jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

After 14 years of occasional use, my SB600 died. It powers up, but the flash button does not light up. When I push it, nothing happens. When I attach it to my Nikon D5300, same. Flash but does not function. Tried on another camera body and same, so my thoughts are, it died.

So after 14 years, I think it's more cost effective to replace it.

I looked at the SB700, but it is out of my price range. Maybe $200.00 or less will be fine. Less even better.

Thoughts on the Godox and Neewer line of flashes. Anyone using them and thoughts on reliability, etc.

With this brand, if positive user reports, which model(s) are equivalent to the SB600 or maybe one step lower (for cost factor). Used for fill flash and other non-professional use. General everyday use.

If not Godox/Neewer, what other brands are reliable and compatible with a Nikon D5300?

Thanks to all who respond either positive and/or negative.

BebuLamar

I think you can use the Godox or Neewer. They actually have more power than the SB600. The manuals are difficult to understand. If you only use them for TTL or Manual I think they are OK.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

FYI. I have an SB-900 I no longer use as I only do Landscape photography. it is in good condition. I'll sell it for $125 + S&H (estimate $25). PM me if you are interested.

Be sure to check compatibility with your D5300 first.

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

Thanks for your response. will think about it.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

Just purchased the Godox tt685n last month. So far very very satisfied. Difficult learning curve because of lousy institutions. YouTube helped.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

The best instructions are on YouTube. The best one for the V1 is in Chinese. The subtitles are great

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Look here, I have using their clone of the Canon 600 for a few years, works fine, I also have their macro ring flash.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Yongnuo%20Flash%20For%20Nikon&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&ap=Y&gclid=CjwKCAjwkN6EBhBNEiwADVfya2n_fxo1rPc9FerocoQd8RSHathZ3xrrQhEPC-G29MtpD0AXp5vKkRoCoq8QAvD_BwE

wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

Not an opinion on the original question, but are you using fresh batteries and/or have you cleaned the hot shoe contacts for both flash and camera? Also try cleaning the battery compartment contacts.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

I skipped over the Chinese. May have been easier than understanding the English instructions. lol

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I'd hope that Ed Shapiro might chime in, but the symptoms you describe seem to me to indicate that the main capacitor has failed. The good news is that the repair should be pretty straightforward if a replacement can be located.

One other thing that might be worth trying is to install a fresh set of batteries, turn the flash on, and just let it sit. Don't try to flash it or do anything else. You can turn it off after an hour or so, let it rest a few minutes, then turn it back on. This is a low probability step. It is likely not to work, but it's worth trying.

I realize that your flash has served you for a number of years. If you decide just to replace it, I hope you find one that you like.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

Look seriously at Bolt. (B & H) I have had their best one for several years, also a battery pack. No problems, always does what I want.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

I have been using Godox with my Fujifilm cameras and find they are the best value for the money. Maybe not the cheapest, but I don’t want the cheapest if it’s not well-made. The savings over a Nikon brand flash will be considerable!

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Check out KEH and MBP for used.

bdonatt1 Loc: San Francisco, CA

Hi I am an UH reader and saw this response of yours and if you still have the 900 flash for !25 plus 25 fees for SH
would love to buy it. I have been using the SB900 for over a year and would love to get a back up ready to go in case mine ever gives up the ghost. From Don Bloom send a note back to my email at bdonatt@gmail.com and indicate approximate use (number of flashes) of the one you want to sell.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Try this test. Hold the Speedlight close to your ear- Push the open flas button, if you hear a click, it's burned out or disconnected flash tube at fault. The click means the power supply, capacitor and trigger coil are working.

If the ready-light won't come on, the issue is probably in the power supply circuitry. This would make the repair cost exceed the value of the unit.

A faulty capacitor would usually be indicated by unit powering up and the ready-light intermittently extinguishing. This may be accompanied by a popping or crackling noise and possibly some smoke or the odour of burning electrolytic material. That means the power supply is working but the capacitor is shorting out. Sometimes, if a unit is left dormant for a lengthy period, capacitors can deform but it unlikely that the unit would no try to come on. Capacitors for Speedlights are no terribly expensive, but I have found that exact specifications change within the same model over the years. Some of the older units are actually irreparable because the entire internal circuitry has changed or it is so modular that individual components are difficult to trace, test and replace at a reasonable cost. If you haven't used it frequently in hard service, I doubt if it could be somethg simple like a bad switch.

This is the symptomology without taking it apart and checking out all the possibilities.

The current problem with repairs is there are not many local strobe repair shots and by the time, you pay for shipping to the authorized service, pay their minimum diagnostic charge and pay for parts and service, you are probably better off purchasing a new up-to-date unit.

Do make certain the batteries are fresh and make contact before giving it up. See that the battery compartment is clean and clear of debris or corrosion from battery leakage.

If you don't want to buy another Nikon unit, the Chinese-made Godox units are quite nice. At one time, some of the Chinese imports had quality control issues but the latest modes are fine. Purchase from a reliable dealer that will back things up if there were to be a defect.

One of my young wedding photography trainees has the Godox unit in the attached image- it's an excellent Speedlight- the round parabolic reflector has great coverage and aesthetic possibilities. The reflector is removable for bare-bulb operation. The flash tube is user-replaceable.

I hope this helps!