Optical slave issues with Nikon SB-900 speedlights.

[dmac802]

I'm having an issue getting my Elinchrom BX500ri strobes to trigger the speedlights using the optical slave feature. I have 2 SB-900's and both are set with the SU-4 option to the "on" position. The sb-900's trigger each other when one is set to the "on" position and the other to the "remote" position. The sb-900 also can trigger the strobes via an optical slave feature in the strobes. What I can't do is get the stobes to trigger the speedlights. Any ideas?

 

[table1349]

Try this: Nikon CLS - SB-900 SU-4 Mode

The optical sensor is on the left side of the SB-900, by the battery door, so make sure that the main body is arranged so that this is positioned to receive the light from any other flash.

 

[dmac802]

Try this: Nikon CLS - SB-900 SU-4 Mode

The optical sensor is on the left side of the SB-900, by the battery door, so make sure that the main body is arranged so that this is positioned to receive the light from any other flash.

I did that. Shot it right at the sensor and it didn't trigger

 

[table1349]

Are they in manual mode?

 

[dmac802]

yes. The 2 sb-900's will work together...one triggered optically by the other one

 

[table1349]

Got me then unless the Elinchrom flash duration is to short for the SB 900's to detect.

 

[WayneF]

I'm having an issue getting my Elinchrom BX500ri strobes to trigger the speedlights using the optical slave feature. I have 2 SB-900's and both are set with the SU-4 option to the "on" position. The sb-900's trigger each other when one is set to the "on" position and the other to the "remote" position. The sb-900 also can trigger the strobes via an optical slave feature in the strobes. What I can't do is get the stobes to trigger the speedlights. Any ideas?

Wow! That all sounds very correct, and thus mysterious. I have SB-800s instead of SB-900s, but SU-4 mode should be easy as pie (you will want its Manual setting instead of its Auto setting). SB-900 seems to complicate the menus a lot, since there is actually no Master/Remote relationship for SU-4. The way the SB-800 SU-4 works, if if sees a flash, it triggers. If hot shoe or PC triggers it, it triggers. SU-4 is always both master or slave. I think SB-900 simply already had that visible switch they had to deal with.

SU-4 is very sensitive, works at 120 feet or more Since it is triggered from full working power level of others, then in a normal living room, it will trigger anywhere, regardless of blocking obstacles.

I would double check that both actually were in SU-4 mode (custom menu, manual page C22). Sounds like it is not acting as if they are?

 

[dmac802]

I'm having an issue getting my Elinchrom BX500ri strobes to trigger the speedlights using the optical slave feature. I have 2 SB-900's and both are set with the SU-4 option to the "on" position. The sb-900's trigger each other when one is set to the "on" position and the other to the "remote" position. The sb-900 also can trigger the strobes via an optical slave feature in the strobes. What I can't do is get the stobes to trigger the speedlights. Any ideas?

Wow! That all sounds very correct, and thus mysterious. I have SB-800s instead of SB-900s, but SU-4 mode should be easy as pie (you will want its Manual setting instead of its Auto setting). SB-900 seems to complicate the menus a lot, since there is actually no Master/Remote relationship for SU-4. The way the SB-800 SU-4 works, if if sees a flash, it triggers. If hot shoe or PC triggers it, it triggers. SU-4 is always both master or slave. I think SB-900 simply already had that visible switch they had to deal with.

SU-4 is very sensitive, works at 120 feet or more Since it is triggered from full working power level of others, then in a normal living room, it will trigger anywhere, regardless of blocking obstacles.

I would double check that both actually were in SU-4 mode (custom menu, manual page C22). Sounds like it is not acting as if they are?

Thanks Wayne. I did just check and they both are on SU-4.