How to use (Continued)
SB-600 Speedlight
Press the buttoms "zoom" and "-" together an hold for approximately 2 seconds to display the custom settings mode to activate the wireless remote flash function. You can set your desired channel and group for the remote SB-600 Speedlight.
See also
SB-600 manual pages 52-75
SB-800 Speedlight
Press and hold the "select" button to display the custom settings mode to active the SB-800 as a commander or a remote flash. You can set your desired channel and group for the remote SB-800 Speedlight or the desired channel to command and the respective outputs of the groups in that channel when the SB-800 is in commander mode.
See also
SB-800 manual pages 72-83
The SB-800 Speedlight has an additional mode - the SU-4 mode. It enables the speedlight to behave as a slave flash. In the SU-4 mode, the SB-800 can be triggered by any type of flashes it detects. This function is especially useful for users who do not have cameras that enables the AWL function and it also include non-Nikon users. Unlike the Commander-Remote AWL, the SU-4 mode requires the user to physical adjust the output of the flash. However, in this SU-4 mode, the SB-800 is more sensitive and hence high success rate of triggering it.
*It is known that a SB-800 Speedlight in SU-4 mode will affect the performance of the Commander-Remote AWL shooting scene - it will cause the remote flashes to be unable to sync properly for the exposure. It will also affect Canon's Wireless Lighting.
SB-900 Speedlight
Functions are similar to the SB-800 Speedlight, except it has a different interface.
Nikon camera bodies that enable AWL (commanders)
- Nikon D70 (only can command channel 3 group A)
- Nikon D70s (only can command channel 3 group A)
- Nikon D80
- Nikon D200
- Nikon D300
- Nikon D700
Setting up the flashes
With the commander and the remote speedlights programmed for the AWL, users can now place the remote speedlights in their desired locations. The output of the remote speedlights can be controlled directly from the commander. Adjust the output of each individual groups within the same channel to achieve the desired lighting effects.
See also the
"A collection of example photos SB-800/600" booklet that comes with the SB-600 and the SB-800.
Shutter speed
So what is the shutter speed to use? It all depends whether you want any ambience lighting in your pictures. Exposure is dependent on your shutter speed, aperature and your ISO. You can lower your shutter speed to include ambience lighting if there is any. A faster shutter speed will reduce the ambience lighting. However, there is a limit to how fast your shutter speed can be, it can range from 1/250s to 1/500s. Do take note when using radio triggers instead of the original Nikon CLS commander mode, even if you can shoot at a faster shutter speed, there is still sync problem. Experiment and find out the fastest sync speed will aid you because the camera body will not automatically limit your shutter speed.
