How can I use a nikon speedlight on a Nikon D3100 without extra components?

Question

I have the Nikon D3100 and want to rent first, then buy (when I have enough saved up) a nikon flash. Problem is, I heard something about the d3100 not having something inside the camera to use nikon flashes... I don't remember what It is but I think it has to do with flash. and that I would have to buy some kind of cord or transmitter, or smething..

Question is, How can I use lets say the Nikon SB-800 or 900 without having to buy another $100 accessory? Does anyone know of any Nikon flashes that will successfully work with my Nikon D3100 without me having to by another cord, or something that will cost another $100?

I heard the SB-700 will work with my d3100 without anything else but I want to hear from people who know both my camera and lens well.

any help would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

The flash will work OK on your camera. What your camera will not do is control the flash in wireless remote mode - with the flash not connected to the camera. This is what you are probably thinking of. You indeed need either a cord or SU-800 transmitter (that connects to the hot shoe) to remote control the flash.



So if you use the flash on-camera, you will not have any issues. If you want to remote control the flash, you will have to buy a SU-800 or cable.

Answer 2

DSLRs, such as the Nikkon D3100 are made with a camera body that has no lens of any kind, and a separate lens. They make them like this so that you can swap out different lenses, to take telephoto pictures, macro photos, etc. with lenses designed specifically for that purpose. With just the D3100 body, your camera would have no lens. There would be an empty hole to attach the lens. I'm not sure the camera would even function, since it has a lot of digital connections. If it did, you would be able to take blurry images of light, with no way to focus. You could of course get a lens separate, or use a lens you already have, and maybe the camera without the lens would be cheaper than the camera and lens combo... maybe. As a general rule, lenses require complicated craftsmanship, and will remain useful for years and years to come. There are some non-digital lenses on the market that are still supposed to be better than modern lenses. If you can get a deal on a lens that you like to use, DO IT! Also as a general rule, digital cameras are still being refined. In a year, there will be new models with two, or three, or twelve times as many megapixels, fancy new file types, better LED flash units... And so, you're likely to want a new DSLR in the future. If you bought a camera with a good lens before... that lens can be put on your new camera too. I'd get a camera with a lens if you don't have a lens. The D-3100 with the lens is another two hundred dollars, but just a lens could easily cost $250. You might lose fifty bucks on this plan.

Answer 3

The built in flash on the d3100 does not have commander capability to operate off camera flashguns.

You will need to put a CLS capable flash on the hotshoe, this can then act as a commander. I think the sb700 is compatible.

Answer 4

You heard wrong. The flash will slide into the hot show on top of the camera. The camera may have a piece of plastic you need to remove first.

Answer 5

They all plug into the hot shoe - that's all you need.



It's nice to have an off-camera lead, but red-eye reduction tends to render this unnecessary