First time flash user? SB600 or SB700

[SXI - Matt]

As title say's looking at getting a flash for my first time, I popped into Jessops and they demonstrated the SB700. Looked a lovely bit of kit & what appealed was a setting you could put it on that automatically adjusted depending on the lighting. Does the SB600 have the same setting and would you rate it for my first time using one?

 

[SnappyHappy]

Not sure, were they switching it to TTL from manual, maybe?

Got a 600 recently for my first flash, and think it's a great little flash. Off classifieds (I should really stop going there!)

I looked at 400, but wanted something that would bounce leftright/up/down, the size of the 400 sounded great though.

I hear the 700 is very good though, but for me and my uses the 600 will keep me going for a longtime. I might be getting confused but I think the 600 actually has a longer reach than the 700 by a small amount (although i may be getting confused). I'm sure the 700 is better, but for what needs/cost? (as usual with this game!)

I'm still understanding and learning basics about ambient lighting/shutter speed etc, getting there though.
Just fire it into TTL gives great results as well (maybe what they did in the shop?)

Was saying on another thread there, until fairly recently, I was assuming (pretty stupidly now) that flash creates horrible/harsh pictures It's a whole new world, although the flash on the D90 is actually not 'that' bad compared with some IMO. It's a great thing flash and I love how it creates an almost 3d quality (you'll know when you get it right)

600 has FP mode as well btw so good for still mainting quite wide apertures on sunny days etc. (more to it than that, but just saying if you use it for fill flash etc)

 

[SXI - Matt]

Thanks for your quick reply, good to speak to some one in the same boat. I think as I'm new to the whole flash world and in fairness pretty new to photography as whole, I'd be better with the SB600 saves me a bit of money towards another lens to

Yeah the classifieds are easy to get carried away in, got my eye on a SB600 as we speak.

I'm not sure what mode it was however TTL sounds familiar. Was basically described as an auto mode stick the flash on hit the button and the flash works with the camera to give to the right power setting ect :-/

 

[SnappyHappy]

Wont go wrong with the 600.

Nissin di622 (mark 2) are supposedly pretty good.
I ordered one and they sent canon fit ended up on here with a 600. Nissin build quality seemed ok as well.
I heard the mark 1 under exposed at times, dunno how true that is though.

Just get one, if not any above, make sure it has ttl and can be taken off camera. Was a 600 in classifieds the other day for around 130 which seems standard. I paid 65 for the nissin, shame it was canon

 

[madmardle]

Wont go wrong with the 600.

Nissin di622 (mark 2) are supposedly pretty good.
I ordered one and they sent canon fit ended up on here with a 600. Nissin build quality seemed ok as well.
I heard the mark 1 under exposed at times, dunno how true that is though.

Just get one, if not any above, make sure it has ttl and can be taken off camera. Was a 600 in classifieds the other day for around 130 which seems standard. I paid 65 for the nissin, shame it was canon

I have a Nissin di622 mark1 and have never had a problem with under exposure and have been more than happy with the quality so I should imagine the mark 2 is even better. Having said all that I did buy a SB600 recently ( don't know why, I don't really need two flashguns) and am even more impressed. The only thing I miss really is the white plastic that pops up on the Nissin that bounces the light forward when the gun is pointing up, I wish the Nikon had that.

 

[Bristolian]

I have both the SB600 and Nissin Di622 (Mk1) and use them interchangeably - which ever one I grab first I don't see any tendency for the Nissin to under-expose either. A Mk2 Nissin is on my shopping list for next month to replace an old manual only flash.

Like Madmardle I wish Nikon had put the white reflector on the SB600 but I have a home made one that attaches with velco.

The mode that the guy in Jessops was demonstrating was most likely iTTL, which all Nikon flashes have built in.