Which flash? I have a Nikon d3100 and would love to get a speed light. I saw an sb400 on sale for $89. I had been looking at the sb700 hoping to find a good deal. I mainly take...

Chippee Loc: PA

I have a Nikon d3100 and would love to get a speed light. I saw an sb400 on sale for $89. I had been looking at the sb700 hoping to find a good deal. I mainly take pictures of my 4 daughters, flowers, and while out walking nature stuff.

Can anyone give me an idea of which flash would be good for these situations? Although the sb910 would be a dream, i don't want to spend that much. Are there any other ones I should look at? Thanks.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

Chippee wrote:

I have a Nikon d3100 and would love to get a speed light. I saw an sb400 on sale for $89. I had been looking at the sb700 hoping to find a good deal. I mainly take pictures of my 4 daughters, flowers, and while out walking nature stuff.

Can anyone give me an idea of which flash would be good for these situations? Although the sb910 would be a dream, i don't want to spend that much. Are there any other ones I should look at? Thanks.

Go get the SB400, you'll like it. It'll balance correctly on your camera. The SB700's too heavy, it'll make your camera top heavy and unless you reaching out over 50 feet you won't need it anyway.

Chippee Loc: PA

Thanks Wabbit for the advice. It is tough when you are new to know what to spend money on.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

Chippee wrote:

Thanks Wabbit for the advice. It is tough when you are new to know what to spend money on.

I have a SB400 and a SB600. The SB400 gets more use. It's small, light, and will save your camera battery power for other camera functions.

Pasha69 Loc: SoCal beach area

There don't seem to be too many bargins left, but the SB400 certainly is one of them. I've never gotten a bad exposure with it on my F6. Good luck.

Chippee Loc: PA

I just ordered it! Thanks for the comments/help. I really appreciate it.

Nevada Chuck

Chippee wrote:

I have a Nikon d3100 and would love to get a speed light. I saw an sb400 on sale for $89. I had been looking at the sb700 hoping to find a good deal. I mainly take pictures of my 4 daughters, flowers, and while out walking nature stuff.

Can anyone give me an idea of which flash would be good for these situations? Although the sb910 would be a dream, i don't want to spend that much. Are there any other ones I should look at? Thanks.

The only dedicated flash unit that I would buy, other than one made by the camera maker, is Metz. The Germans know how to do it right.

I've learned the hard way, buying supposedly "dedicated" flash units by other companies, and they always fall short in one way or another. The 4-series Metz unit is a great little unit, usually runs a hair under $200, performance upgrades are upgradeable through built-in USB port, etc. Great light.