How to use flash in slave mode properly?

<p>I am using SB-600 with Nikon D7000.<br /> I am setting up my SB-600 flash off camera.<br /> I am putting it in slave mode and it fires fine. The only problem, my on-camera flash fires as well.<br /> Is there a way to not have the on-camera flash fire, but just transmit the signal without firing? It kind of defeats the purpose of having the off camera flash, as the camera flash blows out the subject.<br /> What is the solution?</p>

<p>if you use the D7000 as a 'commander', it will always flash a little. that is how it communicates w/ the SB600. in most cases, it doesn't affect the final image but you can get a small 'shield' (SG-3IR ?) if you want. If you're not in commander mode on the D7000, then you've got things set up incorrectly since the SB600 will not act as a dumb slave (ala SU-4 mode).</p>

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<p>What is the solution?</p>

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<p>Read pages 225-228 in the D7000 manual.</p>

<p>The on-camera flash must at least fire pre-flashes - that's how it 'tells' the remote flash what to do. If you don't want the onboard flash to fire meaningfully for the exposure, in the flash commander menu (e3), set the Built-in flash Mode to '--' instead of 'TTL', or 'M'. That will tell the onboard flash (either the popup flash or a commander-capable speedlight mounted in the camera's hot shoe) not to fire for the exposure. It will still fire pre-flashes to control the SB-600 (or any other off-camera Nikon CLS compatible speedlight), but won't fire for the actual exposure.</p>

<p>If the onboard flash pre-flashes are still a problem for the exposure, you can get an SG-31R infrared filter for the popup flash. That will stop any visible light from the popup flash, and the SB-600 will respond to IR control preflashes. Other options would be to use an SU-800 IR flash commander or use radio triggers.</p>

<p>Simply setting pop-up flash to (---) in the menu will solve this. It will still fire as a pre-flash, but will extinguish before the shutter opens.<br>

Kent in SD</p>

<p>"<em>but will extinguish before the shutter opens."</em> - not quite so.<br />The final trigger flash from popup commander flash (even if set to "--") will be recorded in the picture at high ISO or with wide open lens, and at close distance, since this must happen when the camera shutter is fully open.<br />Get the inexpensive SG-3IR filter, perhaps for a $15. Nikon would not produce this filter for no good reason.</p>

<p>Great, I will get the SG-3IR to totally block the onboard flash from exposing. Then I just leave the onboard flash set at TTL, correct?<br>

I am also looking to get a hot-shoe soft box. I understand it will give me better results than the omnibounce diffuser I currently<br>

use. I would like to have something relatively small that I can put in a bag and take with me.<br>

What would be a good choice for a small onboard softbox?<br>

I would be using it in general on board SB-600 flash photography of people, as well as when I have the SB-600 off the camera<br>

either in my left hand or on the small stand next to the subject.<br>

I heard that</p>

<h1>LumiQuest SoftBox for Shoe-Mount Flashes</h1>

<p>is a popular choice? Except, people complain that it is not very durable and nylon rips soon.<br>

Is this the best choice for me or is there something better I should take a look at?</p>

<h1></h1>

 

<p>Do NOT leave the on-board flash set at TTL when using an SG-3IR. Set it to "--" With the IR in place and the flash set to TTL it will use maximum power for the on-board flash. That will just run down your camera battery.</p>