Tight Budget: Wireless Flash Trigger setup

[martinturner]

I want to try out a 'budget' Wireless Flash Trigger setup and was wondering if anyone has any advice on this. I own a D40. I currently own no external flashes at present. I have seen a cheap external 'RF-602 Wireless Studio Flash Trigger Set' on the auction site and was wondering if I could buy two very cheap flashes to go with and have a budget setup. I would not really be using the setup for anything other than macro stuff. I want to be able to light from the back of my subject or from both sides. I like the idea of being able to move them about rather than being restricted with a ringflash.

Questions.

Will these even work with a D40? If you search for the above, they work with a D5000 D3000 D90. I know the D90 has a flash commander mode, so am presuming the only reason you would buy it would be to use cheaper flashes than say the SB600/800's?

My current issue is my D40 cannot drive external flashes, unless I buy a SB900 which I believe has the wireless commander stuff built in. Or upgrade the body to a D90 and use a couple of SB600's, although to get two external flashes with a D90 I think I would still need a third for the hotshoe of the camera itself. Anyway, that aside, I own a D40.

Basically I am looking for the cheapest solution.

Whilst I am not expecting professional results, sometimes a cheap and plasticy solution will work until budget changes. Initially I was looking at a Marumi Ringflash which again is cheap Japanese plastic, but the results are pretty darn good for the money. I do want to be able to light from the sides/back of a macro shot.

These flashes below are what are compatible with the budget wireless flash setup. I am wondering if there are any super cheap ones that will suffice. Basically, what the cheapest way I can do what I want.

Nikon SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-28, SB-27, SB-26, SB-25, SB-24
Canon 580EX II, 580EX, 540EZ, 520EZ, 430EZ, 430EX, 420EX, 420EZ, 380EX
Pentax AF-540 FGZ, AF-360 FGZ, AF-400 FT, AF-240 FT
Olympus FL-50, FL36
Sigma EF-500 DG Super, EF-500 DG ST, EF-430
Sunpak Auto 2000DZ, 622 Pro, 433AF, 433D, 383, 355AFm 344D, 333D
Vivitar 285HV, Yongnuo Speedlites

 

[Mud]

I can't help you with many of your questions, but...

Or upgrade the body to a D90 and use a couple of SB600's, although to get two external flashes with a D90 I think I would still need a third for the hotshoe of the camera itself.

I think the commander mode on the D90 allows 3 groups of flashes, and there's no limitation on the number of flashes/group. I have a D90 and a single SB900, and I've triggered the external strobe with the pop-up flash in commander mode with no major issues (other than minor exposure contribution from the commander flash and line of sight issues on the pop-up flash/SB900 receiver).

edit: a quick google says the D90 only allows 2 groups of flashes. I'm away from my camera right now so can't confirm.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

I am a Canon man, so I cannot comment on compatibility with your camera, however I recently bought an RF-602 trigger and 3 receivers so feel I can comment on those.

One word, BRILLIANT! I previously had some Cactus V2s', which felt REALLY cheap, and didn't always work. The RF-602 seem to have a bit more quality to them. Yes, they are still cheap radio triggers, but they are fantastic value for money.

+ Easy to use
+ 100% fire rate so far, even when shooting multiple shots in quick succession with two flashes
+ VEEEERY long range, I saw some tests where a guy could fire his flash from the other end of a football pitch (or thereabouts)
+ Can be used as a wireless shutter release as well, with the cable that should come with it (did with mine)
+ Half press of your shutter will wake up any flashes which have gone into sleep mode, great for flashes which do not allow you to turn sleep functionality off

- The on/off button on the receivers is awkwardly placed when mounted to a flash. not a deal breaker, but worth mentioning


As for flashes, I bought myself a Canon 430EZ for £40 recently, bloody bargain, and great for off camera use.
Alternatively, I have heard that YongNuo YN-460 Flashguns, whilst cheap, are really quite good (Yongnuo make the RF-602's by the way).

I hope it's ok to post this link, this guy over on Talk Photography sells loads of strobist stuff, and he will soon be selling the YN-460 flashguns. I believe they'll only be about £30-40
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=157807

In reality, if you shop around, you can easily get up and running wirelessly with 2 flashes for about £100.

If you need any pictures, or even a video of me using them, just let me know and I can do something tomorrow evening for you.

 

[martinturner]

Mud - thanks for your reply; although I am stuck with my D40 for a little while longer.

SS - perfect. Exactly what I was after, thank you. I am presuming could use Canon 430EZ's too, as it does list them as being compatible even though this setup is for Nikon? My only issue now is whether this wireless set works with a D40. Anyone?

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Mud - thanks for your reply; although I am stuck with my D40 for a little while longer.

SS - perfect. Exactly what I was after, thank you. I am presuming could use Canon 430EZ's too, as it does list them as being compatible even though this setup is for Nikon? My only issue now is whether this wireless set works with a D40. Anyone?

Yes, as far as I am aware you can use pretty much anything. Obviously you wouldn't want to put a Canon flash on your camera, but for off camera use you're good to go. I am sure there are Nikon equivalents though if you feel like having a Nikon branded Flash, I just don't know what they are.

Alternatively look and Sunpak, Vivitar 285HV, or any old flash which allows manual control is what you want. The only thing I don't like about the 430EZ is it only dials down to 1/32 power. The YongNuo one I mentioned dials down to 1/64, giving you a bit more control.

EDIT: Sorry I just noticed you have listed a load of compatible flashes so you already know what to look out for

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Martin, just found this discussion on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157621634656829/page10/

Someone asks:

Anyone know the trigger voltage on the transmitter? Or, have experience with these and a Nikon D40?

These are a pretty sweet deal unless I need to buy a $60 Safe Sync to keep from frying my camera.

Response from another person is:

this setup works fine on the D40.

Probably need more solid evidence, but this is something. I don't see why they wouldn't work, but then I'm not exactly a technically minded individual


EDIT: This thread is on the first page of Google when searching for 'nikon d40 yongnuo rf-602'

 

[martinturner]

Yes, as far as I am aware you can use pretty much anything. Obviously you wouldn't want to put a Canon flash on your camera, but for off camera use you're good to go. I am sure there are Nikon equivalents though if you feel like having a Nikon branded Flash, I just don't know what they are.

Alternatively look and Sunpak, Vivitar 285HV, or any old flash which allows manual control is what you want. The only thing I don't like about the 430EZ is it only dials down to 1/32 power. The YongNuo one I mentioned dials down to 1/64, giving you a bit more control.

Presumably, the hotshoe on the camera is taken up by the wireless dongle thingie, so when the external flash is triggered in camera it fires off signals to the remote flashes. Did you buy the set of three to compensate for the loss of flash on your camera's hotshoe?

Surely it must work with a D40 as it has a hotshoe, what else would it need? Basically, if I buy this set and two/three flashes I can have it all wrapped up for about £120-160. Hence why my interest in this solution. It may be cheap but if it 'will do the job' then that is fine with me. My D40 'does the job' and I am pleased with the results I get. Do you know if I can start with 2 and then add a third?

Thanks for your help fella

 

[martinturner]

....
EDIT: This thread is on the first page of Google when searching for 'nikon d40 yongnuo rf-602'

Bloody works proxy!!! lol

I can actually view my own page on Flickr now, but cannot login or go to any groups. Yet I can use ebay and deviantart to my hearts content, lol.

I shall take a look later. What prompted me with this is my brother in law has a D80 with some sort of similar setup. He lives in London, so not easy to borrow his goodies for a quick test

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Presumably, the hotshoe on the camera is taken up by the wireless dongle thingie, so when the external flash is triggered in camera it fires off signals to the remote flashes. Did you buy the set of three to compensate for the loss of flash on your camera's hotshoe?

I THINK you can have the transmitter attached by cable to the camera, thus freeing up the hotshoe. However I have never had the need for this and I'm not 100% sure if it is possible.

If I am doing off camera flash stuff I don't really have any desire to have a flash on my camera as well.

Surely it must work with a D40 as it has a hotshoe, what else would it need?

I would think so. I am sure it will be fine, but I think the only thing which might be a reason is to do with trigger voltages. I think it will be fine though.

Basically, if I buy this set and two/three flashes I can have it all wrapped up for about £120-160. Hence why my interest in this solution. It may be cheap but if it 'will do the job' then that is fine with me. My D40 'does the job' and I am pleased with the results I get. Do you know if I can start with 2 and then add a third?

Thanks for your help fella

I think you'll be very happy with the results.

I have been working for a fair few months with just one flash, but felt I needed the flexibility a second offers. I took that opportunity to change my Cactus triggers and get the RF-602's instead. I only have two flashes, but I bought the set with 3 receivers in case I add a third flash in the future, or in case one receiver fails.

I think two flashes would be more than enough to get you going, you can always add a third for relatively low cost in the future.

 

[martinturner]

My only reluctance at the moment is the seller has the item listed seperately for the pro models to the amateur models? The descriptions are identical though. Probably better not to impulse buy. Will investigate later

RF-602 Wireless Studio Flash Trigger Set for Nikon D700 D300s D200 D3 D2 + two extra receivers

or

RF-602 Wireless Studio Flash Trigger Set for Nikon D5000 D3000 D90 + Two extra Receivers

 

[ScarySquirrel]

I think that is probably just to help his listings. The only difference between the Canon and Nikon set I believe is the cord you get with it (which you don't need to use unless using as a remote shutter or with studio lighting).

 

[Namistai]

My only reluctance at the moment is the seller has the item listed seperately for the pro models to the amateur models? The descriptions are identical though. Probably better not to impulse buy. Will investigate later

RF-602 Wireless Studio Flash Trigger Set for Nikon D700 D300s D200 D3 D2 + two extra receivers

or

RF-602 Wireless Studio Flash Trigger Set for Nikon D5000 D3000 D90 + Two extra Receivers

I suspect that this is the same item, only the seller has chosen to list these with different camera models for search optimisation.

Interesting thread! I fancy some flashes and off camera abilities myself, but have never thought it possible on my budget. This has opened my eyes a little, and I have to say I'm tempted to look into this myself! Keep us posted on your purchases and results Martin