help! i've been reading the manual as to how to use the sb-800 off the camera but it more or less discusses using multiple flash. i only need to use one flash off camera (d40x)

how do i do that? do i need to buy something else? please please help. i tried using su-40 mode? is that correct. but i was wondering how to do it without using the camera's built in flash. thanks!

http://strobist.blogspot.com (http://strobist.blogspot.com/)

i already tried searching but i can't seem to find it...

Hmmm with the D40x not having commander mode, SU-4 mode and using your onboard flash to trigger the speedlight wirelessly is your only option if you don't want to spend on extra stuff.

But If you really really want to use CLS, you will have to purchase a Nikon TTL cord, SC-28 or SC-29. OR You can buy a SU-800 so you can have "commander" mode on your D40x.

Otherwise, wireless triggers like pocket wizards or cheaper equivalents is another option. But that will entail the mano-mano technique and therefore it won't be a textbook Nikon CLS.

All in all, Nikon CLS and going strobist achieve the same thing using different methods.

Perfectly said Dexter. In other words, the D40x does not have a commander mode to trigger a unit remotely or on wireless mode. Yes, you would need an SU 800 to trigger the sb800. I have a D40x too and it was one of my earlier frustrations as i stumbled on the wireless topic on the manual of the SB600 flashgun. Only to find out that my camera can't. The SB800 is a great flash unit though and i intend to get one too as a partner to my 600. However, the 800 CAN be set to Commander mode.

oh ok now i get it! but with the cable sc-28 or 17 i have to have my flash attached to the other end of the cord making it not as "wireless" right? hay... how much would the su-800 go for? :)

A friendly visit to your camera store will wield the price... if they have it in stock. But doing a quick google search, it seems its around 300 dollars, so pricey pricey! almost the price of a brand new SB-800 on amazon.

Using SU-4 mode though different from CLS, makes it only slightly more complicated to set up a lighting situation. CLS allows you to use the light meter of your camera, and then your camera will decide how much light is needed to properly expose the shot. But the SU-4 mode, which I learned reading through the strobist crash course/class thread, uses the "mata-meter" and the magic of trial and error will yield the same results, albeit less efficiently.

So going wireless yields three options: 1) going strobist with everything manual, 2) buying a SU-800, 3) or upgrade your camera body to at least a D80! hehehe

May I add, if you use SB-800 as a slave (SU-4) mode, or any slave flash fot that matter, you need to set your on-board flash to manual (non TTL) mode. Otherwise, you will trigger the slave flash intermittently as the camera gives off pre-flashes. And when the actual flash fires, the slave flash may not be ready anymore.

Well said again Dexter... Thats exactly what I did... upgrade to D80....
:)

@ Tem

wow sir! congrats on the upgrade!

I'm still happy with my D40 and with my current direction of learning the ways of the strobist, I might upgrade my camera body in the future, but not soon.

Going full manual and not relying on CLS will help build me some character!

But getting a SB-800 and a SB-600 is currently in my roadmap, so let's see by then, with both speedlights i can do CLS for sure.

IMHO, if you own a D40 and you really just want to do CLS, with the price of D80, why not get 2 x SB-800?

Also, take time to answer this question, will you be doing CLS most of the time?