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I think CLS is optical, like wireless ETTL, which is generally less reliable as distance increases or outside in bright sunlight. I also only have two SB900s, whereas I have three sets of skyports. I prefer manual power control for off camera lighting, for consistency.

darksike wrote in post #10735039
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

Nice shot... why do you still need pocketwizard?

tim wrote in post #10735072
I think CLS is optical, like wireless ETTL, which is generally less reliable as distance increases or outside in bright sunlight. I also only have two SB900s, whereas I have three sets of skyports. I prefer manual power control for off camera lighting, for consistency.

optical? if you put your offcam flash behind you it might not trigger it?

check this out, it's step by step and it walked me through it the first time
http://www.nikonusa.co​m …o_WirelessSpeed​lights.pdf

CLS is just very limiting. but if I can clear shot of the sensor. it's so easy to change setting without going to the flash and set it there.
I need to fine tune my setup more. I like the SB900 on camera as master as I can direct it to the other flash with ETTL. bad thing is when I'm using an umbrella, it doesn't sense it so I have to make sure to fire directly at the sensor and nothing in between. my ebay trigger is becoming unreliable. then again, it's used over a year and I guess I'm at that point that I need 100% reliability. I hate fumbling around testing why it only fire 9 out of 10.
I use the ebay trigger to fire my canon 430 ex and vivitar but the're in manual. I connect the ebay transmitter on the flash sync port

Permagrin wrote in post #10735127
check this out, it's step by step and it walked me through it the first time
http://www.nikonusa.co​m …o_WirelessSpeed​lights.pdf

I need to buy an E-ttl capable speedlight first hehehe

I find it very difficult to read technical stuff if I don't have the unit with me. thank you. I will save this document.

and this site (at the bottom) lists the positives and negatives

http://www.scantips.co​m/lights/awl.html

and it's true it is LOS but even in big buildings I never had trouble with it. Outside could be a problem though I never had any. It offers quite a few control options built in but it's not perfect.

I think the best example I can think of for CLS advantage is putting my other SB900 on a boomarm for hairlight and the rest in manual mode. I can easily adjust the setting without lowering the boomarm.

darksike wrote in post #10735135
CLS is just very limiting. but if I can clear shot of the sensor. it's so easy to change setting without going to the flash and set it there.
I need to fine tune my setup more. I like the SB900 on camera as master as I can direct it to the other flash with ETTL. bad thing is when I'm using an umbrella, it doesn't sense it so I have to make sure to fire directly at the sensor and nothing in between. my ebay trigger is becoming unreliable. then again, it's used over a year and I guess I'm at that point that I need 100% reliability. I hate fumbling around testing why it only fire 9 out of 10.
I use the ebay trigger to fire my canon 430 ex and vivitar but the're in manual. I connect the ebay transmitter on the flash sync port

really? I used my umbrellas all the time with the commander mode.

great dvd if you have CLS capable flash.
http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1282016​741&sr=8-2

at the end of the video, they use 12-13 units. oh crap, that's $5,850 on flash units alone

Permagrin wrote in post #10735154
really? I used my umbrellas all the time with the commander mode.

oh sorry meant to add it as in when I use it outside. inside it's been really great.

darksike wrote in post #10735172
oh sorry meant to add it as in when I use it outside. inside it's been really great.

oh okay. I could see where that would add double difficulty for it.

yea it kinda sucks today. umbrella outside = mini-parachute. good thing the umbrella took the hit and not flash first. it wasn't windy but out of nowhere a tiny teenie gust.

darksike wrote in post #10735200
yea it kinda sucks today. umbrella outside = mini-parachute. good thing the umbrella took the hit and not flash first. it wasn't windy but out of nowhere a tiny teenie gust.

I live in the PNW. Wind here is pretty bad a lot of the year. My flash systems have gone over so many times but all except 1 survived w/o a scratch. Couple of umbrellas bit the dust too. I finally stopped using them outside and (you'll laugh) but when I needed flash out there, I had people hold the flashes where I wanted them. lol Fortunately my last few weddings, I had some helpers with me so they didn't mind doing it.

Permagrin wrote in post #10735219
I live in the PNW. Wind here is pretty bad a lot of the year. My flash systems have gone over so many times but all except 1 survived w/o a scratch. Couple of umbrellas bit the dust too. I finally stopped using them outside and (you'll laugh) but when I needed flash out there, I had people hold the flashes where I wanted them. lol Fortunately my last few weddings, I had some helpers with me so they didn't mind doing it.

hahahaha and its pretty easy to move them, they are Voice Activated. say move to the right and your flash bracket (person) moves to the right. hahaha a little bit more expensive but a lot more versatile that flash bracket/stand.