I sent you an email so feel free to give me a call whenever you have a chance.



As for flashes, I used to use the Sunpak AF5000 with my D100. The reason I went with a Sunpak model at the time was because the only speedlights Nikon had to offer either used CR123 batteries that were very expensive at the time or the speedlight cost $300 . At the time, I couldn't justify spending that much on a speedlight and I didn't want to get stuck buying $5 batteries that weren't rechargeable. So, after reading a bunch of reviews, I decided to go with a Sunpak.



The AF5000 is a fantastic flash and they still manufacture them today (it was about 3 to 4 years ago when I originally got mine). I believe the retail price on them is right around $125.



This time however, I had been hearing such good things about the Nikon SB-600 and SB-800 flashes, I figured why not get a new flash since I'm getting a new camera? The reason I went with the SB-800 was because it had more power. The SB-600 retails for about $150 whereas the SB-800 is anywhere between $300 to $350. I wanted the extra versatility and power so I went with the more expensive one.



I'm glad I chose the SB-800 because I then decided I wanted to get the R1 Close-up Wireless system. This system is amazing and incredibly versatile. There are SO many different things you can do with it and so many different ways you can set up the wireless flash heads. The system comes with two flash heads (SB-R200) but you can purchase additional ones separately and control up to eight SB-R200s on one time.



In the photos I posted, I just had the two mounted to the front of my lens and took my photos that way. Since the flash heads are wireless, you can hold them or set them up on tripods or whatever else you can think of.



Now I know that the SB-800 controls the SB-R200s but I don't know if you can control them without the SB-800 or the SU-800 Wireless Commander. I don't believe you can sync up the wirelss flashes with your camera without either the SB-800 or the SU-800.



With the Nikon D2X, since you don't have a SB-800 speedlight, I believe you would want to get the R1C1 Wireless Close-up System which is basically the SU-800 with two SB-R200s and all the other accessories the kit comes with. A friend of mine has the D2X and he has the R1C1 and really likes the way it works with his D2X.



I forgot to email you some full sized photos which I'll do as soon as I post this. I don't shoot in RAW just because the file sizes are so big and takes so long to process. I generally shoot on the Fine setting at medium size.



In fact, I just uploaded one of the full sized originals. Here is the link to the photo for anyone who might be interested in seeing the quality of a full sized photo from the D200. Now be forewarned - this photo file is HUGE! I would NOT recommend clicking on the link if you are on dial-up! The file is 2.5MB!



Full Sized Lemon Blast Head Shot



Also, here's a full sized boa photo I took a couple of weeks ago with the D100 which I thought came out really well too. This one is only 775KB...



Full Sized Hypo Jungle Photo



Thanks,

Celia
-----
Celia Chien

www.ExoticsByNature.com



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