how to synch speedlight plus studio lighting kit

[rhysa cymro]

hello
I'm trying to set up a studio shoot with: Nikon D700, two studio flashes (lastolite lumen8) and a Nikon Sb800 speedlight.

The model is lit with the two studio flashes but I want to use the speedlight with a gel to colour the backgdrop.

I can succesfully trigger the speedlight in commander mode, and can succesfully trigger the studio flashes with radio trigger, or using lead, but I can't get all 3 to fire at the same time.

Any ideas?
thanks
rhys

[zona5101]

put the lasolites in slave mode and fire the sb from commander.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by zona5101

put the lasolites in slave mode and fire the sb from commander.

Won't the TTL pulses fire the strobes prematurely? I have tried to mix optical with speedlight to no avail.

The SB800 has an optical slave mode it's self, so you could just use that to fire it...

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Won't the TTL pulses fire the strobes prematurely? I have tried to mix optical with speedlight to no avail.

The SB800 has an optical slave mode it's self, so you could just use that to fire it...

You are right. I am wrong. The commander will fire enough light to pop off the slaves prematurely.

So put the speedlight/background light in slave mode, one lastolite in slave mode and one lastolite wired. Or all in slave mode and let the pop up fire the whole kit and kaboodle.

[rhysa cymro]

Thanks guys. I'll give it a go and let you know.
ta
rhys

[scootermcq]

If you don't know how to put the SB800 is SU4 mode, here are some instructions from strobist.

Strobist: Unlock The Superslave in Your Nikon SB-800

[sk66]

You could also put everything into slave and use the popup set very low (-3 or as desired) to fire everything and add a little front light (but, then again, you might not want that). Depending on the lighting, just because there is a little light coming from the popup doesn't mean it will show in the image.

[AbramG]

Just a suggestion, but you may want to look into adding wireless triggers for all your lights. They are far more consistent than worrying about optical triggers. I use PocketWizards to mix my strobes and speedlights together and it works just great almost every single time (Occasionally my flash develops an attitude and decides not to work properly)

I saw you mention radio triggers in your OP, but If you don't have one for your SB-800 as well you'll want to add one. It will save you from so many headaches!

Other options are certainly available for a cheaper price than PocketWizards, I just like them because I find them to be the most reliable for me. My Elinchrom lights actually have built in wireless transmitters but that doesn't sync with PocketWizards so I typically won't use them.

If you need some options let me know I'd be happy to help out.