Multi flash hummingbird photograpyy

I have 2 SB-900 Nikon strobes and 1 third party strobe. I have tried setting both SB-900 strobes as remote and use the pop up strobe o my D800 as commander.
That worked but not for repeat flash. It was one shot flash because of the pop up flash.

Can I install a slave on the third party strobe and set it to RRT flash and 1/128 power setting. Put  an SB-900 on top of the D800 and set it to commander. Set the other SB-900 to the right side and set it as remote at 1/128 power setting. The SB-900 on top of the D800 will be set at RRT 1/128 power.

Will this work or will I have to invest even more into wiring the set up together?

Thanks in advance

Larry Shuman

Larry,

I do multi flash photography of hummingbirds. I use Cowboy Studio wireless trigger and receivers. They are inexpensive (maybe $40 for what you would need), reliable, easy to use, and available at Amazon.com. Much easier than wiring the set together.
You said you have two Nikon strobes and one third party strobe. Mixing flashes from different manufacturers can result in "ghosting". All the flashes must have the same flash duration to avoid this problem.
I have many of my hummingbird photos on www.pbase.com/brucesherman.

Bruce:
Will the Cowboy unit use repeatable flash for hummingbirds? I intend to use my D3 with a high FPS. Can each strobe read repeatable flash, so the Cowboy unit just fires the flash? Also it looks like I can adjust the light level either by adjust each Cowboy unit or/and adjusting the cameras compensation? Can I shoot hummers with 2 SB-900's and fire them at the camera?

Larry Shuman wrote:Bruce:
Will the Cowboy unit use repeatable flash for hummingbirds? I intend to use my D3 with a high FPS. Can each strobe read repeatable flash, so the Cowboy unit just fires the flash? Also it looks like I can adjust the light level either by adjust each Cowboy unit or/and adjusting the cameras compensation? Can I shoot hummers with 2 SB-900's and fire them at the camera?

Larry,

Not sure what you mean by "Will the Cowboy unit use repeatable flash for hummingbirds?" With my 7DII and four remote flashes, all the flashes will fire simultaneously several times (depending on the power level in your flash batteries and the power setting you have set on the flashes). You will want to set all your flashes to manual at something like 1/32 power. Don't use TTL or whatever Nikon calls it. Set your camera to manual and something like f22 at 1/250 sec at ISO 400. You can adjust the exposure by changing the f stop, ISO, or the distance between the flashes and the subject. It is very important to have all the flashes set to the same power setting.

Two flashes is less than I would recommend. You will need a background (a large print of a blurred green or any other color that pleases you) set up on an easel or tripod behind the subject. You need one flash on this, and all your other flashes on the bird. I started out using one flash on the BG and two flashes on the bird. I got decent results, but much prefer three or four flashes on the bird.

If you get to thinking about buying another one or two expensive Nikon flashes, here's something to consider. I use these flashes: http://www.amazon.com/Yongnuo-YN-560-Sp ... lash+560II They are only about $60 each, so you could buy four or five for less than the price of one new Nikon flash. They work wonderfully for hummingbirds.

You will need some kind of lightstand to handle the flashes. I use cheap ($10 each) Slik tripods purchased from B&H. Not only are they cheap, but they are light in weight, making carrying them easier.

Check this out: http://www.rpphoto.com/howto/hummer/humguide1.asp. It's a little dated in a couple of areas but it will give you a feel for how to set things up.

Lastly, I bet that if and when you try multiflash photography on hummingbirds and if you are successful, you will be hooked. I have a lot of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in my yard in the fall. I had such good luck with these guys that I have since traveled to Colorado, Arizona, Ecuador, and Costa Rica chasing hummers. I am addicted.

I can press the mode button until this appears on the LCD "RPT 1/128". This allows the strobe to fire each time the camera does. So if I mount one (SB-900)(A) on a light stand to the right side and set to RPT 1/128 and set the other
the other one (SB-900) on the camera (B) and put the (C) third party strobe w/ slave at the left side and set at 1/128. Strobe (A) would be set for remote, Strobe (B) would be commander. Or I could buy the cowboy triggers (1 transmitter and two receivers). This looks to get very expensive as I'm on social security and need to use what I have now.

I too tried to use my existing flashes in the master remote method and drove myself nuts.  After I opted for the cheap remote trigger set I was amazed at how well they work and how easy it made the whole process.  Plus you can keep all your flashes working instead of wasting one as a master.  Even on social security this is affordable at $30 for the whole enchilada. 

Here is a set that is the same as cowboy studio, but only $30 US for one master and 4 receivers:  http://www.amazon.com/Mactrem-Channels- ... rigger+set

Yes, you can put your camera in high speed drive and blast away with the units set at 1/32 power because the juice used is minimal at that short a duration, something in the neighborhood of 1/ 20,000 second.