ye_wai Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 I am a beginner in photography and thinking of buying a speedlight for my F65/N65 but I have no idea which speedlight to choose. I received some recommendations about SB28 and SB80DX. Which one would be better for me? Your recommendations are very much welcome. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer_hahn Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 SB-28. Definitely. The added benefits derived from an SB-80DX are not enough to justify the 40-50% increase in (used) price. An SB-28 can be had for $180 on unnamed auction site. By the time you may need the 'DX' part, the price on the SB-80DX will be a lot cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hal_bissinger Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 Don't know if the SB-28 is still available new though the SB-80DX certainly is. Consider the SB-28DX also. All will serve you well and I don't think it will matter to you which one you get. If you can find a new SB-28 or -28DX at a reasonable price go for it. OTOH compare prices to the -80DX and if the difference is not unreasonable to you opt for that. <p> You may get people here who will recommend the SB-50DX or third party (non Nikon) flashes. I recommend that you stay away from them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer_hahn Posted October 20, 2003 Share Posted October 20, 2003 SB-28 ebay prices have fallen in the past 6 months; just this past spring the mid-low rate was around $200. Now a mid-low price is about $175 (and a lot less if you're patient), while the SB-80dx is still going for around $270. Unless you need the 'dx' designation, I strongly recommend against buying it. It's just not worth it (for me). Maybe you'll need some of its advantages though and if you think it's worth it, go for it. The main differences, as I see them, are: metal mounting foot, zoom to 105mm, slave function, and includes a diffuser dome (so you don't spend another $25 on a stofen). I have to agree with Hal's advice to stay away from the SB-50dx and third-party flashes. The SB-50dx is, IMO, a weak piece of crap (and takes LITHIUM batteries, of all things!) and third-party flashes...well, I've never met one that I've agreed with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_p3 Posted October 20, 2003 Share Posted October 20, 2003 I have the SB-28 and would certainly recommend it. Do try to get an instruction book with it though and take the time to read it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_h._hartman Posted October 20, 2003 Share Posted October 20, 2003 You can down-load an instruction book for the SB-28 in PDF at Nikon UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ye_wai Posted October 20, 2003 Author Share Posted October 20, 2003 Thanks for your help everybody.. But I am still not clear about the pricing. In Singapore, both SB-80DX and SB-28 has the same price (S$650, it's about US$370). Do you think SB-28 is worth to pay for that price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer_hahn Posted October 20, 2003 Share Posted October 20, 2003 If they're the same price, then get the SB-80dx. I'm basing my pricing and purchasing decisions off of current ebay prices. If you're planning to buy new, and if the prices are identical, get the SB-80dx, definitely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berg_na Posted October 20, 2003 Share Posted October 20, 2003 The SB-80dx has a metal shoe instead of the plastic one that's on the SB-28. This feature alone makes it more desirable than the older design. It also comes with a diffuser that helps reduce hard shadows (you can buy a similar diffuser for the SB-28 from Stofen for $20). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hal_bissinger Posted October 20, 2003 Share Posted October 20, 2003 The SB-80DX replaces the SB-28 and -28DX. It was the latest model until about a month ago. Now the newest is the SB-800, maybe that's why the SB-80DX prices are as they are. So you definately want to go with the SB-80DX if for nothing more than it's the newest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Stone Posted October 20, 2003 Share Posted October 20, 2003 Who knows just how interested you may become in photography? For that reason, I would recommend a DX flash unit, because it will be compatible with a digital camera, should you ever get into them. Meanwhile, it will work just fine with non digital models. So, that leaves you the choice of the SB-28DX, SB-80Dx, or the SB-800DX. Personally, I would seek out a fair priced used SB-28DX or SB-80DX, as they are both very good units, and can be had for a lot less money than a new SB-800DX. In any event, whatever unit you choose should be at the top of the output power range, as you can't have too much flash power, but you certainly can have too little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ye_wai Posted October 20, 2003 Author Share Posted October 20, 2003 Thank you everybody for your suggestions and recommendations.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austin_calhoon Posted October 20, 2003 Share Posted October 20, 2003 having used both extensively...I reccomend the SB-80. First, you have the metal foot on the 80dx. Over the course of two years I broke three SB-28 plastic feet. Second, the 80dx has an adaptor down to 14mm of coverage. I use 14 & 16 quite a bit so this coverage is apreciated. Third, the SB-80dx has a built in optical slave. This means you can fire it as a slave using another flash unit. I constantly use this feature. Forth, the prices of the flashes are pretty close. I purchased my sb-80 from a SI photog for $200. Go figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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