Flash Unit for Nikon D500 (Page 2): For wildlife be sure to get a "high speed" flash for your better beamer otherwise you will be stuck with a shutter speed of 1/250 sec or less. The...

stillducky

For wildlife be sure to get a "high speed" flash for your better beamer otherwise you will be stuck with a shutter speed of 1/250 sec or less. The Yongnuo 568EX is high speed at a reasonable price.

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

Saleavitt10 wrote:

Morning all. I am looking for recommendations for an external flash unit for the D500 that won't break the bank. My main photo focus is wildlife, especially birds. I won't be using the flash that much so looking for something less expensive than the Nikon offerings. It will mainly be used in shots in the woods with a Better Beemer for that extra fill light you sometimes need. Any advice will be appreciated.

I have several Nikon SB 800 flash units that still work wonderfully with my D500. All of my current SB800's, all four of them, came mint from ebay. They won't break your bank and work just as well as the most recent flash units made by Nikon. I fire them remotely with the Phottix system.

NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

If you want to stay with a Nikon flash, you may want to also consider a refurb unit that are available through the "Big 3" stores. Just did a quick price check and you can get a SB700 for $270 and a SB910 for $499. They are more expensive that a Nissin or Yongnou, but they come with a Nikon guarantee that you can extend. I've bought a refurb SB-600 and a SB-700 from Cameta and both have been solid, reliable units

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

brent46 wrote:

Attached photo taken with a D7100 with Yongnuo 568EX bounced in ittl mode. This flash is available for under $100.

I've heard pretty good things about the Yongnuo flashes. I wouldn't expect it to last as long as an OEM but feel it would be adequate for the little use you'd have for one.

Edia Loc: Central New Jersey

Saleavitt10 wrote:

Morning all. I am looking for recommendations for an external flash unit for the D500 that won't break the bank. My main photo focus is wildlife, especially birds. I won't be using the flash that much so looking for something less expensive than the Nikon offerings. It will mainly be used in shots in the woods with a Better Beemer for that extra fill light you sometimes need. Any advice will be appreciated.

You spend $2K on a crop sensor camera and are now looking for a cheap flash? Wow!

Saleavitt10 Loc: Maine

Edia wrote:

You spend $2K on a crop sensor camera and are now looking for a cheap flash? Wow!

I might use it 3 or 4 times a year. I never said cheap flash. The fact that I am frugal and don't always buy top of the line allows me to afford the D500. Not that it's any of your business!

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Saleavitt10 wrote:

I might use it 3 or 4 times a year. I never said cheap flash. The fact that I am frugal and don't always buy top of the line allows me to afford the D500. Not that it's any of your business!

Ignore the troll!

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

Yongnuo 568 Ive been using mine for almost a year no problems, works great, lots of features, mine was $108.00 when I bought it.
its less now

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

stillducky wrote:

For wildlife be sure to get a "high speed" flash for your better beamer otherwise you will be stuck with a shutter speed of 1/250 sec or less. The Yongnuo 568EX is high speed at a reasonable price.

To clarify, I believe you mean capable of High Speed Sync (HSS).

GregWCIL Loc: Illinois

Saleavitt10 wrote:

Morning all. I am looking for recommendations for an external flash unit for the D500 that won't break the bank. My main photo focus is wildlife, especially birds. I won't be using the flash that much so looking for something less expensive than the Nikon offerings. It will mainly be used in shots in the woods with a Better Beemer for that extra fill light you sometimes need. Any advice will be appreciated.

I have the same question as you do. I already have a SB700 which will work just fine mounted on the camera. But I hope you get some suggestions for a flash unit (and radio activator) that can be used off-camera. I understand the BetterBeamer on camera for distant wildlife fill flash but otherwise on-camera flash usually makes for horridly flat photos.

NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

I use the Phottix system to drive my SB700 and SB600 off-camera. I can use either in i_TTL or manual depending on the effect I want or if I'm using a snoot for hair shots or other modifier. Never had a problem and I've also used it to drive a slave flash (300w with umbrella) and get some great portraits shots this way.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

stillducky wrote:

For wildlife be sure to get a "high speed" flash for your better beamer otherwise you will be stuck with a shutter speed of 1/250 sec or less. The Yongnuo 568EX is high speed at a reasonable price.

This seems to be my only major limitation (that, and “auto” features) of using my old and trusty Sunpak 555. It will work, but in manual mode only, and the flash synch is fixed at 1/250.