Nikon R1C1 flash for Macro Photography

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I use the R1C1 with my D 500, D 850 and could use it on my Z9. I have not tried it yet on my Z9, but it is compatible and one of the unified flashes for Nikon mirrorless cameras.

I do not use the rings that come with the full it. I attach the SU 800 Commander to my camera's flash shoe; one or more SB-R200 flashes to a Really Right stuff flash ring that is attached to the camera, not the lens. When needed, I use a Vello diffuser I bought for each of my SB R200 flashes.

When used wirelessly, the flashes work in TTL BL. Make sure you set the close up switch on the SU 800 commander when using the flashes for macro. The manual is at this link:


I usually set minus flash exp compensation when using the flashes. And my sync is usually set to Rear Curtain, unless I want the flash to be the main light.
 
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joe43 said:
I attach the SU 800 Commander to my camera's flash shoe; one or more SB-R200 flashes to a Really Right stuff flash ring that is attached to the camera, not the lens. When needed, I use a Vello diffuser I bought for each of my SB R200 flashes.
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Do you have links? I looked at the RRS site but didn't see a flash ring.
 
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I used that flash system years ago; sold it years ago. By comparison I prefer the various macro hoods that fit over traditional on camera flash (I use mine on a profoto A1, but would work on any of the way too many Nikon speedlights I still have :) Reminding myself I really must sell those. ).
 
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MikeJ said:
Do you have links? I looked at the RRS site but didn't see a flash ring.
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I could not find the one I bought from RRS at the RRS site. My ring covers about 270 degrees. . And here is a link to a replacement ring for it. (It came in different sizes.) And it looks like it is not available anymore.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...qr_large_flash_rin_large_flash_ring_with.html

You likely could use some of the Wimberley macro flash brackets to do the same thing.

https://www.tripodhead.com/products/flash-bracket-macro-brackets.cfm

I would call both companies to see exactly what parts they would recommend. You would need a ring or a bracket. And an accessory shoe to attach each flash unit.

I attach my RRS ring to a Wimberley M-8 perpendicular plate that is attached to a Wimberley Camera plate or a L bracket on the camera.

You might need something like this:

andrewmclachlan.wordpress.com

Wimberley Macro Flash Bracket – Single-Arm Set-up

Wimberley Macro Flash Bracket – Single-Arm Set-up For many years I have relied on a home-made flash bracket for photographing frogs and toads and butterflies. This bracket was constructed fro…
andrewmclachlan.wordpress.com andrewmclachlan.wordpress.com
 
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Robert O'Toole used the Nikon R1C1 with a single SB-R200 a lot for his macro photos. I believe he usually set the flash to manual mode and set the power to 1/8 power. Flash head was covered with a diffuser. He was a Sigma Ambassador and I learned a lot from his postings at his website. Unfortunately he passed away in 2023-2024.


I tried to locate a picture of how he attached the Sb-R200 to his camera . Maybe others will have better luck than I.
 
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It depends on how important having a natural look to your images is and your subject choices. More cost and more initial effort to use multiple speedlights but for macro and hummers and vipers the results are worth it.

I have 3 SB-800 speedlights and two Quantum Qflash and did not hesitate to buy the Nikon macro flash kit for my trips to Costa Rica and Brazil. Even with my underwater photography I used two large speedlights which were magnitudes large than the Nikon macro speedlights.
 
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DBalaur said:
On this note: does anyone know a 3rd-party alternative to the SU-800 if I want a strict commander that does not have its own flash gun?
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Several Nikon flash units used in commander mode can be set to nil flash output while controlling other flash units.

This may not be the solution that you want, but at least it does work.
 
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DurhamWolf said:
Qualcuno può darmi il nome dell'attrezzatura di cui sopra e, meglio ancora, un posto dove acquistarla? Grazie.
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Ciao, ci sono morsetti della Really right stuff progettati proprio per i piccoli flash nikon sb200, con i quali puoi collegarli a qualsiasi staffa flash. Come staffe puoi guardare nel sito della Wimberlay, ne ha diverse con diversi costi ed utilizzi. Adesso sono fuori produzione ma anche Really right stuff produceva degni anelli circolari su cui aggangiare i flash, puoi trovarli usati. Tieni presente però che nella valigetta del kit R1C1 c'è tutto e di più, anelli di vari diametri per collegare i flash a tutti gli obiettivi, diffusore, ecc.ecc. è davvero completo. Le staffe di cui sopra ti servono se vuoi allontanare dalla macchina ancora di più i flash e non usarli sull'anello frontale dell'ottica. Un'altra cosa, le staffe citate e riportate nel mio post sopra reggono bene anche flash più grandi come l'SB900 ecc, quindi hai il mondo dell'illuminazione macro e non solo ai tuoi piedi, devi sperimentare ed avrai bei risultati.
 
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mathjak107 said:
my wife and i both sold our r1c1 flash systems and went with the godox v350n and AK DIFFUSER .

IT IS SOOOO much better then the results we got with the r1c1
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What made the Godox a better system for you over the Nikon R1C1 system? What was your subject matter, and time of day you used it, night or day?

ssheipel said:
I used that flash system years ago; sold it years ago. By comparison I prefer the various macro hoods that fit over traditional on camera flash (I use mine on a profoto A1, but would work on any of the way too many Nikon speedlights I still have :) Reminding myself I really must sell those. ).
Click to expand...

I’m looking into night shots of small amphibians and arachnids. Why did you jump to macro hood vs the Nikon R1C1?
 
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Rookie Roy said:
Is anyone using the Nikon R1C1 Flash with their Z8 or Z9 for macro photography? It is not clear to me if it is compatible with a Z8 or Z9. I was wondering if this is a good system for night macro photography in Costa Rica? If not, what are you using for night macro photography?
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I used this for 100% of my photos of amphipians and reptiles in Costa Rica with it mounted to the Nikon 200mm f/4 lens. Great for subjects that are not standing still or present a risk to the photographer.

For natural looking light the SU-800 makes it easy to dial in the output of each flash to have a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio. As the speedlights attach to a ring that threads onto the filter threads of the lens the attachment is very secure and leaves both hands free for the camera.

The Nikon flash coding has not changed over the past 20 years and so are good long term investment. I am still using Nikon SB-800 speedlights I purchased in 2003 and 2004.
 
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viper699 said:
What made the Godox a better system for you over the Nikon R1C1 system? What was your subject matter, and time of day you used it, night or day?



I’m looking into night shots of small amphibians and arachnids. Why did you jump to macro hood vs the Nikon R1C1?
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It's been a very, very long time since I used the R1C1, mostly prompted by the fact I rarely used it and a friend wanted it. Anyway it was years before I used one of the macro hoods so can't make much of a real comparison, tho the hood light is definitely more diffused and soft, and a whole lot more convenient to use if for no other reason then the space it takes up compared to the small suitcase for the R1C1. Cheers!
 
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viper699 said:
What made the Godox a better system for you over the Nikon R1C1 system? What was your subject matter, and time of day you used it, night or day?



I’m looking into night shots of small amphibians and arachnids. Why did you jump to macro hood vs the Nikon R1C1?
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i use the godox and ak reflector in day light or indoors but not at night .

i like the look of the small godox reflected light from the diffuser vs the r1c1 we used for years which more often then not had a flash look to it
 
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Use the R1C1 daily, whenever the breeze is moving the flowers, which is almost always.
 

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ssheipel said:
It's been a very, very long time since I used the R1C1, mostly prompted by the fact I rarely used it and a friend wanted it. Anyway it was years before I used one of the macro hoods so can't make much of a real comparison, tho the hood light is definitely more diffused and soft, and a whole lot more convenient to use if for no other reason then the space it takes up compared to the small suitcase for the R1C1. Cheers!
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The R1C1 comes in a rather clunky box, but that's because it has so many accessories each in individual slots. When you remove the flashes and the trigger, they are all relatively small. I've used the flash as supplemental on camera lighting a couple of times.
 
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I used the R1C1 and Cygnustech hood system on insects, both systems in my opinion did very well. The R1C1 system is a bit cumbersome and it does take some time to set up properly to get best results. The Cygnustech hood system is much quicker to set up but with the R1C1 system you have more flexibility on your pictures. As soon as it warms up the insects should be appearing in my backyard so will try out both systems again. JMO
 
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Mike Delgado said:
I used the R1C1 and Cygnustech hood system on insects, both systems in my opinion did very well. The R1C1 system is a bit cumbersome and it does take some time to set up properly to get best results. The Cygnustech hood system is much quicker to set up but with the R1C1 system you have more flexibility on your pictures. As soon as it warms up the insects should be appearing in my backyard so will try out both systems again. JMO
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With the Cygnus, can you only use it with one size lens? That is you need a different diffuser for lenses with different focal lengths.

Seems to be a similar product as AK Diffuser.
 
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viper699 said:
With the Cygnus, can you only use it with one size lens? That is you need a different diffuser for lenses with different focal lengths.

Seems to be a similar product as AK Diffuser.
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That's a good question. Im pretty sure you can but I would send a message to Cygnustech. I know when ordering they ask brand & model # of flash unit.
 
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Len Shepherd said:
Well made IMO yes - beautiful I am not so sure - current technology definitely no.

I bought nine 18 years ago in 2007.
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Hi, keep in mind that with the R1C1 Kit you can control not only the small SBR200 flashes, but with the SU800 included in the kit you can control any flash in addition to the others or separately. You can create three distinct groups with each group of many flashes I don't remember the maximum. In addition there is also the R1 kit that has only the SU800 and control any flash.
 
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