Great multiple-flash idea.... but, it doesn't work!

I have an N70 with an SB-28, and I got this great idea to connect

the SB-28 with an SC-17 cord so I could use both the SB-28 and the

built-in flash at the same time. The fancy TTL metering should work

fine, I thought. Maybe even put a Sto-Fen Omni Bounce on the SB-28.

 

Alas, with the SC-17 on the camera, the flash door won't open.

 

Still, I'm thinking, not a bad idea. Has anyone else had this idea?

Has anyone fashioned some sort of thinner connector for the flash

shoe to allow the door to open?

i have a similar problem with my N80. i have a a SB26 flash, and it has a built in slave, so i can do this. the problem is that TTL flash will not work. the flash is supposed to be able to "get the right exposure" all by it self, but i have not tried it yet. (the on camera flash may mess everything up anyhow). so you could also try this by getting a flash slave....but again, what to set the slave flash to would be the question. damn flash theory,..........

TTL Wireless Slave Flash Controller SU-4

 

"The SU-4 enables wireless romote flash with automatic TTL or manual exposure control, and it can be attached to any current Nikon speedlight. The SU-4 detects the firing of the master flash (including built-in Speedlight) and sends a firing-start signal to slave unit. The SU-4 terminates the firing of the slave flash by detecting firing-stop signal. Use of the SU-4 eliminates the need for connecting cords. Operates effectively up to about 23-25 feet from the location of the main flash."

Hi Marc,

 

Even if you can manage to open the flash door with a thinner connector, the built-in flash will not fire with a speedlight attached, as it is designed that way.

 

Using a remote slave unit would be a good idea, but if you are using multiple flashes TTL is not very usefull, as both flashes interfere with each other, and only the built-in one can be controlled by the camera.

 

If you need multiple flashes I would advise to use two external flashes and set them manually using a good flash meter. Since you set them manually you don't need expensive speedlights like the SB-28.

 

And to be curious: why do you want to use this setup?

Small addition: TTL can be preserved by using all Nikon equipment like speedlights and TTL cables or the Nikon SU-4 that Spencer mentioned. In the case of the SU-4 you will still need two external speedlights as you mount the SU-4 on the flash shoe of the camera!

 

But as you know Nikon stuff is a bit expensive; I was talking about a simple slave unit that just triggers the external flash. I've got two of those that I bought for about $10 each, but I have never used them since I bought studio strobes ($150 2nd hand) right after that and they have built-in slave triggers. I use my SB-28 on my camera as a trigger. The SB-28 is set to manual and the smallest amount of light it can give (1/64) so it doesn't affect the shot.

How about an Ikelite Lite Link. I have one and it works great.

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/lite_link.html

Small correction:

 

The SU-4 attaches to the slave flash (in your case the SB-28) and is trigged by the on-camera flash. The N80's built-in one will do fine for that purpose.