Comments about Nikon Nikon R1 Wireless Close-up Speedlight System for i-TTL SLRs with 2 SB-R200 Speedlights, and System Components:

This is an excellent macro flash system, much better than any ring flash, and possibly the best DSLR macro flash system designed so far. However, you must understand that it was designed specifically for macro photography (obviously used together with a macro lens), and not as a general-use flash system. Those who have given it bad reviews obviously did not understand this.
The reason that this kit is made almost entirely of plastic (instead of metal) is because it is mounted in front of the lens. If it was too heavy, it would create too much stress on the lens mount and/or barrel. The R1 kit is much lighter than most ring flash units (or other macro flash systems), with the added advantage that it does not require any cables or brackets. The flash heads and supporting ring of the R1 kit are very well designed and do not feel cheap in my opinion. The output of the included SB-200 flash heads is low on purpose (compared to regular flash units) to avoid excessive illumination in the macro range.
This kit is much better than any ring flash because of the following combination of features: (1) the 2 included flash heads can be positioned anywhere around the supporting ring; (2) the output of each flash head can be independently controlled; (3) the angle of each flash head can be changed depending on your working distance and desired illumination effect; (4) the flash heads are controlled wirelessly, thus avoiding the clutter of cables; and (5) one or both flash heads can be operated off-camera to light the subject from the side or back, either hand-held or self standing (with an included foot attachment).
This versatility allows you to be creative with the light and avoid the bright-but-flat appearance given by ring flash units. You can use one of the flash heads as the main flash and the second (in a different position) as a fill flash.
A sixth advantage is that the R1 kit works wonders if you use magnifications greater than 1:1, because you can use the included extreme macro attachments for the flash heads. (I do this by mounting my 105 mm f/2.8D Micro-Nikkor on Kenko auto extension rings and attaching an inverted 50 mm 2.8D Nikkor in front of the Micro-Nikkor, all in a D90 body. With this setup, I get magnifications of up to 4:1).
The R1 system works great with Nikon cameras that can control remote slave units with their own pop-up flash (e.g., D90 and better). For other cameras, you need the SU-800 wireless commander that attaches to the camera's hot shoe.
The flash heads are not waterproof, but if you want to use them where they could be rained on you could simply place a clear plastic bag around each one, secured by a rubber band at its base (assuming that your camera and lens are water resistant!).
Using the R1 system to its full potential can take some time to get used to its many possible settings. You have to experiment a lot with different combinations of flash head positions, angles, and light outputs. But once you master it, the results are definitely worth it.
If you shoot Nikon and are serious about macro photography, the R1 system is a must have. Canon (or any other brand for that matter) does not manufacture anything that comes even close.

Comments about Nikon Nikon R1 Wireless Close-up Speedlight System for i-TTL SLRs with 2 SB-R200 Speedlights, and System Components:

Very good system, with case to protect and carry the kit. Works with virtually any lens, as all components are included. Especially useful for portrait and close-ups, the flashes can also be used for fill flash and mounted on stands. No need for commander module, as long as the camera has iTTL. Highly recommended to complete your indoor flash components.

Comments about Nikon Nikon R1 Wireless Close-up Speedlight System for i-TTL SLRs with 2 SB-R200 Speedlights, and System Components:

Product like described. It's so easy to use; just set the channel ... work perfect with my D90, as well when using my SB800. Love it, it is so small and lite! Will always have one in my travel lite bag :)

Comments about Nikon Nikon R1 Wireless Close-up Speedlight System for i-TTL SLRs with 2 SB-R200 Speedlights, and System Components:

Use the system for macro on insects butterflies. It is also versatile for closeup setups. I do not care for CR 123 batteries. Nikon should make a rechargable battery unit for speedlights.

Comments about Nikon Nikon R1 Wireless Close-up Speedlight System for i-TTL SLRs with 2 SB-R200 Speedlights, and System Components:

This is an excellent system for macro field work. This is Creative lighting on the fly just by dialing in a few settings on the wireless commander. . Keep in mind that this is sold as a CLOSE-UP system! Although I rave about the macro work it is a system that can grow.

I now use the SB 600s and 800s for fast environmental portraits. No more lugging large studio lights. However you can build upon it using the commander as the brain for almost any situation.

Comments about Nikon Nikon R1 Wireless Close-up Speedlight System for i-TTL SLRs with 2 SB-R200 Speedlights, and System Components:

Only give it a 4 because I was disappointed in the output of the SB200's. But it is great for macro stuff and the ability to move the lights makes it much more useful to me than a ring flash.

Comments about Nikon Nikon R1 Wireless Close-up Speedlight System for i-TTL SLRs with 2 SB-R200 Speedlights, and System Components:

I used the product for Macrophoto.

Comments about Nikon Nikon R1 Wireless Close-up Speedlight System for i-TTL SLRs with 2 SB-R200 Speedlights, and System Components:

Average unit. Very plastic and not durable. Tiny batteries in each flash head, rather anemic unless very very close to subject. Canon system much better_ I am switching to Canon as Nikon is clearly out of touch . TTL experience with D2x inconsistent. Your better of bracketing with a SB 29 on manual. If you are doing medical photography, forget this contraption

Comments about Nikon Nikon R1 Wireless Close-up Speedlight System for i-TTL SLRs with 2 SB-R200 Speedlights, and System Components:

I got this kit mainly for portraits and close-ups. It comes with a booklet of examples of how to use the kit.

The Speedlights are very simple to use. Just a couple of dials for setting channel and group, an on/off switch, and test button. You will have to read the instructions if you want to use the close-up diffuser attachments.

A few small nits: I would like just a little more travel in the tilt head on the SB-R200s. Since the kit is advertised as a close-up kit and comes with pretty much everything else, I would like to see it include the UR-5 adaptor ring which is necessary for use with the 60mm f/2.8 micro-Nikkor. Actually, you can use this lens without the adaptor, but it will hinder very close focusing. You also cannot use autofocus with this lens and the kit mounted on it. The kit is too heavy and strains the lens motor. The manual warns you about this.

I would have liked to see more detail in the manuals about how to use the kit with the SB-800 Speelight in commander mode and more detail with the Nikon D200 internal flash in commander mode. All the examples are with the Nikon D70 using the SU-800 commmander unit which this kit does include. You are a little bit on your own figuring out how to use anything else as a commander. Still, after studying the various manuals for your Speedlights and cameras, you should be up and running within a short time. Refinement takes practice, of course.

The adaptor rings and ring mount work well, but I find only limited use for these. The SB-R200 Speedlights are at their best away from the camera, handheld or on stands. This is true even for macro photography, where you may want to hold one of the flash units under or behind the subject or bouncing off a wall or umbrella.

In general, a very flexible and useful tool.