Looking for flash advice (Page 2): Curious -- Why did you skip SB-600?

John Maher Loc: Northern Virginia

Curious -- Why did you skip SB-600?

sabrejet

Godox V-1

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

skipwv wrote:

I'm looking for a good off-camera flash for my Nikon D7200. I haven't done much with flash in the past but now find myself shooting about 100 shots a week using it. I want to replace my current--and old--Vivitar DF 383 with something similar that is of better quality. I need a quick recycle time and better TTL function. I've looked at Nikon's SB300, 500, and 700 models. What are your experiences with them and what other brands might you recommend looking at? Thanks!

SB800's from Ebay. The head can be turned up and behind you for pleasing indoor flash. I set my camera to manual and my flash on TTL. Works really well.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1311.R1.TR7.TRC2.A0.H1.Xnikon+sb800.TRS0&_nkw=nikon+sb-800&_sacat=0

joegim Loc: Long Island, NY

I have the Godox 685o for my Olympus EM5. It works fine with one caveat. The flash auto zoom function does not integrate properly with my Lumix zoom lenses. The flash will zoom to a tighter zoom angle thereby giving that spotlight effect where the edges & corners are not properly illuminated so what I do is to manually zoom the flash or leave the zoom at the widest setting. Has anybody experienced the same issue?

rick_n_wv Loc: Charleston WV

GoofyNewfie wrote:

I really like Nikon’s speedlights, but for off cam... (show quote)

I second the Godox (Flash Points) from Adorama. They work well. I use the ttl 685, AD400 Pro and the 360's. I use Canon with no problem but know some Nikon people who use them also with no problems. BTW I live up in Charleston.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

John Maher wrote:

Curious -- Why did you skip SB-600?

Perhaps because the others are available new.
The 600 has been replaced by the 700.

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

skipwv wrote:

I'm looking for a good off-camera flash for my Nikon D7200. I haven't done much with flash in the past but now find myself shooting about 100 shots a week using it. I want to replace my current--and old--Vivitar DF 383 with something similar that is of better quality. I need a quick recycle time and better TTL function. I've looked at Nikon's SB300, 500, and 700 models. What are your experiences with them and what other brands might you recommend looking at? Thanks!

I use the on board flash on my D7200 to trigger my two SB 700s. I also use my SB 400 to trigger the other two when the main flash benefits from bounce flash.

John Maher Loc: Northern Virginia

That's a good reason. I was worried something was wrong with the SB-600.

I have been considering a used SB-600 but am not committed to it yet. Some of the other suggestions are worth considering as well.

I have enjoyed all the comments on this.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

John Maher wrote:

That's a good reason. I was worried something was wrong with the SB-600.

I have been considering a used SB-600 but am not committed to it yet. Some of the other suggestions are worth considering as well.

I have enjoyed all the comments on this.

My friend’s SB 600 is still available.
A bit smaller than the SB-800 and a bit lower power by 2/3 stop, but easier user interface.
Great flash!
(In the future, use the “Quote Reply” option to respond so we know which post you are addressing )

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

mas24 wrote:

You may want to consider a Yongnuo #685 flash unit. Somewhere in the $120 range. A clone of the Nikon SB-910. Godox is a good too.

The price of this Flash unit has been reduced to $102. This is the one I own for my Nikon. B&H Photo is out of stock now. If interested, you will have to be put on the email notification list. Yongnuo #685.

rjandreoff Loc: Hawaii

I use flash just about everyday for events, real estate, low lighting shots outdoors (such as sunset shots) in Hawaii. My Nikon flashes have been terrific BUT they are expensive and not durable at all. Two of my Nikon's were damaged (hard to justify repairing flashes today) in a drop of about 1 foot onto a thick carpeted floor. For replacements, I needed lightening powerful enough to overcome intense mid day sun, as well as remote placement that demanded radio control. Price was an issue. So I picked up TWO Yongnuo YN 560 III speedlites ($49 each on sale), plus a set of FOUR Yongnuo RF 605 N wireless triggers ($66). $170 total. After 7 months of intense use, with lots of bumps and knocks, excellent performance and not a problem.

kenArchi Loc: Seal Beach, CA

What is the f stop power at 10 feet. My light meter does not read watt seconds.

jcboy3

skipwv wrote:

I'm looking for a good off-camera flash for my Nikon D7200. I haven't done much with flash in the past but now find myself shooting about 100 shots a week using it. I want to replace my current--and old--Vivitar DF 383 with something similar that is of better quality. I need a quick recycle time and better TTL function. I've looked at Nikon's SB300, 500, and 700 models. What are your experiences with them and what other brands might you recommend looking at? Thanks!

Highly recommend getting a flash with built-in radio receiver for wireless remote flash, with TTL (through the lens) and HSS (high speed sync) compatibility. The following brands are suitable: Cactus, Godox (Flashpoint), Nissin, and Yongnuo.

The Nikon SB5000 is not compatible with your D7200, and costs too much money as well.

At this time, I recommend the getting Flashpoint (which is the Adorama branding of Godox); they have a good system that you can expand to include strobes if you want. And the Flashpoint system is serviced through Adorama, rather than the Chinese company.

I can say that I use Cactus and Nissin, and they work well. I also use Nikon flashes with Phottix Odin radio transmitter/receiver. But the flashes with built in recievers cut out one piece of gear.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

jcboy3 wrote:

The Nikon SB5000 is not compatible with your D7200, and costs too much money as well.

I have an SB5000. It has both radio and optical wireless capability for remote use like the SB800, 900/910, etc, so it will work with the D7200 using the pop-up flash as the commander.

But I wholeheartedly agree..for the price, one could get a Godox system and be set for radio use with any Nikon camera, not just the select few that can accept the radio adapter. A big plus as I mentioned before, most of the more expensive Godox/Flashpoint models have multi-platform receivers in them so can be shared among friends who use different camera brands.

Phottix makes some great stuff too. Impressive build quality!
The Odin remotes work flawlessly in my experience.

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

GoofyNewfie wrote:

I have an SB5000. It has both radio and optical wireless capability for remote use, so it will work with the D7200 using the pop-up flash as the commander.

But I wholeheartedly agree..for the price, one could get a Godox system and be set for radio use with any Nikon camera, not just the select few that can accept the radio adapter.