Nikon Macro Flash

I note with keen interest the Macro Flash thread started in this forum by Don Hamilton Jr., in which the Canon twin flash system is strongly recommended. I have a similar need for good macro flash, but I work in the Nikon system. I know that Nikon also has a twin flash system, but it is wireless.

Is there anyone who is familiar with the Nikon R1C1 wireless close-up speedlight system? Would the R1C1 system work with the D300 camera?

Any advice you can provide regarding this Nikon product or any good alternative for macro work will be greatly appreciated.

Norm

Hi, Norm. The Nikon wireless system is quite nice and will work just fine with a D300. One cool thing about the Nikon system is that you can keep adding macro flash heads as necessary and, of course, you don't have the cables to worry about. I also like the layout on the LED screen on the back of the transmitter (the unit that goes in the hotshoe), which is much more intuitive than the Canon interface on the twin flash controller. Finally, the other cool thing is that the Nikon transmitter unit can be used to control Speedlites such as the SB 600, 800, and 900. One downside is the strange batteries the macro flash heads use (can't remember which offhand but they're not standard AAs or AAAs).

Mind you I'm a Canon shooter but I have used these units quite a bit with tour clients and when shooting with friends who are Nikon people. I have to admit I'm a little jealous of the Nikon gear related to macro and off-camera flash:o.

I don't recall if the little macro flash heads can be controlled via the Commander function of the built-in flash on your camera body (the bigger flashes of course can be) but I recommended the transmitter unit anyway. It's much more reliable in my experience in triggering off-camera flash units (this holds true for Nikon and Canon, e.g., the 7D, actually).

Cheers,
Greg Basco

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Originally Posted by Greg Basco

The Nikon wireless system is quite nice and will work just fine with a D300.

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Yes.

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One cool thing about the Nikon system is that you can keep adding macro flash heads as necessary and, of course, you don't have the cables to worry about.

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True. Mind you though the more flash heads you add, the heavier the whole system becomes.

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the LED screen on the back of the transmitter (the unit that goes in the hotshoe), which is much more intuitive than the Canon interface on the twin flash controller

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Thank you. :)

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the Nikon transmitter

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aka Commander.

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unit can be used to control Speedlites such as the SB 600, 800, and 900.

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True that.

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One downside is the strange batteries the macro flash heads use (can't remember which offhand but they're not standard AAs or AAAs).

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It's the "123".

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I don't recall if the little macro flash heads can be controlled via the Commander function of the built-in flash on your camera body (the bigger flashes of course can be)

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The built-in flash acts as the commander and so, yes, they will be.

A video for your reference:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSICyhRD3Jo

Desmond

Thanks Desmond & Greg!

According to B&H, one CR-123A 3V lithium battery is needed for the transmitter. I wonder how long they will last, but the Nikon system does sound interesting.

I really appreciate knowing about your experiences with it.:) And the YouTube link is very informative!

Norm

I own and use this system. I have the SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander and 5) SB-R200 Flash Heads.
The system is very flexible, it can be used for much more than just macro work.

The D300 will operate the SB-R200 without the Commander. I have used the SB-800 and SB-900 as a Commander.

The Flash heads and commander do use 123A Lithium Batteries. The CR-123A last a lot longer than a AAA battery will.

From what I understand, you can use the system on other camera brands. You loose the wireless capability because they must be wired to the commander to work off brand.

Hi Norm, I have the D300 and the R1C1 flash system. The commander can be used 2 ways. One way is using the in camera pop up flash and the other is using an external flash. I use an SB800.
I get very good results with the system...

Thanks everyone. I think the R1C1 flash system is definitely the way to go. I'll get equipped with it soon.

Norm

Norm the system is much better than anything Canon has, one thing I missed about Nikon. Btw you can find inexpensive batteries, found charging these a pain.

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Originally Posted by Alfred Forns

Norm the system is much better than anything Canon has, one thing I missed about Nikon. Btw you can find inexpensive batteries, found charging these a pain.

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Al, thanks for your comments. And you're right about the batteries. Good ones such as Duracells are available in quantity for much less than the single battery cost at B&H.

Go to www.surefire.com for batteries.

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Originally Posted by Doug Campbell

Go to www.surefire.com for batteries.

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Thanks Doug. I went there and found a box of 12 CR123A batteries for $21.00. But do you know who makes them, and have they been evaluated by others?

Norm

Look for the Milliamp Hour (mAh) rating on the battery. The voltage will be the same but less expensive batteries usually have a lower Milliamp Hour Rating.
The Milliamp Hour (mAh) rating tells you the strength or capacity of a battery. The higher the rating, the more flashes you will get before they are discharged.