nikon speedlights

[ROA44]

I have a D5000 and am wondering witch flash to purchase someone had said the SB-800 s/h over the 600,700 & 900 could be overkill. I would be using it mainly indoors with a 35mm 1.8, 18-55 kit lens

[nightbringer]

It depends on what you want/need. IIRC the D5000 doesn't have a commander mode, so if you ever wanted to experiment with off-camera flash you'd need a flash capable of that. The SB800 is handy for this, since it has both commander mode and an optical slave mode that can be triggered by your pop-up flash without needing commander mode. Good luck trying to find an SB800 though, they are fairly rare and sell for more than one would think for a second-hand flash because they're just so good.

At the very minimum, you should consider a flash with a rotatable flash head, so SB600 and above. I have both the SB600 and SB800, and both are good flashes, though I would tend towards the 800 for the increased power and the extra features.

[ROA44]

Thank you for that, at this stage I'm not to worried about remote flash set ups so may try hunting down an 600 or 800

[fillum]

I have an SB-800 and an SB-600 but if I was buying my first flash now I'd get an SB-700. A new SB-700 should be as cheap, or cheaper, than a used SB-800. I'd buy it over the SB-800 for the user interface (ie separate switches for various functions rather than menus), and also for the warranty.

I had a quick look at ebay and SB-600s tend to sell from $200-$300, and SB-800s are mostly in the high $300s (although saw one that went for $275). As an example you can get a new SB-700 for $334 (+free shipping), and maybe cheaper if you shop around.

There are also various compatible flashes from companies such as Metz, Nissin & Yongnuo but I don't know enough about these to offer an opinion.



Cheers.

[reaction]

I personally wouldn't buy a last gen flash, because in this case the jump in usability of the 7/900 is huge vs 6/800
2nd hand tho if you can get 800 cheaper than 700 then well, I'd probably still push for the 700...

guess we just sound like we want u to buy expensive stuff!!

from what i've seen of 3rd party stuff their interface ain't so good, so I'd go 800 over those.

note that nikon flashes DO have international warranty when bought thru official channels.

[gqtuazon]

I have an SB-800 and an SB-600 but if I was buying my first flash now I'd get an SB-700. A new SB-700 should be as cheap, or cheaper, than a used SB-800. I'd buy it over the SB-800 for the user interface (ie separate switches for various functions rather than menus), and also for the warranty.

I had a quick look at ebay and SB-600s tend to sell from $200-$300, and SB-800s are mostly in the high $300s (although saw one that went for $275). As an example you can get a new SB-700 for $334 (+free shipping), and maybe cheaper if you shop around.

There are also various compatible flashes from companies such as Metz, Nissin & Yongnuo but I don't know enough about these to offer an opinion.
Cheers.

As a starter, I used the SB 600 for a very long time with my camera. Since the introduction of the SB 900 and SB 700, I find the controls to be much easier compared to my SB 600 and SB 800. I would highly recommend the SB 700 since your lens can be covered by the SB 700. If you needed a longer range up to 200mm, then the SB 900 would have been my suggestion.

[ROA44]

Thanks everyone your thoughts are appriciated after looking through a few other reviews I was starting to consider the 700 so will have to start the haggle process

[virgal_tracy]

I can't comment on the 700/900 as I haven't used them. I have both the 600 & 800 and both are very good for what you are after. I also own the nissin Di866 and can highly recoomend this as a 3rd party flash. The interface is very easy to use, ample power and very cost effective.

My $0.02 worth

[Blueywa]

I use the SB600,800 and 900.
I use the 600 mainly in slave mode, the 800 and 900 in either slave or master mode.
I have to admit I prefer the 800 over the 900, and really enjoy the simple to use 600.
If you just want a basic unit, have you considered the SB400?
I've never used a 3rd party unit but some say they work well.....so I supose its a personal choice thing

[kiwi]

first I think you need to determine what you want the flash for - indoors is one thing - lighting a concert hall vs lighting the kitchen of your home.

You know the sb-400 is a great little flash and can do simple bouncing OK and fits in a small bacg or pocket, sb-900 is a monster in comparison. The others fall somehere in between

[N*A*M]

i have owned and used the SB400, SB600, SB700, SB800 and SB900. for me the SB700 is just right for 90% of my situations. sometimes i wish i had a small SB400 on me, rather than no flash. and sometimes when i want more power, i would rather have two or more SB700s, rather than craving for an SB900. i highly recommend the SB700 for good a blend of cost, power, functionality, useability, size and weight. and it comes with a comprehensive solution for gelling and diffusion. so it works out quite good value for money.