Speed light setup question.

[Ted Evans]

Hello all,

I am totally ignorant about speed lights and looking for some help/suggestions. I have a D7100 and a SB700 that I would like to use off camera. I also have an old SB25 that I would like to use if; it will work with what I have. My thought is the SB25 will have to be used in the manual mode. My question is, will the following equipment accomplish what I want to do without requiring a degree in Quantum Physics? I have played a little with Commander mode in the camera but do not like the way it works….which could be due to operator error. The problem is, there is a few seconds delay from the time the shutter button is pressed to the time the camera operates and the flash fires. If this is SOP, then it will not work for what I want it to do, what say you? Thanks for your comments/opinions.



YONGNUO YN-622N 1 x TX + 2 x RX i-TTL LCD wireless flash controller wireless flash trigger transceiver DSLR for Nikon



http://www.amazon.com/YONGNUO-YN-62...8-11&keywords=yongnuo+trigger#customerReviews

 

[Zen1300]

What specifically are you wanting to do?

I've been playing with Commander mode on my D7100 and SB-600. I've found it interesting to handhold my SB600 off camera or to mount it to a tripod. I've used the built-in flash as the commander, but did not care for it to be full strength. I've played with using less exposure on the built-in, but have really liked it with the built-in set to just trigger, but be disabled for the photo.

 

[tirediron]

Those YN triggers will do just fine.

 

[Ted Evans]

What specifically are you wanting to do?

I've been playing with Commander mode on my D7100 and SB-600. I've found it interesting to handhold my SB600 off camera or to mount it to a tripod. I've used the built-in flash as the commander, but did not care for it to be full strength. I've played with using less exposure on the built-in, but have really liked it with the built-in set to just trigger, but be disabled for the photo.

Hi Zen, thanks for the comments. I want to use off camera flash in low light conditions on live subjects. Perhaps my ignorance is preventing me from using the camera and flash correctly. The primary problem I am having is the delay from the time the shutter button is pressed until firing. Oft times, enough time has elapsed for the subject to have moved by the time it fires. If this does not happen for you, then I need to further examine the options. Thanks again.

 

[Zen1300]

A few seconds seems extreme to me. Of course even a fraction of a second on a live subject that is moving could make a difference.

You mentioned two separate flashes, can you define how you plan to use them? Are you mounting the SB-25 on the camera, or using it off-camera also? Are you mounting these on stands/tripods? Also are you incorporating the pop-up flash as well? Two off-camera flashes for a live moving subject seems complex - can you describe the context that you're shooting in? Very interested.

I would expect the wireless controllers to be more reliable than "flash-based" triggers, though I have personally not used them.

 

[Braineack]

The primary problem I am having is the delay from the time the shutter button is pressed until firing.

???????

you need to take your camera off self-timer mode.

 

[Zen1300]

The primary problem I am having is the delay from the time the shutter button is pressed until firing.

???????

you need to take your camera off self-timer mode.

Good point.

The D7100 does have a setting to provide a 2-second shutter-release delay and a mirror-up release mode. I suppose it is possible either of those were set previously and not reset.

 

[Ted Evans]

The primary problem I am having is the delay from the time the shutter button is pressed until firing.

???????

you need to take your camera off self-timer mode.

I would....but I cannot....it is not on self-timer mode. I have not had a chance to verify but it may have something to do with AF assist. I have not tried it on manual mode yet. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[Braineack]

what about: d10 Exposure delay mode?

 

[Ted Evans]

A few seconds seems extreme to me. Of course even a fraction of a second on a live subject that is moving could make a difference.

You mentioned two separate flashes, can you define how you plan to use them? Are you mounting the SB-25 on the camera, or using it off-camera also? Are you mounting these on stands/tripods? Also are you incorporating the pop-up flash as well? Two off-camera flashes for a live moving subject seems complex - can you describe the context that you're shooting in? Very interested.

I would expect the wireless controllers to be more reliable than "flash-based" triggers, though I have personally not used them.

My first priority is for illuminating feeder birds in poor light at 10-15 feet with the flash off camera and using just the SB700 on a stand or hand held. My second wish is to use both the SB700 and the SB25 off camera for macro shots which would be mounted on stands and used in manual mode. Normally, the pop-up would not be used. This is all new to me so it may not even be practical or feasible. My belief, at present, is that it would be less cumbersome if I use a wireless system which I am contemplating purchasing but trying to become a little more educated before making the purchase.

 

[Braineack]

The YN622TX + (2) YN622s would be perfect for your needs.

 

[Ted Evans]

what about: d10 Exposure delay mode?

Nope, no delay of any kind has been set. More than likely, I do not have the flash options set correctly. I thought I could set the SB700 in remote and the D7100 in commander mode with TTL and it would work. If I remember correctly, it would not fire until the pop-up flash was used and then they both fired but this is where the delay came into play, about 2-4 seconds is a guess.

 

[Ted Evans]

The YN622TX + (2) YN622s would be perfect for your needs.

Thanks, I was looking at those and also these....

Phottix Strato TTL Flash Trigger Transmitter and Receiver for Nikon

There seems to be some that prefer the Phottix over the YN622TX but the cost for comparable setup is more. Do you think they are worth the additional cost or not?



http://www.amazon.com/Phottix-Strat...=1420571468&sr=8-5&keywords=phottix+strato+ii

 

[Braineack]

I dunno. I have the TX and 622s, work well enough for me.

never tried the phottix and at $400 vs. $120, i doubt i ever will.

 

[Zen1300]

For the birding, and I'm no birder, I would suspect you need the instantaneous flash/shutter release, or risk scaring the birds away. I've no idea how close you can get to birds with flashes - never tried. So, perhaps this is why the wireless controller ($120-400 expense) is needed.

For the macro stuff, I would think you could use the command mode on the pop-up and slave the other two. The pop-up can be set to not flash when the actual photo is taken - it just flashes prior to the shutter opening to trigger the slaves.

I've played with mine the other day and did not see a 2-4 second delay - only a fraction of a delay.