Help with buying a flash for nikon 7100: I own a nikon d7100 with a 18-300mm lens. I've interested in buying a flash for general use. I have looked at the Nikon SB 700 and SB 910.

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Help with buying a flash for nikon 7100

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Jan 3, 2014 16:47:46 #

Stevenz

I own a nikon d7100 with a 18-300mm lens. I've interested in buying a flash for general use. I have looked at the Nikon SB 700 and SB 910. According to Nikon USA the 700 has a lens coverage of 14-120mm (DX-format) while the 910 has a lens coverage of 12-200mm (DX-format, Automatic mode). Can someone explain what that means and will either or both work well with my camera and lens combination?
I am a new member and have been enjoying reading UHH. The questions and comments I have reviewed have been very informative and helpful. Thank you

Jan 3, 2014 17:11:42 #

amehta Loc: Boston

Stevenz wrote:

I own a nikon d7100 with a 18-300mm lens. I've int... (show quote)

They'll both work fine. The SB910 can focus the light beam a little better, so it can produce a narrower beam with a little more reach. Your real limitation is your aperture, since your lens is not particularly fast, and you'd want to stop down at least 1 f-stop. But if your subject is within 30-50 feet, you'll be able to get the shot, though you may need to use an ISO like 800 instead of 100.

Jan 3, 2014 17:19:00 #

Stevenz

Thanks for the information Amehta.

Jan 3, 2014 17:23:51 #

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Stevenz wrote:

I own a nikon d7100 with a 18-300mm lens. I've int... (show quote)

This is a good review, and there are other reviews and comparisons available through a Google search. The SB-910 is very capable, but it's also big and expensive.

http://danbaileyphoto.com/blog/comparing-nikon-speedlights-the-sb-700-vs-the-sb-900/

Jan 3, 2014 17:26:58 #

amehta Loc: Boston

Flash effectiveness depends on 4 things: flash power, distance, aperture, and ISO. The flash power is specified by a Guide Number, as "28 m (92 ft.) (for ISO 100, zoom head position: 35 mm, FX format, illumination pattern: standard, temperature: 20 ˚C/68 ˚F)."

You take the GN, divide it by the f-stop, and you get the distance for that ISO. So if you're shooting ISO 100 and f/8, the distance would be about 11 ft. But if you increase the ISO by 2 stops to 400, then you double the distance to 22 ft. The guide number is specified for 35mm, but since these flashes do concentrate the light, at 120mm you would get a higher GN and illumination at a bigger distance. They go into detail about this in the manual. For example, going from 35mm to 120mm, the GN increases by about 1/3, so the 22' would become about 30'.

Jan 3, 2014 17:32:56 #

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Stevenz wrote:

I own a nikon d7100 with a 18-300mm lens. I've int... (show quote)

This is a very good site for flash info.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2013/08/annual-road-trip-and-major-site.html

Jan 3, 2014 17:40:01 #

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

I have sb-700, it works with my d7100
You might check:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-171867-1.html

The 910 is smarter, brighter but probably not a good choice for general use.

Jan 3, 2014 18:45:05 #

Stevenz

I want to thank everybody for their input.

Jan 3, 2014 19:51:16 #

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

Yep, the SB-700 works just fine on both my D90 and my D7100...
There is a simple switch to change from wide angle flash to a narrower beam if that's what you are after for a particular shot..I guess the 910 would have similar...I liked the price of the 700 MUCH better...
Also, as far as I'm concerned, life is too short to be endlessly changing and fiddling with flash settings...of course that's up to the individual but for a general, all around great unit the 700 does just fine...

Jan 3, 2014 20:14:03 #

amehta Loc: Boston

SX2002 wrote:

Doesn't the SB710 change the zoom automatically as the lens focal length changes?

Jan 3, 2014 20:21:41 #

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

amehta wrote:

Doesn't the SB710 change the zoom automatically as the lens focal length changes?

The SB700 does do that but you can also select the pattern you want...wide or narrow or in between..

Jan 3, 2014 20:26:30 #

amehta Loc: Boston

SX2002 wrote:

The SB700 does do that but you can also select the pattern you want...wide or narrow or in between..

:thumbup:

Jan 3, 2014 20:36:08 #

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

amehta wrote:

:thumbup:

Jan 4, 2014 07:11:48 #

RetiredPhotog Loc: South West Ohio

I use the SB 700 with my 7100 and it's a great combination. Looking at the former replies have explained the difference in the two very well. You also have the remote firing capability with both 700 & 910.

Jan 4, 2014 08:08:50 #

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

If you don't mind the weight get the 910. You never regret buying the top of the line.

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