Nikon R1C1
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 10:05 pmI have just invested in the Nikon R1C1 close up speedlight kit after much deliberation. I already own two SB800's and use these off camera and fire them via the on board flash of my D90 using the commander function. Two lights are great but sometimes you need more. I have been looking at adding more SB800's to the collection and also SB600's but thought the investment in the R1C1 kit may be a better option so that is what I did.
First impressions of the kit are very high. The contents of the kit are really quite extensive (I won't list them all here) and pretty impressive. The storage box is really something else and the designers have put a lot of thought into the safe storage of the items and have even included extra vacant compartments to accomadate the parts which come with another SB200 flash (flash, diffuser, gels and gel covers). All in all a quality piece of equipment.
The assembly of parts is very easy and a quick process, the flash heads do feel a little sloppy on the mounting ring but they are secure. Free movement is required for repositioning the flash heads around the ring and is acheived by squeezing two opposing buttons on the tilt mechanism of each flash.
The R1 is available without the SU800 commander unit at a cheaper price but my understanding is the SU800 is easier to operate and control settings of individual flash heads rather than using the commander menu of the camera. The cost of a stand alone SU800 from the retailer where I purchased the kit from was $377, the price differential of the R1 kit as opposed to thr R1C1 was $200 so a much more economical way of getting the SU800, which can be used with just the SB800's if required. (only difference between the two kits is the SU800)
I have had a chance to have a small play and the results I show here.
Both shots taken with my 60mm f 2.8 micro (I had to purchase an additional adaptor for this particular lens which cost an additional $65!)
#1
This flower shot was illuminated with one SB200 mounted on the R1 ring to the right of the lens and the second SB200 was placed behind the plant to illumniate the back of the leaves and provide a little rim light, quite pleased with the results on this one.
#2
This is a shot of a seed pod again the light setup was with one flash attached to the R1 ring to the right of the lens and the second was placed to the back and underneath the onyx tile and fitted with a red gel to illuminate the white b/g. Again quite pleasing results although I wanted to keep the whole reflection of the seed pod in the onyx tile on which it is placed. But to do this I had to move further away from the subject and by increasing the distance there was not sufficent power to adequately illuminate the seed pod as can be seen in image #3 below.
#3
Early days yet and a bit of a learning curve ahead but I do feel this will be an exciting journey.
First impressions of the kit are very high. The contents of the kit are really quite extensive (I won't list them all here) and pretty impressive. The storage box is really something else and the designers have put a lot of thought into the safe storage of the items and have even included extra vacant compartments to accomadate the parts which come with another SB200 flash (flash, diffuser, gels and gel covers). All in all a quality piece of equipment.
The assembly of parts is very easy and a quick process, the flash heads do feel a little sloppy on the mounting ring but they are secure. Free movement is required for repositioning the flash heads around the ring and is acheived by squeezing two opposing buttons on the tilt mechanism of each flash.
The R1 is available without the SU800 commander unit at a cheaper price but my understanding is the SU800 is easier to operate and control settings of individual flash heads rather than using the commander menu of the camera. The cost of a stand alone SU800 from the retailer where I purchased the kit from was $377, the price differential of the R1 kit as opposed to thr R1C1 was $200 so a much more economical way of getting the SU800, which can be used with just the SB800's if required. (only difference between the two kits is the SU800)
I have had a chance to have a small play and the results I show here.
Both shots taken with my 60mm f 2.8 micro (I had to purchase an additional adaptor for this particular lens which cost an additional $65!)
#1
This flower shot was illuminated with one SB200 mounted on the R1 ring to the right of the lens and the second SB200 was placed behind the plant to illumniate the back of the leaves and provide a little rim light, quite pleased with the results on this one.
#2
This is a shot of a seed pod again the light setup was with one flash attached to the R1 ring to the right of the lens and the second was placed to the back and underneath the onyx tile and fitted with a red gel to illuminate the white b/g. Again quite pleasing results although I wanted to keep the whole reflection of the seed pod in the onyx tile on which it is placed. But to do this I had to move further away from the subject and by increasing the distance there was not sufficent power to adequately illuminate the seed pod as can be seen in image #3 below.
#3
Early days yet and a bit of a learning curve ahead but I do feel this will be an exciting journey.
. I will shop around next time and after doing a quick google they are available as rechargeables. I will let you know how they perform long term but the flashes are fully charged and ready to go immediately after they have fired (with fresh batteries!).