oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

All my flash units are 30 years old and dumb so I went to best buy to get a cheap bower flash which would handle the i-TTL features of my Nikon D7100. They were order items only so I came home with a Nikon SB-700. Cheapest thing they stocked
(1) Set camera to command mode, flash to remote., bounce off ceiling.
In P, S, A, and M both pop-up and remote flash fire.
In auto, only pop-up flash fires.
Is this normal or did I miss something in the camera setup?

(2) In http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-68674-1.html MtnMan said: “I have a D5100 and it does not have the Command Mode. The SB700 works fine off camera with it. You set the SB 700 in remote mode and put it where you want. Then you take a pic with your camera flash up and the camera flash triggers the SB 700. It uses full iTTL that way.”
“…The D3100 does not have the master function for Nikon's CLS built-in….. However the SB 700 can operate as a remote flash triggered by the D3100's flash….”

I can’t get either 3100 or 7100 to trigger SB-700 in this way.
Can my 7100 (not in command mode) trigger the SB-700 in remote mode? Or do need to put the camera in command mode and use something like the Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel which attaches to the camera's flash shoe, and covers and prevents the camera's built-in flash from influencing the exposure?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Set the on-board commander to "----" or dial the power down all the way (I think you can go down to -3) . It wll still flash but shouldn't influence the lighting. I do have and use the flash panel you mention.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

The Pop-Up is only firing to send the commands to the 700 remote. It has to send the pre flash and the fire signal. It DOES then fire along with the 700, but at a VERY low level and will not contribute to the exposure unless you are REALLY close to the subject. You can block that flash if you want, but it is not necessary.

You are not the first one to think that the pop-up should not be firing - but it does.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

you gents are getting it narrowed down for me, i'll try the - - - trick but in command mode and in auto shouldn't the SB-700 in remote mode also fire?

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I guess I missed that the -700 was not firing. Yes, If the on-camera is set to "---" and the camera menu has the 700 set to any mode OTHER than "---", and the 700 itself is set to remote AND the remote is set to the same channel and group as indicated on the camera menu, it should fire.

I just checked my D7000 and when it fires the remote, the amount of light emitted by the pop-up gives a virtual black frame at f/8, just a hint of light at f/5.6 and that was with the subject at about 3 feet.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

got mt dashes and channels and remote selections and focus interlock and command mode worked out but the only time 3100 will trigger it isif its mounted on the shoe. 7100 triggers it on the shoe or in command remote configuration.

its got to be my setup. two different cameras with same problem that 3 ugly members say shouldn't exist. i trust you all more than i trust my ability to read these abominable instruction manuals. i'll go read them again...thanks for trying

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I just checked the specs on the 3100 and the pop-up flash does NOT support the Nikon CLS (Creative Lighting System) so it will never trigger a remote. Did you read the manual?

To fire a remote, you need to use the SB-800/900/SU-800.

From FP Review: "Nikon Creative Lighting system • Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-900, SB-800 or SU-800 as commander"

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

i believe you are right cap the 3100 lacks some of the 7100's flash functions.

Just found my problem. When a camera or flash in the command mode is not available then the SB-700 configured as remote will only trigger if it is set to the advanced SU-4 mode and it sees a flash from some other unit.

In that mode it fires in response to the D3100, D7100 or my SB-10 slave flash which is all i wanted in the first place.

Its mentioned in 5 different places in the instruction manual without one word of explanation as to what it is, how it works or when to use it.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

If you're just using the SB 700 as a manual slave, you are missing out on some great features that you paid for. I use my Nikon flashes in TTL mode remotely a lot and in most of the situations I shoot in, they work very well.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I was going to suggest that. I think you need to be sure the pop-up is in manual, not TTL. The TTL pre-flash will trigger the SU-4 mode before the shutter opens.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

"The TTL pre-flash will trigger the SU-4 mode before the shutter opens."
I'll check for that. Shouldn't be a problem as pictures of my relatives normally have bars in front of them.

allen finley photography Loc: Sunshine State.

goto your menu settings for the built in flash. goto commander mode/built-in flash... set mode to --, the unit now will only control your external flashes. it still has to have the on board flash unit popped up to operate but does not add any lighting to your subjects. I use this method for up to four units and have had no problems except when I forget to pop up the flash.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

You are not reading the posts - the 3100 does not support this.

allen finley photography Loc: Sunshine State.

His question refers to his D7100...

allen finley photography Loc: Sunshine State.

His question refers to his D7100...