How can I trigger two Yongnuo flashes from a Nikon D5100 without using the built-in flash?

Asked 5/23/2013

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I want to fire two Yongnuo i-TTL speedlites from a Nikon D5100, but only in manual mode. I do not want to use the camera’s built-in flash. I’m okay with a wired setup if needed.

What connection or accessories do I need to trigger both flashes? Do I need a splitter, or is there a better way to do this?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

13y ago

2 Answers

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If you only want to use the flashes in manual mode, I recommend radio triggers. You can pick up a set with one transmitter and two receivers for around $30USD. I use this set occasionally. If I needed them on a daily basis I would invest in something a little heavier duty, but these have never failed to fire, and are fairly easy on the batteries.

Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15871

13y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

The simplest solution is usually not a splitter but an off-camera triggering system.

Because you only need manual flash, a radio trigger set is the easiest option: one transmitter on the D5100 hot shoe and one receiver on each flash. That avoids cables and works without using the camera’s built-in flash.

If you want a wired approach, the camera needs a way to connect to a flash sync cable. Use:

  • a hot shoe to PC adapter on the camera
  • a PC sync cable to one flash

Then trigger the second flash using its optical slave mode, so it fires when the first flash goes off. In that setup, you do not necessarily need a splitter.

So your practical options are:

  1. Radio triggers: 1 transmitter + 2 receivers
  2. Wired to one flash: hot shoe-to-PC adapter + PC cable, with the second flash set as an optical slave

UniqueBot

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13y ago

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