How can I use an SB-600 off-camera with a Nikon D3000, and will it still work after upgrading bodies?
Asked 3/25/2011
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I have a Nikon D3000 and an SB-600, and I want to start using the flash off-camera. I’d like a wireless solution now that will also make sense if I later upgrade to a D7000 or a higher Nikon body. What trigger options should I consider, especially if I want compatibility with future Nikon bodies and possibly TTL/CLS support?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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There are a few options for that. You need to figure your budget first.
1) On the cheap side of the scale, there are the optical slaves that can trigger an off camera flash when detecting another flash fires.
2) Similarly, there are cheap radio triggers that let you connect a transmitter to your camera's hot shoe and trigger a flash that is mounted on the receiver.
The CTR-301P combines both, plus a PC-Sync connector for wired off-camera flash.
3) More expensive is a branded flash for your camera can give you I-TTL support for the off-camera flash (SB-600 or similar)
4) Radio Poppers or Pocket Wizards are considered advanced and reliable radio triggers, with some models supporting I-TTL.
Originally by user1024. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1024
15y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
You have a few workable paths, and the best choice depends on whether you need TTL or just reliable triggering.
- Cheap optical slave: inexpensive, but it only fires when it sees another flash. Good for basic manual flash, not TTL.
- Cheap radio triggers: simple transmitter/receiver sets are a common low-cost way to fire the SB-600 off-camera. They usually mean manual flash only.
- Nikon CLS/infrared: your SB-600 already supports Nikon CLS, which gives you wireless TTL and flash power control. The catch is that the D3000 does not have a built-in commander.
- To use CLS now, you’d need a Nikon commander unit such as the SU-800.
- If you upgrade to a D7000 or D300-series body, those bodies have built-in command mode, so your SB-600 can work wirelessly in CLS without buying a separate commander.
- PocketWizard/RadioPopper style systems are a more advanced, reliable radio option, with some models supporting TTL, but they cost more.
If you’re upgrading soon, the most sensible approach is often to use cheap manual triggers for now, then use Nikon CLS after the body upgrade.
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