Nikon Su-800 question
Apr 20, 2018 10:58:40 #
I have two SB-910 speedlights and one SB-700 which I use on my D7200. I know that I can use my built-in flash as a commander and also my Sb-700 as a commander.
My question is: Would an Su-800 commander have any advantages for me and if so what would it do that I can't do now with my current gear?
My question is: Would an Su-800 commander have any advantages for me and if so what would it do that I can't do now with my current gear?
Apr 21, 2018 06:31:41 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Geegee wrote:
I have two SB-910 speedlights and one SB-700 which I use on my D7200. I know that I can use my built-in flash as a commander and also my Sb-700 as a commander.
My question is: Would an Su-800 commander have any advantages for me and if so what would it do that I can't do now with my current gear?
My question is: Would an Su-800 commander have any advantages for me and if so what would it do that I can't do now with my current gear?
That unit is limited by line of site. There are many, many after market ones that are radio ones that you might want to consider.
Apr 21, 2018 06:46:37 #
An SU-800 doesn't have the flash component, only the infrared control of other flashes.
You can dial down the output of your other flashes so that they don't contribute enough to the exposure to matter.
You can dial down the output of your other flashes so that they don't contribute enough to the exposure to matter.
Apr 21, 2018 08:27:09 #
Geegee wrote:
I have two SB-910 speedlights and one SB-700 which I use on my D7200. I know that I can use my built-in flash as a commander and also my Sb-700 as a commander.
My question is: Would an Su-800 commander have any advantages for me and if so what would it do that I can't do now with my current gear?
My question is: Would an Su-800 commander have any advantages for me and if so what would it do that I can't do now with my current gear?
The only advantage I can think of is to be able to command your other flashes without an on camera light source being visible in in some reflective surface that points back at the camera. I have run into that at times when shooting a building interior with lots of glass surfaces. I can minimize my own presence in that manor, and avoid a hot spot that may detract from the image. Also handy in macro work where the macro lens casts a noticeable shadow from the little on camera flash that is too close to the lens axis. If you had a Nikon body without the popup flash it would be quite useful. But your D7200 has that little flash built in. I am sure others here can come up with more situations.
Apr 21, 2018 08:46:22 #
In my experience, the IR signal on the SU-800 is stronger than what the pop-up puts out, making it more capable.
You can control 3 groups vs 2 from the pop-up.
The menu menu system is a lot easier to use in the SU-800 as it’s right in front of you, vs having to go through the camera’s menu.
I’ve never used a speed light as a commander.
That being said, I usually use a radio transmitter system now as I sometimes mix monolights in with speedlights.
There are several good systems out there, I have Pocket Wizards at work, Phottix Odin, I tried Yongnou and didn’t like how the older model was designed, but the one I love is the Godox. It has a feature the allows you to shoot your first image in TTL mode, then convert that output manual. Works great and it’s very reasonably priced.
You can control 3 groups vs 2 from the pop-up.
The menu menu system is a lot easier to use in the SU-800 as it’s right in front of you, vs having to go through the camera’s menu.
I’ve never used a speed light as a commander.
That being said, I usually use a radio transmitter system now as I sometimes mix monolights in with speedlights.
There are several good systems out there, I have Pocket Wizards at work, Phottix Odin, I tried Yongnou and didn’t like how the older model was designed, but the one I love is the Godox. It has a feature the allows you to shoot your first image in TTL mode, then convert that output manual. Works great and it’s very reasonably priced.
Apr 21, 2018 08:47:24 #
In my experience, the IR signal on the SU-800 is stronger than what the pop-up puts out, making it more capable.
You can control 3 groups vs 2 from the pop-up.
The menu menu system is a lot easier to use in the SU-800 as it’s right in front of you, vs having to go through the camera’s menu.
I’ve never used a speed light as a commander.
That being said, I usually use a radio transmitter system now as I sometimes mix monolights in with speedlights.
There are several good systems out there, I have Pocket Wizards at work, Phottix Odin, I tried Yongnou and didn’t like how the older model was designed, but the one I love is the Godox. It has a feature the allows you to shoot your first image in TTL mode, then convert that output manual. Works great and it’s very reasonably priced.
You can control 3 groups vs 2 from the pop-up.
The menu menu system is a lot easier to use in the SU-800 as it’s right in front of you, vs having to go through the camera’s menu.
I’ve never used a speed light as a commander.
That being said, I usually use a radio transmitter system now as I sometimes mix monolights in with speedlights.
There are several good systems out there, I have Pocket Wizards at work, Phottix Odin, I tried Yongnou and didn’t like how the older model was designed, but the one I love is the Godox. It has a feature the allows you to shoot your first image in TTL mode, then convert that output manual. Works great and it’s very reasonably priced.
Apr 21, 2018 12:09:57 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
In my experience, the IR signal on the SU-800 is s... (show quote)
I also prefer radio to IR and use either Pocket Wizards or Nikons newest WR system which is limited to the SB-5000 and the D5, D500 and D850. (Works well for me as those are the three bodies I own!). I've been using this new system for about 6 months and I really like it - very flexible. I can easily add a monolight, or more, using the PW. Takes a few minutes for the setup procedure to sink in, but everything is great after that. Best of luck.
Apr 21, 2018 12:27:31 #
cjc2 wrote:
I also prefer radio to IR and use either Pocket Wizards or Nikons newest WR system which is limited to the SB-5000 and the D5, D500 and D850. (Works well for me as those are the three bodies I own!). I've been using this new system for about 6 months and I really like it - very flexible. I can easily add a monolight, or more, using the PW. Takes a few minutes for the setup procedure to sink in, but everything is great after that. Best of luck.
I love the new SB 5000!
Apr 21, 2018 13:45:28 #
I got a Debao from China for a fraction of the Nikon price and like it better. it has more range, can be rotated, and uses AA batteries. I use it with two SB-600's and with my Nikon R1 wireless speedlights. check them out on e-bay.
Apr 21, 2018 13:49:03 #
cjc2 wrote:
I also prefer radio to IR and use either Pocket Wizards or Nikons newest WR system which is limited to the SB-5000 and the D5, D500 and D850. (Works well for me as those are the three bodies I own!). I've been using this new system for about 6 months and I really like it - very flexible. I can easily add a monolight, or more, using the PW. Takes a few minutes for the setup procedure to sink in, but everything is great after that. Best of luck.
That is not a solution for OP but it's nice to know Nikon's system works well. What shame it took Nikon so long to come up with it.
Apr 21, 2018 13:57:26 #
Olonsview and goofynewfie have covered the advantages for the SU-800.
I will add I that use the Nikon flashes in SU-4 mode and dial in the flash settings manually. That works well for me. I have not had a problem with line of sight shooting indoors using multiple flashes. The flash sensor sensor can be rotated so it always gets a signal and the flashes will trigger one another so even if the camera is not line of site one of the other flashes will be. Using SU-4 mode the on camera flash must trigger and there are some disadvantages to that as stated by Olonsview.
I will add I that use the Nikon flashes in SU-4 mode and dial in the flash settings manually. That works well for me. I have not had a problem with line of sight shooting indoors using multiple flashes. The flash sensor sensor can be rotated so it always gets a signal and the flashes will trigger one another so even if the camera is not line of site one of the other flashes will be. Using SU-4 mode the on camera flash must trigger and there are some disadvantages to that as stated by Olonsview.
Apr 21, 2018 14:44:01 #
3dees wrote:
I got a Debao from China for a fraction of the Nikon price and like it better. it has more range, can be rotated, and uses AA batteries. I use it with two SB-600's and with my Nikon R1 wireless speedlights. check them out on e-bay.
I’ve read good things about that one.
Article on FStoppers here: https://fstoppers.com/gear/debao-su800-flash-commander-review-9513
eBay link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Debao-SU-800-SU800-Wireless-Speedlite-Transmitter-Commander-for-Nikon-/190879598806
Apr 22, 2018 08:04:59 #
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