Nikon SB-R200 and SB 900 question for anyone that uses that combination

fatphotographer

fatphotographer

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Hi Guys,

I use an SB 900 as my main "on camera" flash for shooting on pit lane. When I use it landscape orientation and close to the subject, the flash creates a shadow from the helmet that is quite distracting on some occasions.

I have thought about macro type setups, or a ring flash, but have never found anything that suits (either for power output or convenience)

I have seen an SB R200 and have considered fitting it under the lens to fill-in the shadow (and creating one in the opposite direction) but need to know if the infra red from the 900 will activate the r200 without line of site when it is hidden under the lens

I am presuming not, but would like to know if anyone else has tried the same?

Thanks
 
Not sure if this is the complete answer, but:

I just put one SB-R200 on the R1 ring, so that it was underneath a 105M lens
I mouted the SB-900 on the camera (D3) and set it to master mode.
I then held the camera so that I could see the SB-R200 output and it fired every time I took a shot.

BUT: I tried this in a smallish room (it's cold & wet outside), so anybody's guess how the light got from the SB900 to the SB-R200. The sensor on the SB-R200 was near the lens barrel, so no direct line of sight. It's possible that if you're reasonably close, the SB-900 signal will reliably bounce of your target, then you and trigger the SB-R200.

You could try it in the shop, or you might consider using a camera plate with a goose-neck extension to place the SB900 lower down.
 
I'm sure you can, but the SU-800 is the preferred method.

Is it the shadow under the helmet (flash on top of camera creating shadow underneath)? Can you shoot with off camera via a TTL cord or wireless? Why not use a speed light through a small soft box like a micro apollo? Means you can work quickly and put light in at specific angles.
 
I don't have the R200 but I do know a little about Nikon flash.

It will probably work most of the time. The command light from the 900 will hit your subject, bounce back and trip the 200.

Whether it will give the look you want, I'm not certain. The 900 is far more powerful than the 200. The 300 has a GN of 10 so at (say) f4 ISO 200 you'll need to be firing at full power for a subject 3 metres away. Less for fill obviously.

It's an interesting solution to your problem and I'd love to see the results ;) Another option of course would be a bracket to move the flash away and to the side. I've often thought some of the underwater kit could work quite well for this.
 
Thanks for the replies.

A softbox does soften the line of the shadow, but doesn't get around the overall problem.

Hoping that the R200 might fire isn't really an option, and from the sounds of it, my initial thoughts have been confirmed.

I thought about "side by side" mounting of a couple of flashes, but not sure if the of camera cords can be stacked on the hotshoe to control both flashes. Maybe Pocket Wizards are the way?

I will just have to look for other solutions.

Thanks
 
You can wire 2 NIkon flash guns together with an SC-26. It's supposed to give TTL via both but I'm not certain that's strictly true...
 
The SB200 is a great wee flash for macro but will be swamped by the SB900.

I've never had any success using them as fill-in flashes but I didn't persevere. You'd also need some way of attaching it to the camera as the foot of the flash is designed to fit into a circular lens attachment, which can hold up to 8 (I think) flashes. A very heavy weight on the lens but there are people who use them for portrait work.

A little info http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/954426

But I think you've already made up your mind.
 
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