View Full Version : SB800 and walls
phishphorphun
02-06-2005, 3:25 PM
I'm guessing this might be a pretty dumb question, but I'm asking it anyway. My main tank is built into the wall. Since I take all my photos from the front of the tank, and there is a wall above, below and to each side of it, can I use the wireless feature of the SB800 with the flash above the tank on the other side? The wall is not insulated and is constructed with Florida cypress planking.
hmmm. the only way to find out is to try. i'm not sure if the signal will go through the wall since the speedlight flash triggers the sb-800, but it might see the light through the front glass.
phishphorphun
02-06-2005, 11:55 PM
hmmm. the only way to find out is to try. i'm not sure if the signal will go through the wall since the speedlight flash triggers the sb-800, but it might see the light through the front glass.
I think I'll wait and see if anybody else has an oppinion before I buy the SB800. My primary interest for using it would be taking shots of my cichlids in the 120g built-in tank. I'm sure I would use it for other situations, but I'm mainly taking photos of my fish for now.
Is there a relay or a wire that can be used with it? I'm thinking of something where I could place a relay in the doorway between the tank and the camera.
hir0, I told you it might be a dumb question.
benny
02-07-2005, 12:14 AM
If the sides or the back of the tank is not covered, a mirror place beside the tank should allow you to trigger the flash.
Best thing is to show pictures of your setup. Otherwise, all you are going to get are just shots in the dark (pardon the pun).
Cheers,
besides photographing fish, a good speedlight is extremely useful. check this link out.
http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/SB800_techniques.pdf
JerseyJay
02-07-2005, 6:25 PM
can I use the wireless feature of the SB800 with the flash above the tank on the other side?
I do NOT think so. I just did some testing through wall, door and other misc barriers and it didn't work. You have to have direct connection.
it might work. as long as the flash can see the light through the tank glass. i'll try a test later.
phishphorphun
02-07-2005, 9:30 PM
Well I just got in from a two hour drive from one of my accounts and was thinking about this dilema all the way home. I appreciate you all helping me with this problem. I pretty much concluded that I would have to consider putting a door system on the wall above the front of the tank. Not onlyy would it allow me to use the speedlight, but I could have easier access to the front for routine maintenance. Now my next dilema is how I deliver the plans to my wife. She's not very receptive to changes to the family room when it comes to my aquariums.
You guys are really great for experimenting with your hardware for me. Tlhanks again.
phishphorphun
02-07-2005, 9:46 PM
besides photographing fish, a good speedlight is extremely useful. check this link out.
http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/SB800_techniques.pdf
Wow, I needed to see that to better understand how beneficial a good speedlight can be. Thanks for the link.
Got a chance to test it out. Positioned the SB-800 on backside of the tank and the D70 about 2 ft away from the front. It works, even through the greenwater. Tank is 24" deep and the glass is 1/2".
phishphorphun
02-07-2005, 11:12 PM
Got a chance to test it out. Positioned the SB-800 on backside of the tank and the D70 about 2 ft away from the front. It works, even through the greenwater. Tank is 24" deep and the glass is 1/2".
This sounds great if I understand you correctly. The SB-800 was on the top of the backside of the tank and you shot the camera from the front of the tank about two feet from the glass. Did the camera have to be at an angle that allowed the trigger mechanism (infrared light or whatever) to travel directly to the SB-800?
Fantastic experiment Ibn. If this works, it will eliminate any doubt about investing in the unit sooner than later.
Pretty close to the way that you described it.
Both units were handheld during the experiment. Left hand with the SB-800 and right hand w/the D70. Held the SB-800 a bit higher than the camera at an angle down into the tank and then fired the D70 w/right hand (commander mode triggered by onboard flash). Flash fired fine, but there were no walls blocking the IR, so not sure how valid the results would be.
Quick question back at you. Is there a reason why you are trying to fire the flash from behind the tank while you shoot from the front? The SB-800 works fine while shooting from the front. I've been doing this for awhile now. Hold the flash in my left hand and shoot w/the D70 on my right. Here's a shot that I just took minutes ago using this method.
http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/showthread.php?p=17743#post17743
phishphorphun
02-08-2005, 9:17 AM
Pretty close to the way that you described it.
Both units were handheld during the experiment. Left hand with the SB-800 and right hand w/the D70. Held the SB-800 a bit higher than the camera at an angle down into the tank and then fired the D70 w/right hand (commander mode triggered by onboard flash). Flash fired fine, but there were no walls blocking the IR, so not sure how valid the results would be.
Quick question back at you. Is there a reason why you are trying to fire the flash from behind the tank while you shoot from the front? The SB-800 works fine while shooting from the front. I've been doing this for awhile now. Hold the flash in my left hand and shoot w/the D70 on my right. Here's a shot that I just took minutes ago using this method.
http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/showthread.php?p=17743#post17743
After placing the unit at a desired location sitting on the glass canopy on top of the tank, I would be in the front shooting. I thought that having the flash coming from the actual top of the aquarium is the most popular technique. However, you are suggesting using the flash direction from the front of the tank located higher, lower, left or right rather than from the top in the rear, front, left or right. Is that too confusing an explanation?
Either way would work, especially if you have space on the top of the tank to situate the unit there. Then just have to wait patiently until the fish swims by and snap away (works well w/cichlids since they usually have some sort of defined territory).
I'm a bit less patient and instead of doing that, I usually track them w/my camera and flash (allows me to change the direction of the light source also, to a degree). Works well after I've fed the fish, otherwise, they'll just rush to the front of the tank looking for a meal.