6 17 10 : DSLR

[devder1]

bad pix, but i was trying out the continuos release mode

 

[jcardona1]

very true, i have times when im outside where flash is really hard to use and i need more light and a higher aperture would be nice


and also the sb-400, i think that it can be triggered off caamera right? it just cant trigger other speedlights? also for fish shots, where exactly do you place your off camera flash?

yeah, these fast aperture lenses are great for any low light situation. theyll work great with aquarium photography too, but dont plan on being able to use the f/1.8 or any of these big aperture settings and get good results.

no, the sb-400 cant do anything wirelessly. the only option you have for off-camera is to do it with a hotshoe extension cable.

 

[jcardona1]

per nikon:

Key Features

• Compatible with i-TTL and D40’s M mode
• Flash head can be tilted in 4 steps; horizontal, 60, 75 and 90 degrees
• Flash shooting distance range: 0.6m - 20m (depends on the ISO setting)
• Guide number: 30 [ISO 200, m, 20°C]
• Angle of coverage: 18mm (with Nikon-DX format cameras), 27mm (with Nikon F6)
• Depending on the camera in use, the following flash modes are available: Slow Sync, Red-eye Reduction, Red-eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Rear-curtain Sync, FV Lock, exposure compensation, M (manual, only with D40 camera)
• Power source: two AA-size 1.5V batteries (also compatible with lower voltage batteries)

• Note: SB-400 cannot be used with cameras not compatible with Nikon Creative Lighting System. SB-400 is not compatible with Advanced Wireless Lighting.

 

[devder1]

per nikon:

mmmm ok makes sense now, how do you use your speedlight for aquarium photography, on the camera or seperate?

 

[jcardona1]

mmmm ok makes sense now, how do you use your speedlight for aquarium photography, on the camera or seperate?

when i had my D40, i was triggering my SB-600 with an SU-800 wireless transmitter. i also did some shots with a hotshoe cable, but this gets annoying quick!

since i got the d90, i havent done much aquarium photography because i sold my fish to buy better lenses lol. but the d90 does have the commander mode which can wirelessly trigger the speedlights. i just ordered some cheapy radio triggers, so when i set up my planted tank, will be using the speedlights with radio triggers for my wireless flash setup.

it sounds like youre getting into this photography thing, so i would suggest saving the money and go with a sb-600, maybe even an sb-800 if you can afford it since the sb-800 has a commander mode which can trigger other speedlights, something your D40 cant do.

with a d40 and a sb-600, you have a few options for wireless flash:

1. SU-800 wireless transmitter, $250

2. hotshoe extension cable, 10ft for $20. i got the knockoff ones on ebay, works great!

3. cheapy radio triggers, $30-40. i got the Cowboy Studios brand from amazon, they have great reviews. or you can get Pocket Wizards which are the pro standard, but also very expensive, $250+

4. SB-800, $350+. this is the most expensive option, but you do get the benefit of this speedlight's commander mode, which makes up for what the d40 doesnt have

 

[Rgaray5396]

This the best thread ever. Very informative for people that are starting with DSLR. Like me. I still haven't bought mine.

 

[devder1]

when i had my D40, i was triggering my SB-600 with an SU-800 wireless transmitter. i also did some shots with a hotshoe cable, but this gets annoying quick!

since i got the d90, i havent done much aquarium photography because i sold my fish to buy better lenses lol. but the d90 does have the commander mode which can wirelessly trigger the speedlights. i just ordered some cheapy radio triggers, so when i set up my planted tank, will be using the speedlights with radio triggers for my wireless flash setup.

it sounds like youre getting into this photography thing, so i would suggest saving the money and go with a sb-600, maybe even an sb-800 if you can afford it since the sb-800 has a commander mode which can trigger other speedlights, something your D40 cant do.

with a d40 and a sb-600, you have a few options for wireless flash:

1. SU-800 wireless transmitter, $250

2. hotshoe extension cable, 10ft for $20. i got the knockoff ones on ebay, works great!

3. cheapy radio triggers, $30-40. i got the Cowboy Studios brand from amazon, they have great reviews. or you can get Pocket Wizards which are the pro standard, but also very expensive, $250+

4. SB-800, $350+. this is the most expensive option, but you do get the benefit of this speedlight's commander mode, which makes up for what the d40 doesnt have

ayyyyy my heads asploeded haha this is not easy, what would you reccomend for an overhead flash setup if i was going to use it mainly for aquarium shots and macros and was looking to keep it relatively cheap?

 

[jcardona1]

ayyyyy my heads asploeded haha this is not easy, what would you reccomend for an overhead flash setup if i was going to use it mainly for aquarium shots and macros and was looking to keep it relatively cheap?

me personally, i would go with the sb-600 and some cheap radio triggers. there's tons on ebay, but these here i just ordered yesterday. they have really good reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-NPT-04-Wireless-Receiver-cowboystudio/dp/B002W3IXZW

with these radio triggers, you lose your TTL metering info between the camera and the flash. but this isnt a big deal really since TTL metering is useless for aquarium photography. the camera doesnt know how to meter the light properly for an aquarium.

put the camera in manual, put the flash in manual, slap on the triggers, and shoot away. with the flash in manual you adjust its ouput via the flash exposure compensation button on the speedlight.

like i said, the sb-400 is a nice cheap option, but it has too many limitations. just the fact that it wont work with radio triggers or nikon CLS wireless system is enough for me to go another route. im confident youll soon wish you had gone with the sb-600. wireless lighting is addictive, as is photography. youll find yourself wanting more and more speedlights.

its time for you to check out mfk's other site, www.aquatic-photography.com

 

[devder1]

me personally, i would go with the sb-600 and some cheap radio triggers. there's tons on ebay, but these here i just ordered yesterday. they have really good reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-NPT-04-Wireless-Receiver-cowboystudio/dp/B002W3IXZW

with these radio triggers, you lose your TTL metering info between the camera and the flash. but this isnt a big deal really since TTL metering is useless for aquarium photography. the camera doesnt know how to meter the light properly for an aquarium.

put the camera in manual, put the flash in manual, slap on the triggers, and shoot away. with the flash in manual you adjust its ouput via the flash exposure compensation button on the speedlight.

like i said, the sb-400 is a nice cheap option, but it has too many limitations. just the fact that it wont work with radio triggers or nikon CLS wireless system is enough for me to go another route. im confident youll soon wish you had gone with the sb-600. wireless lighting is addictive, as is photography. youll find yourself wanting more and more speedlights.

its time for you to check out mfk's other site, www.aquatic-photography.com

that is very true, i feel like i should at least go and get started haha on AP, i never really thought about it till now, mainly because of my formerly dreadful pictures haha but yeah youre right now that i realize that the 400 can be triggered off camera, its an easy decision
also whats your AP username?

 

[Egon]

Very good info guys, thanks a bunch!