question regarding the SB 500

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fireguy1978

Senior Member
I am thinking of buying the SB500 for use when out and about, my question is will I have problems with eneven lighting whilst in portrait mode? in the description it does say
"The flash head tilts up to 90° and rotates horizontally through 180°, allowing the light to be angled just the way you want" however it does not say that you can do both at the same time,
I read somewhere that a bracket is required for use in portrait mode. I know when you use the pop up flash in portrait mode you get shadowing on the subject, will having this speedlight solve the problem?
As you may have gathered I am a newbie, so if I am in the wrong place for this my apologies.
regards
bob
 

WayneF

Senior Member
I have not actually seen a SB-500, but ALL of the Nikon flashes that rotate and tilt do both at the same time. This is just what flashes do, and have always done. I would have no concern about that aspect. If this were not true, we would have heard such a stink, we'd know all about it. :)

There are two reasons for a flash bracket. When the camera is held on end for portrait orientation, the hot shoe flash is at the side of the camera (not above it). This makes the direct flash dark shadow be at the opposite side of the subject, which can be very objectionable (if the wall behind is near to show it). The main purpose of a bracket is to rotate to always keep the flash directly ABOVE the lens, even when camera is rotated, so that this direct shadow is hidden behind and below the subject then.

Also, the SB-500 does not have a bounce card, but on those that do, when the camera is held on end in portrait orientation, the head of a hot shoe flash (at side of camera) is angled so that bounce card does not aim forward. The flash still works for bounce, but not the bounce card. When the bracket holds the flash ABOVE the lens, the bounce card can still aim forward, to add catchlights in the eyes, which are very nice.

Three reasons really, the greater height of the flash aids in preventing red eye, which is caused by flash being too close to the lens (so it reflects straight back from eye to lens). Most larger flashes have little red eye problem anyway, but it is about guaranteed on the built in flash (so close to the lens).

Frankly, the SB-500 price is far from a good buy. I'd look at the Yongnuo YN565-EX or the Neewer VK750 II (for Nikon, both are on Amazon), a little larger, but both with more flash power (4 AA batteries instead of only 2), both can be used off camera, and both are only a small fraction of the SB-500 price. There is really little concern about the reliability of these (they are very popular), but even if there were, you can buy several of them for one SB-500 price. And have more flash, with more power and versatility. Reviews at the link below.
 
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Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I've seen exactly one SB-500; the head tilts and pivots in the typical fashion. I also agree strongly with the Yongnuo 565EX suggestion. Nikon flashes are nice, I do own one, but dear gawd they're over-priced for what you get. I have an SB-700 but 99% of the time, when I reach for a flash, I reach for my Yongnuo.
...
 
Got to agree with the others here. I have a SB-700 and it is expensive so when I went to buy a second flash I bought the Yongnuo YN565-EX. Wish I had done that with the first one too.

The
Yongnuo YN565-EX is roughly 1/2 the price of the SB-500
 

WayneF

Senior Member
The Yongnuo YN565-EX is roughly 1/2 the price of the SB-500

Actually, currently it is $72 vs $247, or 29% price. :)


I have the mentioned Yongnuo and Neewer flashes, and also two Nikon SB-800 bought in 2005 when iTTL first came out. $320 each as I recall back then, and they've been tremendous flashes (a whole lot more flash than a SB-500). But times change, and now we have good and inexpensive Chinese flashes. And Nikon pushed the SB-900 price to $550. It offers a few frills which are nice, but $71 vs $550? That's not difficult.
 

fireguy1978

Senior Member
Just to say a big thanks for all who contributed to this thread it has given me an insight into what I really need regarding flashguns.
regards
Bob
 
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