Step 4: Adjust output

levels

Now you’re ready to adjust the output levels.
After you get your channels set, your groups
decided, and your lights set up, it’s time to
take some test shots. If you have everything
set to the TTL flash mode, you should be
pretty close to the proper exposure. Just
make some minor adjustments and you’re
done. All of these adjustments can be made
right at the camera, so there’s no need to
visit each light to make minor changes.
In the following sections, you go step-by-
step into setting up your flashes for com-
mander and remote use, choosing a flash
mode, setting channels and groups, and
adjusting the output for your specific needs.
Setting Up Mastersand Remotes
First of all, you need to decide which
Speedlights you’re going to use and for what
purpose you’re going to use each Speedlight.
One consideration is which camera body you
are using.
✦When using a D70/D70s or D200,
you can use the built-in flash for a
commander. This means you can
use any number of SB-800s or SB-
600s as remotes.
✦If you’re using the D70/D70s and
you need more than one group
of Speedlights, you have to use
an SB-800 or SU-800 as a
commander unit.
✦If using a D200 and you need
more than two groups of
Speedlights, you also need to
use an SB-800 or SU-800. All of
the D2 series cameras need a
separate commander unit.
Deciding which Speedlight to use as a mas-
ter (also referred to as a commander) and
which one to use as a remote is pretty easy.
If you need a commander unit, you must
use the SB-800 as the SB-600 only func-
tions as a remote in the wireless mode.
When setting up the Speedlights,
you generally set all of the set-
tings in one trip through the
Custom Settings menu. If you
need to go back and change
any settings, some steps will
need to be repeated.

D70/D70s as a master

To use the D70/D70s built-in flash as a
master:
1. Turn on the camera and press
the Menu button to the left of
the LCD.
2. Enter the CSM (Custom Settings
menu) by using the multi-
selector to scroll down to the
pencil icon, and press the multi-
selector to the right to choose
the proper menu number.
3. Scroll down to CSM number
19 – Flash mode and push the
multi-selector right to select
which mode your built-in
Speedlight functions in.
4. Scroll down to Commander
mode and push the multi-
selector right to choose the
desired flash mode.
Note
78 Part II ✦Creating Great Photos with the Creative Lighting System
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