Radio and Optical Control Options for Wireless Multiple Flash Photography

Advanced Wireless Lighting (AWL) enables wireless multiple flash photography of individual or groups of remote Speedlights (receivers) from a commander unit (transmitter). The ability to light a subject or scene wirelessly, while still controlling exposure with TTL metering from the camera, opens up a wide range of creative lighting possibilities. 

There are three methods to wirelessly control Speedlight’s for AWL, click on the links below for information about each setup:

• Radio-controlled

• Optically-controlled

• Simultaneous use of optically-controlled and radio-controlled systems

Radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting

Radio-controlled AWL uses radio waves emitted from a commander unit; WR-R11a, WR-R11b, WR-R10 (with WR-A10 adapter depending on camera model) attached to the camera. It has the benefit that it does not need line-of-sight between the commander unit (transmitter) and the wireless Speedlight (receiver) to trigger the flash. Radio waves can travel through obstructions, which ensures the Speedlight is triggered regardless of whether it is hidden from the commander unit or not.
 

• WR-R11a or WR-R10 (with WR-A10 adapter) can be attached to the 10-pin terminal on the D5, D6, D500, D850, Z9 and Z8.

• Only the SB-5000 can be used as remote Speedlight's.

• Up to six groups (A-F) using 18 units can be set as remote flash units.

• Wireless multiple flash photography without using a master flash is also possible

• Up to 30m range.
   

WR-R11a or WR-R10 (with WR-A10 adapter) for radio-controlled AWL with the D5, D6, D500, D850, Z9 and Z8.	WR-R11b or WR-R10 for radio-controlled AWL with the Z7II, Z7, Z6III, Z6II, Z6, ​​​​​​Z5, D780 and D7500.

• Wireless multiple flash photography with remote flashes without using a master flash is also available.
• The WR-R10 needs to be updated to 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, please click here.

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

Optically-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting

An optical-controlled AWL system uses infra-red light to trigger wireless Speedlight’s. To achieve this line-of-sight between the commander unit/master flash (transmitter) and the optical sensor on the Speedlight (receiver) is required.

Light sensor window for wireless infra-red remote flash (receiver)

Multiple flash units can be remotely optically-controlled using the options shown in the table below.
 

• Up to three groups (A, B, C) of remote flashes can be set. There is no limit to the number of remote units in each group, however, up to three for each group is recommended.

• Up to 10m range
   

• SB-5000, SB-700, SB-500 can be used as a master flash (functions as a commander without firing).
• Simultaneous use of up to three remote flash units for each group is recommended.

* With D750, D810/A, D7100, D7200, D7500, Groups A/B and Channel 1-4 can be set in commander mode.
 

Simultaneous use of optically-controlled and radio-controlled systems

Radio-controlled AWL offers improvements over the optical system as a line of sight to the remote unit is not required. This makes it easier to hid Speedlights out of sight from the camera and offers more consistent triggering of remote Speedlights. Being able to combine optical and radio control is helpful to allow you to develop your AWL kit gradually rather than having to upgrade all your Speedlights at once.

With Z7II, Z7, Z6II, Z6, Z5, D5, D6, D500, D780, D850
 

An optically controlled system with a master flash (except SB-5000) attached to the camera and radio-controlled system with the WR-R11a, WR-R11b or WR-R10 (with WR-A10 adapter depending on camera model) can be used simultaneously.
 

• Remote flashes of groups A, B and C are optically controlled, while those of groups D, E and F are radio controlled.

• SB-5000 cannot be used as a master flash in the optically-controlled system.

• Only the SB-5000 can be used as a remote flash in the radio-controlled system.

With D7500

Using the built-in flash of the D7500 as a commander, optically-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting is available for up to two groups of remote units*. When used in conjunction with Nikon’s WR-R11b or WR-R10 Wireless Remote Controller, the built-in flash can also control up to three groups of optional SB-5000 Speedlights simultaneously via radio. Advanced Wireless Lighting using both optical and radio control at the same time is also possible.

*SB-5000, SB-700, SB-500 and SB-R200 (all optional).

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