Tilting stacking rails (Page 5): You made the assumption that I used the R-200s mounted on the front of the lens for stacking but I don't. They are mounted OFF camera on articulating...

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

when I use flash to stack, the flash is stationary and mounted off camera. I'd be curious to know how you handle the increasing intensity of the light as it moves closer during the stack.
My main criticism of the R1C1 rig is the power source. There's probably a reason they chose to use CR123A

You made the assumption that I used the R-200s mounted on the front of the lens for stacking but I don't. They are mounted OFF camera on articulating arms & were triggered by the pop-up flash. Since I had problems with the camera overheating while using the pop-up flash in commander mode, I now use my SB-800 in commander mode to trigger the R-200s. I use the Watson rechargeable CR123A batteries in the R-200s & can get over 200 flashes @ 1/2 power & 300-400 flashes @ lower power settings.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

naturepics43 wrote:

You made the assumption that I used the R-200s mounted on the front of the lens for stacking but I don't.

Yes I did. Shoulda known better.

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

Yes I did. Shoulda known better.

No worries.

KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

naturepics43 wrote:

if you plan to also use it for studio focus stacking, you might consider the R1C1 kit which includes the SU-800 commander unit.

Good point. I bought the R1 thinking I could always get the SU-800 later. I currently use my SB-700 to command, as my D3300 cannot. I'll probably get a D500 or D7200 (D7300?) at some later date. Thanks for the comments.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

KM6VV wrote:

Good point. I bought the R1 thinking I could always get the SU-800 later. I currently use my SB-700 to command, as my D3300 cannot. I'll probably get a D500 or D7200 (D7300?) at some later date. Thanks for the comments.

I did buy the SU-800 after "getting by" with the IR screen + the pop-up for a year or so. Well worth it to use with the unit. What was a pain was setting flash ratios via the camera menu. I've always set the second one at 1/4 output of the primary. I'm curious what others have used to add a bit of modeling. My use was strictly for single shot field work. I'll have to try it with some stacking.

KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

I also have the R1 and I've never considered it to be underpowered.

I wondered about the R1's speedlights moving closer to the subject. That will change the lighting, for sure! So for stacking maybe they DO need to be on their own stands. I bought rechargeable CR123As, and of course, yet another charger. I don't have an SU-800 to use yet, does the SB-400 work as a commander? IR-Screen?

KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

I did buy the SU-800 after "getting by" with the IR screen + the pop-up for a year or so. Well worth it to use with the unit. What was a pain was setting flash ratios via the camera menu. I've always set the second one at 1/4 output of the primary. I'm curious what others have used to add a bit of modeling. My use was strictly for single shot field work. I'll have to try it with some stacking.

Looks like I have another purchase coming up! Humm, new tripod head, or SU-800.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

KM6VV wrote:

I don't have an SU-800 to use yet, does the SB-40 work as a commander?

The SB400 is a very low profile unit. Since replaced with the SB500. It will trigger the R1s, but to adjust the ratios of the individual R200s you need to go through the the Menu on the DSLR. It's not that practical.

KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

to adjust the ratios of the individual R200s you need to go through the the Menu on the DSLR. It's not that practical

And I don't think I can adjust ratios on my D3300

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

KM6VV wrote:

And I don't think I can adjust ratios on my D3300

Unfamiliar with the menu on that model. On my D300 it's under the Custom Setting Menu. E~Bracketing/flash. Select flash control for built-in flash and then "commander mode". This will open a menu where you can set group a and group b for mode and comp. Group A and Group B refer to the individual R200s. The channel must correspond between the camera menu and the settings on the R200s. Note. You can only operate this function using the pop up flash. The commander menu option will be frayed out if a speed light is mounted on the hot shoe. The pop up is really just the trigger. My D7100 has slightly different titling but it works the same. If they fail to fire it is generally because the settings on the R200s and the menu setting do not correspond. But that's where it is on my cameras. Not sure of the D3300

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

KM6VV wrote:

I've always liked flash. More 'electronic', I suppose. I'm going to try an Nikon R1 flash system first.

The Nikon R1 or the R1C1 systems are excellent, but quite expensive. The main drawback is the difficulty in diffusing the illumination over larger surface to soften shadow edges. This is why many of use use a standard speedlight off-axis, with a 6x8-inch softbox diffuser.

Nikon R1 Wireless Close-up Speedlight System

Nikon R1C1 Wireless Close-Up Speedlight System

6x8-inch softbox diffuser ($10) on standard speedlight aimed at 6-inch working distance for 1:1 capture

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Concur with Douglass. I've used individually crafted panels that I can pop into the R200 holder and the diffusion cone that fits inside the lens and is between the two units and the subject. Soft diffused light is the Holy Grail of macro flash photography. We all agree that it's needed, but with my inability to hold a big rig, I've looked for smaller and lighter-- and may eventually go with a Fuji XT-2nfor hand-held-- or stick to tripod-mounted macros. I really like the simplicity (and portability) of Kurt's design.
See OrionMystery's set-ups: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-6.html#4456269 & http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-6.html#4456316

KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

Doesn't look like I've got the required menus on my D3300. Will have to wait until I get a D7200 (D7300?).

KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

Nikonian72 wrote:

The Nikon R1 or the R1C1 systems are excellent, but quite expensive. The main drawback is the difficulty in diffusing the illumination over larger surface to soften shadow edges. This is why many of use use a standard speedlight off-axis, with a 6x8-inch softbox diffuser.

Thanks for the Pix. I've got a Chinese soft box, haven't tried it for macro. I have the R1 with 3 flashes, so I want to get proficient with it first. I did add Vello defusers on my SB-200 flashes (R1).

KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

I really like the simplicity (and portability) of Kurt's design.

Yes, I studied Kurt's design. Great photos!