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Nikon CLS (Creative Lighting System) ROCKS!!!!

Before actually using it, reading reviews put me in 2 minds. If the flash was placed behind the camera, it won't be triggered, that worried me. I tried it today and in most spots close / behind the camera, it fired! It even fired when placed behind objects. I am totally amazed!

There are a few things that annoy me. That is I have to go through lots of menus to change anything with regard to the CLS. I find it very cumbersome. Otherwise, the metering is spot on. The SB-600 menu is not very user friendly, I need to read the instruction manual.

I have only prior to this used Canon's 580ex II and 430ex as master and slave combos and the infamous Phottix / Cactus / Ebay wireless triggers. CLS is much easier to use as well as being more accurate. There is still limitations and that is the distance of reach of the CLS system. I have yet to explore how far I can go before it is no longer effective.

This is taken with 50/1.4 D and D700 and SB600 fired through my $2 umbrella to the cameras left. I hand held BOTH the SB-600 and umbrella in one hand and the D700 in the other. I am impressed, just like that it produced the image below!

Note the shadows under the lens. There are very little!

Are those trees in the reflection of the lens? Nice photo btw. The CLS system is very limited by range, I tried placing my flash gun about 10-15 meters away, and it didn't want to fire. But in a studio environment, i don't think your flash guns will be placed that far away.

(07-02-2009 02:09 PM)Magicmarker Wrote: [ -> ]Are those trees in the reflection of the lens? Nice photo btw. The CLS system is very limited by range, I tried placing my flash gun about 10-15 meters away, and it didn't want to fire. But in a studio environment, i don't think your flash guns will be placed that far away.

The reflection is of a reflector. A Ebay one!

I think 10-15 m is far enough for studio / portrait work. 10m is actually quite a distance. Those ebay triggers aren't too bad, but don't transmit ttl data as well as cannot shoot above 1/250. That is a major limitation if you ask me.

But I guess if you want further, get cybersyncs, pocket wizards or radio poppers. Don't forget, CLS is FREE! hahaha

it is currently out of stock, but B & H has it new for $4599.95 and does have some used as well. I have the D3's baby brother (D700). It is amazing what the sensor can do in these bodies in low light. Good luck with your purchase and enjoy.