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Nikon Commander Mode

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Instead of creating another post, I updated the “How to get the best out of your pop-up flash” article to include plenty of information and a new video on Nikon’s Commander Mode on semi-pro and pro-level Nikon camera bodies. Information on how to set up the built-in pop-up camera flash to be a commander, as well as configuring Nikon speedlights (SB-600, SB-700, SB-800 and SB-900) is also included.

Here is the video on how to use the commander mode + flash communication basics:

Our next upcoming article + video is going to be about Nikon speedlights and how to use them in various configurations indoors. Stay tuned!

  • Brad Hawley

    I am enjoying your articles and videos on flash photography. Do you have any hints on how to best photograph Christmas trees with lights to be able to retain the light effect and yet illuminate the tree and ornaments?

    Thanks.

    • https://photographylife.com Nasim Mansurov

      Brad, that’s coming up in our new videos! Our next one is for using speedlights and then the one after that will be for taking pictures indoors :)

  • Eduardo Siqueira

    Hi Nasim, your tutorial on flash photography is amazing. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Changing subject, I’d like to know whether it is possible to use an Infrared Filter on Nikon D5000. How would the image look like? Do you have any exemplo. I’m very curious about this filter.
    Regards, Eduardo.

    • https://photographylife.com Nasim Mansurov

      Thank you Eduardo!

      To be honest, I don’t know much about infrared filters, since I have never tried infrared photography…

  • Igor

    hi Nasim
    thank you for sharing your knowledge
    your articles are very useful
    i always read then any time
    hope you keep it

    • https://photographylife.com Nasim Mansurov

      Thank you for your feedback Igor!

  • SVRK

    Hi Nasim, is there any way I can download your videos through a podcast client? Thanks, Prabhakar

  • http://www.andreahanksphotography.com Andrea Hanks

    Hello Nasim,

    I have an aggravating problem with my Nikon Commander Mode. I have been using the system for almost 2 years now, and there are occasions when I use the off camera flash in commander mode in which my photos come out blurry. I have checked shutters speed and it is quick enough it should not be a problem. I am frustrated beyond belief, especially with this new set of photos I shot of a bride and a groom. They are gorgeous, but not in focus. Any suggestions? I am happy to send a photo as an example.

  • http://www.andreahanksphotography.com Andrea Hanks

    Nasim,

    Sorry, I hit enter before I signed my name!

    Thank you!
    Andrea

  • Barry R. Boyd

    Nasim,

    I just got my SB-700 in and it will fire in slave mode with my D3100 pop up flash. I have read here and elsewhere that this would not work.

    • http://www.facebook.com/NaftoligoldgrabPhotography Naftoli

      it will fire in su4 slave mode but u will not be able to use ttl and control the power of it remotly via ur camera

  • shahed

    Can i use off camera flash with D5200.. i have sb 700

  • mac

    hii… thank you lots for the video… i wanna use more than one off camera speed light along with pop up flash and i prefer to use flashes in manual mode… i have D3100 and as u told before that there doesn’t have commander mode… so will speed lights fire ?? and it depends on speed light?? i wanna buy Yongnuo Speedlite as its price r cheap….

  • chris

    Thanks for the tutorial, one question I can’t figure out when I set the my D610 or D800E to commander mode and my SB-910 and SB-800 to remote the flashes fire fine but when I go back to my camera menu and power the flashes up or down it does nothing and flash exposures are the same, why is that thanks
    Chris.

    • chris

      Never mind figured it out;)

  • Teresa

    Excellent! Such clear instructions. Thank you!

  • s

    you said it wont work on the d3100 but it conflicts this url ?
    http://www.revellphotography.com/blog/2010/08/nikon-d3100-announced/

  • Jim

    With the Nikon D610 and the SB 700 does wireless flash would with out the on camera flash being part of the exposure?

  • Jim

    Is it possible to use the Nikon D610 and the SB700 with wireless flash without using the on camera flash as part of the exposure?

  • http://lemiefoto-writingwithlight.blogspot.com/ Tish

    i’ve had my sb-700 for a year or two now and it seemed overwhelming to use it. Your tutorial was awesome and you explained it all so thoroughly. Thank you so much!!