Guys debating on whether to get the sb600 or sb800 flash. the sb600 is significantly cheaper and will most likely serve my needs as an aspiring amateur photographer. i like the sb800 since it has better specs but might be a bit too much for my needs and i might not even utilize most of its functions.

the review by ken rockwell actually leads me to the conclusion that the 600 is more practical and has more value than the overpriced 800.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/sb600vs800.htm

anyway just wanted some advice before i order all my gear by the end of june. lets wait for ate dindin to chime in and root for the 800:)

When I was deciding which flash to get, a friend told me to get the SB800 if I can afford it. The deciding factor for me was when I computed how much it would cost to buy a Diffusion Dome (comes with the SB800 so price difference lessens since I was sure I was going to buy one) and the built-in bounce-card of the SB800. Admittedly, I have not yet used all the features of my flash but it's nice to know it's there for me to learn. :Grin:

get the sb800... you'll surely want its features down the road. :D

Admittedly, I have not yet used all the features of my flash but it's nice to know it's there for me to learn. :Grin:
yes ist always nice to know. better to have it and not need it than vice versa

you'll surely want its features down the road. http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/images/smilies/Drogar-Laugh%28DBG%29.gif

correct:) that same road yet again

once you've tried the CLS feature of Nikon speedlights you'llnever go back!

just buy the SB800 and you can trigger it wirelessly thru your on board flash :Grin:

Nikon speedlights are sweeeet!!! :Grin:

@carlo...

buy the best that you can afford... and familiarize yourself with it as much as you can... i got my flash 2 months ago and it's great to discover the power and magic it can add to the photos i take...

Seriously, besides Ken Rockwell, I don't think anyone will recommend getting the SB600 over the SB800 as a 1st flash. :D

Seriously, besides Ken Rockwell, I don't think anyone will recommend getting the SB600 over the SB800 as a 1st flash. :D
I would! :( But then again, who am I to advise? :D I honestly don't put much weight in any of Ken Rockwell's opinions these days, but some of his comments on the SB600 vs. SB800 debate do ring true. Get the SB800 if you need the flash power, or more capacity through the 5th battery option, or the freebie colored filters for creative flash effects, or the SU-4 mode when working with non-CLS compatible flashes. Otherwise, the SB600 is more than capable as an on-camera flash, or off camera working in CLS with a D70/D70s or even better with a D200. The diffusion dome, I feel, is something you'll get rid of down the line. I have a Sto-fen and hardly ever use it after trying out a LS2PJ. And the catchlight card, well, how hard is it to get a hold of a business card to tape on your flash? People give away business cards!

There are enough reasons for a photographer on a budget not to pay for all the SB800's niceties and go for the SB600. But if money is no object, certainly, "buy the best you can afford!" And you're also doing your part to keep commerce and the economy healthy. :)

great... have the same thing in mind with carlo
prior to getting a d200, i owned a panasonic lumix fz20 and got the proprietary pana flash. was very happy with the results plus the bonus of being able to take three consecutive burst shots with flash. i use this to take pics of my daughter's dance sessions (when flash is permitted).
read that the sb600's refresh rate is much faster than the sb800's. first question is, (don't exactly know how to technically phrase it...) are both capable of keeping up with the continuous shot modes? if so, is the sb600 really that much faster? thanks in advance.

@gerry

That's what I meant, if one had no budget constraints, then the recommendation would be the SB800. :)

I would get SB-800! I have been there, listened to Ken but after 3 months of owning SB-600, I bought SB-800.

Learning can be expensive. :D

great... have the same thing in mind with carlo
prior to getting a d200, i owned a panasonic lumix fz20 and got the proprietary pana flash. was very happy with the results plus the bonus of being able to take three consecutive burst shots with flash. i use this to take pics of my daughter's dance sessions (when flash is permitted).
read that the sb600's refresh rate is much faster than the sb800's. first question is, (don't exactly know how to technically phrase it...) are both capable of keeping up with the continuous shot modes? if so, is the sb600 really that much faster? thanks in advance.

In my own experience, on fully charged 2500mAh batteries, the SB-600 recycles quickly enough for you to get off 3 burst shots, and then it takes a couple or so seconds for the flash to recycle for the next burst of shots. As you run the batteries down, the recycle times increase and you could be reeling off just 2 consecutive shots effectively. The manual doesn't advise shooting consecutive shots unless you take long (5-10 minute) breaks in between, cause the flash does get hot, but I've been able to use it in this way for some time and so far it's still working. It runs down the batteries quickly, though, so bring two or three sets for dance class.

I haven't tried the SB800 with a fifth battery yet. I have heard that some wedding photographers also use an external battery pack for their flashes, but I am not sure what are available for the new Speedlights.

In my own experience, on fully charged 2500mAh batteries, the SB-600 recycles quickly enough for you to get off 3 burst shots, and then it takes a couple or so seconds for the flash to recycle for the next burst of shots. As you run the batteries down, the recycle times increase and you could be reeling off just 2 consecutive shots effectively. The manual doesn't advise shooting consecutive shots unless you take long (5-10 minute) breaks in between, cause the flash does get hot, but I've been able to use it in this way for some time and so far it's still working. It runs down the batteries quickly, though, so bring two or three sets for dance class.

I haven't tried the SB800 with a fifth battery yet. I have heard that some wedding photographers also use an external battery pack for their flashes, but I am not sure what are available for the new Speedlights.

do you think that the added features of the sb800 negate the effects of the longer cycle charge times and thirstier consumption for batteries?

Carlo, I got the SB600. I don't need the commander mode of the SB800 and it saved me 5k (now my start up lens kitty). FWIW, I just take simple pix:)

Carlo, I got the SB600. I don't need the commander mode of the SB800 and it saved me 5k (now my start up lens kitty). FWIW, I just take simple pix:)

dont care about the commander mode, it was the lack of a diffuser and whitecard that bothered me. not that il be needing those features tho:)

dont care about the commander mode, it was the lack of a diffuser and whitecard that bothered me. not that il be needing those features tho:)

Trust me, the diffuser and the dome are two things you'll surely want to have...

dont care about the commander mode, it was the lack of a diffuser and whitecard that bothered me. not that il be needing those features tho:)

@ carlo

if you have friends who has the SB800, try our the commander mode and it definitely will convince you to get the SB800! wireless flash is sooo neat!!:Grin:

dont care about the commander mode, it was the lack of a diffuser and whitecard that bothered me. not that il be needing those features tho:)

If you don't think you'll be needing the diffusion dome and built-in bounce card, then shouldn't bother you it's not included with the SB600. :Grin:

Not that it is not included... the fact is that SB-600 has no provision for the diffuser at all You have to buy 3rd party such as Stofen. Unlike the SB-800 which senses when the diffuser is attached and adjusts itself accordingly.

:Shock:

If you don't think you'll be needing the diffusion dome and built-in bounce card, then shouldn't bother you it's not included with the SB600. :Grin:

ako rin sb600 ang gamit ko, well for the price difference kse na 6k, i just got my sb600 for 10.6k, and ang price ng sb800 is about 17k, for the price difference. id go for the sb600 nalang. pwede ka naman bumili ng diffuser dome, or the stofen para sa sb600.
u could also do wireless flash from ur camera. but remote flash only. unlike the sb800 u could trigger other flashes using the sb800, but u need to have 2 nikon speedlight in order to do that. as a first flash ok naman ang sb600 (opinion ko lang ah...)

Hi Carlo!

Maybe as of now you can already assess which speedlights to buy base on the opinions of our fellow nikonians

These are my 2 cents worth

1c. If you see yourself to be a professional Photog in the next few years time then invest in the best equipment your chosen Brand can offer.

2c. On the other hand, if you're just enjoying taking photos for your own consumption then You don't need a hi-tech flash to get good photographs (SB-600 is already hi-tech!:Grin: ). Learn the techniques first of how to take photographs with flash but achieve results as if you took them without a flash! Learn how to bounce it or to diffuse it. You don't need huge flash power to achieve these techniques.... SB-600 can already do the job if not exceed it...

you can read some techniques here:

http://www.planetneil.com/faq/flash-techniques.html

I own a SB-600 and am very happy with it. And if your camera is a D70, D70s or a D200 then you already have the commander mode built-in with your rig. The only thing the SB-800 diffuser will adjust accordingly is to cancel out the BL Mode if you attached the diffuser, which you can do it manually with the SB-600.

I have this experience to share, 2 of my friends and I went to shoot our first wedding 3 weeks ago, 1 used a SB-800, the other a FL-36 of Oympus and my SB-600. I am proud to say that my fully charged energizer 2500 battery lasted throughout the wedding! I shot bout 200-300 photos with flash on.... The SB800 changed batts twice... The FL-36 died out almost at the end of the reception...

Meanwhile....

Go shoot great photos!!!!:D

i would also go for the SB800. once you try out Nikon's CLS, you'll get addicted :)



I have this experience to share, 2 of my friends and I went to shoot our first wedding 3 weeks ago, 1 used a SB-800, the other a FL-36 of Oympus and my SB-600. I am proud to say that my fully charged energizer 2500 battery lasted throughout the wedding! I shot bout 200-300 photos with flash on.... The SB800 changed batts twice... The FL-36 died out almost at the end of the reception...



i've used a fully charged energizer 2500 on my SB800 and they lasted for about 400 shots :) fyi lang po :)

same experience with SB800.... 300-400 shots:Grin:

Well, great to know that! Thanks Vernes and Levi!

maybe my friend used old batteries then....

300 shots last time I used my SB800 and it was still okay...

I shoot losta weddings and the SB600 delivers and more. Did you know the SB800 recycles slower than the 600? I know coz I shoot besides my main photog and he has problems with recycling times all the time at 3fps when we do goup shots! You see we both use Gary Fong's Light Sphere and it works the flash.

And my SB600 does Nikon CLS too. The main benefit of having a main photog using a Nikon SB800 is that we can play with his SB800 & my 600 for CLS during portraite sessions with our D70s in commander mode!

You save money with the SB600 w/o cmpromising CLS. If I have bread, I'll get the SB800 and use my old 600 as backup or CLS backlight. Pag kapos e di isang SB600 uli.

I shoot losta weddings and the SB600 delivers and more. Did you know the SB800 recycles slower than the 600? I know coz I shoot besides my main photog and he has problems with recycling times all the time at 3fps when we do goup shots! You see we both use Gary Fong's Light Sphere and it works the flash.



Doesn't the 5th battery of the SB800 negate its slower recycle time? That's what I've read but since I've never used the Sb600, have no basis for comparison. :)

i would also go for the SB800. once you try out Nikon's CLS, you'll get addicted :)




i've used a fully charged energizer 2500 on my SB800 and they lasted for about 400 shots :) fyi lang po :)


Same experience (although I'm using a SB600). So far 400 shots and I have not yet charged. :)

I use the SB600, and I got to use a SB800 a few times. I have to admit that the SB800 is worth the money.

When I was considering which one to choose, I had to weigh how I'll be using it. Personally, I chose the SB600 due to budget. I can use the flash until such time that I can get a SB800 (and then keep the SB600 as backup).

Doesn't the 5th battery of the SB800 negate its slower recycle time? That's what I've read but since I've never used the Sb600, have no basis for comparison. :)

I don't think it does much. In my experience, I outgun the SB800. Please do your own comparison with a colleague during a wedding-shooting group shots. Take 2 to 3 frames in successions simultaneously. My colleague and I use the LS2 and it works our flashes -FYI. And my colleague has the 5th battery on his SB800...makes the flash heavier and delays you in changing fresh batts.

True the GN of the SB is a tad lower, thus facillitaing a quicker charge. Every second counts in capturing fleeting moments.

I hope this clarifys. Lemme know your experiences if you get to compare the SB600 & 800 actually. I'd love to hear from you.

Just got an SB800 :) Learning how to use it now :D

And buying a LS2 soon :)

Go for the SB800. It is better built and is made in Japan unlike the SB600.

yeah i got the sb800. got a headache from reading the manual

Is the SB800 worth the extra P7000. I have read the reviews. read the specifications. Can you guys give input on why to get SB800 over the SB 600. Do not really need commander mode. as D200 & D80's have them built in.

Yes it does.

There's another thread on it.

http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=277&highlight=sb800+sb600

Try the search feature. It works pretty well.

another resounding YES! for me the only reason i'll buy a SB-600 is when i already have a SB-800

Amen to that :D

i'm also having this dilemma...i have a d70s with 15-55mm(d40 kit lens).

I’m thinking of buying an sb800, but for the extra cash I can save if I buy the sb600 I can still buy a 50mm f/1.8 lens.

So I just want to know which is a better buy:
1.sb800
or
2.sb600 & 50mm f/1.8

thanks for the suggestions.