Nikon Flash Question

I use an SB-800 with my D750; it works quite well for me. It is more powerful than either the SB-500 or SB-700. KEH is selling the SB800, in Ex condition with filters, stand, and case for under $150 (US).

An added feature of the SB-800 is that it also works with my F100 film camera.

Get a 3rd party flash from a well-known make like Nissin, Godox or YongNuo. For the price of an SB-700, or less, you can get something with the same power and facilities as an SB-910. Or I'll second the recommendation of an SB-800.

Avoid the Meike SB-900 knockoff though. It's a piece of crap with nowhere near the stated guide-number.

There's no such thing as having an 'over powered' flash. Which you quickly find out if trying to use bounced or off-camera flash with a softbox or other modifier.

As far as I can tell the main missing features of the SB-500 are less flash coverage at wide angle, no AF illuminator and no gel covers.

Depends on what you need it for. The SB-500 is the only Nikon flash that features LED video light. It is also light and compact and inexpensive. You can buy new one for under $250. I bought one to accompany my Z mirrorless system, but I have not used it yet because I hardly ever use flash.

I bought a used D700 a year or so ago simply because I wanted a flash that communicated with my digital bodies. It works well and does what I ask of it though it’s rarely needed.

Rick H.

Get a 3rd party flash from a well-known make like Nissin, Godox or YongNuo. For the price of an SB-700, or less, you can get something with the same power and facilities as an SB-910. Or I'll second the recommendation of an SB-800.

 

Avoid the Meike SB-900 knockoff though. It's a piece of crap with nowhere near the stated guide-number.

 

There's no such thing as having an 'over powered' flash. Which you quickly find out if trying to use bounced or off-camera flash with a softbox or other modifier.

Which models of Nissin, Godox or Yongnuo has A modes? I think they only have TTL and Manual.

I have several SB-800's, the 1st one I bought new the rest used and none of them have ever failed, The menu might be a little tricky to navigate but well worth it imho.

+1

It is also light and compact and inexpensive. You can buy new one for under $250.

In whose world is $250 inexpensive for a non-zooming flash with a claimed GN of only 24? Even if it does have 3 cheap COB LEDs built in - easily replaced by a <$5 bargain store COB light, or even the LED lamp in your smart phone.

Which models of Nissin, Godox or Yongnuo has A modes?

In whose world is $250 inexpensive for a non-zooming flash with a claimed GN of only 24? Even if it does have 3 cheap COB LEDs built in - easily replaced by a <$5 bargain store COB light, or even the LED lamp in your smart phone.

In your case I have no idea. Hwvr, it is not unusual for people to like a Nikon-brand flash that also has built-in LED for not more than $250 new - even less buying used - that is designed in one piece in a style, shape, and weight that one desires, as long as it has the function they need and produces the results they want. Naturally there are many other tools that can do the same thing, or the user may not need any.

In your case I have no idea. Hwvr, it is not unusual for people to like a Nikon-brand flash that also has built-in LED for not more than $250 new - even less buying used - that is designed in one piece in a style, shape, and weight that one desires, as long as it has the function they need and produces the results they want. Naturally there are many other tools that can do the same thing, or the user may not need any.

Mary, professional always looking for efficiency, if you overpaying, you got less profit. That's about it.

In whose world is $250 inexpensive for a non-zooming flash with a claimed GN of only 24? Even if it does have 3 cheap COB LEDs built in - easily replaced by a <$5 bargain store COB light, or even the LED lamp in your smart phone.

The Nissin Di866 Mkii has AA mode. But if that's all you want, then an SB-24, SB-25 or SB-28 all work excellently in A mode, and can be got for under $50. And all have the same light output as an SB-910.

Well if I buy the Godox or the Yongnuo I can only use it on a Nikon. With an SB-910 I can have TTL with Nikon cameras and AA with others. I go for the SB-800 as it does everything. The overheating is never my problem.

Well if I buy the Godox or the Yongnuo I can only use it on a Nikon.

Not so. I use a YongNuo YN560 mkiii equally well on my Nikons and a Sony. Manual mode is all you need if you know what you're doing or own a flashmeter. The YN560 mk3 & 4 have a built-in and totally reliable radio slave, which makes them ideal for off-camera use.

Same goes for the Godox Ving 860n flashes I own. Yes, they have i-TTL dedication, but can be used in manual mode on any camera. They also take a small radio-slave module that allows off-camera 'power' control from an on-camera master trigger.

But all this is off topic. The OP was asking about Nikon dedicated flashes, and IME those 3rd party makes offer a wider variety of options that are all far more affordable than Nikon's offerings.

Plus, the money saved by buying an i-TTL compatible 3rd party flash would easily cover the cost of one or more used SB-2X speedlights to use on relics of film cameras, or to give you AA mode on almost any digital camera, if wanted.

Mary, professional always looking for efficiency, if you overpaying, you got less profit. That's about it.

Too funny. "Professional"? "Overpay"?. How "objective". ;) So, anyone who pays more than your $35 Cameron W700HS flash must not be as professional and efficient.

I hope we can see (not just read) more professional results from professionals - not referring to you particularly.

Not so. I use a YongNuo YN560 mkiii equally well on my Nikons and a Sony. Manual mode is all you need if you know what you're doing or own a flashmeter. The YN560 mk3 & 4 have a built-in and totally reliable radio slave, which makes them ideal for off-camera use.

 

Same goes for the Godox Ving 860n flashes I own. Yes, they have i-TTL dedication, but can be used in manual mode on any camera. They also take a small radio-slave module that allows off-camera 'power' control from an on-camera master trigger.

 

But all this is off topic. The OP was asking about Nikon dedicated flashes, and IME those 3rd party makes offer a wider variety of options that are all far more affordable than Nikon's offerings.

 

Plus, the money saved by buying an i-TTL compatible 3rd party flash would easily cover the cost of one or more used SB-2X speedlights to use on relics of film cameras, or to give you AA mode on almost any digital camera, if wanted.

With either flash meter or test shots I got good results but it takes time. I use AA or TTL only when I don't have time to make a measurement or take a test shot.

Too funny. "Professional"? "Overpay"?. How "objective". ;) So, anyone who pays more than your $35 Cameron W700HS flash must not be as professional and efficient.

 

I hope we can see (not just read) more professional results from professionals - not referring to you particularly.

Well professional must efficient I agree with that but paying for saving time is efficient. It just too much work to come up with a DIY. Pro don't have time for DIY.

test shots I got good results but it takes time

Depending on the situation, flash (power) bracketing will provide the answer pretty quickly.

It just too much work to come up with a DIY. Pro don't have time for DIY.

Agree. One wonders about the "professional" who constantly uses the cheapest-everything and have DIYs hanging out every pocket and and uses his cell-phone or worse for flash. I can see isolated incidents when the better tool(s) happens to be not available.

What's a DIY?

DIY is Do It Yourself here in the UK. Are people making their own flashguns?

AF assist light - the red light on the SB-800

... and the SC-29 external TTL Flash Cable.

Err, why are they RED, so as not to ruin peoples night vision when you use it for portraits? :p

Too funny. "Professional"? "Overpay"?. How "objective". ;) So, anyone who pays more than your $35 Cameron W700HS flash must not be as professional and efficient.

 

I hope we can see (not just read) more professional results from professionals - not referring to you particularly.

Actually my $35 Cameron's were miss-priced in store, just like Amazon were selling expensive Sony lenses for pittance on Black Friday:) And I'm not Pro in photography.

But on serious side, if I would Pro, Godox is beating overpriced Nikon and Canon lights flat and square. You should try one:)

Actually my $35 Cameron's were miss-priced in store, just like Amazon were selling expensive Sony lenses for pittance on Black Friday:) And I'm not Pro in photography.

Great!

But on serious side, if I would Pro, Godox is beating overpriced Nikon and Canon lights flat and square. You should try one:)

Great. Please report back when you become a professional photographer. :) I do have some Godox somewhere, I think one of the things had a glitch or incompatibility and I had not used it for a long time. Now I have no idea where it/they went.

Re what pros use: The most successful nature and wildlife professional photographers I know use Nikon or Canon for everything, and usually the most expensive models (Except for Maria Zorn whom I will always respect as the most creative macro photographer. She was a minimalist. Maria has retired for years now and does not even own a camera anymore. I forgot which Nikon camera she used - think it was F100 - and she almost exclusively used the Nikon 200mm micro lens to create her film magic that sometimes looked like manipulated digital shots right out of the camera. Sometimes she used the Nikon 70-300. I don't remember her using flash - I remember her using natural light or reflectors - but, if she did, I wouldn't think it was anything other than Nikon.)

Great!

 

Great. Please report back when you become a professional photographer. :) I do have some Godox somewhere, I think one of the things had a glitch or incompatibility and I had not used it for a long time. Now I have no idea where it/they went.

 

Re what pros use: The most successful nature and wildlife professional photographers I know use Nikon or Canon for everything, and usually the most expensive models (Except for Maria Zorn whom I will always respect as the most creative macro photographer. She was a minimalist. Maria has retired for years now and does not even own a camera anymore. I forgot which Nikon camera she used - think it was F100 - and she almost exclusively used the Nikon 200mm micro lens to create her film magic that sometimes looked like manipulated digital shots right out of the camera. Sometimes she used the Nikon 70-300. I don't remember her using flash - I remember her using natural light or reflectors - but, if she did, I wouldn't think it was anything other than Nikon.)

Don't get me wrong, I love my Nikon cameras, they let me control my Cameron flashes remotely without extra flash triggers, my 50 dollars 55/2.8 Micro-Nikkor just as sharp as Nikon newest 58/1.4 available for $2000, $1950 in savings for me:)

Problem for Nikon started when photography gone digital, its not just camera or lenses anymore, its whole system , their software cumbersome and actually cost money, when competitors provide better programs and for free.

As for lighting, Godox and Profoto went really long way in quality since inception, they present way better value now.

May I propose a definition of "Professional Photographer"? My definition is if you can claim your photographic equipment and expenses for taking photographs on your Income Tax, you are a "Professional". If you cannot, you are an amateur. Note, there is nothing said about how good a photographer you are or who ohs and ahs over your pictures. It is a simple business definition with accountants (and auditors) making the final decision.

With that definition in mind, who here is a professional?