Sunny
12-24-2008, 10:58 AM
I have heard about the Nikon CLS from some sources and decided to delve a little bit more into what it actually is. At the very basic, it is a multiple flash system which gives the Photographers a lot more creative control over their subject to transform even the inane into something spectacular.
CLS came into being with the introduction of the Speedlight SB-800 in July 2003 and the SB-600 which followed.
The CLS basically works using a pre-flash emitted by the built in flash on the camera being used or by another flash unit mounted on it. It does not use a radio signal to fire the remote flashes.
The system allows the Photographer to program the various flashes placed around the subject wirelessly without leaving the shooting position by using the camera menus. Really slick.
The closest Canon equivalent to the Nikon CLS is the E-TTL which uses Infrared technology limiting the applications to be in the line of sight.
There is still a lot of unclarity about the CLS possibilities and usage due to lack of a proper manual. However. recently Nikon has announced a DVD explaining its nuances to benefit all photographers. Details are here : http://press.nikonusa.com/2008/10/sample_video_excerpts_from_nik.php
A Youtube video explaining the system: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDS9LtbySqY
Lot more details here: http://www.olegnovikov.com/technical/nikoncls/cls.shtml
CLS came into being with the introduction of the Speedlight SB-800 in July 2003 and the SB-600 which followed.
The CLS basically works using a pre-flash emitted by the built in flash on the camera being used or by another flash unit mounted on it. It does not use a radio signal to fire the remote flashes.
The system allows the Photographer to program the various flashes placed around the subject wirelessly without leaving the shooting position by using the camera menus. Really slick.
The closest Canon equivalent to the Nikon CLS is the E-TTL which uses Infrared technology limiting the applications to be in the line of sight.
There is still a lot of unclarity about the CLS possibilities and usage due to lack of a proper manual. However. recently Nikon has announced a DVD explaining its nuances to benefit all photographers. Details are here : http://press.nikonusa.com/2008/10/sample_video_excerpts_from_nik.php
A Youtube video explaining the system: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDS9LtbySqY
Lot more details here: http://www.olegnovikov.com/technical/nikoncls/cls.shtml