D800E/SB910 in remote/command mode issue

Phil Kneen

Phil Kneen

New member
I'm new to Nikon, having just switched from 10 years with Canon, so forgive the idiot question!

I'm using the on camera flash as a trigger for a remote SB910, I have it in command mode and I've turned the onboard flash off as instructed, but it still fires? I'm trying to get side lighting from the remote flash, but the image is still being lit by the onboard flash. Can I avoid this or will I need to buy a separate trigger?

Thanks!

www.philkneen.com
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
So you have the flash in 'remote' and the camera in command mode and have you adjusted the onboard flash out put??

Set the pop up to -- in commander menu, then it will only pre-flash.
 
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W

WayneF

Senior Member
Phil Kneen said:
I'm new to Nikon, having just switched from 10 years with Canon, so forgive the idiot question!

I'm using the on camera flash as a trigger for a remote SB910, I have it in command mode and I've turned the onboard flash off as instructed, but it still fires? I'm trying to get side lighting from the remote flash, but the image is still being lit by the onboard flash. Can I avoid this or will I need to buy a separate trigger?

Thanks!

www.philkneen.com
Click to expand...


The camera internal flash serves two functions, a conventional flash unit, and/or a Commander to control remote units.

Used as Commander, it MUST STILL FLASH COMMAND SIGNALS to the remote flashes. These occur just BEFORE the shutter opens and will not affect your exposure (they can cause human subjects to blink however). But unless disabled, the internal flash will also serve as a conventional flash unit, and CAN CONTRIBUTE to your exposure.

Each group is controllable. The Commander menu has a group for the builtin flash. You can change the MODE of that internal group to be "- -" which is OFF, and then it will not contribute light into the picture. The commander still must flash commands to the remote units however.

Said another way:

If Commander mode is selected and the internal flash door is open,
then IT WILL FLASH commands to the remotes (before shutter opens).

If the Commander menu for the INTERNAL GROUP IS NOT "- -", then IT WILL ALSO contribute light into your picture.

More at Using the Nikon CLS Remote Wireless Flash System
 
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Y

yauman

Senior Member
Phil Kneen said:
I'm new to Nikon, having just switched from 10 years with Canon, so forgive the idiot question!

I'm using the on camera flash as a trigger for a remote SB910, I have it in command mode and I've turned the onboard flash off as instructed, but it still fires? I'm trying to get side lighting from the remote flash, but the image is still being lit by the onboard flash. Can I avoid this or will I need to buy a separate trigger?

Thanks!

www.philkneen.com
Click to expand...

Yes, the firing is a low level light pulse from the camera to communicate with with remote SB910 - it's wireless communication by morse code flashing on/off!!! That's the reason for the system to work you must have a clear line of sight between the camera and the remote SB910! Look at the left side of the SB910 - you'll see an opening covered with a dark red lens -that's the sensor and must have a line of sight to the camera. That's why also the head can be twisted 180 deg - you'll need to do that if you have to put the light on your right side. Indoors is not much of a problem as enough stray bounced light can reach the sensor but outdoors, especially in the sunlight, triggering is quite problematic.
 
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