Nikon, God bless ’em, loaned me a sample D5 and a couple of pre-production SB-5000 flashes last week in Vegas. I had to get tuned up with the gear prior to getting onstage in front of a few hundred folks at WPPI and demonstrating the new system. I said yes, of course. Take the plunge!
My total time behind the camera, actually shooting, is less than an hour at this point, so I am not posting this as an invite to entertain highly detailed questions about this brave new world of Nikon radio TTL and the intricacies of the new flagship. I’m going to be a learner on this new stuff for a while, just like any other shooter. I can say it was fun, for sure. How could it not be fun? I had a wonderful subject, a bunch of new gear, and Lindsay Silverman, the Obi Wan of Nikon flash with me. (Who, by the way shot the behind the scenes stuff in the desert and on the street.)
First thing I did was try to confuse the camera by throwing a huge exposure source in the back of the frame, and lighting Annette with raw flash. (No light shapers, too windy.) The camera/flash tandem worked it out.
Then, we jumped out of the car in old Las Vegas, and shot quickly right on the street. (No permits, no planning, just run and gun stuff.) Cali, one of our first assistants, is actually in the street with a sidelight flash, which would have been hard to trigger with line of sight, and knocked out a quick pic. (It was within range of line of sight, but when I shoot a vertical, I spin the camera to the left, and my right hand naturally goes to the overhand vertical grip position. Which means if I was using a Speedlight as a commander, it could easily have been blocked by the barrel of the 70-200 lens. In the old days, I simply would have flipped the camera the other way, which for me, is uncomfortable. Little things, but important things.)
And the next day, on a WPPI photowalk, I was able to do another two light setup, very quickly, as a demo.
And then one light, through an Ezybox, in high speed sync. 85mm @ f1.4, 1/3200th on the shutter. The mix of flash, lack of DOF and natural light rendered the scene very softly. Everything worked.
Above photo, courtesy of Rob Sirota.
All of the stuff above was done quickly, because I had to give it all back. These things are not in great supply right now. But the camera and the flashes made a good team. There’s still a lot of exploring to do. Couple things I know.
The radio TTL system works. Really well. Happy with it, and looking forward to experimentation.
The camera will have a learning curve, for sure. Some button positions have changed.
Small things. In love already with Auto 0, a new option in AWB. Renders a very clean, neutral file.
Small things. The flash compensation now has third stop increments between manual 1/1 and manual 1/2. In past versions, you had to make the complete, one stop jump from full power to half power. No slicing that stop. Now you can parse out the power level. Small thing, but important for fine tune control. (FYI, there has always been third stop adjustments for flash power at every other level, from 1/2 to 1/128. It’s just been the jump from 1/1/ to 1/2 has always been a a full jump. Now you can move the power in between those levels in third stops.)
Small things. The WR-10 transmitter for the radio wireless is light and small. Plugs into the 10 pin. So, no longer do I have a Speedlight on the hot shoe. Sounds nutty, but this means the camera feels more balanced in my hands. And, I can peer over my eyepiece at my subject, and not have to glance around an SB-910.
Small big thing. You can program your DOF preview button to immediately take you to the flash compensation menu on the LCD. One touch, and you’ve got a read out on all the flash zones and their power rating, and can adjust right there. Simple.
Big things. The swipe LCD. Move the image, enlarge the image with your fingertips. Wow.
Big things. Flash recycle seems improved. I worked the units without battery packs for some shots, and they bounced back quick, even at full power. There’s also a new cooling system in them, a blessing for heavy flash shooters.
Big things. I can keep my S-910 units. The new system has six zones, instead of three, and works fine with line of sight technology and radio in the same situation, which is a blessing. No call to trash my old Speedlights.
Needless to say, I’m looking forward to production line, finished machines. The camera and flashes I used for above are all still pre-pro. I am currently resisting the urge to call the big guy, Jeff Snyder, ([email protected]) every other day to check on progress for my order. This camera, plus radio TTL flash. Been waiting for this.
More tk…..
Discover more from Joe McNally Photography
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Sounds Like Santa (The Folks at Nikon) showed up quite a bit early this year. You sounded like Ralphie getting a “200 shot carbine action range model air rifle with a compass in the stock”. Enjoy Mr. Joe
Great stuff, Joe. As usual, a great display of control over your environment. “You da’ man”
Wow Mr. Joe, you sound like Ralphie getting a “200 shot, range model, air rifle, with a compass in the stock”. Enjoy the toys. Christmas in March!!
Better late than never, as Canon has had their wireless flash what, 2 years at least? I couldn’t believe you still used the old way all this time. About time.. Beautiful work as usual.
Beautiful work as usual. Cant wait to see more of your work when these new tools are in your hands again.
Great stuff, Joe – seems as if Nikon is pushing forward – again! Seen a lot of “Joe McNally video” but never seen your use of radio triggers such as the Pocket Wizzards TTL’s They would have done the job as well – ?
TTL is certainly a useful tool, especially for “run and gun” fast shooting in rapidly changing uncertain light conditions. But if the situation allows a static setup, nothing gives better consistency than manual flash and a handheld flash meter. Does the nikon radio system in manual mode eliminate the flash pulses that mess up the light meter?
Thank you for sharing Joe. Cannot wait to get the hands on it 🙂
Thanks Joe, well done and informative as usual! Looking forward to seeing your expanded use of both systems.
Your pictures evoke such pleasure. Never cease to amaze me, no matter what gear you use!
many thanks!
the new radio flashes are nice, but honestly, infrared has worked fine for me up to this point. Of course I don’t play hide-n-seek with my flashes either by putting them in the basement or behind the bushes either.
Do you know how the SB-5000 will work with the D750? You mention the WR-10 having a 10-pin connector, but the D750 doesn’t have one. Does that mean that a flash on the hotshoe is required, or will Nikon have another solution? Just like you, I really don’t like having to peer around a flash or having to deal with the added weight. Thanks!
Absolutely gorgeous shots. The colors and lighting look great. The bokeh is lovely – what lenses did you shoot with? Fine work by the models, costume designers, and mua’s too!
Joe, I have never commented on any of your blog posts and have never met you in person, but wanted to thank you for all you do. I have really appreciated the blog posts from the last year or more that show your final images with the behind the scenes images. I am getting into lighting and you are very helpful. Thanks again for all the blog posts, as well as informational videos on Adorama and throughout the web.
Joe, I’m a brazilian fan from your work. It’s very nice. But, we really need a SB-5000 when we use Nikon or we need 4k, best prices, new lens…? I’m waiting Nikon produce the 135mm F2G and with a price that don’t cost an eye to buy. I really love Nikon, but they need to revolutionize the line up. Where are our 14mm 2.8G? Where are 135mm F2.0G? Where are this?
Big hug from Brazil and…. nice shoots! Big hug, Nikon too.
Many thanks for tuning into the blog….appreciate the kind words, and best of luck!
Won’t work on D750, but that could change I imagine. Right now the access port is the 10 pin only….from what I know.
Should we really invest in Nikon D5 or is it too expensive? With D4s and SB910 we can make the same pictures, or? The pictures are really great, but I am sure, that you could do these also with the D4 😉
Absolutely gorgeous shots. The colors and lighting look great.
Absolutely..D4S is a wonderful camera. But, the technology advances, and with it certain kinds of potential for trying some new things. I’m anxious to get my new gear!
That’s amazing photoshoots from nikon
Ok first off I woild like to say Thank you McNally for all the information you provide especially to us Nikon shooters.Love the books got 4 hard copies and one ebook ,pick them up guys and gals great learning tools! I dont know if it was mentioned but is your first shot on this topic high speed sync or are you simply overpowering the sun?
First one was about power. Used 3 units and they gave me about f16 or so…..best, joe
Stunning Photos!!!
Very nice results based on a quick shot. I’m an Austrian fan from your work. It’s very nice. Cant wait to see more. Best from Vienna