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pc sync terminal on SB-800 won't fire flash
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<blockquote data-quote="WayneF" data-source="post: 239398" data-attributes="member: 12496"><p>OK, I may not get the picture of your setup, although I think I do.</p><p></p><p> What is a mini-slave? I suspect it is an optical slave? Which is only for manual flash, incompatible with the Commander - because if it triggers, it will likely trigger from the early Commander command signals, before the shutter opens. </p><p></p><p>Any PC cord device will not trigger the SB-800 in Remote mode, which has disabled its own PC port (in Remote mode). It could trigger the SB-800 in manual mode (real Manual mode, the mode called M on the menu), but the slave would be triggered before the shutter opens (if from the commander), so it would be useless to the picture.</p><p></p><p>So I think there are two reasons it cannot work as is. Trying to trigger optical slave from commander, and trying to use SB-800 PC port in Remote mode.</p><p></p><p>Selecting Manual in the Commander menu is a manual power level, but it is still Commander, and not remotely like real Manual mode. It is still incompatible if mixed with manual optical slaves, or manual light meters, etc.</p><p></p><p>The Commander will still put out early flash commands to transfer that menu's manual power level info to the flash, which will trigger optical slaves too early, before the shutter opens. We just cannot mix systems that way. We need to choose one and go with it, either Commander or Manual flash equipment.</p><p></p><p>If you need the flash to be hidden (where commander cannot trigger it), I think the only way is to turn the commander off, and switch to "real" manual mode IN ALL GEAR. There are no cables in the Commander system. If you really need the cord to get into the hidden area, the slave could trigger the mode called M on the SB-800 menu (but too early and useless if triggered by the Commander).</p><p></p><p> But better yet, the SB-800 has its own optical slave (a really excellent sensitive one), called SU-4 mode. Just select SU-4 instead of Remote, and then (what I do is "tap" the power button) switch to its second menu, where you select Manual and set its manual power level. </p><p></p><p> SU-4 mode is an excellent optical slave trigger (for manual flash systems). Its sensitivity will very likely trigger anywhere in the room, even if hidden, because optical slaves are triggered from the full final flash, instead of a weak command flash. Its sensor is the same red port on the side by battery door - optimally it is aimed at the triggering flash, but normally not very important in most rooms. But it is for manual flash systems, and incompatible with the Commander. </p><p></p><p> So then, you will need to trigger some other manual flash some other way, to then trigger this slave. Camera internal flash IN MANUAL MODE (at low power level) could do that. But not as Commander.</p><p></p><p>Or could run PC sync cord from camera to SB-800. D7000 will need a hot shoe PC sync adapter, Nikon AS-15 is an excellent one. (still manual mode).</p><p></p><p>Or could use radio trigger (still manual mode).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="WayneF, post: 239398, member: 12496"] OK, I may not get the picture of your setup, although I think I do. What is a mini-slave? I suspect it is an optical slave? Which is only for manual flash, incompatible with the Commander - because if it triggers, it will likely trigger from the early Commander command signals, before the shutter opens. Any PC cord device will not trigger the SB-800 in Remote mode, which has disabled its own PC port (in Remote mode). It could trigger the SB-800 in manual mode (real Manual mode, the mode called M on the menu), but the slave would be triggered before the shutter opens (if from the commander), so it would be useless to the picture. So I think there are two reasons it cannot work as is. Trying to trigger optical slave from commander, and trying to use SB-800 PC port in Remote mode. Selecting Manual in the Commander menu is a manual power level, but it is still Commander, and not remotely like real Manual mode. It is still incompatible if mixed with manual optical slaves, or manual light meters, etc. The Commander will still put out early flash commands to transfer that menu's manual power level info to the flash, which will trigger optical slaves too early, before the shutter opens. We just cannot mix systems that way. We need to choose one and go with it, either Commander or Manual flash equipment. If you need the flash to be hidden (where commander cannot trigger it), I think the only way is to turn the commander off, and switch to "real" manual mode IN ALL GEAR. There are no cables in the Commander system. If you really need the cord to get into the hidden area, the slave could trigger the mode called M on the SB-800 menu (but too early and useless if triggered by the Commander). But better yet, the SB-800 has its own optical slave (a really excellent sensitive one), called SU-4 mode. Just select SU-4 instead of Remote, and then (what I do is "tap" the power button) switch to its second menu, where you select Manual and set its manual power level. SU-4 mode is an excellent optical slave trigger (for manual flash systems). Its sensitivity will very likely trigger anywhere in the room, even if hidden, because optical slaves are triggered from the full final flash, instead of a weak command flash. Its sensor is the same red port on the side by battery door - optimally it is aimed at the triggering flash, but normally not very important in most rooms. But it is for manual flash systems, and incompatible with the Commander. So then, you will need to trigger some other manual flash some other way, to then trigger this slave. Camera internal flash IN MANUAL MODE (at low power level) could do that. But not as Commander. Or could run PC sync cord from camera to SB-800. D7000 will need a hot shoe PC sync adapter, Nikon AS-15 is an excellent one. (still manual mode). Or could use radio trigger (still manual mode). [/QUOTE]
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pc sync terminal on SB-800 won't fire flash
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