Which Flash? Shoot Nikon D7200 and getting into Macro photography. Want to step up from the built in flash for all of the reasons cited in these forums. With my limited research, I am...

frjeff Loc: Mid-Michigan

Shoot Nikon D7200 and getting into Macro photography.
Want to step up from the built in flash for all of the reasons cited in these forums.

With my limited research, I am leaning toward the Nikon SB-700.

Is this likely to keep me happy for a reasonable time, being a relative newb. Or, are there better options for me (I am on a retired senior limited budget so will perhaps even look at used units from KEH, etc).

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

You might want to look at Yongnuo speed lights, their prices and quality are both good and many of the macro shooters in the macro section here on UH use them. I have 2 of them, one manual and one TTL.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

There are many flashes that will work. One that has TTL will help you with proper exposure. Godox, Yongnuo, & Flashpoint speed lights do just as good. I have the SB-700 and two Godox. If I am working with off camera speed lights I go with the Godox. The triggers for Godox and others I mentioned are much cheeper and user friendly. Pocket Wizards are expensive and work with the Nikon SB700 not sure what other brands are out there to trigger Nikons. If you still want to go the SB700 way I would buy used to save money.

CO

I have an SB700. It's a great flash and has all of the features you'll ever need. I sometime use it off camera and use PocketWizard TTL triggers. I use the PocketWizard Mini-TT1 on the camera and put the SB700 on a PocketWizard Flex-TT5. I did some test shots to look at the pattern produced by the honeycomb grid that I purchased for it. I made a custom bracket out of Delrin to hold the flash. That's why the flash looks bulky in this photo.

Test shot to see pattern produced by honeycomb grid attached to SB700.

(Download)

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

frjeff wrote:

Shoot Nikon D7200 and getting into Macro photography.
Want to step up from the built in flash for all of the reasons cited in these forums.

With my limited research, I am leaning toward the Nikon SB-700.

Is this likely to keep me happy for a reasonable time, being a relative newb. Or, are there better options for me (I am on a retired senior limited budget so will perhaps even look at used units from KEH, etc).

The ultimate for macro. May be outside your budget.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=nikon%20speedlight%20r1c1&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

BebuLamar

There was 2 of the SB-800 on sales here on the UHH for something like $100 each. I think the SB-800 is the most versatile flash unit.

frjeff Loc: Mid-Michigan

PixelStan77 wrote:

The ultimate for macro. May be outside your budget.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=nikon%20speedlight%20r1c1&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

GULP, yes indeed (for right now anyway).

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

frjeff wrote:

GULP, yes indeed (for right now anyway).

What is your budget?

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

EnglishBrenda wrote:

You might want to look at Yongnuo speed lights, their prices and quality are both good and many of the macro shooters in the macro section here on UH use them. I have 2 of them, one manual and one TTL.

And I'll throw Shanny SN600SN into the mix

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"Shanny SN600SN" yep, an SB-910 clone of considerable merit... thanks Strodav... that said maybe not ideal for an initial journey into speedlights... have and still use the SB700... likely one of the most user friendly speedlights for Nikon... Remember the real "cost" of coming up the curve with speedlights is mastering the interface and how to effectively deploy them... the SB700 has possibly some of the best documentation and there are countless YouTube videos on this unit... the cheaper "clones" really lack this level of user support... (I use the Shanny SN600SN more frequently now owing to it's powerful output)

Bottom Line: Here it is about mastering the controls and deployment... not so much about the initial investment... keep in mind that time is money... especially for those working commercially... experience is a brutal teacher....

Hope this helps or is at least food for thought...
I wish you well on your journey frjeff

frjeff Loc: Mid-Michigan

PixelStan77 wrote:

What is your budget?

$200 - $250 preferred.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

PixelStan77 wrote:

The ultimate for macro. May be outside your budget.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=nikon%20speedlight%20r1c1&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Been using this for years - is great for indoor setups or outdoor for flowers and insects. Saw one guy with this flash attached to his knee with Velcro.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

frjeff wrote:

Shoot Nikon D7200 and getting into Macro photography.
Want to step up from the built in flash for all of the reasons cited in these forums.

With my limited research, I am leaning toward the Nikon SB-700.

Is this likely to keep me happy for a reasonable time, being a relative newb. Or, are there better options for me (I am on a retired senior limited budget so will perhaps even look at used units from KEH, etc).

You can get very reliable SB-800 flash that has a little more power and may cost less. Many stores have these and their are always many on Ebay for sale. These units will deliver years of service.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

When I had Nikon cameras Ihad the SB800. Nikon is known for their creative lighting system look for the Nikon SB800 or 910.

jjestar Loc: Savannah GA

I have a SB700 I will sell you box and all for $200 rarely used.