commander mode annoyance

barleymalt · Mar 15, 2011

Just bought my first flash unit, an SB600, and when I try to trigger it from my d90 in commander mode the sb600 is totally dominated by the cameras built in flash. From what I've understood the camera flash should only send preflash commands to trigger the flash. I've set the built in flash to -- mode under the commander menu but it's still going off at full power. Can anyone shed some light on this issue?

First photo shows both flashes going off despite the built in being set not to fire and the second photo I blocked the built in flash with my hand.

PhotoWrangler · Mar 15, 2011

Go into your flash menu and set the commander mode to "--". There is a way to turn the flash completely off so that it doesn't affect exopsure.

ETA: Looks like you have the commander set properly. Do you have the SB600 set to 'remote'?

ETA: here is a page that explains how to put the SB600 in remote mode.
http://www.nikoncls.com/SB-600/sb600_cls_remote.html

barleymalt · Mar 15, 2011

yeah man the second photo is lit by the remote sb600

PhotoWrangler · Mar 15, 2011

barleymalt said:
yeah man the second photo is lit by the remote sb600

Set group 'a' to "ttl" mode in your menu, then set your SB600 to group A as well.

barleymalt · Mar 15, 2011

the problem is not the sb600 not firing, it's the commander flash firing as if it was set to TTL.

PhotoWrangler · Mar 15, 2011

hmmm... you have a setting that isn't right somewhere, but I can't think of anything else at the moment

Garbz · Mar 15, 2011

SB-600, needs to be set to remote, and set to the correct group and channel as well.

D90 needs to be set to Commander in option e2, check page 188 of your manual.

Set Built-In flash to "--" to have it fire a preflash only that communicates but doesn't appear in the exposure.
Set Group A (assuming your flash is also Group A) to TTL AA or M and apply the appropriate number to it.
Check the Channel number.

Make sure the flash is popped up when you take the photo.

This is all that is needed for everything to work.

KmH · Mar 15, 2011

The built-in will alway flash, even when set to --, because that is how it generates the infrared signal it sends to the SB-600 to make it fire. But it does so at the lowest power setting the SB-600 has available so that it adds a negligible amount of light to the scene.

Your SB-600 looks to be to far away from the figurine.

Using TTL and auto/semi-auto camera shooting modes is very much more complicated,and inconsistent, than just doing it all in manual mode.

barleymalt · Mar 15, 2011

That's exactly how its set up.. and there's nothing subtle about the light from the popup flash..take a look at the first photo. I guess I'll just have to get the IR filter from nikon.

Garbz · Mar 16, 2011

Something's not right. The internal flash doesn't fire at lowest power. It fires BEFORE the exposure.

If it's working as intended you should be able to see that the internal flash fired only ever in something as highly reflective as a mirror.

In any case if you do have a problem with the flash there's no need to spend a fortune on the IR filter. Just go find an old developed roll of film and cut the film leader off and tape it to your flash (the black bit at the start of a developed roll). Cheap IR filter.

PhotoWrangler · Mar 16, 2011

I tend to think it's operator error in this case. Thousands of Nikon users use the CLS system daily without issue. Spending money on the IR filter isn't going to help.

Do you have a local strobist group you could meet with for instruction?

You definitely have something not set right, or you aren't using the equipment or settings right.

barleymalt · Mar 16, 2011

I know how to make a setting in a menu. I've googled it and there are many other nikon users who have the same problem. What other setting could it be other than setting the popup flash to -- mode?

The SG-31R from nikon is only 8 bucks though and was designed specifically for this purpose so It must be a common issue.

PhotoWrangler · Mar 16, 2011

barleymalt said:
I know how to make a setting in a menu. I've googled it and there are many other nikon users who have the same problem. What other setting could it be other than setting the popup flash to -- mode?

The SG-31R from nikon is only 8 bucks though and was designed specifically for this purpose so It must be a common issue.

Well, the figurine you shot is closer to the camera than you would probably shoot. When shooting from a normal length, the pre-flash that commands the remote wont have any effect.

The only other thing that I can think of is that you are shooting higher than 1/250 and you dont have the SB600 in FP so that it lengthens the burst of light.

benhasajeep · Mar 16, 2011

Are you in rear curtain sync? If you are in rear curtain sync, you will catch the preflashes in the shot. The preflashes are brighter in rear curtain sync. And you will catch the preflash, especially if your close to the subject. Camera is acting normal.

Edit: Found it. Page 190 of the D90 manual. About in the middle under commander mode. Suggests using the IR shield when using rear curtain sync. Mentions the brighter preflash. Knew I saw it somewhere. Actually found it in my d300 manual. Then in the D90. I think its the same for all Nikon CLS cameras.

barleymalt · Mar 16, 2011

Thanks for the suggestions but the figurine was about 4 feet away from the camera and it's completely flooded with on camera flash. Exactly like it would look if it was set to TTL. I'm not shooting in rear curtain sync or faster than 1/200th.