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Permagrin wrote in post #10734762
I had two and just sold one. I figure that the sb800/600 work just fine in tandem. Plus I've got an sb400 for fun stuff too.


One of the 600's was always on one of my cameras at a wedding. What I mostly noticed was that it didn't recycle as fast as the 800. Otherwise I never noticed much difference. The 800 has a commander mode and is a bit more powerful. But so does the camera so that doesn't make much difference. Both work like troupers.

do you use CLS on your cameras? or use PW/Cybersyncs?

I only need 1 on cam flash for now...but If I want to do strobing, if I use either PW/Cybersyncs then I guess I don't really need the commander mode of the Sb-900 right?

that "newb" is an advertiser, Steven. The spammers are getting tricky.

and yes, I use the commander mode. It worked as well as my elinchroms so I sold them.

My SB900 recharges in 3.5s on Eneloop batteries. That drops to 1.2s if I use the PixelHK battery packs. That's faster than my 580 II.

I use Skyports, not CLR or wireless ETTL. I found Canon's optical trigger system unreliable in bright sunlight. I don't even know how to use Nikons CLS system, not a clue.

I had the skyports too.

Permagrin wrote in post #10734829
that "newb" is an advertiser, Steven. The spammers are getting tricky.

and yes, I use the commander mode. It worked as well as my elinchroms so I sold them.

tim wrote in post #10734850
My SB900 recharges in 3.5s on Eneloop batteries. That drops to 1.2s if I use the PixelHK battery packs. That's faster than my 580 II.

I use Skyports, not CLR or wireless ETTL. I found Canon's optical trigger system unreliable in bright sunlight. I don't even know how to use Nikons CLS system, not a clue.

if you turn on Commander mode on the Sb-800/Sb-900 then you won't need a transmitter anymore? you just need receivers on the off cam flashes?

hahah I tried reading Nikon's CLS and I felt dizzy afterwards and did not really undestood anything.

Skyport = PW/Cybersyncs ? I have never heard of them before though...

if you turn the commander mode on the sb800/900 or your camera (you can turn off the pop up flash and still use the commander mode on it) and turn your slave flashes (sb800 & 600) to slave mode, you don't need any other transmitters or receivers. Everything is built in. Works really well too.

Permagrin wrote in post #10734898
if you turn the commander mode on the sb800/900 or your camera (you can turn off the pop up flash and still use the commander mode on it) and turn your slave flashes (sb800 & 600) to slave mode, you don't need any other transmitters or receivers. Everything is built in. Works really well too.

ahh good, now that made sense..

but aren't the D700 already with built in commander mode? if so, I could use my manual flash and I technically buy a cheap receiver (RF-602) and control the flash through commander mode. right? or do I really need either the Sb800/900 for commander mode?

monk3y wrote in post #10734918
ahh good, now that made sense..

but aren't the D700 already with built in commander mode? if so, I could use my manual flash and I technically buy a cheap receiver (RF-602) and control the flash through commander mode. right? or do I really need either the Sb800/900 for commander mode?

yes the D700 has a built in mode...that's what I meant about turning off the popup but using it in commander mode...as to the other, that I don't know. Sorry.

Permagrin wrote in post #10734929
yes the D700 has a built in mode...that's what I meant about turning off the popup but using it in commander mode...as to the other, that I don't know. Sorry.

ok 1 last question Ms. Permie, I do need a receiver right before I could control any other flash?

how good is the D700's commander mode compared to a dedicated transmitter?

if you use an sb800/sb600 you don't need a receiver. It is built in.

I have only tested the D700's commander mode at the house. Not used it at work. I always used the sb800 to fire the other flashes. In theory, it works fine. But who knows in the field.

Put the camera in landscape orientation, put your SB900 on, put your eye to the viewfinder...

Bang, pokes ya in the head. Guide number is 157.5 at 200 from Nikon.

Build seems ok but not as solid as the 580EXII

Permagrin wrote in post #10734965
if you use an sb800/sb600 you don't need a receiver. It is built in.

I have only tested the D700's commander mode at the house. Not used it at work. I always used the sb800 to fire the other flashes. In theory, it works fine. But who knows in the field.

ahhh ok. thank you Ms. Permie... its easier to understand how you explained. it.

Mr. Clean wrote in post #10734996
Put the camera in landscape orientation, put your SB900 on, put your eye to the viewfinder...

Bang, pokes ya in the head. Guide number is 157.5 at 200 from Nikon.

Build seems ok but not as solid as the 580EXII

hahaha you're killing me.

maybe the reason my sb900 doesn't poke me is 'coz I use DK-17M eyepiece.
this one from tonight. the couple loved it. SB900 on camera master. another sb900 remote. both in CLS and canon 430ex using Ebay trigger. Still hoping for pocketwizard, even skyport. I so love 24-70@2.8

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that is really cute!