Question on Nikon CLS

[tresca]

Hi all. I am new to Nikon CLS. I got a quention and wish all the sifu (master) can share their experience.

I use a SB-800 as remote flash, and my setting for the built-in flash is "--" which mean does not fire. Meanwhile i had checked my SB-800 is set to Group A and channel 1 where in my camera body also the same setting.

I just doubt is it even the built-in flash is set to "do not fire", the built-in flash still emitted the flash as pre-flash? (is it common?) cause i notice the built-in flash still fire together with my remote SB-800.

Thanks

[orionmystery]

No sifu here...we're all here to learn and to improve ourselves :)

Check this out: http://www.shutterasia.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4476

Hi all. I am new to Nikon CLS. I got a quention and wish all the sifu (master) can share their experience.

I use a SB-800 as remote flash, and my setting for the built-in flash is "--" which mean does not fire. Meanwhile i had checked my SB-800 is set to Group A and channel 1 where in my camera body also the same setting.

I just doubt is it even the built-in flash is set to "do not fire", the built-in flash still emitted the flash as pre-flash? (is it common?) cause i notice the built-in flash still fire together with my remote SB-800.

Thanks

[Alan]

The pre-flashes you saw is the way that the built-in flash communicates with the remove SB-800. They occur before the exposure takes place and will not register in the photo. Check your photos, you would not see any flash coming from the built-in flash.

[tresca]

The pre-flashes you saw is the way that the built-in flash communicates with the remove SB-800. They occur before the exposure takes place and will not register in the photo. Check your photos, you would not see any flash coming from the built-in flash.

thanks Alan, but just wonder why it need a pre-flash?
Is it use to trigger the SB-800?
If yes, doesn't the SB-800 is worked under wireless command (signal)?

[zuhrie]

wireless means no wire. period. but these flashes still needs something to trigger since there's no wire. for a sb-800 to trigger other flashes, it uses pre-flashes (like the old school slave units, but this one is cleverer cause can ttl, but still using the same trigger style). but sb-800 and sb-600 can also be triggered via infrared, using su-800 attached to the camera. these flashes can also be triggered using radiowave (but fully on manual) using such as pocket wizard or the cheapo china-made device that can be bought at dirctphoto or digicolor.

[sinister]

wireless means no wire. period. but these flashes still needs something to trigger since there's no wire. for a sb-800 to trigger other flashes, it uses pre-flashes (like the old school slave units, but this one is cleverer cause can ttl, but still using the same trigger style). but sb-800 and sb-600 can also be triggered via infrared, using su-800 attached to the camera. these flashes can also be triggered using radiowave (but fully on manual) using such as pocket wizard or the cheapo china-made device that can be bought at dirctphoto or digicolor.

actually technically all are radiowaves.. including infrared.. :D

[tresca]

I understand now, that mean it still using pre-flash (either built-in flash or External flash attached to camera body) to trigger other flashes (if any). Unless using other devices as mention by Zuhrie (infrared or radiowave).

All the while i misunderstand that wireless mean using radio frequency like computer device. Thanks a lot for sharing buddies!