haylon
Loc: West Monroe Louisiana
Im new to portrait photography, I recently purchased the d7200 and need help finding the right flash
haylon wrote:
Im new to portrait photography, I recently purchased the d7200 and need help finding the right flash
There are cheaper alternatives but i recommend at least one SB700 or better nikon flash unit to assure you have full auto flash functionality.
The Nikon SB-700 is an outstanding flash. You can use it off-camera if you put your D7200's pop-up flash in commander mode. It comes with two color correction filters, a wide angle diffusion dome, and a stand. I've tried out the color correction filter for correcting an incandescent light source indoors. What it does is bathe the entire scene with a warm light. The filter has prongs on it that depress certain switches on the flash. The flash reads the position of the switches and sends that information to the camera. The camera will then adjust the white balance based on that information automatically to do the color correction. The camera must be set to auto or flash white balance for the automatic color correction to occur.
Nikon has a new SB-500 that has LED lights to assist when shooting video. I don't have any experience with that flash. I don't know if that feature is really useful.
My first flash was the Nikon SB700, and it is an excellent flash. I could not fault anyone for buying it as their first flash. Having said that, I almost never reach for that flash.
I usually grab a Yongnuo yn-568ex at 1/3rd the cost. It is stronger than the sb700 and does everything it does, except 'Optical Commander mode'. You could get 3 for the price of one Nikon. And, sometimes you want three (or more) speed lights.
If you plan on shooting portraits exclusively in a studio environment, your off-camera flash choice might be a studio strobe, such as one of Paul C. Buff's products.
Have fun researching and deciding. :)
I used the SB 700 and it works very well with your camera. If you want to get into off camera flash, the SB700 will work well too. I can also suggest SRL 230 Strobies. For the price they can't be beat and you will get excellent results with you camera.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG2gVk53axs
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
One of the best flashes Nikon ever made was the SB800, you can get one in excellent ++++ condition on Ebay for a good price. With this unit you can add extra flashes that will be controlled via your camera. You can add another SB800 or 900 or even a new SB910. These flashes work wirelessly with each other and you can build an excellent system for pennies on the dollar by getting a good used SB800. And, if you decide to sell the unit, you will not be out much. You can use cords to connect flashes or get wireless units out of B&H. There is a good book you should look at, Nikon Creative Lighting System, Digital Field Guide third edition by Ben Edwards. This book might answer a lot of your questions and concerns.
I agree that the SB800 is still a great flash. I recently bought another one on e-Bay for two-light situations and will probably buy another one for more serious portrait work. The Nikon menus (especially for wireless) are not easy to master, so by sticking with one model, I don't get confused (or I get less confused) when setting things up.
haylon wrote:
Im new to portrait photography, I recently purchased the d7200 and need help finding the right flash
I'm currently using two SB-800 and one SB-600 speedlights. All purchased used for a total of less than a new SB-800 cost new. They work great with my D-700 and its ability to control the light output, etc. I'll be working at getting triggers sometime in the future. But for now, the Commander mode of my camera works just fine.
--Bob
billnikon wrote:
One of the best flashes Nikon ever made was the SB800, you can get one in excellent ++++ condition on Ebay for a good price. With this unit you can add extra flashes that will be controlled via your camera. You can add another SB800 or 900 or even a new SB910. These flashes work wirelessly with each other and you can build an excellent system for pennies on the dollar by getting a good used SB800. And, if you decide to sell the unit, you will not be out much. You can use cords to connect flashes or get wireless units out of B&H. There is a good book you should look at, Nikon Creative Lighting System, Digital Field Guide third edition by Ben Edwards. This book might answer a lot of your questions and concerns.
One of the best flashes Nikon ever made was the SB... (
show quote)
I also have the Nikon Creative Lighting System Digital Field Guide, third edition. It's an excellent book to have. Not only does it describe the setup of Nikon flash units but it also has four chapters devoted to fundamentals, techniques, and setting up a portable studio.
haylon wrote:
Im new to portrait photography, I recently purchased the d7200 and need help finding the right flash
Use your favorite search too to find the Strobist web site. Click on the 101/102 lighting videos. Watch. It will take more than one sitting. You will gain the knowledge to decide for yourself what you need.
joer
Loc: Colorado/Illinois
haylon wrote:
Im new to portrait photography, I recently purchased the d7200 and need help finding the right flash
My favorite Nikon flash is the SB800. Its been replaced but can be found used.
Its powerful, has a low center of gravity and recycles very fast when using 5 batteries.
haylon
Loc: West Monroe Louisiana
So I looked up the specs on the Yongnuo yn-568ex. It didnt mention the d7200 anywhere that I could find. Is anyone sure it is compatible and will work in wireless mode properly? Thanks for everyone's help!
haylon wrote:
So I looked up the specs on the Yongnuo yn-568ex. It didnt mention the d7200 anywhere that I could find. Is anyone sure it is compatible and will work in wireless mode properly? Thanks for everyone's help!
The Nikon version of the yn-568ex has the same hot-shoe contact pattern as do other Nikon speed lights. It accepts 'optical wireless' off-camera adjustment and firing commands from both Nikon and Canon camera/flash systems. I have used it with my D7000 and D750 flawlessly. I don't own the D7200, but I doubt Nikon would make the flash system on that camera any different than its other recent models.
dannac
Loc: 60 miles SW of New Orleans
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