rpierce Posted June 22, 2007 Share #1 Posted June 22, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) The Nikon SB-800 speedlight can be used with the M8 in M and A modes; however, has anyone tried to use a SU-800, speedlight commander, on a M8 to control groups of SB-800's in M mode? Bob Pierce Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 22, 2007 Posted June 22, 2007 Hi rpierce, Take a look here Use Nikon SU-800 on manual with M8?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Joe Mondello Posted June 22, 2007 Share #2 Posted June 22, 2007 This would be interesting to know too! Can the Metz controller for Leica (forget what it's called but it's 1/3 the cost of the Nikon controller) also control Nikon speedlights? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted June 22, 2007 Share #3 Posted June 22, 2007 I tried it and got nowhere, but that is not to say it doesn't work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted June 23, 2007 Share #4 Posted June 23, 2007 OK, I tried it some more and again got nowhere. Put the SU-800 (IR flash controller) on a D2X and I can remotely control 3 groups of flashes with individual power settings/EV to each group, switching them on and off at will. Move the SU-800 to the M8 and you get nothing, even in manual only mode. The SB-800 (flash gun) works fine on the M8 in conventional Auto, Manual or GN mode (but not TTL mode) but requires you to set the ISO manually as well as the focal length to set the reflector position. Works well though because if you set the focal length to 105mm, the flash gives a long reach with, say, a 75mm Summilux on the M8. Alternatively, set it wide and use the tilting flash head to bounce with the clip-on diffuser. I know flash is not a first priority with the M8 but we do need something better than the SF-24D which has a tilting/zooming flash head and is fully integrated with the camera . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwfreund Posted June 23, 2007 Share #5 Posted June 23, 2007 I have tried it as well to no avail. This WOULD be an interesting option. -bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted June 23, 2007 Share #6 Posted June 23, 2007 Mark, Robert - Ouch. It had not occurred to me that the SU-800 would not work on the M8. For remote flash control with the M8 I had planned to stay with my existing Nikon flash units and get an SU-800. It seems very strange that unit will not work, there can't be anything unique about the SU-800 'shoe' connectors, or is there?. Surely the SU-800 works properly on most cameras? Anyone care to speculate why the SU is not functioning on the M8? Your findings baffle me. .................Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsteve Posted June 23, 2007 Share #7 Posted June 23, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I know flash is not a first priority with the M8 but we do need something better than the SF-24D which has a tilting/zooming flash head and is fully integrated with the camera . The Metz MZ54 works fine with my M8. I suppose you could use the metz slave SCA adapter along with another Metz MZ54 and get multiple flash control. There is also a new Metz flash which is a bit smaller than the MZ54. It is the MZ44 and is compatible with the M8. Metz - always first class. - mecablitz 44 MZ-2 For multiple flash, I just use a Profoto pack and heads. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsteve Posted June 23, 2007 Share #8 Posted June 23, 2007 This would be interesting to know too! Can the Metz controller for Leica (forget what it's called but it's 1/3 the cost of the Nikon controller) also control Nikon speedlights? Joe: I think the Metz slave controller ( SCA-3083 ) mounted to a Metz flash will work in conjunction with a third pary flash. The metz slave controller uses the primary flash to know when to quench the flash it is connected to. From my read of the Metz site, a flash with this slave controller will fire when the master flash is fired and then quench when the master quenches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted June 23, 2007 Share #9 Posted June 23, 2007 Chris, I've just tried it on a Leica Digilux 2, an Epson R-D1 and a Nikon D100 (first time I've used it in a couple of years, feels really antiquated!) and the SU800 doesn't trigger with those either. I think it's only recent Nikon cameras which support their Creative Lighting System (CLS) will work (D2x, D200, maybe the newer consumer cameras). As a last resort, I even got the manual out and it suggests the SU-800 will trigger flashes which are connected by wires, but that defeats the object of having an IR controller... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted June 24, 2007 Share #10 Posted June 24, 2007 ...... I even got the manual out and it suggests the SU-800 will trigger flashes which are connected by wires, but that defeats the object of having an IR controller... Mark - Utterly bizarre. Thank you so much for posting, it seems I can forget about the SU-800 for dual Nikon and M8 use, which is disappointing. I'm grateful to learn your findings before committing to the SU's purchase. For those who are curios about this discussion; the Nikon remote flash system might be Nikon's best asset - it's fabulous. ..................Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Mondello Posted June 24, 2007 Share #11 Posted June 24, 2007 Joe: I think the Metz slave controller ( SCA-3083 ) mounted to a Metz flash will work in conjunction with a third pary flash. The metz slave controller uses the primary flash to know when to quench the flash it is connected to. From my read of the Metz site, a flash with this slave controller will fire when the master flash is fired and then quench when the master quenches. Thanks and thanks to Mark and all the others for setting the record straight on this. It certainly would be great to be able to use Nikon's CLS with the M8, but it makes (some) sense that it requires a newer Nikon body. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Mondello Posted June 24, 2007 Share #12 Posted June 24, 2007 I just stuck the SB-800 atop the M8 for a few shots at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade yesterday and set it to A and found that it did a nice job of fill . . . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonevt Posted June 25, 2007 Share #13 Posted June 25, 2007 I have used the Nikon SB-28 DX flash in auto mode with the M8 as well as the Metz 54 Mz-3 and Vivitar 283 with AA batteries. All these flashes have dedicated cords for my Quantum Turbo and Turbo 2x2 battery packs so that I do not have to use AA batteries for media shoots. The problem is that the Quantum Turbo batteries do not seem to work with the M8. Any suggestions? I could buy the Metz 54 Mz-4 with the 50 Metz battery pack if I knew the battery pack would work with the M8. In the past I only used my M film Leicas for available light photography as I had a fast 35mm 1.4 summilux as a wide lens. There is not a faster wide for the M8 than f2 and for interior journalism photos a dedicated small flash with battery pack capability would be nice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted June 25, 2007 Share #14 Posted June 25, 2007 ... have dedicated cords for my Quantum Turbo and Turbo 2x2 battery packs so that I do not have to use AA batteries for media shoots. The problem is that the Quantum Turbo batteries do not seem to work with the M8. Any suggestions?. Tom, I use a Metz 54 with my M8, and it works fine with a Quantum turbo 2x2. I set the flash on auto because I do not like the preflash that is part of the GNC process. There is a thread on this aspect of Metz and GNC from a couple of months ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted June 25, 2007 Share #15 Posted June 25, 2007 ... I know flash is not a first priority with the M8 but we do need something better than the SF-24D which has a tilting/zooming flash head and is fully integrated with the camera . Mark, wasn't there a posting a while ago that Metz will be making a new flash for a Leica label to arrive soon? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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