Alternatives to SB600 SB800 for D70

I bought a D70 last year and have decided its time to go for

something better than the built-in flash. The SB600 and 800 are

recommended by Nikon and by the large majority of the contributors

to this forum. However, I'd like to explore my options. Can anybody

comment on alternatives, such as the Sigma EF500 DG Super? Will I

lose much/any functionality with a third party unit? I'm

particularly interested in outdoor photography, and I dont have a

studio (yet!) Thank you all.

One of Nikon's strengths is its flash technology. Why would you want to buy something else that does not take advantage of that strength?

 

It'd be different if you alreday had the flash and are trying to make do with what you have, but YOU ARE BUYING SOMETHING NEW.

 

With the D70, if you are buying a new flash, get the SB-800 or SB-600. Considering other alternatives would just be a waste of time.

 

KL

I agree with the poster above.

 

However, if you insist on experimenting with other brands, Metz just recently introduced a hammerhead flash for the D70, and Sigma makes a ringflash with full i-TTL compatibility, model EM-140DG

Are there any particular reasons that you don't want an SB-600 or 800? Perhaps it is the cost?

 

Moreover, it would be helpful if you can specify what types of flash photography you have in mind. Since we are talking about outdoors, will it mainly be fill flash?

Thanks for your replies so far. I'm not an expert, and it's more a case of finding out what a flash can do once I've got it. I mostly use my camera outdoors, and I take photos of sports events which often look a bit gloomy. I love the idea of a quick burst of strobe flash to give shadow images behind fast moving objects (such as people or balls). I haven't decided that I DONT want a Nikon flash, but if there's an alternative product which is cheaper, has more functions, or is more robust etc, then I'll listen to people's views.

Your not going to find a third-party flash that has more features that work with a D70

than what Nikon offers with its Speedlights. The only reason I would consider a third-

party flash would be if I could not afford the Nikon Speedlight SB-600. Otherwise, what

you should be researching is which Nikon Speedlight to purchase. The SB-600 or the SB

-800.

Sunpak offers a flash that is compatible with Nikon's CLS system and has features close to those of the SB-800 with a price closer to that of the SB-600. However it is not more robust. As with most Sunpak flash units it feels a bit cheap and plasticky. On the plus side the functions were easy to figure out, maybe easier than on the SB-800.

The Nikon flash system is just SO GOOD!

 

The only thing about the SB800 is,.....you want more than one!

 

I have 2 x SB800's and I'm waiting for the wireless commander and new Macro flash system.

 

I wouldn't even consider another make.

 

Regards<div></div>

I agree with many on this forum that the SB800 is awesome... For me and my style the SB800 works great... I purchased a SB600 for a second unit a couple of weeks ago, but even though it is a great light it is not the SB800 I was able to return it after trying it out for about a week I have decided save up another $100 and go back and get the SB800.

Ernie

Because the body and flash computers work together, in practice it's virtually impossible for a 3rd party flash to offer features not found in Nikon flashes. On the other hand, I would be surprised if they could reverse engineer the flash interface so well that it worked properly at all with all the fancy wireless and i-TTL stuff.

 

Only if you need a cheap flash and don't want the wireless functionality, or need a more powerful flash than Nikon offers, would it be necessary to consider third party options. In functionality the Nikon flashes are without peer.