Which flash gun for Nikon

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Can somebody please help me decide which flash i should get for my D5000

I am new to the world of photography and just take photos for fun, i wanted a flash which can preferably be used on and off camera.

But looking around, as always, it’s not as simple as i thought it might be and it’s got me going mad :nuts:

I am currently looking at Nikon Sb-900 Speedlight Unit or the Nissin Di622 Mark11

There is a huge price difference and I need pointing in the right direction, i am swaying towards the nissin unit as its so much cheaper.

Cheers
 
Nick, hi and welcome to TP. I have both the nikon sb800 and the sb900, when I was looking at getting my first flash I did look at 3rd party models but decided on nikons own for full compatibility. The sb 900 is a superb flash and very easy to use, a lot easier than the sb800, no menu diving to set up as remote flash or many other settings. I am actually looking to get another to add to the collection. The only thing I would say is take your camera to a shop and try the flash on it, you may find it rather top heavy on a d5000. HTH
 
Davec223 said:
Nick, hi and welcome to TP. I have both the nikon sb800 and the sb900, when I was looking at getting my first flash I did look at 3rd party models but decided on nikons own for full compatibility. The sb 900 is a superb flash and very easy to use, a lot easier than the sb800, no menu diving to set up as remote flash or many other settings. I am actually looking to get another to add to the collection. The only thing I would say is take your camera to a shop and try the flash on it, you may find it rather top heavy on a d5000. HTH
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Out of curiosity, what compatibility is missing when using a nissin as opposed to a Nikon flash? I only ask as I would like a flash gun to have a play but really don't fancy paying Nikon prices.
 
i personaly wouldnt go for a sb900 as its massive and heavie.
i got a sb600 when i had a d90 and that was just right size and weight wise.
i think that the sb900 may just be over kill for a first flash.
ive used my sb600 very little in the past year to be honest,its nice to have when needed though.
 
I use the old di622 on my Nikon and its perfect for me. Works great on and off the camera and iTTL is perfect.

In fact I liked the Nissin unit so much i bought a di466 for my gf1! Just arrived this morning in fact.

Pleased i never went for the Nikon flash gun as i don't feel I'd have used it to the full extent and therefore couldn't justify the price difference.
 
Have you considered the SB-700? I initially purchased an SB-400, and consequently sold that about 2 months after I'd bought it!! (D90 body btw).
 
SB-400 is a nice size, BUT it doesn't twist, so you can't bounce up if using in portrait orientation.

SB-600/700/800/900 will offer more flexibility and power, but at much increased size. Also quite expensive if you're not going to use them much.
 
Riz said:
Do you use the nissin with triggers?
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No. Not looked into it as the optical slave functionality seems to work OK for me....and its free.
 
Thanks for all the replies.

My main concern was buying an expensive flash gun and not using it to its full potential!

There is a big incentive with price regards to the nissin.


The SB 700 has been added to my list, but that’s still £100 more then the new nissin model.

I am going to get out over the weekend to a Camera shop and have a 'feel; of the SB900 as I have not even thought about the size or weight!
 
I'm thinking about the Nissin Di622 Mark11 for my D5000 too. My concern is regarding how I would use this (or any flash) off camera. I know that the D5000's on board flash cannot be used as a 'commander' as the ones on the higher spec cameras can. What is the best way to gain that functionality?

Cheers


David
 
I think you need to buy an SB-800 commander - although for that money it might make more sense to trade in the D5000 and get another body! :bang:
 
gad-westy said:
Out of curiosity, what compatibility is missing when using a nissin as opposed to a Nikon flash? I only ask as I would like a flash gun to have a play but really don't fancy paying Nikon prices.
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They are reverse engineered from what I understand, so it is not so much with current models but future models. When I first got my flash, i didn't think I would use it that much, but I am using it more and more. Also when I originally looked you couldnt split the flashes into different groups n the 3rd party flashes.
 
davidww said:
I'm thinking about the Nissin Di622 Mark11 for my D5000 too. My concern is regarding how I would use this (or any flash) off camera. I know that the D5000's on board flash cannot be used as a 'commander' as the ones on the higher spec cameras can. What is the best way to gain that functionality?

Cheers


David
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As long as you are happy to use manual control, I think most people find radio triggers more versatile than optical triggers. They range from £30–£400.
 
Llamaman said:
I think you need to buy an SB-800 commander - although for that money it might make more sense to trade in the D5000 and get another body! :bang:
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The commander is the SU800 not the SB800, SB800 is a flash.
 
pmac said:
i personaly wouldnt go for a sb900 as its massive and heavie.
i got a sb600 when i had a d90 and that was just right size and weight wise.
i think that the sb900 may just be over kill for a first flash.
ive used my sb600 very little in the past year to be honest,its nice to have when needed though.
Click to expand...


I agree with the SB600 esp if its on a D5000 its an ideal starter flash and can found around the net quite cheap...
 
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I got the SB600 with my D5000 and it's fab. The size and weight is just right :)
 
Llamaman said:
I think you need to buy an SB-800 commander - although for that money it might make more sense to trade in the D5000 and get another body! :bang:
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You're not wrong! Looked uop the SU800. I hope there will be a D7000 in my life at some point so I'm not going to rush out to spend that sort of money.


Is there any merit in the TTL extension cables to get a little bit of seperation without loosing the camera control of the flash? Like this one...

Amazon link

Apologies to the OP for the thread hijack!



Cheers

David
 
davidww said:
You're not wrong! Looked uop the SU800. I hope there will be a D7000 in my life at some point so I'm not going to rush out to spend that sort of money.


Is there any merit in the TTL extension cables to get a little bit of seperation without loosing the camera control of the flash? Like this one...

Amazon link

Apologies to the OP for the thread hijack!



Cheers

David
Click to expand...

No apology needed, I am still reading and learning :thumbs:
 
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I got the sb900 & the sb600, the 900 both awesome flash guns but the 900 is probably overkill for occassional use, the 600 is perfect imo!
 
I would have a close look at the SB-700.
Not as big and as powerful as the SB-900 but will be a better size match for your D5000. The SB-700 does have the improved user interface which I find easy to navigate and use.
 
Astro said:
I would have a close look at the SB-700.
Not as big and as powerful as the SB-900 but will be a better size match for your D5000. The SB-700 does have the improved user interface which I find easy to navigate and use.
Click to expand...

Recently bought a SB-700 :thumbs:

D in W
 
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