Nikon Digital Photography Talk

Nikon Lens Reviews

To our visitors from Nikon in Action.com. The site has been merged now with All Digital Nikon.com to serve you better. All the content from Nikon in Action along with the sample pictures has been moved now here. In case you missed the text link above on our navigational bar, I have added  a link button to the new lens review section on the right hand of the page right below the Nikon Featured HD Video. This merger will save me lots of time that I can use instead to reply to your Nikon related questions and other interface improvements.

I will state once more that these are not scientific reviews but rather my opinionated experience with Nikon photo equipment with realistic expectations. This site is not driven by controversial opinions, misleading heading on rumors and opinions in order to gain web popularity. We want to give you instead good quality contents if you just purchased a Nikon digital camera, lens or if you are planning on entering the world of Nikon Digital photography.

I want to thank you all for all these wonderful years that you have been visiting my site which is for you, and I look forward to bringing you more photography talk, sample pictures and opinions. Our Nikon forums God willing will be getting some deserved time as well, I invite you to join in and be part of this small but cozy family of Nikon camera users.

Warm Regards,
George Collazo

I’m trying not to reinvent the wheel here so I will post this instead of answering emails with the same question over and over.

If you use Nikon CLS or Canon Wireless flash system, you can take it to a next level using stands and umbrellas. I’m going to show you a very basic and affordable way to use you Nikon or Canon flash using a stand, flash bracket and umbrella. This is my very basic set-up, easy to use and very lightweight with great results yet affordable.

What are we looking below?
This is a simple Umbrella Bracket from Impact. You need this flash bracket for 2 reasons: To be able to set your flash at different angles, and also to attach your umbrella. No flash bracket, no umbrella.

Below you can see two stands with flash brackets, one has a SB-600 flash, the other one a SB-800 with a Nikon SD8A battery pack attached to it.

OK, the stands are IMPACT‘s 2299 that will set you back just $19.99 at B&H Photo. They go up to 6′ and when retracted they are around 24”.

Now, going back to the Umbrella braket: it does include an aluminum shoe for your flash, see the picture below. Whatever you do, DON’T use it. It is metal thus conductive, your flash pins are very close to it and you might short your flash(es). Instead, use it without it. There is a male 1/4” #20 thread connector that you can attach your Nikon or Canon flash stand to it as seen on the picture above.

Last but not least, the UMBRELLA. This is very subjective but I will recommend you a 30”convertible umbrella. I use Photoflex umbrellas but theImpact umbrellas are a good start especially if you are in a budget or don’t want to spend too much.

*IMPACT’s umbrella, click here ($14.99)

*IMPACT Umbrella Bracket, click here ($13.99)

* IMPACT 6′ light stand click here ($19.99)

Total: $48.97 + S&H per flash setting.
However if you wish to use 2 flashes, B&H Photo already have a set for 2 flashes which includes 2 8′ air cushioned stands as seen below for just $98.95 + S&H.
Click here to check it out.

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Nikon’s SB-900 overheating problems

The complaints keep showing up around various Nikon Forums on the web. Lots of folks complaining about the thermal protector on the flash shutting the flash down. My personal experience with the Nikon SB-900 flash has been very positive. I have yet to experience an overheat problem much less the flash being shut down by the thermal protector. Also, I have not seen (yet) big web names reporting issues about this apparent defect on the SB-900. Many flash users complained about the Nikon SB-800 getting burned after a ”short” use, seems like just a few remember about this. My guess is that Nikon included the thermal protector to avoid an expensive repair. Any flash has its own limits, Nikon clearly states on page 51 from the English manual:

Max of continuous firing:

TTL- AUTO FLASH
NON-TTL AUTO APERTURE
MANUAL FLASH 1/1, 1/2
15 Shots @ 6FPS
——————————-

Manual Flash with output level of 1/4 to 1/128 up to
40 Shots @ 6 FPS
——————————-
From the Nikon SB-800 Manual on page 51:
It is possible to take up to the number of frames during continuous shooting as show in the table above. HOWEVER, if the continuous firing exceed the number os shots on the table above, *you* should allow the SB-800 to cool off for *at least* 10 minutes.

Those who failed to read this or follow this advice, got into a very expensive repairs or simply lost their flashes. Now Nikon implements the thermal protection to keeps us from getting carried away while shooting and shut the SB-900 off and folks seems to believe that their flashes are faulty or not working as promised. I might be wrong, but I guess that history is repeating itself. Folks are forcing their SB-900 the same way they forced the SB-800 to and beyond its limits. Some are considering to buy and overly expensive SB-800 from eBay and or getting a SB-600 instead. I own the 3 of them, If you burn out a SB-900, there are big chances of burning a SB-600 even faster.

Now guess what?
Page L-5 English Manual from the Nikon SB-900:

TTL- AUTO FLASH
NON-TTL AUTO APERTURE
MANUAL FLASH 1/1, 1/2
15 Shots @ 6FPS
——————————-

Manual Flash with output level of 1/4 to 1/128 up to
40 Shots @ 6 FPS
——————————-
RECAP:
From the Nikon SB-800 Manual on page 51 and L-5 from the SB-900:
It is possible to take up to the number of frames during continuous shooting as show in the table above. HOWEVER, if the continuous firing exceed the number os shots on the table above, *you* should allow the SB-800 to cool off for *at least* 10 minutes.

—————————
Do you really need to shoot those pics at ISO 100 or 200? Help the flash help you, how about making it easier by shooting at ISO 400 or even 800. You’ll be lowering the flash output not to mention the recycling time improves significantly. I shot this Trash the Dress in Puerto Rico with the SB-900, over 400 pictures, one set of batteries and the flash didn’t hicup.

Hopefully I’d be attending the World Wide Photo Walk next July 18, 2009. Hope to meet with some of you in St. Paul, MN. I signed last night and signed up my nephew as well. I missed the 1st one but I wont miss this one for anything ;o) . You bet, I’ve got the t-shirt too.