Remote flash trigger for the Fuji X-T1

Now that the Fuji X-T1 is moving into my regular workflow, I am beginning to set it up to work with the various lighting situations we encounter in our lifestyle shooting. Today we needed to trigger both a studio strobe light and a Nikon SB-900 flash unit. With my Nikon cameras I use Pocket Wizards for the studio flash and a Nikon Commander unit to connect the D4 with the SB-900's. I wanted something a little smaller and portable for the X-T1 and I wanted it to be able to trigger the studio strobes, the Nikon flash units, and also the small Fuji EF-20.

The wireless triggers I ended up with were the Yongnuo 603 RF-NII. They are small, simple and uncomplicated, and fit nicely on the X-T1. They connect to the studio strobe via a sync cord, and to the Nikon and Fuji flash units via the hot shoe. They work in manual mode or A mode with the Nikon flash, which is fine by me. Thanks to the instant viewing convenience of digital photography, I pretty much only use my flash units only in manual mode anyway.

I find the small EF-20 flash to be a convenient size for filling in a tight area with a little bit of light, and now I can fire it off camera with a wireless trigger. All in all, these are handy and inexpensive wireless units to keep on hand. I use them with both the Fuji and Nikon, but they are also made for Canon. You just have to be certain to order the correct model. I have listed some of them at the bottom of this post.

The Yongnuo transmitter will work on the other Fuji X cameras -- X-Pro1, X-E2, X-E1 --  also.

The X-T1 and a Nikon SB-900 flash connected to two Yongnuo wireless transmitters. This is the setup used to take the photo below of the girl texting on her cell phone.

Each RF-603 unit can be set to either transmit or receive. They are sold individually, in pairs, or sets of four. A pair costs around $35. An "N" or "C" within the model name indicates if it is intended for Nikon or Canon. Either type will trigger a Fuji flash also. 

I constantly see people's faces lit up by cell phones and tablets in dark restaurants and night spots, and decided to do a series of lifestyle photos on that theme. Below are a couple of samples from our most recent shooting. 

A Nikon SB-900 set to 1/128 power was placed on the keyboard of the laptop computer and aimed at the screen. We put a silver reflector card in front of the screen to redirect the light back onto the model's face. The exposure was set for the girl's face and the  room exposure adjusted by altering the shutter speed. 

A similar technique was used here except that we had to place the flash -- in this case a studio strobe -- behind the model's head where it shone onto a small silver card attached to the phone screen and reflected light back to the model's face. The beam needed to be narrowed down considerably with a snoot on the light and some black cine-foil molded to the shape of the screen on the phone. 

A step-by-step, Part II sequel to this article has been posted here.

Any of these units will work with the X-T1 or any other Fuji X-camera, but only designated units can also be controlled by a Nikon or Canon camera. It gets confusing and the prices vary slightly, but here is a list with a link to their availability on Amazon.

I have received several comments from photographers who have not been able to get the Yongnuo flash triggers to work with their Fuji X-camera, and have concluded that what I am saying is untrue. So I prepared this video demonstrating the Yongnuo flash triggers on Fuji X-T1, X100T, and X-Pro1 camers and setting off Nikon flash units. I have no doubts that they will work with all Fuji X cameras, if properly set up.

For pro Nikon cameras and the X-T1:
Yongnuo RF-603NII-N1 Wireless Flash Trigger Kit for Nikon D700, D750, D800, D810, D1 D2 D3 D4, D4s

For amateur Nikon cameras and D610 series, and the X-T1:
Yongnuo RF-603NII-N3 Wireless Flash Trigger Kit for Nikon Nikon D90 / D7000 / D7100 / D5000-5500/ D3100 - D3300 / D600 / D610 

For pro Canon cameras and a Fuji X-camera:
Yongnuo Upgrade RF-603 II C3 2.4GHz Wireless Flash Trigger/Wireless Shutter Release Transceiver for Canon 1D/1DS, EOS 5D Mark II/5D/7D/50D/40D/30D/20D/10D Series (RF603II C3)

For Canon cameras and Fuji X-camera:

Yongnuo RF-603CII-C1 Wireless Flash Trigger Kit for Canon 60D 70D 350D 600D 700D

For amateur Canon cameras and a Fuji X-camera:
Yongnuo Upgrade RF-603 II C1 Flash Trigger/Wireless Shutter Release Transceiver Kit for Canon Rebel 300D/350D/400D/450D/500D/550D/1000D Series