Commander Mode

When using optional SB-800 or SB-600 Speedlights with Commander mode selected for Custom Setting 19 (Flash mode), set the optional Speedlights to Channel 3, Group A and position them as shown below.

 

 

60–30 °

5 m/16´ or less

Speedlight wireless

 

 

remote sensor should

 

30 ° or less

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

face camera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 m/33´ or

 

 

 

 

Camera (built-

 

 

 

 

in Speedlight)

less

30 ° or less

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 m/16´ or less 60–30 °

The maximum distance between the optional Speedlights and the camera is about 10 m (33´) when the Speedlight is positioned in front of the camera (within 30 ° on either side of the center line), or about 5 m (16´) when the Speedlight is to the side (30–60 ° to either side of the center line).

Commander Mode

Press the button to raise the built-in Speedlight. Position the sensor windows on the optional Speedlights where they will pick up the monitor preflashes from the built-in Speedlight (take particular care when not using a tripod). Be sure that direct light or strong reflections from the optional Speedlights do not enter the camera lens (in TTL mode) or the photocell on the optional Speedlight (AA mode), as this may interfere with exposure. To prevent the timing flashes emitted by the built-in Speedlight from appearing in photographs taken at short ranges, use a low sensitivity and small aperture (large f/-number) and choose a flash sync mode other than rear-curtain sync. After positioning the Speedlights, take a test shot and view the results in the camera monitor.

Although there is no limit on the number of optional Speedlights that may used, the practical maximum is three. With more than this number, the light emitted by the other flash units will interfere with performance. All Speedlights must be in the same group; flash compensation ( 102) applies to all Speedlights. See the Speedlight manual for more information.

Commander mode settings of AA (SB-800 only) and TTL are available with CPU lenses only. If a non-CPU lens is attached, the shutter release will be disabled. The flash-ready indicator ( ) in the viewfinder and the icon and borders of the flash sync mode indicator in the control panel will blink.

Settings Custom—Guide Menu

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