Flash recommendations for D7100: At some point I will want to get a flash unit that will work with my D7100, in all of its various aspects it is designed for (Auto, TTL, etc.). Trying...

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

At some point I will want to get a flash unit that will work with my D7100, in all of its various aspects it is designed for (Auto, TTL, etc.). Trying to narrow down the choices. For my needs (and budget), the SB-910 is off the chart. I could be happy with the SB-600, -700 or even -800. But am also looking at Metz, Nissin and Yongnuo, the last two I know nothing about.

Presently, Im using my old Sunpak 555, however it will work only in Manual mode. What I like about the Sunpak, and why I still have it, is its GN of 150 and the ability to light something up at a fairly good distance.

For my needs, the SB-400 or newer DB-500 would be a bit underpowered. Dont care about wireless off-camera flash. Recommendations?

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Check out a Meinke MK910. MUCH less expensive than its Nikon brother.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

Try Sigma flashes. Less expensive that the Nikon flashes, and they still have all the features.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

Yongnou flashes are becoming fairly popular. I bought one and liked it enough to buy another. Then decided to try their wireless flash triggers...no complaints there either. Very good quality and great prices. I personally know of more than a few people that use them with no complaints at all. Nissin is another brand to look into.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I purchased a used Nissin Di866 on eBay for less than $200. It is the most powerful (read fastest recycling) hotshoe speedlight on the market.
Read more here:
FAQ: How do Popular Speedlights Compare for GN?
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-91636-1.html

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

You might consider the new Metz Mecablitz 44 AF-2, tho it only has a guide number of 44m (144 ft at ISO 100 when used with a 105mm lens). It offers a zoom head that covers angles from 24-105mm. The 44 AF-2 both tilts (90°) and swivels (300°). Looks like a nicely designed, flexible unit.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

[quote=kb6kgx]At some point I will want to get a flash unit that will work with my D7100, in all of its various aspects it is designed for (Auto, TTL, etc.). Trying to narrow down the choices. For my needs (and budget), the SB-910 is off the chart. I could be happy with the SB-600, -700 or even -800. But am also looking at Metz, Nissin and Yongnuo, the last two I know nothing about.

Presently, Im using my old Sunpak 555, however it will work only in Manual mode. What I like about the Sunpak, and why I still have it, is its GN of 150 and the ability to light something up at a fairly good distance.

IF your Sunpack has auto settings use them. Just set your camera as you would have a film camera and put the flash on auto. It won't give
TTL. I have an old Vivtar 9300 that is a powerhouse and has a "Potato Masher" handle and a head that swivels all over for bounce flash. I also have a TTL flash and I see no deference in the exposures. Both on auto. - Dave

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

rjaywallace wrote:

You might consider the new Metz Mecablitz 44 AF-2, tho it only has a guide number of 44m (144 ft at ISO 100 when used with a 105mm lens). It offers a zoom head that covers angles from 24-105mm. The 44 AF-2 both tilts (90°) and swivels (300°). Looks like a nicely designed, flexible unit.

The 44 AF-2 would be close enough to my 555 in terms of GN, Ill look into it. Thanks!

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

[quote=wilsondl2]

kb6kgx wrote:

IF your Sunpack has auto settings use them. Just set your camera as you would have a film camera and put the flash on auto.

Yes, there is an A setting on the flash. All I do set the aperture and the shutter synch (on my FE2, that is 1/250, not sure about the D7100).

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

I see your Sunpak is about GN 46 in meters as most other flash units rate in meters now. I normally would tell you how fond I am of my Yongnuo yn-568ex (and other Yongnuo models), as I find them very cost effective alternatives to Nikon's offerings. But, I just found this one, and although I have no experience with it, the features seem to compare very closely to the SB-910.

I would love to hear from actual users of this one myself.

http://www.amazon.com/Shanny-SN600SN-Master-Speedlight-Flashgun/dp/B00X3JM0J4

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Rick36203 wrote:

I see your Sunpak is about GN 46 in meters as most... (show quote)

It's just too bad these ads "inflate" the GN by posting it at it's zoomed out distance. To get a fair comparison, the number should have been given @ 35mm, not 200mm. It fools the novice buyer into believing they got a more powerful unit--when they didn't.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guide_number

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

It's just too bad these ads "inflate" the GN by posting it at it's zoomed out distance. To get a fair comparison, the number should have been given @ 35mm, not 200mm. It fools the novice buyer into believing they got a more powerful unit--when they didn't.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guide_number

I agree. I wish they would all list the 35mm value in addition to their maximum zoom rating. I currently don't own a small flash that will zoom beyond 105mm. I'm guessing it may perform between GN34 and 39 at 35mm. But, that's just a guess, and it's not listed in their ad.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Rick36203 wrote:

I agree. I wish they would all list the 35mm value in addition to their maximum zoom rating. I currently don't own a small flash that will zoom beyond 105mm. I'm guessing it may perform between GN34 and 39 at 35mm. But, that's just a guess, and it's not listed in their ad.

I just did a somewhat unscientific test with my Yongnuo @ 35 and then "zoomed out" to 105 (the max) using an old flash meter. I gained a full stop.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

rjaywallace wrote:

You might consider the new Metz Mecablitz 44 AF-2, tho it only has a guide number of 44m (144 ft at ISO 100 when used with a 105mm lens).

Rating a speedlight at 105mm angle is dis-ingenuous to the photography public. The standard for Guide Number measurement is speedlight set to 35mm lens spread, as you can see from the chart above. ALL speedlight GNs double when measured at the narrower 105mm light pattern. Your inflated GN44 at 105mm setting is about GN25 when measured at the standard 35mm setting.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

kb6kgx wrote:

The 44 AF-2 would be close enough to my 555 in terms of GN, Ill look into it. Thanks!

Do not be fooled by this inflated GN. Your SunPac 555 GN of 150 was measured at 35mm (see chart here, Popular Photography, page 67: http://books.google.com/books?id=cwwfXcPd9dQC&pg=PA67&lpg=PA67&dq=Sunpak+555+speedlight+GN&source=bl&ots=HiuqGyydbd&sig=NUpTKwmE4aqIGgTroZrrOO3tUSA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwijuYz_xK_KAhXMcj4KHY48DzQQ6AEISzAG#v=onepage&q=Sunpak%20555%20speedlight%20GN&f=false ), where as the Metz 44 mentioned was measured at a much more narrow, and therefor more concentrated, 105mm lens angle. NOT a level playing field.

Your six battery SunPac 555 grip speedlight is more powerful than any hotshoe speedlight on the market.
Here is a review of the Metz 48, which is a step above the Metz 44: http://speedlights.net/2010/11/10/metz-48-af-1-flash-review . Note: "The 48 AF-1 is an alternative to the Canon 430EX (II) and the Nikon SB-700 (SB-600)", so the Metz 44 is less powerful.