D90 and SB900 wireless

[Cevizms]

Hey there,
I am using a D90 and bought a SB900. I wonder if there is a way to use SB900 in wireless mode and turn off D90 flash?? I have to pop it and use it so I can use SB900 remotely.
Thank you

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by Cevizms

Hey there,
I am using a D90 and bought a SB900. I wonder if there is a way to use SB900 in wireless mode and turn off D90 flash?? I have to pop it and use it so I can use SB900 remotely.
Thank you

it needs the pop up flash to trigger the remote flash.
Alternatively you could purchase radio triggers, there are some like the pocket wizards and radio poppers that have models that retain the tll capabilities.

[inkista]

Is it popping up the flash that's bugging you? Or the output from the pop-up?

The pop-up has to send light to the remote flash to command it, but its output can be set to "--" to keep its light output from registering in the photo, so the remote flash is the single light source. If you're working in very close, it might still show up, but there's an infrared filter you can place over the pop-up if that's the case.

Or you could go wired. Get a PC sync core, and a hotshoe-to-PC adapter, or a hotshoe-to-hotshoe iTTL sync cord.

[Cevizms]

Yes, thanks for the replies. pocket wizards seems to be good. And now I havea new problem with me SB-900 aint durable to work while its floating in the air
especally when it lands Are these things fixable? The red panel front of it broke down. But it seems to function. :P

[OsmosisStudios]

... You dropped it already?

That red panel is pretty necessary if youre using the flash on-camera with the AF-Assist on (which you should, if it's in low light). Otherwise, not so much.

[Cevizms]

Yes its now ripped off. But I can glue it there its not all borken. Only the nails which holds the red panel is missing:P You Osmosis just made my day thank you

[J. Rivera]

Originally Posted by Cevizms

Hey there,
I am using a D90 and bought a SB900. I wonder if there is a way to use SB900 in wireless mode and turn off D90 flash?? I have to pop it and use it so I can use SB900 remotely.
Thank you

Hello,

I too have an SB900 and I bought an SU800 to use for wireless flash control. It works inside and outside and fires the flash reliably. Inside with walls and ceilings around you can place the flash anywhere and the SU800 will fire it. Outside you are limited to a line of sight with the flash. There can be issues but I have not encountered any yet. That is probably do to how I shoot. I also have an SB600. I use the SB900 to control my highlights and the SB600 to control my shadows. At times I also use the SB600 to light the background walls inside though the use of gels. Outside I mainly use one or two flashes to set the highlights and control the shadows.

Another avenue you can look at is a set of Yongnuo Triggers. They come in various sets for single or multiple flash use. You can see all the various sets on EBay. I read a review of these gadgets here: Review: Yongnuo RF-602 Wireless Flash Triggers | ishootshows.com

The only reason I opted for the SU800 is because it controls all from the unit which sits atop the camera. I can change power or even turn one flash off from the camera. With the Yongnuo trigger I would have to control all from each flash. Not a biggie but something I did not want when shooting portrait inside.

These two devices were among the best in my research and they are not too expensive. The SB800 is around $250.00 and the Yongnuo triggers vary in price based on the amount of receivers in the package you order. I have seen them priced anywhere from $35.00 to $100.00. Again the larger cost also had four receivers inside that package.

Hope this information helps. Whichever you get will meet your needs well. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. All the best.

[J. Rivera]

Originally Posted by Cevizms

Yes its now ripped off. But I can glue it there its not all borken. Only the nails which holds the red panel is missing:P You Osmosis just made my day thank you

Sorry to hear about this accident. I recommend that you return the unit to Nikon for repair. While it may cost you a little money it is better than using the unit as is. Another factor is that if you modify it by gluing the red cover on you may void whatever warranty is left on the unit.

Given the cost of the SB900 a few dollars to repair it seems in order. It is a precision piece of equipment and it needs to be serviced to ensure its performance is not hampered. All the best.

[klam]

You can purchase the Nikon SG-3 IR Panel which will block the light from the pop-up flash. It's cheap, around $10.

The sg-3 will mount on your camera's hot-shoe. I have one and it's cheaper than spending money on radio triggers, sync cables, su-800.