SB600 vs SB28 vs LP120

[Benbo]

Hi there,

I currently shoot with a SB600, and a D80, using skyports to fire the flash. I'm looking to get some more flashes, but am torn between another SB600, two 2nd hand SB28s, or 2 LumoPro LP120s from mpex.com.

The SB600 would give me the ability to use ittl in the future, but two more flashes would give me more creative scope. At the moment, I do everything in manual as, although the D80 flash works as a commander unit, I've found it somewhat unreliable on a bright day. I think I'm right in that with the SB600, I'd have to get another skyport receiver to shoot in manual, but with both the SB28s and the LP120s I'd be able to use the optical ports until I can afford more skyports (with the noted caveat of bright day uselessness)

Which would you opt for?

 

[specialman]

Do skyports do TTL? If so, you can use the SB28s in auto mode. I use one and it's great. I use it on my D200 to fire an SB800 and an SB26 through the built-in slaves and it's excellent; meters well and gives good exposure, just about similar to my SB800.

I'd probably only get another Sb600 if I were into CLS; otherwise get the SB28s But that just MHO

 

[Joshua James]

Really depends if you want to work mannual or iTTL to be honest. I'd be tempted with the SB600 personally as its easy expanded on and can do both iTTL and mannual if you prefer. Depending on what your shooting, 2 lights will give you excellent creative control.

 

[Flash In The Pan]

I'd avoid the LP120 - by the time you've paid the duty (and you will get hit for the full amount for stuff from mpex) you'll be looking at the guts of £130 for one and you'd get a new SB-600 for not a huge amount more.

Having said that, I sold my 2 SB-600s and bought a pile of older Nikon flashes, so on second thoughts, ignore me

 

[Benbo]

Thanks for the advice!
I mainly want to keep shooting in manual as I'm still learning so like to know what each flash is doing. I'm now thinking 1 SB28 and spend the rest on light modifiers for maximum flexibility.