I've just got the 400 for my D200 - I don't do too many portraits, though I am using it quite a lot for fill flash. It is great, light, easy to use, and cheap of course..
I'd recommend it for you, because you can keep it as a travel flash and get a 600 in the future if you find you have outgrown it for portrait work. I'm not sure the 600 is something you'd want to lug around on a trip..
Alex.
Http://akiralx.smugmug.com/..
Thanks for the reply Alex,.
It sounds like what I need for now, and who knows, maybe I can pick up a cheap SB600 in Hong Kong?!.
FallingphotogirlSydney, Australia.
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I was in the same situation a week or so ago, I ended up getting the SB400 for my D40, I don't think I made the wrong choice either - It is nice and small but works really well. Other bonus was I could get it for 1/2 the price of an SB600. I am sure it will do me for at least a year and then I can always get the 600 if I feel I need to!!..
The SB-400 is light weight in all three senses of the word (Price, weight and performance)..
Take a look at Thom Hogan's comparison table..
Http://www.bythom.com/flashcompare.htm.
Ken Rockwell regularly changes his mind on most things. Remember he would have you buy a D40. Read his SB-600 and SB-800 reviews as well. He raves about the SB-600.
Benefits of 600 over 400:.
Tilt AND Swivel head - much more flexibleMuch more powerful GN.
SB-400 is fixed at 27/18mm & so wastes most of it's power at 70mm whereas SB-600 zooms.
You get wireless flash which a really creative tool. Set the flash on a table or any flat surface, a tripod, a monopod, handheld or whatever and fire the flash via your D80 onboard flash. - Even if you just hold the flash in your extended left hand that will do wonders for your lighting..
One of the annoyances with a speedlight on the D80 (and I think all current Nikon cams) is that you cannot use the speedlight on the hotshoe and the built in flash at the same time. I did that regularly with my Oly E20 and FL-40. I used the FL-40 for bounce and the on cam flash for direct lighting and got wonderful photos. But you can do much the same with the wireless flash and in a superior way but it is not quite as convenient or easily portable. If you have an old flash bracket hang on to it if you buy the SB-600!.
My final comment is that much as the D80 is a cut down D200 but loses little so the SB-600 is a cut down SB-800 and loses little.
Chris Elliott.
*Nikon* D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile.
Http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/..
D'oh, I knew someone would sway me.....
Maybe I'll get both? (checks bank account, bank account says no)..
Maybe I'll get the SB-400 for travel and then get the SB-600 later like Alex suggested..
Or I could just get the SB-600 now and save money in the long run..
Anyone have both? do you still use the SB-400 even though you have the more featured SB-600?.
FallingphotogirlSydney, Australia.
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LEt's see, you got a D80. Hmm.. wireless commander mode.... drool!.
Seriously, the sb400 is probably ok but personally I'd go bonkers with a flash that can only tilt and not swivel.Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..
SB-600 can act as wireless slave right? with on camera flash as commander?.
I must admit while I knew that I didn't really think of it when comparing... I guess having flash of camera would be good for macros....
FallingphotogirlSydney, Australia.
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And portraits and.... nikon has a booklet for download which describes in detail all the cool things you can do with off-camera flash.Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..
OK, placing my order for the SB-600 now .
Thanks for all the replies!fallingphotogirlSydney, Australia..
Could you post a link to this Nikon booklet?.
I've just got a D40x and a flash is high on my shopping list..
Wijnands wrote:.
And portraits and.... nikon has a booklet for download whichdescribes in detail all the cool things you can do with off-cameraflash...
I was in the same situation as you. I liked the small size of the sb-400 but the added power and features of the sb-600 made it hard to resist (especially the wireless flash). I figured that I still had lots of room in my slingshot 200 so that the size wouldn't make that much of a difference and $100 wasn't much more to pay for the extra features, so I went with the sb-600. I don't have much experience with flash but I like it so far. The wireless flash is pretty neat and easy to use...
Fallingphotogirl wrote:.
OK, placing my order for the SB-600 now .
Thanks for all the replies!.
Right, you're off my Christmas card list.....
Alex.
Http://akiralx.smugmug.com/..
LOL, sorry Alex, I do value your opinion... but as you can see I am reasonably easily swayed....
My SB-600 will be here next week!.
And yes would love a link aobut the Nikon flash booklet!.
Thanks allfallingphotogirlSydney, Australia..
Thom Hogan's D80 guide has an excellent section (over 40 pages) on the SB-600/800 flash. The book is well worth having for it's deep insight into the workings of the D80 but the flash section is invaluable:.
Http://www.bythom.com/d80guide.htm.
Took about a week to get to me in the UK..
Chris Elliott.
*Nikon* D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile.
Http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/..
Awesome because I already have Thom's book - can't wait to play with new flash and tripod and see if I can improve on my dismal macro attempts .
FallingphotogirlSydney, Australia..
You'll have to amend your signature photo now....
Alex.
Http://akiralx.smugmug.com/..
I suggest you ignore the Nikon instruction book that comes with the SB-600. You are very little the wiser when you have read it. Just rely on Thom..
Enjoy!Chris Elliott.
*Nikon* D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile.
Http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/..