D5000 + SB600 =how to use off camera flash

[lynweber]

Alright, I really want to use my flash off camera because I don't want to take my homemade lights to a clients home. But I know i need some things to make it work possibly even another flash? Can someone help me figure this out?

[OsmosisStudios]

A body with a commander flash function (D90 or higher)
An SB-700, SB-800 or SB-900
A SU-800

or some kind of triggering system, if you dont wanna use CLS.

[lynweber]

Seeing that I can't get the D90 I'm stuck right now. But it is on the list.

I thought I read somewhere it was possible though. I think I'm just gonna take the lights but get a better bulb.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by lynweber

I thought I read somewhere it was possible though

That *what* was possible? There are ways of getting off-camera to work with a D5000: i listed them.

[dakwegmo]

Your D5000 doesn't have commander mode, so you'll need some way to trigger it. If you want to preserve the TTL capability you'll need one of Nikon's flash sync cords. If you'd prefer a wireless approach, you'll need either an optical slave or radio triggers. There are a lot of options, with pros and cons for each. If you're new to off camera lighting, I'd start by checking out the strobist blog: Strobist: Lighting 101

[neubauer6]

Go to Amazon and search for "cowboystudio." I have been using their wireless trigger with the exact same camera and flash setup that you have. It costs about $25 and hasn't mis-fired yet.

[bhursey]

You might also want to look int cactus v4's You have to me in manual on the camera and your flash will be in manual but that is where the fun is at.

Cactus V4 Radio Slave Set

[PapaJim]

Look at the SU800 commander, however this is being discontinued in favor of the new SB700 and SB900 flashes.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by PapaJim

Look at the SU800 commander, however this is being discontinued in favor of the new SB700 and SB900 flashes.

Where did you get this information?

[inkista]

Since neither the D5000 or SB-600 have sync ports, I think the easiest, cheapest way to go off-camera is to get cheap radio triggers, like the Yongnuo RF-602s or Cactus V4s. They go about $40 per Transmitter/Receiver set.

Otherwise, you're looking an iTTL sync cord, or hotshoe adapters and a PC sync cord, or a flash hotshoe adapter and an optical slave. All of which can be something of a pain and eventually more expensive than $40 for the radio triggers you'll eventually want anyway for wireless convenience and eliminating line-of-sight/range issues.

You put both units on the same channel, stick the receiver on the flash, put the flash in manual mode, and dial in the power output you want to use. Then you put the transmitter on the camera's hotshoe, and off you go. You will not have iTTL, high-speed sync (i.e., shutter speeds over 1/200s), or remote commanding. If you need to adjust the power on the flash, you have to walk over and dial in your adjustment.