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Nikon Flash Unit
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I’m a beginner here, but my wife is off to New York Christmas shopping and I want to get a flash unit for my Nikon D70S. Can someone tell me what I should go for, should it be SB600 or a SB800. or should it be a case where I should buy a cheap ‘Jessops’ one for starting out with .I don’t want to miss the opportunity when someone is going to New York and with the weak dollar you could get a nikon SB800 for over ?200.
Please advise anyone.They are both good but if it were me, I’d go for the SB800 (bought one in New York in June)
Orla.Hi Damian
I have D70 and I am also looking at getting a dedicates flash unit. It is my intention to get the SB800, currently shoppng around for best price.
I have decided to get the 800 over the 600 as it is more powerful.
In the past I bought the SB28 (for my F80) from BHPhoto in New York and at the time I opted for what they refer to as “Grey” market stock as it is cheaper but has no Nikon warranty. This didn’t bother me as I was not going to be using the US waranty anyway. I don’t know if this is an option for you to consider.
Damian
Thanks for the replies folks. Culchieboy how has your Grey Market Product been,is it in any way inferior to the one that would have given you a warranty (no experience in Grey market stuff, but I am aware of it).Orla can I have a guide price to what I would expect to pay for an SB800. Is there any bargining to be done. It’s my Wife that is going to get it for me and I don’t want her to be using up alot of her time looking around as she’s there for only a few days. Are there any recognised suppliers/Shops around lower Manhattan (or Woodbury Common), that’s where she’ll be.
Many Thanks again.My SB-28 is still going strong and I have never had a days trouble, it must be nearly 6 years old now.
It is my understanding that Nikon and others need to produce minimum volumes to reach economies of scale. The US and European markets do not take full production and the balance is then dumped in the far east/Pacific at much lower prices. Companies like B&H buy up a lot of this stock to sell on but the local market warranty is invalid hence the sale as “grey” without warranty.
Just remembered that my F80 is also “grey” bought from B&H, again not problems but it didn’t come with an original manual, it had a photocopy. Great camera with no problems.
If you can afford it, go with the 800.
I have both a 600 and 800 and after finally coming to grips with the manual for the 800 I only bring the 600 with me as a backup, or if I am going to be using a couple of flashes remotely.
I do find however that the 800 consumes quite a lot of battery power.
I don’t always agree with the buy the best you can afford theory, but when it comes to lenses & flashes I would.Just last wednesday I covered an event for Enable Ireland where Minister Michael Martin was opening their new premises and the 800 worked like a dream, bounced off the ceiling and with the little white reflector up. Pics will be in this Sundays Tribune.
I normally shoot weddings & portraits where you have a bit of time to take readings etc. but this was one of the first times I has shooting from the hip (so to speak) and the 800 didn’t let me down, apart from towards the end when the batteries began running low !!
Rgds
Kevin
Current price in B+H is $310 (plus local sales tax which I think is in the region of 8%). There was no bargaining to be done when I was there – also the shop is huge, quite overwhelming, particularly if you don’t know what area to go. Staff are very helpful but it’s very busy and things take a while.
Orla.orla_f wrote:
Current price in B+H is $310 (plus local sales tax which I think is in the region of 8%). There was no bargaining to be done when I was there – also the shop is huge, quite overwhelming, particularly if you don’t know what area to go. Staff are very helpful but it’s very busy and things take a while.
Orla.Agree with Orla was there a couple of weeks ago, the shop is huge and is under some redevelopment at the moment, all the photographic equipment is on the 1st Floor. The staff are excellent and very knowledgeable!!
I would recommend that the wife gets there early(We were there when it opened ), she can get in and out of B&H before Macy’s opens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol:
Cheers Steve
Thanks to everyone who helped me on this thread.I got my SB800 now I’ll need a course on how to learn to use it, let alone use it properly but hopefully through time that will happen. My wife found B + H an amazing store she went up Sunday morning at 9:45 and there was about 200 queuing to get in 10:00 (this was after going up on saturday to find it closed ( I think they are jewish)).
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