Nikon SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander

2021-12-31T09:02:34

Works great firing my off camera flash! The staff helped with my questions online, which helped me to make the purchase. It does not come with batteries, so make sure you buy a pkg at the same time so you will be able to play with it as soon as it arrives! :)

Vicki H.

2021-03-04T19:11:32

Works great with my Nikon sb800 flashes in studio. Also use it for close ups with r200 flashes. Does not fire a flash around a corner. Needs line of sight but that works for me.

Charley L.

2020-11-06T07:59:41

My Nikon D90 does not communicate with SB-700 flashes in other than TTL mode. The SU-800 solved the power ratio issue. Easy to use right out of the box…and it works! No issues. Clean design and looks like a sturdy build. Very happy with being able to find this on your website. Nikon did not have this item available on their website.

DEAN D.

2020-10-30T09:43:32

It works very well with the Speedlight SB-700 Flashes and with the R1C1 Wireless Close up for macro work.

Graham S.

2019-04-02T08:27:39

This was my first time using multiple flashes with a commander. I typically shoot sports and nature. It was extremely easy to setup and worked great for every shot. Not a single issue, just wished it was clear that there was no battery included and that it isn’t an ordinary double or triple A.

WILLIAM M.

2019-03-15T09:06:39

One of the simplest set-ups and easiest to use!!!

Gary P.

2018-09-18T20:00:00

The SU 800 has channel 1-4, and the SB5000 has channel 5, 10, 15. Therefore they are not compatible since they cannot be synchronized. I am using a D810 and both products are listed as compatible but they are not.

Wolf

Originally posted at

2018-04-09T14:20:53

Makes my D500 work like my D300 in controlling multiple SB-600 Speedlights.

GENE S.

2017-11-26T21:59:13

This is a great way to control non-WiFi Nikon flashes. No flash needed for professional Nikon bodies or popup flash on semi-pro Nikon bodies to trigger the infrared Creative Lighting System. I use this to avoid any flash whatsoever coming from the popup or hot shoe.

James C.

2016-12-05T11:17:15

I have used it indoors and outdoors and I have not had a problem with triggering the remote flash. Works with both my SB-700 and my Yongnuo.

WILLIAM S.

2016-03-23T08:39:07

easy to figure out. reliable. A good tool.

MAC L.

2015-03-24T21:00:00

The commander works great - can control multiple flash groups. Very intuitive for such a powerful device. Would have 5 stars, except I had to purchase it to replace one that quit after 6 years of 200 day/year use. I couldn't justify sending for repair, and had to have one up and running immediately.

JOHN H.

2015-01-19T19:00:00

I've had the SU-800 unit for many years and have used it under a variety of conditions. Due to its requirement to have line of sight with my SB-900 and SB-910 speedlights, it was somewhat limited. Works inside better than outside, though I have had great and consistent success on the beach and so on, as long as the little speedlight sensor was facing the SU-800. I could not place the speedlights behind partitions, under cars, inside cars (while shooting from the exterior), so I had to figure out other ways to trigger my flash units some other way under these conditions. I do a fair amount of underwater photography... There are a couple of ways to trigger a speedlight underwater... One, Use a SB-910 on camera and set it up as a master/commander for the other speedlights. Problem with that is, there is a light source ON the camera, even if it's just to trigger other flashes. Placing the SU-800 on camera, allows me to trigger other flashes, without emitting light and, allows me to control exposure values from a distance. Pocket wizards do NOT communicate through water, the SU-800, being a light spectrum communicator, does! As I have already mentioned, I have used this unit for many years and can share that it is well made, does what it is supposed to do and holds up under frequent, nearly daily, use. Get a battery tester, as the SU-800 does not indicate battery level... before I purchased a battery tester, I threw away many, probably still useable, batteries... just so I would not have one quit at an inopportune moment. You can't change batteries underwater! I hope you benefit from this review, I would definitely endorse this unit for all of the Nikon CLS units.

SuspendedMoments

Originally posted at

2014-12-07T19:00:00

I have the SU 800 about six months now. As with all Nikon products, it does exactly what it is supposed to do. Not one complaint. I have learned that if you use original Nikon products, you will never experience any problems. After market products are what they are. Cheep imitations are the worst way to go. They sell at lower price for a reason. They cannot compare to original manufactured Nikon products.

LPODBER

Originally posted at

2014-03-03T19:00:00

Easy to use, great design (light-weight). highly recommend it to all nikon users working with the CLS

Daniels g.

2014-02-11T19:00:00

Easy to use and exceeded my expectations. After reading a bit on the web I was a bit conserned how it would work with the speed light inside a soft box, but this was no issue.

sholaisen

2013-11-15T19:00:00

I love the idea of this product, but in real-life situations, it needs improvements. The biggest drawback to this product is its lack of radio-triggering ability. IR is nice, but can easily be overpowered by direct sun, and requires line of sight. This is no big deal when shooting inside, or in a studio setting, but can become a real issue when shooting outdoors, trying to do portraiture with a long lens, etc. It severely limits where you can place your lights. However, I added a PW MINI and FLEX TT5, and the whole setup runs beautifully. I can place my flashes anywhere, but still be able to control the power using the SU800. Best of both worlds. The MINI sits atop my camera, with the SU800 on that, and the FLEX mounted under my SB600. The MINI takes the IR signal, converts it to RF, and sends the signal that way. I can easily shoot from 100 feet away, behind corners, etc.

Stratusfearrr

2013-11-04T19:00:00

Commander work very well for hand held off camera flash. So far so good.

GORDON M.

2013-09-09T21:00:00

Great product for off-camera remote triggering.

Stephen S.

2013-05-31T21:00:00

This works exactly how i expected. It's made very well. I'm investing in the rechargeable batteries for this though! The batteries it takes is a little expensive, but defintely worth it when it comes to weight on top of your camera.

Kim

2013-05-17T21:00:00

I use the SU-800 with a radio popper Transmitter for controlling multiple off camera speed lights for indoor and outdoor portraiture. The SU-800 gives me the control to adjust power on each of the speed lights. It is a good and reliable product. By using the SU-800 with the radio popper transmitter I do not have to worry about the inferred signal getting blocked before it reaches my lights. The radio signals from the radio popper always gets were it needs to be, around corners, in bright sun, whatever the conditions. They a very reliable.

wed p.

2013-04-01T21:00:00

Beats using a pop up to control your external speedlights hands down. Even beats using something like an SB700 in the flash shoe as a commander. The whole story is in front of your face, and it eliminiates at least one annoying pre-flash. An SB900 as a commander probably has a bit of additional range, but once you've worked with the SU800 you'll be very reluctant to substitute a speedlight in command mode for it.

Russell L.

2013-03-18T21:00:00

Love it! Also works great with my radio popper PX Transmitter.

DAVID M.

2012-09-23T21:00:00

One of the gadgets every photographers should not miss especially in using the Nikon creative lighting system.

John A.

2012-07-29T21:00:00

I lile it but I have not used it.

Joe

2012-06-06T20:00:00

I own and use a D2X, it does not have transmitter for wireless flash, I purchased the the R1 C1 entire kit that included this unit, SU-800, I have to say I rarely have my SB800 mounted on my camera anymore. I have owned this for 5 years now and use it anytime I need flash. I have used it controlling my SB800 and both SB-R200 flashes and it has worked flawlessly. I love the versatility it brings, the creativity you can have with off camera flash and a controller that works, every time. As with all my Nikon products, it is reliable, dependable and a solid unit, working flawlessly with the Nikon systems. You can not go wrong purchasing this unit.

NikonD

Originally posted at

2012-03-24T20:00:00

I had a chance to really use this Speedlight Commander recently. It is an excellent unit and the true plus for this unit is that is easy to operate and understand. It can command 3 flash groups independently of each other and exposure can be set differently for each of the 3 groups. If I have 2 flashes to be used for a shoot I don't have to have one of the flashes on the camera with the SU-800. I love the 33ft reach of the auto focus assist lamp, far superior than using the camera's built in Speedlight. The SU-800 requires a Lithium 123 battery, however overall it is a great unit, I would highly recommend it.

d80man55

Originally posted at

2012-02-19T19:00:00

The cheapest way to get remote TTL flash, manual mode works great too. Works fantastic in small to medium size room, and when working close to flash outdoors. Begins to have issues in larger (auditorium or gym) room and when trying to cover some distance outdoors.

DAVID K.

2011-12-26T19:00:00

This works great on a Nikon D40x. I didn't have the cash to buy a new camera with a built in CLS commander so I used this instead. I have it controlling two off-camera SB-800s and it works great. I love that I can set everything manually without have to go to each flash to set the output power. Even if you don't shoot or light manually, the CLS is very good at getting the light right.

ROBERT A.

2011-12-18T19:00:00

unless there is big sunlight, this does the work of PW for the strobist

Larry p.