What difference would a cheapish flash gun make to my D60? As a newcomer to digital photography, I've seen people mention that they're worth getting, but with no specific details as to why. I don't mind buying a second hand one from ebay, but have no idea what to look for.
The cheapest I've seen so far is this one in Argos
Would that do the job?
Yes, but if you can afford it an SB600 would be better. That one will still be rather close to the lens axis so there is a greater risk of red-eye. However if you can't streach to the SB600 the SB400 is a good start.
The SB-600 is one of THE best original Nikon item bargains IMO. I was dead-set on getting the SB-400 when it came out because a simple bounce flash was all I really intended to use a flash for....but I'm so glad I went one step higher to the SB-600.
Believe it or not...my favorite flash position with my SB-600 and my D70 is with the SB-600 firing backwards - back over the top of my head. Freakin' Brilliant....try it....it's awesome...and Buy It - You'll Love It.
Does the picture turn out differently than what you see in the viewfinder?
I have both flash guns.... I usually use the SB-400 on a D40 - which makes for a very compact kit. The SB-600 is usually used on my D200 which has the ability to fire it (without any extra kit) when it is off camera - very versatile.
Overall, you just need to way up the pros and cons of each one:
SB-400
------
+ Cheaper, Smaller (nice size on a D60), Only 2 AA batteries needed and they last for ages, can bounce flash off ceiling as required, also good and not noted much is that it recycles WITHOUT any transformer whine (which you hear on other flash guns) - not sure why - solid state perhaps - but I prefer this.
- Head doesn't swivel, so limits direction of flash, can't be used remotely off camera, less powerful than SB-600
SB-600
------
+ Can be used remotely from camera (although, with a D60 you may need to buy a commander unit as well - check this out!), can swivel up down, left, right - very versatile, powerful
- more expensive, bigger than SB-400, 4 AA batteries and they don't last as long in my experience.
That's about it. You could always shop around too. I got my SB-600 brand new for £129 from a power seller on ebay 18months ago....
Cheers
adetri.
PS - this produces a good flash effect, but always be careful if the flash is facing you at close quarters (e.g you have the flash set to go back over the top of your head and you then move the camera out a bit to change a setting on the back) ... because if the flash goes off just one foot or so from your eyes... it hurts - and can damage your vision.The SB-600 is one of THE best original Nikon item bargains IMO. I was dead-set on getting the SB-400 when it came out because a simple bounce flash was all I really intended to use a flash for....but I'm so glad I went one step higher to the SB-600.
Believe it or not...my favorite flash position with my SB-600 and my D70 is with the SB-600 firing backwards - back over the top of my head. Freakin' Brilliant....try it....it's awesome...and Buy It - You'll Love It.
From bitter experience I accidently flashed a SB-400 quite near my line of vision and I had a small red sqaure in my vision for at least an hour... not pleasant and deeply worrying at the time....
Cheers
adetri.
If money is tight, then it may be better to look at third-party flashes, there are a few around.
Look for tilt and bounce as a minimum - a flash that can rotate it's head is even better, but get a dedicated one.
If the prices you look at start creeping up, then the SB600 should be seriously considered. It can form part of Nikon's Wireless iTTL flash system, which you may find useful later on if you want to expand.
The D60 can't operate as a commander, but I wouldn't be surprised if the mid-level machines start featuring it soon (If they don't already)
The worst battle cry I ever heard - "Look out! He's got a bigger camera!"
Formerly deddard
I suggest you take a look at the SB400 and Argos are doing them at a good price at the moment.
I purchased one for my D3 as I have enough weight of my own to carrywith out all the additional weight of the SB900 or SB800 on top of the rest of my gear.
I have never been so pleased with product for the money it cost.
With fresh batteries it will keep up with short fast bursts of the D3 and has a built in bounce head runs on 2AA batteries and easily fits in your pocket or sits on top of the camera.
Phiggy
Take nothing but photos leave nothing but Footprints
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
