Buy a flash or stick with builtin?

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Jonno

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I have a Nikon D3000 and can't decide if I should buy a better flash. I like to take photos of people indoors (family / parties etc) and am wondering if a low end flash might get me better results. Am thinking of the SB400 at £140 or so as I definitely couldn't consider anything more expensive.

Alternatively, is there a cheaper flash I could buy to experiment with?
 
i wouldnt touch the sb400 as its just used for occasional fill flash requirements, what you need is a proper flash with tilt/swivel head. i have a jessops 360afd flashgun that costs £99 and its a really good flash for the cash, i highly recommend it.
 
Should mention, I know I could get better kit but at this point as a beginner the cost of the SB400 would be my absolute max. I could possibly upgrade again in the future but at this point while I'm feeling my way around I need to keep the costs down.
 
have a look at the flashes sold by Flash In The Pan here if you want to keep the cost down
 
a decent flash will make a massive difference in the situations you mention. I would look at some of the third party brands like Sigma and Metz and consider second hand as that way you could get a pro equivalent flash for close to the price of an entry level nikon one.
 
Agree with A1ex2001 completely, def the way to go in your situation.
 
The onboard flash is useful, but a more powerful flash with bounce head will be much more useful. Look at FITP's range. Getting flash off camera is a good idea as well as it allows you to be more creative with light.
 
A decent flash will help you so much, steer clear of the sb-400 though because (as far as i know) the power is not properly adjustable, and it doesn't swivel. I picked up a YN-460 II from FITP, fab piece of kit, highly recommended.
 
IMO, the SB-600 is well worth the extra and if you have some patience and shop around, you may find one for very little more than the 400. Keep your eyes peeled on places that sell 2nd hand kit and you may find one there.
 
sb600 or 800 or 900

your primary flash should be the best you can get, all the extra ones can be cheaper.
 
SamuelHearn said:
A decent flash will help you so much, steer clear of the sb-400 though because (as far as i know) the power is not properly adjustable, and it doesn't swivel. I picked up a YN-460 II from FITP, fab piece of kit, highly recommended.
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The SB400 power is adjustable but you have to do it via the camera.
It also swivels, but only upwards (when shooting in landscape mode), therefore in portrait mode you cannot bounce of the ceiling. Bouncing off a wall or a bounce card gives good results though.

I know that FITP sells the YN-460 II, but AFAIK that has not got TTL. He also sells the YN-465 TTL however I do not know if it supports Nikon's i-TTL 3D Automatic Fill-flash which the SB400 does.
 
mastertrinity said:
i wouldnt touch the sb400 as its just used for occasional fill flash requirements, what you need is a proper flash with tilt/swivel head. i have a jessops 360afd flashgun that costs £99 and its a really good flash for the cash, i highly recommend it.
Click to expand...

:plusone:

I got one of the Jessops 360AFD flashes and it has made a massive difference to the indoor family shots I took over the Christmas period. It can be had with Quidco money off and vouchers - mine ended up costing £39 but I think you'll be looking at £70. In my opinion, cannot be beaten for the price! :thumbs:
 
In addition to the ones from Jessops and FITP there's also the Nissin.
 
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