The new Macro flash system

[sirhc55]

I have had the Nikon R1C1 for a few weeks now and if anyone believes the SB800/600 instruction manual is hard to follow, try the R1C1!!

This is truly an amazing collection of bibs and bobs that all have a purpose, to bring to life not only macro shots, but normal ones too.

Everything is presented in a carry case measuring 325(w) x 200(d) x 185(h)mm. When you first open the case you will find a diffuser panel and Nikon’s equivalent of the Plamp. Open the lid to which the Plamp is attached and you will find a well thought out compartmentalised section containing all of the goodies.

Besides the SU-800 commander unit there are 2x SB-R200 units, 2x speedlight stands similar to those supplied with the SB800, 2x colour filter holders that attach to the front of the SB-R200’s and 2x extreme closeup units that attach over the colour filter holders. Colour filters are supplied for both SB-R200 units and comprise 2x fluorescent, 2x tungsten, 2 x red and 2x blue. For users of the D50, D70(s) and D200 there is an IR panel that can be fitted to the hotshoe so that the camera flash can be used in commander mode without the onboard flash effecting the total flash output. Soft cases are provide for all units.

The final 6 items bring the whole system together. Firstly, the 5 adapter rings that you screw to the front of your lens. They come in the following diameter sizes: 52mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm and 77mm. Once screwed on to your lens, the attachment ring for the flashes is simply placed on the front of the lens via two mounting buttons.

One little problem I had straight away was with the Sigma 105mm macro. This lens has a 58mm diameter and there is no attachment ring supplied in this size. The answer was simple. The 77mm ring can be attached directly to the front of the lens hood which luckily has a thread. I will not go into the setup procedures for the SU800 and SB-R200’s as they are very much like trying to understand the SB800!!

The following shot was taken with the Sigma 105mm with the SU800 in macro mode. The SU-800 can be changed from macro to commander mode via a switch within the battery compartment of the SU800.



This pic was taken with the Sigma 70-200 @200mm the SB-R200’s pointed directly at the subject and the SU800 in commander mode.


As per the SB800/600 I have found that experimenting with different settings soon brings you up to scratch and remember, film is cheap!!

I will post more info and pics as time goes by.

[nito]

Glad you tested it on the worth while subject of beer.

[LostDingo]

amazing how balanced the lighting is......I have to get a macro and this setup

The kit contains more than I had thought but that which you would need....any chance of a photo of the full kit

Appreciate the feedback and sample shots

[sirhc55]

This is the system. Sorry about the quality, I had to use the built-in flash on the D70 as my SB800 is away for repair.

[Manta]

Stunning results Chris from what appears to be a stunning piece of kit.
Have to sell one of my cars and get hold of it...

[nito]

Now that is a lot of equipment for macro photography. You get quite a bit for the coin. It looks like an interesting system that would expand the users creativity. WOW

[sirhc55]

Stunning results Chris from what appears to be a stunning piece of kit.
Have to sell one of my cars and get hold of it...

Cars is plural so it might be a good idea

[birddog114]

Stunning results Chris from what appears to be a stunning piece of kit.
Have to sell one of my cars and get hold of it...

You can get this kit + D200 or D2x + number of lenses if you're going to sell your car for it

[LostDingo]

Thanks Chris for taking the time out and sharing a pic of the kit. It is quite an impressive kit!

[birddog114]

Thanks Chris for taking the time out and sharing a pic of the kit. It is quite an impressive kit!

Great light kit for macro and other uses.

AT PIW, I heard few people asked about it with Maxwell's staff but they didn't have or know how to say

[Oneputt]

Chris did you ever get to try the old SC29? If so how does it compare? It certainly looks like a more complicated setup.

[birddog114]

Oneputt,
Actually, it's not, very simple out of the box, just too much accessories come with it in the box for difference setup and easy to use same as with lot of features for remote flashes as well.

[LostDingo]

Thanks Chris for taking the time out and sharing a pic of the kit. It is quite an impressive kit!

Great light kit for macro and other uses.

AT PIW, I heard few people asked about it with Maxwell's staff but they didn't have or know how to say

Maxwell's staff from what I gathered need to go back to NIKON School and be re-educated

They seem to have knowledge of COOLPIX and consumer end....maybe they have had some staff changes

[birddog114]

Thanks Chris for taking the time out and sharing a pic of the kit. It is quite an impressive kit!

Great light kit for macro and other uses.

AT PIW, I heard few people asked about it with Maxwell's staff but they didn't have or know how to say

Maxwell's staff from what I gathered need to go back to NIKON School and be re-educated

They seem to have knowledge of COOLPIX and consumer end....maybe they have had some staff changes

That what they did call their stand is "Nikon Pro stand"

[padey]

Thanks Chris for taking the time out and sharing a pic of the kit. It is quite an impressive kit!

Great light kit for macro and other uses.

AT PIW, I heard few people asked about it with Maxwell's staff but they didn't have or know how to say

Maxwell's staff from what I gathered need to go back to NIKON School and be re-educated

They seem to have knowledge of COOLPIX and consumer end....maybe they have had some staff changes

The funny thing was, i asked one guy if this kit would fit the 85mm macro. And the guy asked if i meant the 85mm f1.4. Scary!

[sirhc55]

Chris did you ever get to try the old SC29? If so how does it compare? It certainly looks like a more complicated setup.

Oneputt - the SC29 is the coiled off camera lead that I have and do use wih the SB800, along with the SC17. The SB29 I have also used in the past and there is absolutely no comparison - actually that’s a lie - the SB29 is like a horse and cart and the R1C1 is a Lotus Elan

[wendellt]

it looks like the light is fairly distributed

would 3 fashes in this setup have the same affect as a ring flash?

[sirhc55]

You can run 1 thru 8 on the ring that is attached to the lens (not advisable to run more than 4 when attached to the lens). This is is in commander mode. In macro mode it is only advisable to run from 2 to 4 flash heads.

With 2 units attached it is virtually the same as the SB21 and SB29s

[Dargan]

Chris, I have just purchased a PB-6 and have had trouble getting even lighting, when very close up to a subject. I am using a 50mm 1.4 normally and reversed on the bellows so far. I have been using ambient light and an SB800 to one side and so forth. Your set up looks like a much better solution although probably much more expensive. Do you have any URL's you used in researching this that you found useful and could share?

[sirhc55]

Hi Dargan - when I did my research the unit had basically just been released so all of the sites I visited were the normal ones. Nikon, Thom etc. I would think that this would suit the PB-6 setup admirably, cost around $1,000 mark.

[marc]

That second photo Chris, looks like the back end of my computer setup

[christiand]

Hi Chris,

this appears to be a very nice system.
You are getting nice results.
Where did you purchase it from ?

Cheers,
CD

p.s.: do you think it is suitable for jewellery photography or is a light tent still the way to go because very soft light is needed ?

[leek]

Where did you purchase it from ?

Three guesses Christian!!!
You should know better than to ask such a questions

[sirhc55]

CD - John is right - the usual supplier

Both the light tent and the R1C1 would complement each other

[christiand]

Hi Leek,

in German we call it: drei mal darfst Du raten (three guesses)
Ok, I guess I should contact "our contact in Sydney ... "

Cheers,
CD