoping that the answer is the cheaper version...
Thanks in advance.

To answer you original question... you will need two PocketWizards. One on the camera and one attached to your flash. Your flash does not recognize the radio signals coming from the PW mounted on your camera.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

GoofyNewfie wrote:

You must either be one of those "natural light" photographers who doesn't know how to use flash or your subjects don't need it. (landscape, etc)
Mother nature and schedules rarely cooperate with a deadline.

AMEN GOOFIE!

99.765% of the people who "hate flash" don't know how to use it.

I dare you to get an image like this with natural light. Cannot be done. This is with the Nikon SB-800 in a Chimera collapsible beauty dish. Triggered by Pocket Wizards.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

CaptainC wrote:

AMEN GOOFIE!

99.765% of the people who "hate flash" don't know how to use it.

I dare you to get an image lid this with natural light. Cannot be done. This is with the Nikon SB-800 in a Chimera collapsible beauty dish. Triggered by Pocket Wizards.

Not bad for a rookie!
:wink:
( you are the master!)

sjrw Loc: Gunnislake, Cornwall, UK

DavidT wrote:

To answer you original question... you will need two PocketWizards. One on the camera and one attached to your flash. Your flash does not recognize the radio signals coming from the PW mounted on your camera.

Thanks. There's a lot of information on here. This answered my main question. I crank the ISO in low light and have been in places where flash is a no no. I am just not good enough at bouncing and getting the light I want or need.

sjrw Loc: Gunnislake, Cornwall, UK

CaptainC wrote:

AMEN GOOFIE!

99.765% of the people who "hate flash" don't know how to use it.

I dare you to get an image like this with natural light. Cannot be done. This is with the Nikon SB-800 in a Chimera collapsible beauty dish. Triggered by Pocket Wizards.

If only I could get a shot like that my life would be complete. Great capture.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

sjrw wrote:

If only I could get a shot like that my life would be complete. Great capture.

In my opinon, Cliff didn't just capture it, he created it.
Lighting makes up half of the word Photogaph.

mikeyatc Loc: Reno,NV/Folsom,CA

sjrw wrote:

This ones a simple question for the hogs.
I have a D90 and an SB800.
I am looking at pocket wizards.
To trigger the flash can I get a single unit for on the hot shoe to trigger the SB800s built in wireless slave function, or do I need two units - one for the flash as well.
I am hoping that the answer is the cheaper version...
Thanks in advance.

Two Pocket Wizards are needed.

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

CaptainC wrote:

AMEN GOOFIE!

99.765% of the people who "hate flash" don't know how to use it.

I dare you to get an image like this with natural light. Cannot be done. This is with the Nikon SB-800 in a Chimera collapsible beauty dish. Triggered by Pocket Wizards.

Wow! Have you considered offering workshops
Captain C?