R1C1 Macro Speedlight Kit - Advice please

[Steffen]

I'm considering getting either another SB800 or one of those, and am wondering up to what subject size and distance the macro flash kit is useful. Also, are there any creative uses for it besides product shots?

Could our resident R1C1 users please share their experience?

Cheers
Steffen.

[johnd]

Steffen, when I'm photographing indoor flower shows I use the SB800 for the wider shots and the R1C1 for the macro shots. Getting in so close for the macro shots with the SB800 gives too harsh a shadow, even with a diffuser. The R1C1 brings the light in from both sides and softens the shadows. If I'm shooting from say 2 metres away, I'd use the SB800, but for the real close in work, the R1C1 works best for me.

The only down side I've found with the R1C1 kit is it requires 3 CR123A batteries (1 for each flash and 1 for the commander). These aren't easy to find and aren't cheap (around $20 each for rechargeables) and you only get 40 - 60 shots out of set before recharging. So I always take 2 sets with me. I wish they'd built them to take a AA battery.

This image was taken with the R1C1 kit (2 flashes) , D70, Sigma 150 f2.8 macro lens at f11. Note how the light is even and pretty much shadow free. The 2 flashes were mounted about 150 degrees apart, slightly above the horizontal. I'm almost tempted to buy a 3rd flash to get the lighting more even still, and mount 3 flashes 120 degrees apart.



Cheers
John

[Steffen]

Thanks John, good bit of information there! Do you reckon the R1C1 is useful for anything larger than strict macro shots? Anything from, say, shoes, bottles, loudspeakers to small furniture?

From what distance do they start to lose their edge?

Cheers
Steffen.

[johnd]

Hi Steffen,

I think strict macro is what the R1C1 is all about. At 1 to 2 metres you are going to have too much light fall off. Plus the R1C1's use is really about bringing the light in from the side rather than straight on like a camera mounted flash will do. Mounted on the front of your lens at 2 metres to the subject, the R1C1 is bringing light onto the subject from virtually a single point front on rather than side on.

I have 2 SB800s and my D200 can control them in comander mode. If I need to shoot something big, like a large flower arrangement from say 1 to 2 metres back and have it lit from the side, I would set my 2 SB800s up on some small cheapo tripods I bought. That sort of thing is OK for product shoots when you have the time, but if I'm doing an entire flower show there generally isn't time.

Another piece of equipment I find useful is the RRS Portrait Package. It enables me to use a single SB800 but be able to rotate the SB800 around the camera to put the shadow exactly where I want it. Check out the RRS site for more details (like all RRS gear, it's not cheap). I usually use this setup instead of the 2 SB800 setup for flower shows. (with a second camera with macro lens and R1C1 as well).

Cheers
John

[the foto fanatic]

The flash units in the R1C1 (I think they are the SB-200) are useful for things other than macro.

They are really handy for fill light. You can position them as slaves to provide lighting in large interior shots, or even portraits. As they are quite small, they are easy to carry around, but also easy to hide within a shot (eg behind a vase or something similar.) If your budget extends to Pocket Wizards you would have even more flexibility.

I echo the frustrations about batteries though.

[Steffen]

Thanks all for your comments! I've seen the R1C1 only once, and don't quite remember how far apart the slaves can be spaced while still mounted on the ring...

I guess I might go for an SU-800 and another SB-800 instead of the R1C1. I'm assuming that combo should be capable of mimicking the macro kit, and give more flexibility outside the macro domain.

Cheers
Steffen.

[jamesw]

pocketwizards are where its at!!!

unfortunately their flexibility comes at a trade off for ease of use... no more ttl flash... [/list]