View Full Version : Close-up Speedlight Commander Kit SB-R1C1
Reefer Addict
11-14-2005, 6:17 AM
Need some advice/opinions here.
Is the extra cost of this kit (due to the including of the SU-800 Commander) worth it? Or does the built in commander mode on the D70(s)/D200 work just as well? There is a substantial (at least to me) cost difference between the kit the comes with the SU-800 (Kit SB-R1C1) and the one that does not (Kit SB-R1).
i cannot say anything about cost since i never looked it up. for the d70, there would be the advantage of being able to set different exposure compensation to different groups, where the d70 can only do 1. the d200 has a different commander mode, which allows you to do EV comp for 3 seperate groups, which IMO is an awesome feature. i have read, the su800 is supposed to have some incredible transmission range. i'm pretty sure it's rated @ 66 feet (that's just over 20 meters).
as for your question about is it worth it.... that's between you and your checkbook :)
I think it's worth it if your checkbook will allow it. :)
Not sure about the onboard flash on the D200, but on the D70, you can't control the power of the other slave units. I'm guessing it's gonna be the same as on the D200. If it can control the power of the other speed lights, then I would have a different opinion on it.
the d70 can control power to the other speedlights if you are in manual commander, but only one group. of course you can add as many speedlights as you want to to that group. the d200 has flash compensation for 3 groups - but i'm not sure if that's just in manual mode or if it can be done using iTTL.
Reefer Addict
11-15-2005, 2:15 AM
I copied this from the digitalreview.ca site.
http://www.digitalreview.ca/cams/NikonD200_intro.shtml
"The Nikon D200 features a built-in pop-up flash that supports i-TTL flash control. Wireless control over remote speedlights is possible with the built-in "Commander" mode similar to that found on the Nikon D70s. The enhanced commander feature on the D200 allows you to easily control up to 2 groups of remote speedlights wirelessly, with the built-in flash acting as the master. (Only with SB-800, SB-600 and SB-R200 Nikon speedlights). 1/250 sec flash sync."
Can someone translate this for me? My interpretation is the D200 has an 'enhanced commander' feature that will allow i-TTL flash control for 2 groups. Which would be one group more than the D70 and one group less than the SU-800. That it has the same functionality of the SU-800 but less one group. Is my assumption wrong?