Help please with low-cost flash for Nikon DSLR (Page 2): For flash I think the Meike would be a better choice because it offers much more control and has a lot more power. Durability...

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Mike D. wrote:

Video isn't necessarily something I intend to pursue but I also hate being limited if the need arises. In your opinion, would it be better to save a few bucks and get the Meike SB-910 or the Nikon SB-500. Thoughts? Primary use would be the D7100.

For flash I think the Meike would be a better choice because it offers much more control and has a lot more power. Durability and useable life is the unknown, but so far I am impressed. Two Meikes will only cost $50 more than one SB 500 and you would have slave, master, and commander mode with both.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

MT Shooter wrote:

For flash I think the Meike would be a better choice because it offers much more control and has a lot more power. Durability and useable life is the unknown, but so far I am impressed. Two Meikes will only cost $50 more than one SB 500 and you would have slave, master, and commander mode with both.

As a caveat I have neither-- and my uses differ: I shoot primarily macro so I use a Yongnuo which has a much higher GN. I do have an SB 400 & also have a D7100.

The SBs are excellent units, but are pricier. As MT says you can almost get two (Meikes) for the price of one (Nikon).

Here are the numbers I found: $130 for the Meike & $247 for the SB-500. GuideNumbers (meters) @ iso 100 are 24 for the SB-500 & 42 for the Meike.

Another factor: if you are using the SB-500 on manual you will need to set the power using the camera menu. I prefer making this adjustment using the flash menu. The Meike has this menu; the SB-500 doesn't. Again, this is a personal use preference and may not apply to your intended use

Some might prefer the smaller size of the SB-500.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

MT Shooter wrote:

For flash I think the Meike would be a better choice because it offers much more control and has a lot more power. Durability and useable life is the unknown, but so far I am impressed. Two Meikes will only cost $50 more than one SB 500 and you would have slave, master, and commander mode with both.

I don't see how you could go too far wrong with the Meike then. It can't be any worse than the Vivitar that I let that joker talk me into. Bought it for our daughters wedding and turned the camera and flash over to someone who had less of a photographic clue that I. On the upside are about 100 shots of them in front of the church because I asked him to stall them because we needed time to finish setting up the reception hall. I used it maybe 2 or three times and now it won't fire any more and I paid twice what the Meike's are going for. Maybe for Christmas... Thank you for your input.

pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ

My opinion, for what it is worth, is that whatever flash unit you decide on it should be useable with the D7100 Creative flash system. You might not be into off camera flash now but, later on you might just get the idea of trying off camera flash and you would already have the flash units to do that. I find myself using off camera flash more all the time. Have a GREAT DAY!

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

Mike D. wrote:

I don't see how you could go too far wrong with th... (show quote)

I have used my Nikon SB400 for 5 years and it never let me down, recycles fast, and always works. It does bounce and is fine for on camera fill flash. You can get one fairly cheap now. A purchase that I certainly do not regret! Good reliable little unit. Don't bother looking at the 300 - it is not as good.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

MT Shooter wrote:

For flash I think the Meike would be a better choice because it offers much more control and has a lot more power. Durability and useable life is the unknown, but so far I am impressed. Two Meikes will only cost $50 more than one SB 500 and you would have slave, master, and commander mode with both.

The guys will always push "more power". If you are doing most of your shooting outdoors, you will probably be using your flash as on camera fill. The tiny sb400 does that job nicely and reliably with a minimum of fuss. It does not have POWER nor can it be programmed or used as a commander or a slave. Do you need a commander or a slave?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

CatMarley wrote:

The guys will always push "more power". If you are doing most of your shooting outdoors, you will probably be using your flash as on camera fill. The tiny sb400 does that job nicely and reliably with a minimum of fuss. It does not have POWER nor can it be programmed or used as a commander or a slave. Do you need a commander or a slave?

Since you are asking me directly, yes, I DO need those features and use them regularly. I have 2 SB 400's and like using them on radio triggers to light up dark recesses on architectural shoots because they are so small I can almost hide them in plain site.
Everyone who knows they need a flash needs to have the info necessary to make the decisions as to exactly what features they need, or can do without. What works for you may not be nearly sufficient for others.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

MT Shooter wrote:

.... yes, I DO need those features and use them regularly. I have 2 SB 400's and like using them on radio triggers to light up dark recesses on architectural shoots because they are so small I can almost hide them in plain site....

you do need the full set of features.
For example i have 1 cheap E-TTL flash for my canon but by having full feature nikon flashes i can set them to remote SU4 and trigger them with the canon flash or remote trigger them with radio.
Saved duplicating my flash investment for when i need heavy duty fill light.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

Yongnuo flash units are very good performers for the money. I have the YN560-III for $70usd. Yongnuo has a very extensive line at very reasonable prices.

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

I must tell you that the Altura TTL Flash cycled every time I pushed the shutter button 1 sec or less for 5 times.

http://alturaphoto.com/media/catalog/product/cache/2/image/1200x/040ec09b1e35df139433887a97daa66f/a/l/altura-flash-6_2.jpg

This is a dedicated Flash for Nikon and Canon, maybe others. It is through the lens and has all the features of the Nikon Flashes. I have been very pleased with the flash.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

CatMarley wrote:

I have used my Nikon SB400 for 5 years and it never let me down, recycles fast, and always works. It does bounce and is fine for on camera fill flash. You can get one fairly cheap now. A purchase that I certainly do not regret! Good reliable little unit. Don't bother looking at the 300 - it is not as good.

Thanks for your input Cat, one can't have too much information. I wish I had known about the Hog before I bought that POS Vivitar. All I wanted was a flash that would talk to my camera and I got the "this one is better" speech. It may very well be if you want to set eveything manually but I didn't and neither did the guy who ended up doing most of the photos.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

MT Shooter wrote:

Since you are asking me directly, yes, I DO need those features and use them regularly. I have 2 SB 400's and like using them on radio triggers to light up dark recesses on architectural shoots because they are so small I can almost hide them in plain site.
Everyone who knows they need a flash needs to have the info necessary to make the decisions as to exactly what features they need, or can do without. What works for you may not be nearly sufficient for others.

I was actually asking the lady who asked the original question about an inexpensive flash to use for her outdoor photography, whether SHE needed off camera slave and commander facility. By the time you are doing off camera flash lighting, you are beyond needing a simple fill flash on your camera, or bouncing some flash off the ceiling, and you will probably be investing on several units with advanced capabilities. But it did not sound like the lady was asking that kind of question. I own several flashes with varying capabilities and I have done off camera slave flash, but I use the sb400 about 95% of the time because I am usually taking photos of my dogs outdoors with fill.

dylee8 Loc: South Florida

Nikonista wrote:

I am almost universally an outdoor picture taker and thus have limited need for a flash unit. Nikon Speedlights are expensive and overkill for my twice-a- year requirements. Could anyone please recommend a third-party solution that would work?

I came across this the other day. You might find it useful:

http://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Speedlite-Display-Digital-Camera/dp/B00GE4MNQA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417404663&sr=8-1&keywords=neewer+nikon+flash

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

may i sugest going to keh.com and look for used nikon flash guns. you get all the advantages of a nikon flash ie there creative lighting system for a very good price. i bought a used sb-800 used for a third what a new one costs. in adition keh puts a 6 month free warranty on their items. keh has an excellant reputation. their ratings are very conservative. you can trust any ratings of ug or bgn they still look brand new

Nikonista Loc: England

I am grateful for for all the comprehensive replies. To be clear, the flash would be used mainly for the few occasions each year I photograph friends and family indoors and so, no, I would not need slave or commander facilities. Your replies however have given me much to research.
Thank you.