Will Canon wireless trigger work with Nikon kit?

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simonhodge

Senior Member
I have noticed that wireless triggers are sold as "for Nikon" or "for Canon" but i was wondering would one that is supposed to be for a Canon camera actually still trigger a Nikon flash?

Thanks

Simon
 
Berkerk

Berkerk

Senior Member
They are sold that way as the connectors are different. Normally it's just an interchangeable cable. Even within Nikon there are variations. So you need to buy specifically for your camera.
 
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simonhodge

Senior Member
Thanks Berkerk. I am new to flashing ;) so sorry for the simple questions. Am i right in thinking that if you use the hot shoe you dont need the cable? I dont understand what you are saying though about cables.
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
Simon...what berkerk is trying to say is that both systems are proprietary. That is, Nikon flashes work with Nikon cameras, and Canon flashes work with Canon cameras. They're designed that way. Canon flashes won't work on Nikon cameras, and vice versa. Likewise for the cables used with these two different systems.
 
Berkerk

Berkerk

Senior Member
I can't see what model camera you have with the way I access the forum, so can't advise you fully but wireless triggers connect to the camera via a cable that plugs into the port on the side of your camera (behind the flap).
There's a lot to this subject but I'm assuming that you're wanting to do off camera flash? Do you have a flash yet? Do you want to do manual flashing or TTL/automatically metered flash? All of these questions will determine the type of trigger required.
Personally I wanted to get into flash on the cheap, so I bought a manual flash (Yongnuo 560 - £60) and basic triggers (YN-603 - £20). These allow me to do what I want but require some set up whereas more expensive kit with TTL (through the lens) would be simpler and faster to use.
 
Berkerk

Berkerk

Senior Member
fotojack said:
Simon...what berkerk is trying to say is that both systems are proprietary. That is, Nikon flashes work with Nikon cameras, and Canon flashes work with Canon cameras. They're designed that way. Canon flashes won't work on Nikon cameras, and vice versa. Likewise for the cables used with these two different systems.
Click to expand...

Umm no Jack we're talking triggers here.
Triggers for manual flashes will work with either manufacturer; with the right cable. However, triggers that use TTL are manufacturer specific, as the metering information is different.
 
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simonhodge

Senior Member
Sorry i guess more info would be good. I currently have a Sony but am changing to Nikon (long story that we dont really need to get into now). I have a couple of Yongnuo flashes that are for Nikon system which i have bought in advance. I have been asked to do a photo shot sometime in the next few months and will being using flashes as it will be indoor and i want to start playing around with my kit before I get the Nikon camera so that i can hit the ground running. My plan would be to buy a Calumet/Phottix wireless system that i can start playing about with. I intend to use the transmitter in the hot shoe (dont worry i have an adaptor for the Sony hot shoe) so am thinking that i wont need cables. Is this right or am i totally wrong?

Thanks

Simon
 
Berkerk

Berkerk

Senior Member
If you are using manual flashes (Yongnuo make manual and TTL models) then the triggers you need will connect to the camera via a cable. The cables are cheap and can be purchased separately so you could play around with them before your "upgrade". The triggers only tell the flash that a shutter release has been made and that they should pop now, power and zoom settings are made manually on the flash.
As I only have manual flashes I can only guess that TTL triggers will work from the hotshoe directly, however, I don't think you'll be able to try them out on your Sony even with the adaptor as the TTL systems are different. TTL will tell the flashes the metering and give them settings to use as well as popping instructions.
Hope this helps, if not give me model numbers of flashes and triggers and we'll see what we can do! ;-)
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
Berkerk said:
Umm no Jack we're talking triggers here.
Triggers for manual flashes will work with either manufacturer; with the right cable. However, triggers that use TTL are manufacturer specific, as the metering information is different.
Click to expand...

Yup, my mistake. I read it wrong. :) I thought he was wanting to use a Canon flash in a Nikon hot shoe. Hey.........it was early morning, OK? I was four thirds asleep! :)
 
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simonhodge

Senior Member
Thanks again guys. I know the TTL wont work until i have it all on my new Nikon. At the moment i am happy to just use manual and use the wireless trigger to simply do that. Up until now all i have been doing it using Master-Slave and try to shield the pop up flash so as not to have it be part of the photo more than an optical trigger.

I'm going to go and get "Nikon" wireless triggers and give it a go. If they dont do what i want its ok as i was going to buy them eventually anyway. I'll let you know how i get on.

Simon
 
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simonhodge

Senior Member
Update: It works! Due to me currently using a Sony i had to buy a £7 adaptor for the hot shoe and then slotted in the Calumet transmitter. I then attached the YongNuo YN-467 i-TTL for Nikon to the Calumet reciever and it fired perfectly! Now i'm going to drive everyone mad with all my off camera flash shots!

To be honest it did take a couple of attempts though as on AUTO mode it pops up the on board flash. I had to change into manual mode but then i should really be using the camera in manual mode all the time anyway!
 
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Berkerk

Berkerk

Senior Member
Simon, if, you'd given that information earlier I could have helped you better. What you've done there is buy a TTL flash and a non-TTL trigger (as they state at the bottom of the web page that you linked). It will allow you to pop the flash but not transmit metering information from the camera to the flash. If that's all you wanted to do then you could have saved yourself some money on the flash and just bought the 460ii or 560 manual flashes.
 
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simonhodge

Senior Member
Its ok Berkerk, i had bought the 467 as a cheap TTL for when i get the D7000 to work along side the SB900 i also plan to buy. I also have a 460. The 467 wasnt much more than the 460 anyway, i think only about £10 from memory.
 
Berkerk

Berkerk

Senior Member
Ok, glad you're happy with your purchase. Although there's little point in buying a SB900 if you're not going to utilise the TTL metering.
 
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simonhodge

Senior Member
I fully intend to use TTL metering once i get the Nikon. The Calumet system i got is to get me going and to have a relieable back up once i get the Nikon as i know there will be times i may not be able to use the CLS. I suppose ideally something like power wizards would be better but just more than i wanted to spend. I guess i could have bought a cheaper wireless non-TTL system off ebay but i wanted to get something i knew was good.
 
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