Tag: NIkon

Posted on

REVIEW – RFN-4s Wireless Remote Shutter Release for Nikon DSLR with MC30 – Transmitter and Receiver Set

If you’ve been following our blog for any length of time you’re already aware that we’ve been doing some experimenting with light painting. For this type of photography there are a few tools that you’ll want to have in your tool kit.

  • Camera & lens
  • Tripod
  • Continuous light source
  • Shutter release

Today we’re going to be reviewing the RFN-4s transmitter/receiver set (www.smdv-usa.com). Since we primarily shoot Nikon (D200, D700 and D810) this particular set fits the bill nicely because they all have the MC30 connector.

The transmitter is a small remote control device that uses two AAA batteries and a series of dip switches to sync to the receiver. The receiver itself uses power from the camera for operation.

FEATURES:

  • Compact Wireless Remote Control Shutter Release for Professional Nikon Cameras.
  • 16 channels in 2.4GHz frequency.
  • Maximum range of 320 ft (100 meters).
  • Fully supports Bulb shooting mode.
  • Transmitter conveniently uses AAA battery (not included).
  • Receiver unit is powered by the camera.
  • 3rd generation RFN-4s (available starting in July 2018) features an even smaller receiver unit.
  • 3rd generation receiver unit also features more robust pinsand more flexible antenna (compared to the 1st generation).
  • For Nikon MC30 type connection.  Replaces Nikon ML-3.
  • Compatible with Nikon D850, D810, D800E, D800, D700, D500, D300s, D300, D200, D6, D5, D4S, D4, D3S, D3X, D3, D2Xs, D2Hs, D2X, D2H, D1.

PROS:

  • Small lightweight devices
  • Connects nicely to camera with not additional cords or hotshoe mount
  • Excellent range

CONS:

  • As with any electronic device that you’re not using often you’ll want to remove the batteries from the transmitter

SUMMARY:

We couldn’t be happier with this set. At a mere $58 on Amazon this is a quality device that you’ll want to keep handy in your camera bag. Whether you’re doing light painting, shooting with a 10-stop filter, or you want to be in that group shot this is the tool you need.

SAMPLE SHOT:

Here is a shot of a little cabin, “The Love Shack” that was too hard to pass up for doing some light painting.

The LOVE SHACK, yeah baby! 🙂

Using a tripod mounted camera along with the RFN-4s and the YOUKOYI light wand, we were able to light different areas and remotely trigger the camera. This provided us with instant shutter activation without any induced camera movement. When doing light painting any camera shake will make image alignment more challenging.

Thanks for checking out this article and keep checking back to keep up with our adventures.

Sharon & Doug

Posted on

Simple beauty

Sometimes single objects can make some of the most interesting photographs. With the studio now set up I’ve been looking for any opportunity to do some photography.

Simple low-key setup

For this shot I chose to use a single object, a head of garlic. Because of the small size of my subject I knew that I would have to not only use a small light source but also control the direction for the light in order to minimize unwanted lit areas.

Setup:

  • Backdrop – Black Savage paper backdrop
  • Platform – Posing table
  • Flash – Nikon SB-800 speed light with snoot* made from a koozie
  • Light stand for flash – Located right of subject

*Snoot – In photography, a snoot is a tube or similar object that fits over a studio light or portable flash and allows the photographer to control the direction and radius of the light beam. These may be conical, cylindrical, or rectangular in shape. Snoots can isolate a subject when using a flash. Wikipedia

After taking a couple of test shots I found that because of the light position and narrowness of the light I needed some way of lightening some of the shadows on the left side of the garlic.

While there are many fancy ways that this could be accomplished the only thing that is required is some way of bouncing light back on the subject. For this particular shot I used a simple sheet of paper. This proved to be ideal to bring just enough light back onto the garlic head to help soften the harsh shadows.

Although not necessarily intentional, the posing table provided a slight reflection. For this particular shot I think that this really helps the image so it doesn’t look like the garlic is just floating in mid-air.

So as you can see with a small setup and just a simple subject you can achieve some really images. I highly encourage everyone to do whatever you need to in order to continue to hone your photography skills.

In the coming weeks I will be doing some low-key portrait photography as well as continuing to do some more still-life shots. Anyway, thanks as always for checking in at our site and if you have any questions or comments please be sure to reach out to us.

Thank you,

Sharon & Doug Shatto