Nikon F4&SB-24

My dads 'hove guide' recommends this flash but i assume there have been later

models made that are compatable. Taking into account he's never going to

change his camera is there anything he will be missing out on if he gets this

flash over another?

 

Thanks for any suggestions/information you can give me~him.

 

Richard

I have an F4S that I have used an SB-24 with, as well as a Sunpack 622 (I only used the Sunpack 622 when I needed a little more fire power or shooting infrared because it's a beast of a flash). The SB-24 is an all-around good flash. It works well with the F4S and your father shouldn't really want for much in using it with that camera.

 

Jen

Any of the models SB-24, SB-25, SB-26, or SB-28, could be used with an F4. You will not see much of an advantage compared to the SB-24, however, except for the newer units being smaller and neater.

SB-24 is a 1988's product as to the same time of F4 so it should be fully adequate each other. IMHO, SB-26 is the best flash for film bodies. Hence, in comparison of the 24 and 26 alone, I can think of this moment that 24's only lack of a few features including manual output control of 1/32 and 1/64 and build-in wide angle adapter/diffuser for 18/20mm focal length, off-camera remote slave flash, as well as the red-eye reduction which is not capable in F4 anyway. Therefore, it doesn't seem to be obvious for upgrade on this combo. But Sb-26 should be a better flash to me.

I have used a SB-24, SB-25 and SB-28's on my F4S. I would recommend the later SB-28 (or SB-28DX) for a couple of reasons. First, it's a fairly recent flash (1997-99), so it's much easier to find in good condition. Any SB-24 you find now will be at least 15 years old. Secondly, the SB-28 has much improved (IMO) ergonomics over the SB-24/25/26. Specifically, it's smaller and lighter, and the tilt/swivel release uses one button for both functions. I personally found the separate buttons for tilt and swivel on the SB-24/25/26 annoying when switching back and forth from portrait to landscape orientation.

 

You do give up something with an SB-28 / F4 combo - rear curtain sync (only available with a SB-24/25/26). But since in all the time that I have owned my F4 I have never used that function (slow sync is still available, which I do use), the advantages of the SB-28 over the earlier Speedlights more than make up for the loss of an unused feature.

 

You might find this useful: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf4/flash/index.htm

I go along with Jay - the SB26 is pretty versatile and actually has some advantages (esp for F4 users) over the SB28. The definitive guide(s) for many flashguns, showing compatibility and multi-flash system options, can be downloaded from Nikon's USA website - I'd recommend that rather than the Hove guide for the newer flash units (SB26 onwards). .A.

I am not familiar with the flash synch options on the F4. I do know that with the SB-24, 25 and 26 you can set rear curtain synch on the flash. You cannot do this with teh SB-28. If you are going to use the F4 and Nikon flash for true fill flash, I would use Standard TTL mode and rear curtain synch and this might require the 24, 25 or 26. Among the three I recommend the SB-26 or the 25. I have used all three. Joe Smith

If you will be using the infrared beam of the flash for low light AF then the SB-24 is brighter than the SB-25.

The F4 requires the slow/rear curtain sync to be set via the flash. I recall the 24 & 25 has this on the flash but am unsure of the 26. The SB24 is the cheapest of the bunch which makes it a plus. It autozooms from 24mm to 105mm with AF lenses.

SB-25 and SB-26 are the same except the 26 has a rmeote triggering capability. Both are superior to the SB-24.

Don't get an SB-25 unless you want to be sending in the body with the flash attached to

have the flash removed. Its a fatal flaw in the foot, the spring breaks and the pin gets

stuck and the flash gets stuck in the shoe, only way to get it off is to go in under the

prism. Seen it happen 3-4 times.

Thanks for all the quick replies which were all very useful in my dads decision. The thread basically points towards the SB-24 and the SB-26. He'll just have to decided which features he wants from the two. SB-24 is cheaper&bigger, the SB-26 more expensive/remote trigger capabilites. I have a feeling he might go for the former first, but as he is getting into macro he may one day get the SB-26 (3 flashes) to help control situations.

 

Thanks again for the help,

Richard