Inexpensive slaves

fredjclaus

I have access to two Nikon SB-16 flashes for free. I already have the set up for mounting them on light stands and bouncing off umbrellas, but triggering them was the question. Instead of buying the expensive Pocket Wizards, will something like this work just as well? I was hoping if found the right thing to use the onboard flash as an optical trigger to set off the two slaves.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/774432-REG/Dot_Line_DL_0129_Slave_Flash_Unit_with.html

Ray Dauphinais

Fred,

I don't think a simple optical trigger will work. I'm thinking that like studio strobes the on board camera's TTL pre-flash will trigger the optical slaves making them fire before your shutter even opens.

cmason

It looks like the SB-16 has a manual mode, so I suspect an optical trigger will work fine. If it does have TTL pre-flash, you can get a slave that ignores pre-flash:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/764719-REG/Nisha_FSU_DIG_Programmable_Digital_Slave_Unit.html

Sam

Fred,

Will it work as well as Pocket Wizards? No. Will it work? Maybe sometimes, read the customer reviews.

There are a number of cheap radio triggers made by indentured Chinese children all over E-bay.

Sam

fredjclaus

Like these? I'd rather not buy from China but it seems that's all I can afford right now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230676813939?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

cmason

The Cactus one's are good, and this vendor is pretty reputable as well:


http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/cactus-wireless-flash-trigger-set-v4.html
http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/cactus-wireless-flash-transceiver-v5-duo.html

Reseller ratings: (not many ratings) http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Gadget_Infinity#

fredjclaus

http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/cactus-wireless-flash-trigger-set-v4.html
http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/cactus-wireless-flash-receiver-v4.html

If I'm reading this right, I would need both of these for my camera and my two flashes.

mstens

You need a transmitter for your camera and a receiver for each speedlight. I have a couple sets of these (switchable to trans or recv)

http://mpex.com/cactus-v5-radio-slave-set.html

Sourced from mpex. I've yet to have a mis-fire/lack of fire, where I wasn't the direct cause (flipped to the wrong channel, etc). Oh, and I still use my SB-24's and OLD v285hv with them. I'd imagine the SB-16's wouldn't be too different (not sure what their trigger voltage is)

angevin1

fredjclaus wrote: »

I have access to two Nikon SB-16 flashes for free. I already have the set up for mounting them on light stands and bouncing off umbrellas, but triggering them was the question. Instead of buying the expensive Pocket Wizards, will something like this work just as well? I was hoping if found the right thing to use the onboard flash as an optical trigger to set off the two slaves.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/774432-REG/Dot_Line_DL_0129_Slave_Flash_Unit_with.html

Fred, there are lots of choices out there. Nikon makes one too, like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/158077-REG/Nikon_3070_SU_4_Wireless_Remote_Slave.html

But really Gadget Infinity sells some decent triggers that are wireless and work quite well.


I like Gadget Infinty due to their quick answers to my questions before or even after a sell! Also they Ship fast.

I use the Seculine system: here

cmason

fredjclaus wrote: »

http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/cactus-wireless-flash-trigger-set-v4.html
http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/cactus-wireless-flash-receiver-v4.html

If I'm reading this right, I would need both of these for my camera and my two flashes.

Yes the v4 have separate transmitters and receivers, you need a transmitter for the camera and a receiver for each flash.

The V5 is new to me, I haven't used it or even seen it. It appears that they now have transceivers, so that one can act as either a receiver or transmitter, which is nice. You still need 3 however.

Art Scott

I have used Yong Nuo remote shutter releases for almost 4 yrs now...the flash triggers I referenced in the PM are not Yong Nuo as far as I know... but have been extremely reliable for me, never a not fire, as I said I really do not like hot shoe connections for flash triggers (except on camera of course)...I have used optical triggers, cheap and very expense=ive, and I hate them..they do not work out doors in bright sunlight and will fire from a flash from any thing .... like a small flash from a cell phone ......but radio frequency triggers can be controlled, I use 16 channel triggers so I have a great many possibilities if I encounter another photog with RF triggers....here is another link to Yong Nuo flash triggers on ebay... http://tinyurl.com/3u7qpza ...I have not investigated them closely but it looks like they be using TTL on these triggers with the amount of connectors on the show and the looks of their cables.....

If you only need 2 buy a min of 3 or 4 ...... back ups are essemtial with electronics.

Good Luck.

mstens

cmason wrote: »

Yes the v4 have separate transmitters and receivers, you need a transmitter for the camera and a receiver for each flash.

The V5 is new to me, I haven't used it or even seen it. It appears that they now have transceivers, so that one can act as either a receiver or transmitter, which is nice. You still need 3 however.

Or two, and a long 1/8" mono to PC cable

time2smile

pm sent,

time2smile

Art Scott wrote: »

I have used Yong Nuo remote shutter releases for almost 4 yrs now...the flash triggers I referenced in the PM are not Yong Nuo as far as I know... but have been extremely reliable for me, never a not fire, as I said I really do not like hot shoe connections for flash triggers (except on camera of course)...I have used optical triggers, cheap and very expense=ive, and I hate them..they do not work out doors in bright sunlight and will fire from a flash from any thing .... like a small flash from a cell phone ......but radio frequency triggers can be controlled, I use 16 channel triggers so I have a great many possibilities if I encounter another photog with RF triggers....here is another link to Yong Nuo flash triggers on ebay... http://tinyurl.com/3u7qpza ...I have not investigated them closely but it looks like they be using TTL on these triggers with the amount of connectors on the show and the looks of their cables.....

If you only need 2 buy a min of 3 or 4 ...... back ups are essemtial with electronics.

Good Luck.

Art they are not TTl, i believe the extra connects are to wake the flash up when it goes to sleep, i know on mine (2 sb600's or 2 quantaray units) they wake when you half press shutter.

Art Scott

time2smile wrote: »

Art they are not TTl, i believe the extra connects are to wake the flash up when it goes to sleep, i know on mine (2 sb600's or 2 quantaray units) they wake when you half press shutter.

Yes, after further investigation I did find this out ...I went and took closer look the other brand I looked at had several contacts and found they were a sort of 1 size fits all and the extra contacts were so 1 receiver could accommodate several brands ..guess that saves the MFG'er $$$ ......

fredjclaus

Thanks everyone again for the awsome advise you gave. I will be ordering the triggers today, and I'll upload pictures take with the triggers when I get them.

ABS

Nikon SB-16 flashes

fredjclaus wrote: »

I have access to two Nikon SB-16 flashes for free. I already have the set up for mounting them on light stands and bouncing off umbrellas, but triggering them was the question. Instead of buying the expensive Pocket Wizards, will something like this work just as well? I was hoping if found the right thing to use the onboard flash as an optical trigger to set off the two slaves.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/774432-REG/Dot_Line_DL_0129_Slave_Flash_Unit_with.html

I agree with ART, YONGNUO RF-603, good price and there is a uTube site for a review which covers it's use......... wireless!! (and also can remotely fire your camera)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7RBCBKdNkA

The 603 uses 2 AAA batteries & can be either transmitter OR receiver
The 602 uses one CR-2 battery for transmitter & 2 AAA for receiver