Is it possible to trigger a Sb-28 connected via SU-4 from a Su-800?

Thanks in advance!

A photo should not show what you see, but expressing the experience of what you saw, you need so to speak create a new image.

Photoworks

It might be. Since the SU-800 operates in commander mode only it will always emit pre-flashes that will prematurely trigger the SU-4/SB-28. If you use FV lock you can eliminate the pre-flash for subsequent shots and the SB-28 should fire at the proper time. Alternatively you could get a PC cord and trigger the flash without needing the SU-800.

I see from your profile that you have an SB-800. If you are wanting to use the SU-4/SB-28 as perhaps a second light in a SB-800 CLS flash set up you have a different challenge as the SU-800 pre-flash will set off the SB-28 and totally confuse the flash metering. Ask me how I know . IF you want to try CLS I would try turning off the SB-28, set the flash exposure with FV Lock, and then turn on the SB-28 for the final exposure. I have never been able to make this work reliably, which is why I now use monolights in my small studio instead of my SB-800s. I do use an SU-4/SB-25 as a background light and it works fine with my monolights.

Assuming you want to use both flashes I would suggest putting the SB-800 into SU-4 mode and triggering both flashes with the popup flash on your D700. If you set the popup to Manual (NOT Commander Manual) you can trigger both remote flashes reliably.

Thanks Luke,

In my studio I have 3 studio flashes and other lighting, but I wanted to use these small flashes for outdoors.
I have wireless triggers and receivers for them (Cactus), but then you have to work in manual mode.
So I tought to work with the SB-800 in TTL mode and the Sb-28 in manual, with the SU-800 and SU-4.
I think regarding everything, to buy a SB-900 so my problems would be out of the way.


A photo should not show what you see, but expressing the experience of what you saw, you need so to speak create a new image.

Photoworks

Both the SB-28 and SB-900/800/700/600 use IR remote sensors. These units are known for having issues in conditions with bright lights and detecting the triggering flash. The SB-800 can be used with the SB-28 as it still supported the old TTL (see page 73 of the SB-800 manual). The SB-900 is pure iTTL and can only control the SB-28 in the Manual flash mode.

George
My Nikonian Galleries

Thanks George, a lot to think about, I'm pleased you point this out!


A photo should not show what you see, but expressing the experience of what you saw, you need so to speak create a new image.

Photoworks

>I think regarding everything, to buy a SB-900 so my problems
>would be out of the way.

Since you want to use the CLS system - getting a CLS compatible flash unit to replace the SB-28 is the way to go IMO. As George (gkaiseril) points out CLS can be tricky outdoors. You HAVE to make sure the CLS sensor window on the remote units (next to the battery compartment door) is pointed toward the CLS Commander for reliable communication. There are radio triggers that support the Nikon CLS system and PocketWizard appears to be very close to releasing their version. I believe that I would go the radio trigger route if I planned to do a lot of CLS outdoors.

I think about the PocketWizard, it's a good system but expensive.

Thanks!

A photo should not show what you see, but expressing the experience of what you saw, you need so to speak create a new image.

Photoworks