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advice on buying new flash
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hi, I havn’t got my D60 long and Im still learning. I want to buy an external flash. I was considering a nikon SB400, I have done some research but I basically havnt a clue….
should I consider a cheaper brand sigma, metz???? if I get sb400 what will i get that i dont get on the cheaper brands?
Is the SB400 strong enough?
ken rockwell gives it a very strong recommendation.
any advice would be greatly appreciated.Hi Charley,
I have the sb400, I also have the sigma 500 gt, I got to tell you this, the sb400 is the flash that i use most of the time, don’t let the tiny size fool you, this packs a hefty punch, it also has the ability to bounce, ie, the head swivels up, you dont get all the fancy bells and whistles that you do with other flashes but what it lacks in gizmos it makes up for in ability and function.Also this flash really is a go-anywhere piece of kit due to its small size.
I would go for the sb400 and if ever you move to something more creative like the sb600, 800, 900, you will always keep this flash handy for family get together pics.
Best of luck
Rusty
thanks for that rusty, I have since bought a SB400 and I am delighted with it,
cheers,whats the flash like for outdoors use. I have anikon d5000. I need a flash and am new to photography. I can’t justify spending sb800 or sb600 money, but still want something that is a good bit better than the one thats built into the camera.Also do the Nikon flashes work better with a nikon camera than say a sigma one? any advice appreciated.
I spent a good bit of time on the SB400 v SB600 decision also and eventualy bought the SB600.
If you buy a decent flash it can will transform your photos where you need to use flash. I’d definitely invest the money in the SB600 – you can get if from Amazon for much cheaper than in the shops here.
If you buy an sb600 or 800 you will have them for ever and you wont regret it
also the head swivels allowing you to bounce the flash to your leftright and behind you etc which can make a huge difference to your photos.
I don’t know anything about Sigma flashes but a flash can be quite difficult to get used to so having the same brand of flash as your camera will be an advantage.
Do a quick Google search for SB400 v SB600 and you will get plenty opinions
The one thing that the sb400 has over the other is that is is very small
I supose it really depends what you intend using the flash for. I deciuded that in the end I mostly wanted it for non serious purposes!!!!
I needed the extra flexibility for mostly family occasions etc. and in my opinion the handy size of the SB400 suited me most. and it has since proved invaluable. The abilty of been able to bounce the flash of the ceiling etc has really improved my shots.
but.. if you want more from a flash then I understand that SB600 & SB800 are a must, but it comes with the cost of the additional size & settings. I am not that knowledgable / confident yet to take on a complicated flash / camera settings when I am just trying to ensure that I get a good basic shot……
I will leave the better flash for when I am more capable with the actual camera. I think that it is better to ensure that I have a good shot, well composed first..
as you can guess I still have huge amount to learn and when put in front of a crowd of people (that i know) I want to be able to get a good shot without spending half the day setting upThanks for advice so far. After gaffos’s post I did Google it. Came across some guys almost having a fist fight (if that is possible online) over which flash was the one to buy – maybe I’m not taking this photography lark seriously enough!!
SB600 all the way!
I was in the same boat and I am glad I went the sb600 way now. I was so happy that I now have 3 of them with radio triggers for creating cool effects on location.
I ordered mine from amazon.com in america. They work out at roughly €150 as apposed to €299 in a shop that I saw here. The sb600 gives you so much more control that then 400 and a stronger flash.
I also have a stofen defusser. Combine that and the excellent i-ttl that nikon has, I can get some great shots in night clubs and the like.
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