Now my questions:
Has anybody used the Metz Mecablitz 64 AF-1?
Any other suggestions to build such a system?
I recognize the Metz name. It had a good reputation years ago. I've never owned any of their products. I've owned Nikon, Vivitar (when it was a US company sourcing products from Japan) and Rollei.
Suggestions...
Start with radio not IR, e.g. not Nikon SB-800, 910.
Start with speedlights with built in radios. This can save a lot of messing with batteries, hot shoes, cable. Much simpler to setup, more reliable.
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The Nikon SB-800 is compatible with film, early Nikon dSLR and goes as far as the Nikon SB-900/910 in compatibility. Many preferred it to the Nikon SB-900. I own one and wish I'd bought a second when they were sold at a closeout price of $320.00 (USD).
I have a Nikon SB-700 and don't like the light pattern at the tele end. It's the same size and weight as the SB-800. I wish I hadn't bought the SB-700 but rather the SB-800.
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I don't own one of these. They have a good reputation and are backed with a real and usable warranty and you can get after warranty service in most countries as apposed to eBay units that have no useful warranty...
Phottix Mitros+ TTL Transceiver Flash for NikonI own a Phottix Strato II radio trigger system. It's fully manual with 16 channels as 4 channels and 4 groups (4x4=16). I'm very please with this system though it's been on the market a long time now. I'd probably own a Phottix Odin system by now but I don't have the money. I'm a satisfied customer nothing more.
The products from LumoPro are quality products with parts that are sourced from reliable suppliers. This one as a built in radio receiver for Phottix Odin (TTL and manual) and (Phottix Strato II) manual only. The flash is not Nikon CLS compatible without an Odin transmitter on the camera.
LumoPro LP180R Off Camera FlashI don't recommend the low end stuff, no warranty stuff. I hate to see their marketing and quality supported as it undermines companies that make quality products. Bowens (RIP) is a recent victim of this low end junk.
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The Nikon CLS/AWL (creative light system/advanced wireless lighting) works well in some environments and is flaky in others. The popup flash on recent Nikon dSLR can be used but it's limited range. It's quickly limited to light of sight. It's most likely to work indoors or evening over short distances. Reflective surfaces may work, e.g. a white garage wall in a garden. Indoors, light neutral walls work well. If the popup is fired to fast, to frequently the popup can freeze the shutter release on cameras like the D800 and D300s, cameras I own.
A better strategy for CLS/AWL is a speedlight such as a Nikon SB-700, 800 or 900/910 on camera as the commander. Greater range is possible with line of sight and sometimes the commander can be bounced off subjects. Radio however saves head aches out doors in daylight.
CLS/AWL causes problems when the remote flash is located inside a light modifier such as a softbox.
Dave Hartman