CLS Receiver

The CLS Receiver interprets the wireless data send by the Nikon SB-800 in CLS / 'Advanced Wirless Lighning' mode. The underwater strobe can be used as remote strobe in the Advanced Wireless Lightning system if connected to a CLS Receiver. Details about the CLS system can be found in the instructions of your Nikon digital camera as well as in the manual of the Nikon SB-800.

Each CLS Receiver adds an additional underwater strobe to the wireless system and can be used in one of the available groups.

Different models of the CLS Receiver are available to suit the sync cord and the strobe connected.

The positioning of the CLS Receiver to the strobe or strobe arm and the distance to the master strobe is crucial to assure the wireless data transfer. The working range can be modified by different settings of the master strobe.

Details are in the Manual of the CLS-N

Which underwater strobes fulfill the requirements?
by May 2008

• Subtronic Nova
• Subtronic Mini
• Subtronic Maxi
• Sea&Sea YS-250
• Hartenberger 250 HS TTL Digital
• Inon Z 240 III
• Inon Z 240 II
• Ikelite DS 51

What is possible with a strobe not fulfilling the requirements?

If it is a modern TTL compatible strobe with incompatible timing, mode M is still available. This mode may fulfill the requirements for the given photographic setup.

Is it necessary to configure the CLS Receiver before using it?

Yes, the strobe type connected to the CLS Receiver has to be configured in Menu 3 if it is not the pre-configured one. This configuration of Menu 3 is necessary for both modes, TTL and M. The manual steps in mode M are not matched to the underwater strobe connected if the CLS Receiver is not properly configured.

What is the difference to the Digital Adapter?

The DigitalAdapter evaluates the preflashes and mainflashes of the primary strobe and triggers the underwater strobe accordingly. The DigitalAdapter is a TTL solution for almost any digital camera.
The CLS Receiver operates with digital data sent by an Advanced Wireless System including channel, group and exposure compensation information.

What is the difference to the Remote Slave Unit RSU?

The RSU is a photo senor which triggers strobes over much larger distances than the CLS Receiver. The RSU is not a TTL-adapter. It can be used with almost every camera if the primary strobe does not trigger any preflashes. Preflashes of the camera and TTL signals are not supported. All common underwater strobes (including strobes without TTL support) known by us can be used with the RSU photo sensor.
The CLS Receiver is a full featured TTL data receiver for the CLS/'Advanced Wireless Lightning' System.

What is the difference to the external converter?

The external converters connects the underwater strobe directly to the camera. The strobe connected via the external converter is the primary strobe. More than one strobe can be connected to the external converter with a dual sync but all those strobes shall be identical models and will be triggered with the same signal.
With the CLS Receiver different strobe models can be connected to the photographic system at the same time and configured independently by using the group option. The strobes with the CLS Receiver are additional strobes that can be switched on and off during the dive to assist or replace the master flash unit.