Nikon Speedlight SB-800 TTL Flash

Product Rating
4.54 of 5
13 reviews

Price Range
$310 - $421

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Product Description

Summary

I got this shortly after buying my first D70. I already had a Vivitar 285 and a Nikon SB-25. The 25 did some of the stuff, but was not a compatible digital flash for the fancy metering. I decided to go all the way for the 800 to be able to have the full range of functions and the max flash power available in a Nikon flash. I have learned in event photography never to compromise on power. I like the capability of the wireless remote triggering, which can be done from the popup flash, or from one SB-600 or 800 to another. That saves me from having to use those radio and optical slaves, which I have always hated. I got a second one to serve as backup and enable me to do double lighting at event jobs. They give my photography a nice sparke and dimension. Once you get to learn this flash and its fancy modes, it is great. But you have to persevere and learn this thing.

Strength

Sophisitication, wireless operation, nice accessories, provision for 5th battery, great versatility/

Weakness

Hard to toggle between modes, manual is cryptic, takes time to learn.

Summary

This flash is excellent. Having previously used a nikon SB80DX on a nikon D1X, this unit on a nikon D70 is a major step forward. The balance of the flash with the natural light works well whatever angle the flash head is set at. When Nikon first brought out flash for digital cameras this was a step backward from the quality they had developed with their film cameras. They have now not only matched the film flash technology but have surpassed it. You need both a suitable flash (SB 800 or 600) and a camera compatible with i-TTL.

Strength

Superb balance and simplicity of use. (have noy used the wireless flash so cannot comment).

Weakness

Manual could be a bit more explicit but it is not that bad.

Summary

Writing this review, I'm very well aware of the fact that the sb800 is a product that one may love or hate as well. I love it, because I'm used to operate modern high tech devices and need a very flexible flash. I use this flash with my D70 for portrait & model photography. In my little studio I use the flash in a full manual set-up with 3 remote slaves (in so-called SU-4 setup) and 1 master (camera's build-in flash). I also use it connected to my camera as a fill-in flash for outdoor photography in bright sunlight. Furthermore I am going to use it in fully automatic mode (so called advanced wireless) with two slaves at locations outside my studio. At first operation seems a bit complex. This is partially because of the great flexibility, which you may not need. At least to some extend it's also caused by Nikon (as other manufacturers do) defining there own vocabulary. Once you're used to their vocabulary, the sb800 isn't complex to operate at all. One important positive remark: Once you've set-up all parameters regarding each of the modes of operation you will ever use, the sb800 will remember them forever (untill you change them). In my view that is a major difference with the Sigma EF500, which looses it's info after putting it on top of your camera or changing modes of operation or removing batteries. Do you need the wide range of utilisation of your flashes (remote control, automatic, manual, ....) then the sb800 is a very good choice. If you limit usage of your flash attached to your camera, the Sigma EF500 is just as good ......... and quit a lot cheaper.

Strength

The sb800 is well build. It's perfect in fully automatic mode (TTL) on your D70. It supports manual mode and sb800-sensor controlled "automatic" mode. It can be used in wireless set-ups containing several flashes and utilising TTL measurement. It keeps all of it's settings and preferences while changing modes of operation or removing batteries.

Weakness

Without some understanding of the different modes of operation, it is a rather complex flash. It's expensive. For straight forward on-camera usage flashes like the Sigma EF500 may well be a fine alternative.

Summary

I really can't fault the flash. I liked it so much I bough another so I have two! A previous review stated he couldn't get the camera to balance to with daylight, not sure what camera he's using it with or what mode he put it in but in standard TTL BL mode this works like a dream! As for the camera automatically setting the shutter to 1/60th. Yes it does, but then to make it faster you just dial in the correct shutter speed as normal. If you want it slower, you have to set the minimum sync speed slower OR, put your camera in slow speed synch mode. Possibly the problems the other chap was having were due to his own admission he couldn't read the manual! Personally I found it OK, it's a bit involved and assumes knowledge of flash photography but it is readable. The flash itself is powerful, accurate, and has more modes and features than most would ever expect to use. The thing I am most enthusiastic about is the wireless flash capability. it allows you to fire the flash remotely for more realistic lighting effects. I use a pair of sb800's together with one set up on a tripod with a brolly and it works like a studio flashhead. Obviously not as powerful but if I want to light a couple indoors in a dark room it's good enough, often giving me F8 at 1/200th from around 6 feet away, plenty. The whole thing works with your cameras meter so you don't even need to use a light meter! As a pair they make the perfect emergency lighting for rainy weddings.

Strength

Wireless capability (i-TTL) clear layout and controls at back. Accurate. Good backlight useful in dark conditions. small, light and powerfull

Weakness

The supplied difusser really affects range, but that is true of any difusser. recycle speed could be a little faster. I'ts workable, but if your shooting a lot of action you could miss a few shots.

Summary

This flash is simply AMAZING! Well worth the price for this piece of technology. I don't know what happened with "jeff" since we don't know what camera body he used to give this flash such a bad rating, but with my D70 I just set to TTL-BL and it will balance fill flash the exposure perfectly every time. If you need a faster shutter speed just put it in shutter priority and set it and forget it. The flash will adjust output according to shutter speed, aperture, iso speed, focal length and the results from 3D matrix metering to make a perfectly balanced exposure (with cpu lenses which are pretty much the commonplace). With the quick recyling adapter which is included, it recycles instantaneously (nimh batteries)on most occasions. Works just as flawlessly in wireless mode too! Perhaps "jeff" was using a non-cpu lens or a non compatible body with the flash which would require him to go manual. If I could give 10 stars I would. Don't hesitate and get this flash, you won't be dissappointed

Strength

Perfect balance fill flash High output for easy bounce flash Wireless is easy as on camera flash Many different modes Modeling flash Very fast recycle time! Seamless integration with compatible body

Weakness

Absolutely none found so far.