Advanced Wireless Lighting

Wireless flash photography has many benefits; easy to set up, portable, lightweight, can be used outdoors without wires to reduce safety issues. Speedlight’s are small enough to position almost anywhere, giving you flexibility and increases your creative lighting options while still offering TTL metering from the camera. 

A combination of CLS compatible cameras and Speedlight’s enables wireless multiple flash photography which is referred to as Advanced Wireless Lighting (AWL). There are two main types of AWL optical and radio-controlled as outlined below.


Images of studio setups using Advanced Wireless Lighting

Optically controlled AWL

Infra-red light is used to trigger the remote flash up to a range of approximately 10m using the following methods. Any obstructions will stop the trigger signal, so the remote Speedlight’s need to be positioned in a direct line of sight. 

1. Using a camera with built-in Speedlight Commander mode.

2. Using an external Speedlight with Commander mode.

3. Using the SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander.

Radio controlled AWL

Radio waves can travel through obstructions, therefore this method has the advantage that the remote Speedlight can be positioned out of sight and still be triggered.

4. Using the WR-R11a, WR-R11b or WR-R10 (with WR-A10 adapter depending on camera model) in Commander mode.

5. Using Radio and Optical control simultaneously. 

1. Optically controlled AWL using a camera with built-in Speedlight Commander mode

In this mode, the built-in flash on compatible cameras* can be used to trigger wireless Speedlight’s. Use the camera’s Custom menu for commander mode, raise the built-in Speedlight, set the wireless Speedlight to remote, configure and test it fires as expected. Not all cameras with a built-in flash offer commander mode, so please check the table below or your User manual to confirm compatibility.



Commander mode can be set from the camera Custom menu > e3.

2. Optically controlled AWL using an external Speedlight with Commander mode

An external Speedlight attached to the camera hotshoe acts as the commander to trigger other wireless Speedlight(s). 

• Set the Speedlight on the camera to Master (Commander).

• Set the camera to commander mode.

• Set the wireless Speedlight to remote, configure and test it fires as expected. 

For full details of how to set commander mode with an external Speedlight please refer to the Speedlight’s User manual.

3. Optically controlled AWL using the SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander

An SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander attached to the camera hotshoe triggers the wireless Speedlight(s). The SU-800 does not have a flash itself but can trigger Speedlight’s wirelessly.

• Set the SU-800 to the required mode.

• Set the wireless Speedlight(s) to remote.

• Configure and test to get the required results. 

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For full details of how to use commander mode on the SU-800 please refer to the User manual.

4. Radio controlled AWL using the WR-R11a, WR-R11b or WR-R10 (with WR-A10 adapter depending on camera model) in Commander mode.

A WR-R11a or WR-R10 with WR-A10 adapter can be attached to the camera 10-pin socket to act as a commander to trigger wireless Speedlight(s) 

• Configure the WR-R11a or WR-R10 with WR-A10 in the camera's menu.

• Set the radio wireless Speedlight(s) to remote.

• Configure and test to get the required results. 

Note: the WR-R10 requires firmware version 3.00 in order for radio AWL to be possible. With the WR-R10 attached to the camera, check the firmware version through the camera menus; it will be listed signified by a 'W'. If you need to update the WR-R10 firmware, this can be addressed by a Nikon-Authorised Service Centre .

For a Technical Guide - for Radio Controlled AWL, click here.
For video guides to the SB-5000 and Radio AWL, click here.

5. Using Radio and Optical control simultaneously

It is possible to use a combination of optical and radio controlled AWL. The benefit of this is that you do not need to change your whole system from optical to radio in one go but can build your kit up over time. The cameras that offer this dual functionality are limited as they also need to be able to offer radio controlled AWL.

* When optically-controlled and radio controlled systems are used simultaneously, the SB-5000 cannot be used as a master flash of the optically controlled system. Group A/B and Channel 1-4 can be set in commander mode.

For a full list of Mirrorless/DSLR and Speedlight compatibility, click here.