What flash are you using with your Nikons on-camera?

southernjessie

southernjessie

Suspended / Banned
Messages
607
Name
SJ
Edit My Images
Yes
I have a SB-400 but looking to get a better flash for on-camera TTL work, bouncing off ceilings/walls etc. I was thinking of either a used SB-700 or new SB-500 (which would be a bit smaller and I believe is pretty easy to use).

What are you folks using for portraits, events, etc when the flash is on camera, and would you go for either of the ones I mentioned or something completely different?

Cheers :)
 
I use a SB-800 which works well and is of better construction than the SB-700 ... what camera will you be using it on?
 
I use the SB-700 and think it's a great flash.
 
I'll be using it with a D750. It won't be used all the time but for occasions when I need a good on-camera flash, i.e. social events, portraits, etc.

gramps said:
I use a SB-800 which works well and is of better construction than the SB-700 ... what camera will you be using it on?
Click to expand...
 
southernjessie said:
I'll be using it with a D750. It won't be used all the time but for occasions when I need a good on-camera flash, i.e. social events, portraits, etc.
Click to expand...
Probably don't need the expensive SB-500 then, any of the latest 700, 800, 900, 910 will do well. :)
 
southernjessie said:
I'll be using it with a D750. It won't be used all the time but for occasions when I need a good on-camera flash, i.e. social events, portraits, etc.
Click to expand...
Forgot to mention, I use the SB700 with the D750 and it works flawlessly. I really like Nikon's CLS system too when I use it off camera.
 
I am using a SB 800 and a shanny SN600N with my D750 for on camera flash and am happy with both.

I also use both with the yn622n/tx triggers for OCF.
 
I was thinking that a used SB700 might represent better value for money (and be cheaper) than a SB500. For general stuff like travel probably by SB400 would be fine?
 
I'm using a meike 910. It's a copy of the sb910. Must admit I don't use flash that often but I've been very happy with it.
 
gad-westy said:
I'm using a meike 910. It's a copy of the sb910. Must admit I don't use flash that often but I've been very happy with it.
Click to expand...

Not seen that before - does it work the same as a genuine one?

For the OP, use 2 SB900 mainly off camera but sometimes have one on camera and think they are brilliant.
 
cambsno said:
Not seen that before - does it work the same as a genuine one?

For the OP, use 2 SB900 mainly off camera but sometimes have one on camera and think they are brilliant.
Click to expand...

I haven't used a genuine one to know. When I bought it, I read a few reviews and most places seemed to say that they work in a near identical manner though maybe there are differences when it's being used as a commander. I'm sure the Nikon is made to better tolerances too. The battery cover on my my Meike doesn't fit as well as it should and leaves a slight lip when batteries are installed but that's a tiny gripe as it did only cost £75 new. Like I say for occasional use, I'm very happy. I wonder if it would be a different story if I was hammering it week in week out.
 
The sb700 is great. Never misses a beat in years on me
 
southernjessie said:
I was thinking that a used SB700 might represent better value for money (and be cheaper) than a SB500. For general stuff like travel probably by SB400 would be fine?
Click to expand...

Yes I had an SB400 and it was fine, you can tilt the flash up to vertical, it only works on-camera though as you know.
 
I have a Sb700 and Sb800, both work fine for my use. Mostly on camera for events but some off for portraits etc. I use the Yongnuo yn622 sender and receivers for ocf, but both have been fine using the onboard flash and cls providing the ambient light isn't too strong to overpower it.

The SB700 is probably easier to use in that the menu is better laid out, however it doesn't have all the features of the the 800. Namely, repeating flash, and doesn't zoom quite as far if I remember correctly (wasn't a massive difference, the sb900 zooms further again) One handy feature is that the 800 can be used just for its AF illumination but doesn't fire the flash which can be handy for low, natural light situations :)
 
Andy - do you mean the SB800 emits the infra red light that the camera can use in really dark areas? I think I read somewhere that flashes that can do this are really handy as the IR light is better for AF than the AF assist light on the camera.

andy1868 said:
I have a Sb700 and Sb800, both work fine for my use. Mostly on camera for events but some off for portraits etc. I use the Yongnuo yn622 sender and receivers for ocf, but both have been fine using the onboard flash and cls providing the ambient light isn't too strong to overpower it.

The SB700 is probably easier to use in that the menu is better laid out, however it doesn't have all the features of the the 800. Namely, repeating flash, and doesn't zoom quite as far if I remember correctly (wasn't a massive difference, the sb900 zooms further again) One handy feature is that the 800 can be used just for its AF illumination but doesn't fire the flash which can be handy for low, natural light situations :)
Click to expand...
 
Yes I do mean that :) however both of my flashes support that, the SB700 also has the red grid that lights up to aid AF too. However, with the SB700 the flash will fire too, potentially affecting the exposure. The SB800 has the option to turn the flash off, and to ONLY use the red grid (I sometimes use it to help focusing in low light even if I'm not firing the flash :) ) There may be a hack somewhere to get the sb700 to act in a similar way, but I've never found the option for it at least!

For what it's worth, the red grid does really help with acquiring focus in low light :) It's also worth mentioning if you are looking down the trigger route for OCF, the yongnuo 622 tx has the IR grid too, which is nice!
 
Last edited:
Thanks. I think it might be possible to still use the red grid of the SB700 and not get it to fire the flash by setting the Fn button on the D750 to flash off, so if you hold it down while shooting it stops any flash firing (not sure if this is true - I've never tried it)

andy1868 said:
Yes I do mean that :) however both of my flashes support that, the SB700 also has the red grid that lights up to aid AF too. However, with the SB700 the flash will fire too, potentially affecting the exposure. The SB800 has the option to turn the flash off, and to ONLY use the red grid (I sometimes use it to help focusing in low light even if I'm not firing the flash :) ) There may be a hack somewhere to get the sb700 to act in a similar way, but I've never found the option for it at least!

For what it's worth, the red grid does really help with acquiring focus in low light :) It's also worth mentioning if you are looking down the trigger route for OCF, the yongnuo 622 tx has the IR grid too, which is nice!
Click to expand...
 
That's true, I even have that option configured on my cameras. I don't have a D750 but can test for you later on if that would be helpful?
 
I have two or three SB-600s and an SB-910. The 910 is the only one I use really. The SB-700 is an update to the 600. My advice would be to look for a used 800, 900 or 910. I think those would be more versatile/useful than an SB-500.

Edit: I didn't realize that Nikon even made an SB-500! Pretty confusing considering that their SB-910 replacement is called SB-5000.
 
Last edited:
well, in the spirits of reviving >5year old threads... :D....I'm still rocking an SB600, SB800, and SB26 (which is tied to a flash sensor hotshoe if I want to start pairing them.
 
Oooh revivals yey - I love my SB910 on the Z6; but I often grab my SB400 as it’s an absolute star for it’s size. Really helps keep my rig nice and light when my stoopid nerve pain is miffing me off ;)

I must admit to my G.A.S. and thinking about swapping the 910 in for the 5000 model. Pretty sure I read that it’s a much better unit for Z series somewhere; but I may have been high! (Note: on my pain meds before anyone throws a hissy) :)
 
SB-910 here, can't remember the last time I used it. The R1C1 comes out more often to be honest.

Other flashes are Metz 45CL4 - which I'd love to try but haven't found the right opportunities.
 
I still only have a lone SB-600 but it looks like they're cheap as chips these days, so a second one wouldn't break the bank if I need it.
 
Hi, I use a Godox TT675ii N on my Z6, do I know how to use it......set on auto, try to bounce, fingers crossed
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top