Pissed off at CANON!(no built in remote flash trigger)

The Nikon system is NOT a gimmick, and the freedom to use the pop-up to fire a remote Nikon flash is one of the best features of "the Nikon way". It makes for a very portable, very lightweight one to two light system.

Here ya go - some shots I took with a D80 pop-up firing a remote SB800:

Seems to me that for the difference in price you can buy an ST-E2. When I decided on Canon I decided on a system. The Nikon system is different in some ways, the same in others.

Buyer's remorse is easy to resolve - sell it.

The bad thing about the st-e2 is that it only has 2 groups and doesnt contribute to the exposure. With the newer nikons you can have more groups and have the pop up flash be used as fill if you chose to or turn it off compleatly. I agree with Jamie, it blows canons system away, more flexable, less combersome and less expensive.

cosworth wrote in post #2937140
Yes but the n00bs want bells and whistles not ACTUAL benefits. An ST-E2 isn't a big purchase and it is far more robust than the built in Nikon system.

I'm not sure how an ST-E2 on top of a camera body can be more robust than a camera body...unless by "robust" you mean "feature-rich" rather than "durable."

It's nice that Nikon can trigger other flashes from the on board flash, But from what I understand it is a little limited. You can't control ratios from the on board flash like you can with a 580ex or ST-E2, only with their equivelent of the 580ex.

I just don't understand why neither goes RF wireless (as opposed to IR/VL) to maintain E-TTL capability over longer distances. I would love to see a Pocket Wizard-like device that can maintain E-TTL.

RuggerJoe wrote in post #2946100
It's nice that Nikon can trigger other flashes from the on board flash, But from what I understand it is a little limited. You can't control ratios from the on board flash like you can with a 580ex or ST-E2, only with their equivelent of the 580ex.

It depends on the body, the consumer bodys are limited but D200 and up have mutiple groups allowing ratios.

RuggerJoe wrote in post #2946100
...
I just don't understand why neither goes RF wireless (as opposed to IR/VL) to maintain E-TTL capability over longer distances. I would love to see a Pocket Wizard-like device that can maintain E-TTL.

It would be nice but I can't afford pocket wizards now. If Canon made them I would have no hope ever ever affording them.

Wow! after seeing jamiewexler's images, I'm now pissed off at Canon as well.

photojournalista wrote in post #2946908
Wow! after seeing jamiewexler's images, I'm now pissed off at Canon as well.

see what I mean?...LOL

cdifoto wrote in post #2940803
I'm not sure how an ST-E2 on top of a camera body can be more robust than a camera body...unless by "robust" you mean "feature-rich" rather than "durable."

AF assist beam, elevated above lens obstruction, higher output power, ability to be extended off camera for oblique angles. Yeah, a little more than a little led on the body.

cosworth wrote in post #2947176
AF assist beam, elevated above lens obstruction, higher output power, ability to be extended off camera for oblique angles. Yeah, a little more than a little led on the body.

Ah so you're thinking features. I'm thinking "if I drop it, there's only 50% chance it'll snap off, rather than 100% chance."


Either way I think both systems suck. I wanna set ratios by TALKING to it!

At least then someone[thing] would listen to me.

BAHAHAHA. So very true.

RuggerJoe wrote in post #2946100
It's nice that Nikon can trigger other flashes from the on board flash, But from what I understand it is a little limited. You can't control ratios from the on board flash like you can with a 580ex or ST-E2, only with their equivelent of the 580ex.

You can control three groups and 4 channels (just like Canon) from both the D80 or D200 body or the SB800 flash. As for ratios, Nikon gives you the ability to adjust the FEC for each group on the body/flash allowig you to set your own ratios (e.g. On camera -2 FEC, Group 2 +1 FEC)

photojournalista wrote in post #2946908
Wow! after seeing jamiewexler's images, I'm now pissed off at Canon as well.

Ha ha - thanks photojournalista. If it makes you feel any better, I sold off all of the Nikon gear a couple of weeks ago because the Nikon files were no where near as nice as the files from my 5D...Now a Canon FF sensor and Digic III processor in a Nikon body - THAT would be a camera!

Hello Everyone,

This is my first visit to this BBS - I am a complete photo newbie - forgive me if this question is stupid.

Please look at this picture:

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The external flash is probably being fired by the ETTL pre-flash.

Not sure of the D80 has a FEL button... press FEL, let the flashes recharge and then try it.