Flash suggestions

markyboy.1967

markyboy.1967

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Mark Molloy
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Im looking at exploring off camera flash a bit more to help my photography. I currently photograph wildlife but want to start looking at photographing people ( my daughter is a good start ). I have seldom had the need to use flash in my usual photography but will need it more now. I have a Nikon D300 at the moment with an SB 400 flash unit. I would like off camera flash but would like suggestions on which flash unit to buy. I see Flash in the Pan sells a few but im not sure how good these are and if they are what i need. Any suggestions and anything else i need to get the flash off camera without a cord.Cheers.
 
YN flashes are more than OK. To go wireless go for PT-04 set - works for me.
 
I'd sell the SB-400 for £75 and buy an SB-800 for £200. It's nice to have one good Nikon flash for on-camera work and the CLS system makes starting out with off camera flash really quick and easy to learn (set up your D300's flash to trigger the SB-800, control the flash power from the camera but stay on manual flash setting to learn it properly).
 
You need to choose between going iTTL (Nikon's CLS auto flash system) and fully manual-only.

I think Lornholio is right, start with a decent Nikon CLS system (various ways of doing that) because it's really good and you'd be a mug not to. Then build on it either with manual remote guns, or more iTTL units according to budget.

Check out the lighting forum.
 
I have been reading up a little over the past few hours and experimenting with the SB 400 flash. If i were to buy a YN-465 TTL from FITP, would that still allow me to use the functions you mention above. I dont want to spend a great deal on an SB800/SB900 until i know that it will be getting used enough to justify me buying it, hence the YN flash units. Can these flash units be used on and off the camera and do i need a trigger of sorts for off camera?
 
Probably best to go back to the begining, and ask how much you have to spend. The Yongnuo is a great place to start at around £40 and then add a radio trigger for each flash. Nikon SB-800 or 900 is the next step, with umbrellas and light stands etc..

Up from that you have the lencarta Safari with bowens S fit light modifiers. or the Elinchrom Ranger Quadra etc with their range of modifyers..... Depends on budget and commitment to strobism..

Any of these should serve your needs..
 
You'll need either a set of triggers or a cord to use any of the YongNuo flashes off-camera, however with wireless triggers you'll be "limited" to manual adjustment of the power output, whereas with an SB800/900 you'd be able to utilize the D300's CLS functions.

Whether the extra convenience is worth £150-200 extra is something you'd need to decide......
 
Flash In The Pan said:
You'll need either a set of triggers or a cord to use any of the YongNuo flashes off-camera, however with wireless triggers you'll be "limited" to manual adjustment of the power output, whereas with an SB800/900 you'd be able to utilize the D300's CLS functions.

Whether the extra convenience is worth £150-200 extra is something you'd need to decide......
Click to expand...

Im assuming to adjust the power its just a matter of adjustng the flash output on the back of the flash and this cant be done from the camera if not using a Nikon flash--is this correct. To be honest i dont want to be spending allot of money until i know its going to be used and i can progress once i know more.

I just feel that off camera flash would give me more opperunites to experiment hence the YB units.
 
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