Has anyone tried to remote trigger a Nikon sb800 using the Nikon d300 built in commander? I just bought a swivel bracket to hold the sb800 flash and an umbrella I can't wait until it comes in to try it out. I wanted to try it outdoors where the lighting is not so good to see if I get better results using it as a regular flash.

 

Thanks,

Michelle

You will love it!  Nikon has made off camera flash so easy.

Thanks I  can't wait to give it a try!

I have the d300 and sb800 and use the built-in flash in commander mode to fire my 800. What I do is set the built-in flash at it's lowest setting, which I think is 1/128. This usually makes the built-in flash so low that it doesn't have any real effect on the exposure, so all your light is coming from the 800. It works pretty most of the time, but I do still get that little pinlight catchlight sometimes.

I'd like to see if anyone else has any other tips on using the flash this way.

LisaM221:

I have the d300 and sb800 and use the built-in flash in commander mode to fire my 800. What I do is set the built-in flash at it's lowest setting, which I think is 1/128. This usually makes the built-in flash so low that it doesn't have any real effect on the exposure, so all your light is coming from the 800. It works pretty most of the time, but I do still get that little pinlight catchlight sometimes.

I'd like to see if anyone else has any other tips on using the flash this way.

 

Check page 294 of your manual on how to set your Built in Flash not to flash in Commander Mode (set it to - - Not TTL or M)

It will still preflash to set the exposure but won't flash when you press the shutter 

I just tried mine I followed the manual and can't get it to work.

Do you have your Internal Flash Popped up? Do you have them on the same channel?

lmichelleb:

I just tried mine I followed the manual and can't get it to work.

 

Internal flash was down also I both of them on the correct channels. Thanks for trying to help I need to try again when I am not tired.

lmichelleb:

Internal flash was down

 

That is the problem...IT MUST be popped up or the IR signal won't flash 

AWWWW, I will try it again! Thanks!!!! I am stupid I just saw the little green button that said CF flashing on my camera and thought thats all it needed.

Thanks,

Michelle

LisaM221:

I have the d300 and sb800 and use the built-in flash in commander mode to fire my 800. What I do is set the built-in flash at it's lowest setting, which I think is 1/128. This usually makes the built-in flash so low that it doesn't have any real effect on the exposure, so all your light is coming from the 800. It works pretty most of the time, but I do still get that little pinlight catchlight sometimes.

I'd like to see if anyone else has any other tips on using the flash this way.

Lisa,

Are you using the SB-800 in SU-4 mode?  (Basically a dumb slave.)  If so you need to explore iTTL operation of the flash.  Using iTTL you can tell the on-board flash how much (if any) to contribute to the overall flash.  If no, then there should be NO output from the on-camera flash.  You do have to deal with the pre-flashes and that can cause some people to blink, but if that becomes a problem you can pre-set the flash by using the AE lock button.

Ok.  Just read your exchange with Moose.  Sounds like you are on the right track.

I knew there had to be a way to have no flash from the built-in flash! Will have to give it a try!

 If you really want to be sure that you don't get a 2nd catchlight from the built-in flash, get the Nikon SG-31R.  It's $12 from B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=0&shs=SG-31R&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp%2FRootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&Go.x=10&Go.y=12&Go=submit

I have one and it works indoors and outdoors (on my porch).  I haven't tried it in the open outdoors.  My D300 still fires the SB-800 which is inside the Photek Softlighter umbrella with diffusion panel.