SB-800s, SU-800, CLS and Softboxes

[DocSmith]

I'm having a great time experimenting with Nikon's CLS (3 SB-800s and an SU-800). Ultimately, I want to use them in softboxes with speedring brackets. Does anyone have any experience with this combination?

Doc

[Mal at Hidden Creek Photo]

Seems like we've talked about this previously - but I may be suffering from some-timers.

I use two SB800, a SB600, a SU-4 Wireless Remote Flash Controller for SB80, and a SC-17 to link my master SB800 to the camera. For location portraits, such as in a corporate office, I use the master SB800 bounced inside a Halo for key, an SB800 bounced out of a 36-inch umbrella for fill and use the SB600
with a mini dome for backlight. If needed I use the SB80 w/SU4 with a homemade grid for a hairlight.

With this setup I can use all program modes on my D200 or shoot manual (which is my preferred choice) and still have TLL wireless capability.

The really neat thing is that all this fits in one camera bag and one light stand bag - and I can be in and out of an office in around 15 minutes with the job done.

I also like the infrared wireless link of the Nikon system because I shoot alot of my jobs in medical environments (surgical suites, ICUs, ERs, etc) and the passive infrared does not interfer with heart monitors, EKG, EEGs, life-support systems and all the other hospital gear sensitive to radio-controlled or triggered flashes. Don't need no flatlining because a radio signal from a photographic flash/camera jams up an life-support device.

P.S. Make sure you use a secondary security backup to that little pin that locks the flash to the mounting bracket (i.e. velcro strap). The worse sight is to see a SB800 bounce off a floor - even if the SB800 survives the fall, you may need CPR watching $400 hit concrete.

[DocSmith]

Mal -

Your comment about the IR signal "not interfering with heart monitors, EKG, EEGs, life-support systems" cracked me up!

I'm really getting comfortable with the CLS. I do most of the initial setup with the SU-800 off the camera in my hand - pretty much like using a TV remote. When you are through programming the system, just turn it off, mount it on the camera, and turn it back on. I got stuck in a motel room at the airport in New Orleans for the last day and a half and just played with the system for hours and e-mailed other users. I had the SU-800 on the camera and the SB-800s stuck everywhere in the room mounted on their "feet" and could test fire in sequence, check modeling lighting, and vary the output of each one from across the room without moving. I spent so much time with the little fockers that they're starting to look like little 'droids to me! (One is perched on my shoulder watching me write this.) I've found several sources about using SB-800s, SU-800s and softboxes, so I'm feeling pretty cocky that this will work out. I'll be using Westcott Apollo softboxes which are designed to accomodate the flash internally, initially two 28" (key and fill) and one 16" (hair, background), then one or two 50" units in the future. I'll be sure to let you know how it all works out.

Thanks,
Mike

PS Here are the links mentioned above:

www.juliagreerphotography.com/sb-800-article.htm (A real SB-800 fan!)

www.firelily.com/photography/softbox.html (Not an SB-800, but close enough!)

This SP Systems Swivel Bracket will lower the flash more towards the umbrella shaft than was done with the SB-28. Notice the shaft attachment hole right below the cold shoe mount)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

www.fjwestcott.com (Check EBay, Amazon, B&H, etc.)

[RonPatrick]

You might want to think about an umbrella soft box from Amvona. I picked up this one on Ebay for $25 (with shipping, direct from Amvona).



and a shot from the back with an SB-26 mounted



and if portability is a factor, it comes with it's own case.



This is the 33" size, it also come in a 40" and 43".

Ron

[Mal at Hidden Creek Photo]

Originally Posted by DocSmith

Mal -Your comment about the IR signal "not interfering with heart monitors, EKG, EEGs, life-support systems" cracked me up! .... I got stuck in a motel room at the airport in New Orleans for the last day and a half

First my sympathy for getting stuck in Neu Orleans that's almost as bad as Shemia, Alaska (a little island up in the Bering Sea)

And yes, Westcott Halos and Apollos are what I prefer to use with SB800 - but emperor Nikon has earned great thanks from me for his passive IR networking system for flash and camera.

Sorry to crack you up about the reasons I like passive IR for hospital environments - but I avoid radio signals in hospital environments the same way I avoid radio signals down at the rock quarry - not all environments react in a healthy manner to radio signals. Thank God they don't use photo-cell igniters down at the rock quarry ... it's hard to hold a camera and Nikon SB800 steady when things go BOOM.