flash recommendations, please: Help me, experts! I am looking for an upgrade to my very basic SB 300. My requirements are simple: of course, must be compatible with my Nikon D5500...

Deanie1113

Help me, experts! I am looking for an upgrade to my very basic SB 300. My requirements are simple: of course, must be compatible with my Nikon D5500, TTL, a FAST recycle time, able to turn so I can bounce off walls, and not large or loud. I am ready to venture into 3rd party brands, but I have heard Yongnuo manuals are very difficult to understand and I love a good manual. Your insights are most appreciated.

Jim Bob

Deanie1113 wrote:

Help me, experts! I am looking for an upgrade to my very basic SB 300. My requirements are simple: of course, must be compatible with my Nikon D5500, TTL, a FAST recycle time, able to turn so I can bounce off walls, and not large or loud. I am ready to venture into 3rd party brands, but I have heard Yongnuo manuals are very difficult to understand and I love a good manual. Your insights are most appreciated.

I like the SB700. Excellent versatility and performance for the money.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Deanie1113 wrote:

Help me, experts! I am looking for an upgrade to my very basic SB 300. My requirements are simple: of course, must be compatible with my Nikon D5500, TTL, a FAST recycle time, able to turn so I can bounce off walls, and not large or loud. I am ready to venture into 3rd party brands, but I have heard Yongnuo manuals are very difficult to understand and I love a good manual. Your insights are most appreciated.

Yongnuo (China) and Nissin (Japan) are two good third party brands. As for the manuals, are any of them good? : (

steve03 Loc: long Lsland

Here ia a link to the Yongnuo 560 manual. http://www.yongnuoebay.com/sm/yn5601.pdf

rdubreuil Loc: Dummer, NH USA

Jim Bob wrote:

I like the SB700. Excellent versatility and performance for the money.

, or used SB-800/910 if it's in the budget.

Jim Bob

rdubreuil wrote:

, or used SB-800/910 if it's in the budget.

Yeah! That would be even better.

Deanie1113

Yeah, sorta not in budget.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Deanie1113 wrote:

Yeah, sorta not in budget.

Deanie1113, you might consider a Godox Ving V860IIN TTL. Priced from $179. Here’s a link:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1341867-REG/godox_v860ii_f_nikon_kit_v860ii_for_nikon_kit.html

Deanie1113

Yes, on my top five list. Hesitating, though, because I've read the Lithium batteries can get extremely hot.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

rjaywallace wrote:

Deanie1113, you might consider a Godox Ving V860IIN TTL. Priced from $179. Here’s a link:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1341867-REG/godox_v860ii_f_nikon_kit_v860ii_for_nikon_kit.html

The 860 has a LI-on battery that will give you about 650 full-power flashes!

For less money, the Godox TT685N at $110 might be something to consider, I have one myself.
Both of these flashes have a built-in radio receiver, for when you might want to use it off-camera.
Godox probably the most extensive system on the market.
It's sold as the Flashpoint brand at Adorama.

toxdoc42

Look at neewer, $34 at Amazon, almost identical to all the others, no manual is really needed, it is pretty intuitive and at that price you can't go wrong

Deanie1113

Wow! can't go wrong there! Will look into. Thanks.

Dan R Loc: Way Way Way Upstate NY

Yongnuo makes good products at a reasonable price, but it's also worth looking on craigslist for a used Nikon SB 700.

toxdoc42

I have 1 Yonguo and 2 Neewers I find the latter as good, easier to use, and can rotate as well as tilt.

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

rjaywallace wrote:

Deanie1113, you might consider a Godox Ving V860IIN TTL. Priced from $179. Here’s a link:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1341867-REG/godox_v860ii_f_nikon_kit_v860ii_for_nikon_kit.html

I also recommend godox flashes but suggest you buy from flashgear.net. Reason why is Tim Payne owns the site and offers a two year warranty. He also helps you with any flash related questions. Super nice guy.