Silverrails

I have a Nikon Speedlight SB800, and looking for a Master Controller for Off-Camera Flash, to put on my Nikon D3300 Crop-Sensor Camera, recommendation Please.
Thank you.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Check out Godox equipment. You'll need a transmitter and receiver.
--Bob

John Kwas Loc: Eagle Bridge, NY

I find discussion about flash timely. After many years of photography I pretty much have avoided using a flash. I recently acquired a used SB-800 hoping to become somewhat proficient at using it before a wedding next year. I'm a bit confused when it comes to the need of using controllers like Godox. I have a D610 and D500. Am I correct that I can use them off camera without additional gadgets only using built in wireless Nikon settings?

tcthome Loc: NJ

Most likely but, check your manuals for your cameras & flash. I shoot a D810 & own a SB700. I only used a coup It will need to see the infrared signal if I'm correct.e of times but, both were off camera.

tcthome Loc: NJ

You might just need the trigger if you get the Godox trigger for Nikon equipment.

leftj Loc: Texas

I don't know if there is a dedicated controller for the SB 800. I recently Purchased a good used SB800 from a friend. I noted that it can also be a controller so I plan to just get another SB800 and see how that works.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...I have a D610 and D500..." John Kwas you can use your SB-800 on camera for both however the D500 lacks a built in flash to provide native remote control for the SB-800. The good news is the D610's has a built-in flash (guide number of 12/39 m/ft, @ ISO 100). It can easily trigger the SB-800 though limited to "line of sight"

You mentioned a need to photograph a wedding event. Please keep in mind that for events off-camera flash units typically require a lighting assistant. Commercial Wedding Shooters carry professional liability insurance since even with a lighting assistant accidents can happen. Freestanding lighting is a high risk scenario, please keep this in mind.

Should you wish to use your D500 to trigger remotes you might consider picking up a used Nikon SU-800 unit. It works much better than a built in flash and it's user interface is nearly identical to the one native to the D610.

Here is a link to a previously own SU-800 unit (condition 9 still in box) on B&H with over 200 reviews.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/410490/reviews?

Best advice? Start with your D610 as a trigger for the SB-800. Once you reach a comfort level here then you'll be able to make educated decisions on how best to move forward.

Hope this helps John or is at least food for thought.
All the best on your journey.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Infrared does not work well in bright daylight.

If you are inside and have line of sight between camera and off camera flash use the built in camera flash as the controller. You can get some interest and pleasing light with this configuration.

I miss have a built in flash on a camera body.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Silverrails the Nikon D3300 does not have CLS Commander mode.
You'll need a solution like the Nikon SU-800 (which provides CLS Commander support for the D3300.)
Then you can use your SB-800 Off Camera

Or other third party solutions.
Please be certain to test before you purchase third party kit (or purchase from a vendor that allows returns)

Sorry I don't have experience with the D3300, however I do have experience with the SU-800 and you can download its user's manual from Nikon's web site.
https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/264/SU-800.html

Hope this helps silverrails

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

In-camera control is infrared, line of sight and nearby. Remote controllers using radio waves reach out several hundred feet and around corners. You put it’s transmitter on your camera and the receiver on your flash.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

Canon, Nikon, and Sony - and probably others, have OEM units that can talk to each other. Pocket Wizard is excellent when you want to mix units from different manufacturers. The latter can be something of a challenge to balance the light for different situations when you’re mixing flashes from different sources.

Silverrails

So, you will have an SB800 on Camera and Off Camera?
Will that On Camera SB800 affect the the Off Camera SB800 providing the proper exposure?
Please Let us know your results with this Flash combination

leftj Loc: Texas

Don't have the second SB800 yet so will be awhile but I assume since Nikon says it will act as a Master then I think that's what it will do.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"So, you will have an SB800 on Camera and Off Camera?
Will that On Camera SB800 affect the the Off Camera SB800 providing the proper exposure?..."

Silverrails just set the on camera SB-800 to Commander Mode, make sure to select an appropriate channel and group to transmit on and set the off camera SB-800 as a Remote. Be certain that both SB-800 are using the same channel and group to communicate on. So yes they will provide iTTL, or Manual if you wish.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Just a comment on distance. As mentioned, the IR doesn't work well in bright light and you lose distance fast if you have your commander set up and off camera flash farther away. That is why Nikon upped their game going to radio control option (and firing around corners!) on the SB-5000 speedlight.

An after market radio control trigger for the SB-800 is a good purchase. The SB-800 is just as powerful as the SB-5000 IMHO.

I have Nikon SB-800(2), Nikon SB-5000 (2) Godox 860s(2) use them all, and have fired all 6 simultaneously using the SU-800 Commander in close proximity.