Speedlight for D7000

[Justport]

I am looking to purchase a speedlight for my D7000 and would appreciate any recommendations - budget is limited but don't want to waste $$$ on something I would want to replace in a few months' time (got caught doing that with my first camera body).

[A J Alderson]

Hey there Justport, I use the nikon sb-400 which is tiny, cheap, more powerful than popup, lasts for ages on 2 AA batteries and is good for fill or bounce flash.

I also use a pair of sb-700's aswell for off camera flash which are fantastic. Especially with Nikons creative lighting system.

It all depends what you want to do but for on camera flash the sb400 is great.

[arthurking83]

another vote for the SB-700. Very easy to operate(brief play in store) and decent quality(from what I've read and seen). Relatively cheap too nowadays from the usual mob of greymarketeers(@ $300ish).


If $300 sounds a bit over budget, other alternatives could be Sigma or Yongnuos or suchlike thirdparty manufacturers, but you may have to do more testing with those to ensure consistency of quality.

[Goatch]

I'll give my vote to the Nikon SB600 speedlite , should be able to pick a good 2nd hand unit for $200 , On and Off Camera , Nikons Creative Light system , takes 4 AA's , I use mine all the time for night time speedway from the middle of the track , cars are 20m's from me , does a great job .

[MrQ]

+1 for the SB600. I believe it's slightly more powerful than the SB700 that replaced it and a tad lighter, although it doesn't have some of the bells and whistles. It still lets you use some of the more advanced features though, which the SB400 doesn't.

[Miyuki]

Another vote for SB600! You can use it off camera, easy to use and lighter than newer model like SB700...and also cheaper (well I was tight on budget...). I got it for just under $200 on eBay

[falcon91]

+1 for the SB700, I've often used if on camera and a few times off, thought can't say I've used the SB 600.

[Justport]

Thanks for the info - have been trying to get decent photos at the drags from half track for ages. This might help.

[Darey]

Another +1 for the SB600.
I've had mine for 18 months and can't fault it. I tend to use it more than my SB800.

[CarlR]

SB700 gets my vote. Great on and off camera. Good menu system and I've found I've used the majority of the features at one time or another (particularly Nikon CLS)

[oneeyedphoto]

+1 for SB400. Great for candid party shots. I also have the SB600 & SB700 for the more serious stuff & using the great CLS system.

[Epoc]

SB600 here as well. Works great on my D7000

[richardb]

The SB-700; if possible 2x.

[mechawombat]

I use a yongyuo 560II its full manual flash but great unit for $70.

[AVALANCHE]

I use the SB700 with my D7000.

Happy with it, no issues.

[T J Garvie]

I'm glad you asked this question because I'm in the same boat. I was using a borrowed SB600 to see what it was like and loved it, but would like to buy my own gear. It looks like the SB600 and SB700 are equally loved by users here. The way I look at it is, I probably don't need all that the SB700 offers right now, but that's because I'm a beginner; give it another 6-12 months and I'll probably be using more of its functions. Perhaps buy something that can grow with your photography and help you expand your skills.

[tungstenf]

I've used both my SB-700 and SB 910 (both now broken) with my D7000. But for the cost and you're not worried about using Nikons own brand. I would go with Yongnuo every time. manual or TTL. For value for money you just can't beat them. I certainly would't buy anything lower than an SB700 type with a similar GN, there just not powerful enough

And trust me if you drop the flash like I have spending $300 to $500 for a replacement can't be justified