External flash D5000

[ozscott]

Hi all,

I want to do some better outdoor portraits for my wifes clothing business. I think that a remote flash(s) would be the way to go. I have a Nikon D5000 so it cannot control external flashes remotely. What I require, as far as I can tell, is an SB-800 or SB900 and that goes in the hot shoe and can control external flashes - like an SB600 remotely.

Is this the best albeit the most expensive way to set up, or can I get a Yongnuo type controller for the hot shoe and a flash to suit - and if so what one? Does the Yongnuo do everything I need save for auto metering?

Any advice, as always, greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[C0L0N3L]

D5000 doesn't have commander mode so your out of luck there.

Yongnuo have e-ttl triggers.. Not sure if they have a made one for nikon yet.

If you doing it out doors, wireless triggers might be the better solution as you might find the flashes can have some difficulty talking to each other outside, especially if your using modifiers as they tend to block the signals.

SB-900 is the way to go.. or SB-800 if you happen to find one cheap. SB-700 would also be worth a look though I think its pretty much the same cost as a SB-900 atm.

SU-800 is a commander only and costs about as much as an SB-600.

If your not too far from a power point I would be considering a monolight, more power, and you should be able to get a Softbox too for the same cost as a SB-900 and SB-600

edit. High speed sync is something too look for too. So you can still have the shallow DOF

[ozscott]

D5000 doesn't have commander mode so your out of luck there.

Yongnuo have e-ttl triggers.. Not sure if they have a made one for nikon yet.

If you doing it out doors, wireless triggers might be the better solution as you might find the flashes can have some difficulty talking to each other outside, especially if your using modifiers as they tend to block the signals.

SB-900 is the way to go.. or SB-800 if you happen to find one cheap. SB-700 would also be worth a look though I think its pretty much the same cost as a SB-900 atm.

SU-800 is a commander only and costs about as much as an SB-600.

If your not too far from a power point I would be considering a monolight, more power, and you should be able to get a Softbox too for the same cost as a SB-900 and SB-600

edit. High speed sync is something too look for too. So you can still have the shallow DOF

Thanks Col.

What is a modifier?

Also, are you saying that the sunlight will stop the flashes from talking - say an SB800 to an SB600/900 remote? Do the aftermarket triggers work with the Nikon flahses or do you need third party flash units? Are the aftermarket triggers more powerful signal wise to the flash units versus the SN800 say talking to an SB600/800?

Sorry - lots of questions.

Thanks

[dmdigital]

No the Nikon CLS doesn't work with 99% of the aftermarket kit.

I have found that in general terms if you are sensible then there is no issue with the CLS system talking between flashes. I use an SU-800 and up to 3 SB-800's.

Modifiers are things like diffusers and reflectors, etc that modify the light source.

[ozscott]

No the Nikon CLS doesn't work with 99% of the aftermarket kit.

I have found that in general terms if you are sensible then there is no issue with the CLS system talking between flashes. I use an SU-800 and up to 3 SB-800's.

Modifiers are things like diffusers and reflectors, etc that modify the light source.

Thanks DM - so in my case sensible would not be going to too great a distance in harsh sun (just say up to 10 feet for eg) and not use diffusers in the beam? Apart from that all good?

Cheers

PS. Would i be mad going second had for an 800/900 for say half retail - I dont know if the 800 has thermal protection like the 900 does...

[ozscott]

Sorry - one more Q..the 800 commander can trigger an external flash without it triggering itself on camera...can the SB900 do that?

Cheers

[dmdigital]

10' shouldn't matter, you could try 10m if needed. Main thing is to look where the light is falling.

The SB-800 doesn't have thermal overload :( I wouldn't look at a second hand flash unless you are really sure of it's history. Flash units eventually burn out.

The SB-x00 speedlights all work on the ability to talk infrared or via light pulse from the flash. SB-x00 will talk via infrared but when you use an onboard controller like the built in flash of the D90/D300s/D700 it uses a pulse from this flash. The flash on the camera can then be set to fire or not with the others in all cases.

The SU-800 offers the control that is built in to the SB-900 and lets you modify each flash channel's settings remotely.

[dmdigital]

Go to Nikon support and download the manuals on the speedlight units and the SU-800. Also have a look at SB-800 Speedlight Techniques Guide (http://nikonasia-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1737/session/L3RpbWUvMTI5NjM2NTMwNC9zaWQvcWg3X1RrbGs%3D)

Also look for video tutorials by Bob Krist and Joe McNally.

[ozscott]

Ok...I got with the plan and purchased:

Yongnuo yn 467 flash;
Yongnuo RF 602 wireless flash controller;
Westcott Collapsible Umbrella Flash Kit - with stand, white and black covers;
Link Delight battery grip (I am already sick of shooting vertical without one);

And I have the Nikkor 35 prime on the D5000 and a good pod, the Capture NX2 software etc, so I am going to be strobing away like mad!

Cheers and thanks