Flash for F5

Hi there!

I own a Nikon F5 and a Nikon SB-600 flash.

I was wondering if there is any way I can use the flash with the camera without it being attatched to the camera itself?

Im looking to experiment with some studio photography using B&W 35mm film.

Would I need a cable to make it fire? Are there any wireless alternatives?

I hope this makes sense?

Many thanks!

You can use PocketWizard to remotely fire it.... Or, you could use a long cord if having it laying around doesn't bother you.

You can use an SC-17 or SC 28 off camera cord. Otherwise with the SB 600 you need to use a radio trigger or i TTL (which isn't available on the F5). For off camera wireless with the Sb 600, you'd need the F6 and an SB800, 900 or SU 800. TH SB 600 lacks a PC sync as well as an optical SU-4 slave trigger.

This may not seem like a cutting edge idea, but i use a SB-28 off camera (handheld) to light paint things such as trees. Especially good for night shots on slow film (Velvia or Kodachrome) where you can leave the shutter open for a few minutes and have time to play with the flash.

Though i am still trying to perfect this technique, there are some particularly great examples in Galen Rowell's book "Mountain Light"

Otherwise, i'd use a SC-17 or an X-sync cable. Pocket wizard seem a bit expensive for something that can easily be done with a cable. I tend to look at toys as rolls of film. "I could shoot 50 rolls for the same price as that"


Hope this helps.

AK

For portable studio use battery powered flash on the cheap, I'd suggest used SB24/26/28 flashes or a new Vivitar 285hv for <$100 each.

There are a bunch of off camera trigger options like PocketWizard. It's the gold standard but also the most pricey.

On the cheap end, you've got Ebay triggers and the Cactus triggers. Less range, reliability is a wild card For casual use where the flash failing to fire part of the time is okay, they may be a good option.

The next price tier up is Cybersyncs and Elinchrom triggers. Improved reliability, both are also associated with there own like of studio stoves to make better use of them. I've used the Cybersyncs and had good luck with them. A friend went with the Elinchom triggers over the PocketWizards and is happy. In 'normal' conditions any of theses would probably be fine.

A newer entry is RadioPopper. Their big thing is supporting Ttl (automatic flash) though I know very little about them as their product came out after I made my trigger purchase.

Lots of variables... reliability, number of channels, grouping lights, range, automatic support, integration with studio lights, profile on the camera, battery type used, etc.

As long as you're cool with manual (ie. not TTL) flash control, pick up a cheap ebay flash remote. You can get extra receivers and transmitters if you want to use more than one flash or camera, and you just set them all to the same channel and it works beautifully.
Dirt cheap: http://cgi.ebay.com/4-Channel-Flash...=Camera_Flash_Accessories&hash=item414fa47e5a