Photographers usually stick with one camera brand.
Camera enthusiasts typically find a brand they like, such as Nikon or Canon, and stick religiously to that brand. Many companies make generic-brand accessories, such as lenses and flashes, designed to be compatible with brand-name SLR cameras. However, it's not a good idea to experiment with a Nikon flash on a Canon camera -- you could end up ruining both.
Will It Work?
The short answer is yes, most likely, with significant limitations. If you slide a Nikon SB-600 speedlight into the Canon SLR's hotshoe, it will most likely flash when you take a photo. It won't communicate effectively with the camera, so you have to use full manual mode on the flash with lots of trial and error to correct your exposure.
TTL
TTL, or through-the-lens metering, will not work when using the Nikon SB-600 with a Canon SLR camera. This means you will have to calculate the distance between the camera and the subject, then use a mathematical formula to determine the correct aperture setting based on ambient light and the distance. Older flashes had an on-board sliding scale to help with this calculation, but these scales went by the wayside once TTL became mainstream.
Voltage
Each camera manufacturer requires a different voltage to trigger the flashes. Nikon uses 12v, while many Canon SLRs are set up for 6v. If you use a 12v SB-600 flash on a Canon camera, you risk destroying the electronics that manage the Canon's flash system as well as connections inside the flash.
Remote
The Nikon flash will not work remotely with a Canon SLR camera. Canon uses infrared technology to remote-trigger its flashes, while Nikon uses radio signals. Radio signals allow the flash to be farther away and at different angles from the camera, while infrared allows for less interference and missed flashes. The two technologies are not compatible.
Tags: Canon camera, flash Canon, flash Canon camera, most likely, Nikon flash, Nikon SB-600, Nikon uses
