Odd question: Nikon flashes as "slaves"?

[CyberPet]

Ok, this might sound like an odd question. But I have 2 Nikon SpeeLites and it's sad that they are now just sitting on a shelf collecting dust. So my question is, is the Nikon Speedlites as smart as Canon's (like the 420EX) that can work as slave flashes when they are not mounted on a camera?

It'd be great to have them fire, even if I'd have to manually control the output, when I fire my onboard flash or the 420EX. In my case it would be mostly for outdoor shots, to lighten some harsh shadows in brigth sunlight, etc.

I know it's odd to ask, but if I don't ask I won't get an answer, either it's a "yes" or a "no". So what do you think, is it possible?

[scottbergerphoto]

First, you need to distinguish between simple optical slaves which will go off when any other flash fires and slaves that are triggered by complex light pulses. When Canon EX series flashes are in Slave mode, that do not function as simple optical slaves. They are only triggered by a series of light pulses emitted by another EX flash or the STE2. Even in Manual Mode, the 550EX and 580EX will not function with an optical slave attached. They don't recycle. That brings us to your Nilon Flashes. If they have a simple optical slave mode, you can use them as slaves to any other flash. In addition you can just attach a hot shoe slave to each of your old Nikon flashes, something you can't do with Canon flashes. I have used two old Nikon flashes (SB26 and 27) in Manual Mode with a hot shoe slave from Wein on each one.
Your problem is that you cannot do this with the on camera flash or the 420EX. You need a Master flash that operates in Manual mode. The on camera flash and 420EX only operate in ETTL. The pre flash of ETTL will set off the slaves before the main flash. Even if you were to buy digital slaves that ignore the preflash of ETTL, it is very hard to combine ETTL flash and manual flash.

[robertwgross]

They are only triggered by a series of light pulses emitted by another EX flash or the STE2.

Another way of saying this is that it is an optical data signal, not just a flash.

---Bob Gross---

[CyberPet]

Well, I was mainly asking if it was possible to have those Nikon flashes to react to the onboard flash (or the flash that is mounted on the camera) when it fires, not having a gang of cables involved. Sort of a down and dirty trick to rid of some nasty shadows when you're outdoors and don't have an assistant that can hold a reflector.

But it's good to know that the Nikon lenses can work if you trigger them from a hotshoe mount (a good idea for the future)... which I assume is then done through cables?

Enlighten me! (no pun intended) :D

[robertwgross]

But it's good to know that the Nikon lenses can work if you trigger them from a hotshoe mount (a good idea for the future)... which I assume is then done through cables?

I doubt that you will get Nikon lenses to trigger from anything!

---Bob Gross---

[scottbergerphoto]

Well, I was mainly asking if it was possible to have those Nikon flashes to react to the onboard flash (or the flash that is mounted on the camera) when it fires, not having a gang of cables involved. Sort of a down and dirty trick to rid of some nasty shadows when you're outdoors and don't have an assistant that can hold a reflector.

But it's good to know that the Nikon lenses can work if you trigger them from a hotshoe mount (a good idea for the future)... which I assume is then done through cables?

Enlighten me! (no pun intended) :D
No cables needed. Put a hot shoe flash on the camera in Manual Mode. Put a Wein hot shoe slave on each Nikon flash in Manual mode. Set the output of all 3 flashes manually.

[CyberPet]

Scott, great! Any idea what those Wein hot shoe slaves cost?

Not sure the 420EX can do Manual though, but I'm thinking of perhaps getting a 550EX used or a 580EX when the funds are more in the green area.

[scottbergerphoto]

The 420EX cannot do Manual Flash. The Wein slaves http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=SearchBar&A=search&Q=*&shs=wein+hot+shoe+slave
range from $80-110 depending on whether or not you want one that ignores the pre flash (ultra slave). If all your flashes are in Manual you don't need an Ultra slave.

[idofotos]

what nikon flash are you using, I believe the sb 24 & 26 had slaves built in that should be able to be tripped by the canon, no ttl or auto function but might be controlable by f stop or flash power

[Nabil-A]

Ni-kon, whats that ??

[CyberPet]

I have two, one SB22s and one SB28. Not sure of they can be used as slaves. Might just sell them both and buy a 550EX used or a 580EX and use the 420EX as the slave.