The Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel attaches to the camera's flash shoe, and covers and prevents the camera's built-in flash (e.g. D200, D70 & D70s) from influencing the exposure, when using a macro flash system (e.g. R1 close-up flash system).
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Most Liked Positive Review
Sg-3IR tips and tricks (works with D700)
What it does: It hides most (not all) the visible light generated by your pop-up flash.
Why? When using the pop-up flash to trigger other flashes, it still has to flas...Read complete review
What it does: It hides most (not all) the visible light generated by your pop-up flash.
Why? When using the pop-up flash to trigger other flashes, it still has to flash (at a very low power) to generate the light needed to trigger the other flashes. Sometimes this adds unwanted light, can be seen in shinny objects, adds a second catch light in the eyes, and your subjects will see an annoying pre-flash that can make some people blink. This simple device filters the light and makes all that go away.
I use it with my D700, and it works perfectly.
Tips: To remove it, pull straight back - firmly. You don't need to pull the tiny metal pin up. If you grip the base with your finger and press your thumb against the camera body, it comes off pretty easy.
You can tape it over the front of a SB-800 flash to block it's light. Doing so turns it into a SU800-like controller, and you get the autofocus assist light. This is a great trick for low light use. Be sure to dial down the SB-800 to it's lowest power setting, so you don't melt the SG-3IR (not sure that it will, but no need to change it).
Yes, it is handy to have two. I modified one to velcro to my SB-800.
Last tip - to trigger strobes around corners, use those small convex mirrors they make to stick onto truck mirrors. Put velcro on them so you can stick them to clamps as a trigger relay.
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Most Liked Negative Review
Works as advertised, but hard to remove
As other users have stated, this has a small metal pin that is very difficult to raise to get the SG-3IR off the camera. I had not read the reviews before purchasing, and...Read complete review
As other users have stated, this has a small metal pin that is very difficult to raise to get the SG-3IR off the camera. I had not read the reviews before purchasing, and had a very hard time removing it. Once I got it off the camera (no small feat) I got a pair of pliers and completely removed the pin - I was not going to take chances with filing it down or any other alterations.
If you can get past all that, it does what it says it will do - I use it with a D7000 and have found it useful, but wish the design had been better.
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
I am beginning to use my Speedlight SB-700 as a remote flash from different angles instead of a straight ahead flash attached to my camera. To make this work without using my built-in flash, the SG-3IR IR Panel is attached to the hot shoe on my camera. It works as advertised and I am pleased with it. I'm curious though...with all the technology there is in the photographic industry, you would think that there would be a way of eliminating the on camera flash so that you could use a Speedlight type flash remotely without the SG-3IR panel involved??? Food for thought.
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
I had made my own reflector out of a small swivel diffuser panel that slides on the hot shoe to bounce the built in flash. It would not always stay in the correct spot causing flash flow over onto my subject.
This panel I had over looked back then and then I spotted it here on the B&H webpage. I ordered it and received it faster than I was told I wopuld. Great service and the price was great..
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
The nikon SG-31R is very useful for preventing the incamera flash from affecting the image when using it to trigger the off camera iTTL flash (SB600 to SG900). It has allowed me to use any lens aperture, without restricting me to smaller iris openings(to prevent the commander pop up flash from affecting the image). It has been on backorder in Toronto(Canada) stores for a long time, so I just decided to pay the $10 shipping from B&H Photo, and I'm glad I did. It's a much more affordable option than the SU-800. Having the nikon SG-31R has made me a more productive and happy person, and I urge all Nikon CLS artists to give it a try. Ever since I've started to use the nikon SG-31R, I've seen joy and happiness all around me. I no longer get frustrated when using my speedlight, and I've been sleeping very well. It's too easy to underestimate the usefulness of a simple piece of plastic like the SG-31R. Thank you, nikon SG-31R, for being here. xoxo.
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
This unit worked great on my D7000. It keeps people from blinking from the preflash and it also really helps with photographing animals. Its keep their eyes from being all glowly.
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
Works perfectly. no more on camera flash influence on with my D700 & SB700 off camera.....! Folds easily...., easy to pack in bag.
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
If you use the Nikon CLS system, this little piece of plastic is a necessary part of your lighting kit. It should be included with your camera purchase instead of the useless placeholder in the shoe you get. Perfect for getting rid of the blinking eyes that are inevitable when using your popup as the commander for off camera lighting. Fits well in any bag, and is essential for any strobist. 4 stars only because it should be free with camera purchase instead of [$].
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
I use this with Nikon's Advanced Wireless Lighting System on a Nikon D7000 with two SB0600 flashes - works great when triggering off-camera flashes to prevent on-camera built-in flash from adding unwanted light to the photograph. After reading the reviews listed at B&H, I removed the locking pin before installing the SG-31R on the camera. I spread the blades of the c-clasp on the shaft of the retaining pin and removed the pin. In my case, the SG-31R still mounted securely without the locking pin.
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
I use this to block the flash on camera when using my off camera flash to get better shots. It does the job but looks kinda dumb but who cares it was cheap!
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
fits very tight in hot shoe.firm grip ,pull at base.flips up when not in use, on shoe.
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
The IR panel has worked perfectly for me every time. No longer do I have to worry about the on-camera flash affecting my exposures.
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
Very effective in blocking out built-in flash light. Frequently used when my SB700 is used as a remote flash.
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
Let me first confirm that this does work with the Canon 7d as well IF you make a slight modification. You need to shave down the right side so it does not depress the metal strip in the hot-shoe mount on the Canon cameras. This will trick the camera into thinking there is nothing mounted in the hot-shoe and will still allow you to fire the pop-up flash. See this thread for some examples although I managed to do it by shaving the thickness of the IR panel foot on the right side as opposed to taking a big chunk out. Still has about 80-90% of it's stability while mounted in the hot-shoe.
As for results take a look at everyone else's comments as I have not had an opportunity to use it yet :D Just had time to do the mod but didn't end up using the wireless TTL for the shoot as I had intended. Soon!
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
I have been using this product for close up shots of products and animals. It works well at doing what it is meant to. Animals tend to blink with the pop upflash when in combination with speed light. This helps out a lot with this problem. Also when doing product shots, this gets rid of unwanted hot spots. I only wish nikon would have made room in SB700 case for this.
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
As other users have stated, this has a small metal pin that is very difficult to raise to get the SG-3IR off the camera. I had not read the reviews before purchasing, and had a very hard time removing it. Once I got it off the camera (no small feat) I got a pair of pliers and completely removed the pin - I was not going to take chances with filing it down or any other alterations.
If you can get past all that, it does what it says it will do - I use it with a D7000 and have found it useful, but wish the design had been better.
Pros
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
If you use your Nikon's built-in flash as master this
IR panel will keep almost all light from bleeding into your shot. It worked great on our last jewelry shot.
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
... but you have to modify the foot so that it doesn't depress the switch (on the right of the hot shoe) that tells the camera that an external flash is attached.
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
Covers the flash well. Does what it is made for. Must have!
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
Does what it says. Love having it in my bag.
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Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
This clever little light blocker allows you to utilize Nikon's CLS multiple lighting system without adding any illumination to the scene from the pop-up flash/trigger. It works well and it's a whole lot cheaper than radio triggers for multiple lighting scenarios.
Comments about Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel for Camera Built-In Flashes:
Does exactly what it needs to do; block on camera flash.
Big and ugly, but perfect.
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