February 27, 2009

SU-800 Notes... (not a review)

Cliff Notes: Go out and buy one of these if you're a strobist!

I recently acquired the SU-800, as I was beginning to discover the strength, convenience, and versatility behind Nikon's CLS system. The SU-800 essentially act's as a commander unit for CLS compatible Nikon speedlights. Most folks who are picking up the SU-800 are the Nikon shooters with the pro bodies that don't have a built-in flash on the camera bodies, or are interested in doing macro photography (the SU-800 is included in the close-up/macro flash kit). I purchased the SU-800 individually for $250 through b&h photo/video.

I already have several SB-800's that have the commander functionality, in addition to my D300 which also supports and acts as a CLS commander. So why did I pickup the SU-800? Here are my reasons:

Going Wireless...

Internet? Nope, we've been using an N router for some time now. 
Cellphone? Nu-uh, but I did recently pickup a 3g iphone - yay! 
Bluetooth headset? Nah, already got one of those nifty jawbone devices that makes me look like secret service.
Give up???  I'm talking about wireless triggering.

With everything being wireless these days, computers/laptops, phones, even gaming systems, it only makes sense to keep your lighting cord free.  This enables you to maneuver freely, and easily shift/change your lighting setups, without having to exercise your liability insurance in case one of your clients or models trips on a cord.  Leave the cables and wires for the datacenter =p

Why even worry about shooting wirelessly?  Because shooting with on-camera flash should always be a last resort to lighting creatively.  Exception to this rule, would be using a ring-flash (more on this in a future post).  On camera flash gives that unflattering cracked out look you see on your drivers license, and mugshots (you know who you are).  It's not natural, and leaves harsh shadows (which in some cases can be a desired effect). 

So what are your options?  

Wooot! First post ^_^


Pretty excited to be making my first post. I intend to start using this blog as an avenue for sharing some of the randomness that comes (and goes) in my life... but primarily it'll serve as an outlet for me to get some of my thoughts out, and have something to reference back to years, months, days, hours from now when all this stuff has slipped from my memory.  *As I get older I seem to be losing more and more memories -- it sucks!*

So to start off, I've been busy lately with photography and working on my lighting techniques.  I have to contribute much of my understanding of light to David Hobby and Joe McNally both these guys have a ridiculous amount of experience in the lighting arena.  David Hobby operates the extremely popular blog dedicated to the Strobist community while Joe McNally is a former National Geographic photographer who has moved onto sharing his wealth of knowledge through workshops, training videos, and books such as "The moment it clicks" and "The hotshoe diaries" (you can find both on amazon.com).  Check out these guys when you get a chance... they're both interesting (read: as funny as they are insightful) characters and I always look forward to reading their next posts.