Customer Reviews

Nikon Creative Lighting System Digital Field Guide

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

One of the most exciting innovations in photography occurred a couple of years ago without any fanfare. That was Nikon's introduction of the Creative Lighting System (CLS). This system allowed for the remote control of multiple speedlights (without any wires), including a balancing of their light outputs, from the camera. Even expensive studio lights don't provide this kind of control. Yet ever since its development, camera users have been confused by exactly how to use these capabilities. In part that was due to the spare nature of Nikon's instruction manual, including a lack of detailed explanation of the application of the system (although, to be fair, the manufacturer did provide a pamphlet with sample photographs that showed the deployment of the speedlights in each case.)

This book attempts to remove the confusion by including simplified explanations of the method of setting up the speedlights as well as a lengthy section on using CLS speedlights for a variety of different subjects. After a general introduction to the CLS system, the author describes the setup of the two main speedlights in the system, the SB-600 and SB-800. This is followed by a section on the basics of flash photography and then a discussion of CLS wireless flash basics. Thomas then talks about setting up a portrait studio with such things as umbrellas and backdrops, with an emphasis on portability. The applications section gives examples of everything from sports photography to product photography, with an explanation of the author's considerations in making sample shots. He finishes up with a simplified explanation of posing.

Thomas includes reference to the D70, D70S and D200 camera bodies in Commander or master mode. He also mentions the D50 and D2 series, which are compatible with CLS, although requiring a separate master unit. He doesn't deal with the newer D80 which has a commander mode or the D40 which is compatible with CLS.

Unfortunately, although he gives us a broad view of wireless multiple flash basics, there are not enough specifics. I would have liked to have seen more pictures using multiple flashes, with a diagram of the flash layouts, and the settings used on the master flash unit to achieve the effect. I would have liked to have seen examples of uses of multiple speedlights for other than portraiture, e.g., interiors (even Nikon's sample pamphlet does that) and maybe even some far out examples like nature photography (although I haven't encountered anyone whose figured that one out). And for a book dedicated to photography, there are few shots of the setup of the LCD screens on the SB-600 and SB-800, and none of the custom menu screens. And yet it was exactly with the setup that I (and many other users) encountered difficulty when first using the CLS system.

Even when he concentrates on portraits, the author assumes we know a lot. I think just the slightest discussion of the roles of main and fill lights would have been appropriate.

If you need something more than the instruction manual provides to use CLS the chapters on the SB-600 and -800, flash photography basics and wireless flash photography will help. But if you really expect to get creative with CLS, I'd recommend spending time with some better lighting book like "Exposure and Lighting For Digital Photographers Only" by Michael Meadhra and Charlotte K. Lowrie, even though they don't mention CLS. But keep in mind that anything you can do with strobes, other than turn out massive amounts of light, can be done more easily with Nikon CLS speedlights. (By the way, I am not an employee of Nikon, Inc. or in any way affiliated.)

After just finishing this book I wanted to let other photographers know how great it is. The book begins with explaining the actual flash and what all of those dials and switches do. That section also covers the settings for each mode. Then once you have an understanding of how the hardware works you move into the basics of photography which consists of studio lighting and strobes. This section was particularly valuable to me because the Nikon system meshes with this kind of setup so well.

Only halfway through the book at this point and already learning a ton of very good information. The next chapter is wireless lighting which might be a little beyond the normal photographer, but something you should look in to. A basic basement or guest room can be made in to a great photo studio. You will of course quickly learn this flash isn't only for indoor because it can also be used for some pretty interesting outdoor shots. One of which is extreme sports and events.

Overall I was very pleased with this book and highly recommend you go pick up a copy of your own.

I felt the book gave plenty of information on CLS. Sure you have to know a bit to grasp what you are being told here, but one can assume that anyone owning a couple of SB800 already has some knowledge of lighting.
For me it filled in serious gaps in the information Nikon gave in it's manual and we are now able to coordinate four 800 units. The Lumedynes are now in the box for backup and nothing more.
As I often say the great thing in my 40 year in the art and business of photography is that as I have gotten older, the equipment has gotten lighter and faster not to mention controlable.

I noticed that many of the reviews are pre-2009, which would explain some of the poor reviews. I have both the 1st and 2nd editions and found both to be very helpful. I do believe that the 2nd edition is a bit better and up to date.
I am not going into a detailed explaination of the contents of the book, but to say it is a tremendous help to those who are looking for some additional assistance with the CLS system from Nikon. I have used Nikons since the days of manual focus and am always amazed at how much lighting has advanced over the years. If you have one of the compatible Nikons you owe it to yourself to get at least one of the CLS speedlights and this book to supplement the manual that comes with it.

I would also suggest the "Magic Lantern Guide to Nikon Speedlights", the book "Light, Science and Magic", and go over to the "Strobist" blog and really get an indepth lesson to using small lighting, ie. Nikon Speedights.

This is a great book and worth the money, skip the 1st edition and go to the 2nd edition, its a worthwhile investment.

As part of my own personal conversion from film to digital photography, I recently purchased almost every book and tutorial DVD relevant to my new cameras (Nikon D300) and overall situation. I am a self-taught photographer whose work has been widely published for over 30 years including by National Geographic. Having learned little or nothing from any of the DVDs (very disappointing!), I have found books to be the best for overall value.

With so much to learn - some of which is quite daunting, we students of photography require books that are well laid out and allow the reader to build on subjects covered so far. This is such a book. Published by a company whose products include some of those generally excellent photography titles "For Dummies," they really do appear to know the subject.

What I really like is the very beginning of this work. This is called a "Quick Tour" and is designed to get you up and running with your flash unit. Fantastic, after just two pages, we are taking photos with a Nikon Speedlight. And it's a positive learning trail all the way from here as the author covers the widest possible spectrum of flash photography.

Part I includes a complete exposé of the Creative Lighting System (CLS) and setting up the Nikon SB-600 and SB-800 units. Part II allows the photographer to create great photos with full details of; Flash photography basics, wireless flash photography, wireless studio, real-world applications and portraiture. With examples which include anything from portraits, a Hornet and even the head of a small screw, this book gets down to basics and is unlikely to disappoint those who are eager to learn.

NM

Good for beginner and amature photographer. Clean and easy to understand guide book for Nikon's creative lighting system. (Flashes) This is a book for those who wants to know how to use their Nikon flash fast, without going through your boring manual. (I think it is better to read the manual first) Many good tips. Worth the money!

The author introduces the incredible Nikon Creative Lighting System, and he provides a good overview. The basics are explained with straightforward text. Where the book falls a little short is in the details. While the author does explore different scenarios and applications, I feel there could have been more detail in the setups and the reasoning that went into them. Mr. Thomas does give the reader a good "jumping off point", but he could have reduced the learning curve a little more.

This a good but not top notch introduction to Nikon flash photograhy and Nikon products.

I found it a bit thin, and probably not very useful once one had become familiar with the Nikon products.

I am not convinced that once i have gone through it I would keep returning in the future.

In addition to the faults listed in some of the other reviews (very detailed button pressing instruction with little backgraound in some sections, general lighting discussion not particular to the CLS in others), this book is getting seriously out of date - it covers the D70s, D2x, and D200 - nothing later. The functionality is probably the same on the D3, D80/90, and D300, but since so much of the CLS specific value of the book lies in detailed button pressing, up to date model info is important to it's value.

I am an amateur photographer with a reasonable amount of experience, and purchased this book to learn basic lighting techniques with Nikon speedlights. After reading this book, my understanding of lighting with Nikon speedlights has not improved. That said, it is important to note that I'd also read a myriad of sources from photography forums to professionals' blogs. My point being, there is ample "free" information on this subject via the internet, and presumably, there are other, better books.

I rate this book 2 out of 5 using the following scale: 1) Horrible, 2) Below average, 3) Average, 4) Above average, 5) Excellent. This is relative to other books and literature available on the internet.

My major complaints with this book were the following:

1) As I mentioned above, there are other sources for the same information covered in this book: first and foremost, the user manual that accompanies your speedlight. Essentially, this book was a synthesis of the manual, but even more watered down (that is, the manual was more informative). After reading the book, it is clear that the book is geared toward beginners. The problem is, lighting and beginners are mutually exclusive: that is, to learn how to light well, you need an understanding of advanced techniques. The author does a disservice by watering down advanced content, and an even greater disservice by watering down basic content. The purported topics covered in this book are somewhat misleading. The basics are covered well, but at times too elementary. Some advanced topics are covered, but essential and requisite content is left out, or no instructions on how to execute the technique are given. Additionally, I expected there to be more content dedicated to lighting techniques.

2) There seemed to be no logical progression of ideas. Material discussed in later chapters was redundant with much material covered in earlier chapters.

3) Although subjective and 100% my opinion, I would think that if an author is going to publish a book on lighting they would use more stunning images. While many of the images demonstrate the point the author is trying to make (i.e., lit well, hence exposed properly), they are often boring and really not very good. From a self-titled "professional" photographer, the images were very ordinary.