Flash Conundrum to trigger Nikon SB-R200s

[Stagecoach]

I've been in the process of considering which way to go to replace a broken SB-910 and have just complicated it by adding a Nikon Z6 to my kit.

The Z6 has no 'built in flash' and flash 'Command' mode as does the D800 which is what I use for optically triggering the SB-R200s when lens mounted for macro work at time.

Flashes I have at present are, SB-600, Rollei (SB-900 Clone), 2 x SB-R200s

So my conundrum is, to trigger the SB-R200s optically from the Z6;

a) am I now limited to buying a Nikon flash that has a 'Command mode', e.g. SB900/910/5000 or SU-800?

or

b) would a 3rd party flash or optical trigger be an option?

Any suggestions or answers will be appreciated.

[pschlute]

I know nothing of the Nikon flash system, but some general thoughts are :

(a) That would give you most flexibility for optical triggering as it would allow the TTL modes to work.

(b) A third party flash would probably be able to work but it may limit you. If your existing flashes have a "dumb slave" mode you would be able to manually set the output on them, and they will trigger whenever they detect another flash has fired (ie the third party one on your camera) . The third party trigger flash may not work in TTL mode with your existing flashes

For most flexibility however I would suggest getting some radio triggers. You are not then bound by "line of sight" as with optical triggering, and should retain all your TTL modes if you use them. I am sure a Nikon user will be able to tell you what works well.

[Stagecoach]

I know nothing of the Nikon flash system, but some general thoughts are :

(a) That would give you most flexibility for optical triggering as it would allow the TTL modes to work.

I can go that way Peter get a Nikon flash with the 'Command' mode.

(b)A third party flash would probably be able to work but it may limit you. If your existing flashes have a "dumb slave" mode you would be able to manually set the output on them, and they will trigger whenever they detect another flash has fired (ie the third party one on your camera) . The third party trigger flash may not work in TTL mode with your existing flashes

The Nikon SB-R200s do not have any means to adjust output on them or have a 'hot shoe'. For this reason they have to be controlled with respect to 'power output' from a 'Command' unit.

I have delved into the manual of the Rollei unit I have and it indicated that it can be used as a 'Master' to control 'Slave' units but on testing tonight it fires and then about 1 second later the SB-R200s fire. Unfortunately the manual has to be the worst I have ever come across so more reading needed.

For most flexibility however I would suggest getting some radio triggers. You are not then bound by "line of sight" as with optical triggering, and should retain all your TTL modes if you use them. I am sure a Nikon user will be able to tell you what works well.

Radio triggers I can't see as an option for the SB-R200s.

[pschlute]

Ok it seems these are specialist macro flashes. You will do better to wait for someone else to answer

[dje]

b) would a 3rd party flash or optical trigger be an option?

Any suggestions or answers will be appreciated.

Hi Graeme

Godox flash units such as the TT685N can operate as optical or radio triggers. With the Nikon version. it's possible that the Godox flash in optical mode could trigger the SB-R200s. But the the problem is I can't be sure on that. You would need to try it out if that's possible or maybe more Googling might shed further light.

Dave

[Stagecoach]

Hi Graeme

Godox flash units such as the TT685N can operate as optical or radio triggers. With the Nikon version. it's possible that the Godox flash in optical mode could trigger the SB-R200s. But the the problem is I can't be sure on that. You would need to try it out if that's possible or maybe more Googling might shed further light.

Dave

This is exactly what I was wondering and hoping to find some confirmation, nothing on Google yet, that SB-R200s can be fired this way.

From diving deeper into the Rollei unit I'm now able to put it in 'Master' mode, set chanels 1-4 and groups A,B and C and even feed in different powers or EC per indavidual group for both Manual and iTTL modes.

But, the SB-R200s have a delayed action to them after the Rollei has been fired. I recall previously triggering a remote SB-600 from this unit with no concerns so will try that again today.

[Digital]

Grahame, I am afraid I can not been much help.
What happened to your SB 910? That is a good flash.

Bruce

[Stagecoach]

Grahame, I am afraid I can not been much help.
What happened to your SB 910? That is a good flash.

Bruce

Bruce, having cured the battery contact problem (cleaned off the verdigris) it was working fine. I took it out a few weeks later and it would not fire at all although the LCD and control functions all were fine. This flash got a bit wet some time ago shooting a race in driving rain and I suspect water damage inside.

I made enquiries with Nikon service and was advised they would require the unit to quote for repair and from my description of what was happenig it was sounding like trigger damage. With the costs of shipping it abroad for repair, unknown repair costs and that I purchased it used I'm not decided what to do with it yet.

Yes, it was a great flash.

[Manfred M]

Grahame - I am a great fan of radio triggers, but the problem with a lot of them is that the more expensive ones give you remote control of your flashes but the lower end ones are "dumb" triggers and require the user to shoot with the flashes in manual mode.

The problem with going with that approach means buying a transmitter for the camera and a receiver for each flash. The CLS is paid for with your flash units. The problem with optical triggers is compatibility. Nikon is compatible across the board that way, but my SB-600 requires another Nikon flash to act as slave to whereas my SB-900 can be a slave for any flash, even my dumb studio lights.

There are a lot of variables here that I would be just guessing at. The behaviour of your Rollei unit is quite strange. That length of delay does not sound right.

Good luck. I look forward to hearing was to what works and what doesn't

[Stagecoach]

Grahame - I am a great fan of radio triggers, but the problem with a lot of them is that the more expensive ones give you remote control of your flashes but the lower end ones are "dumb" triggers and require the user to shoot with the flashes in manual mode.

The problem with going with that approach means buying a transmitter for the camera and a receiver for each flash. The CLS is paid for with your flash units. The problem with optical triggers is compatibility. Nikon is compatible across the board that way, but my SB-600 requires another Nikon flash to act as slave to whereas my SB-900 can be a slave for any flash, even my dumb studio lights.

There are a lot of variables here that I would be just guessing at. The behaviour of your Rollei unit is quite strange. That length of delay does not sound right.

Good luck. I look forward to hearing was to what works and what doesn't

Well, I've finally made progress.

All my attempts to get the Rollei to triger the Nikon SB-R200s were being undertaken with the flash off the camera and using the 'test fire' button. I had found that there was a very obvious delay, press the test button, the Rollei (Master) would fire, next, one of the SB-R200s (Slave) would fire and then next the other SB-R200 (Slave) would fire. So why would this happen, because the clever person who designed this unit must have considered that if you want to test a 'multi' flash setup it's easier to see each firing separately

With the Rollei on the camera and fired from the camera all works fine in both Manual and iTTL. Full testing has shown that the Rollei will trigger both the SB-R200s and the SB-600 each indavidually set as group A, B and C with the ability to be set each in either Manual or iTTL with their indavidual powers or ECs.

For triggering the SBR-200s for macro work it's also possible to 'turn' of the flash of the camera mounted Rollei unit so as not to have front lighting.

So it's now apparent after a lot of user manual deciphering and testing that my Rollei is fully Nikon CLS compatible which the user manual had 'suggested' it was.

[dje]

Well, I've finally made progress.

All my attempts to get the Rollei to triger the Nikon SB-R200s were being undertaken with the flash off the camera and using the 'test fire' button. I had found that there was a very obvious delay, press the test button, the Rollei (Master) would fire, next, one of the SB-R200s (Slave) would fire and then next the other SB-R200 (Slave) would fire. So why would this happen, because the clever person who designed this unit must have considered that if you want to test a 'multi' flash setup it's easier to see each firing separately

With the Rollei on the camera and fired from the camera all works fine in both Manual and iTTL. Full testing has shown that the Rollei will trigger both the SB-R200s and the SB-600 each indavidually set as group A, B and C with the ability to be set each in either Manual or iTTL with their indavidual powers or ECs.

For triggering the SBR-200s for macro work it's also possible to 'turn' of the flash of the camera mounted Rollei unit so as not to have front lighting.

So it's now apparent after a lot of user manual deciphering and testing that my Rollei is fully Nikon CLS compatible which the user manual had 'suggested' it was.

Interesting findings Grahame, and good for the budget! Thanks for the update.

Dave

[Dave Humphries]

All my attempts to get the Rollei to triger the Nikon SB-R200s were being undertaken with the flash off the camera and using the 'test fire' button. I had found that there was a very obvious delay, press the test button, the Rollei (Master) would fire, next, one of the SB-R200s (Slave) would fire and then next the other SB-R200 (Slave) would fire. So why would this happen, because the clever person who designed this unit must have considered that if you want to test a 'multi' flash setup it's easier to see each firing separately

Another useful nugget to remember!

Thanks for the update,
Dave