New Nikon Speedlight?

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
Nikon Rumors is reporting a rumor that a new flash announcement may be imminent from Nikon. Both the SB-600 and SB-400 are around 6 years old and seem to be targeted.
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
Isn't the SB-900 a fairly recent release? Newer than that?

The SB-900 is fairly new but it doesn't appear that it is as popular as the SB-800 was - even with the improved controls. Price, reports of over heating and size seem to be the issue. The used market for SB-800's is strong. I'm very happy with mine.

I'd be very curious to see if they came out with something between the SB-600 and SB-800 size wise with the improved controls and decent price point. IMHO it would be very popular.

For convenience and travel, I absolutely love my SB-400. (I purchased it used and it was one of the best camera related purchases I've made.) Honestly, outside of adding the ability to go a little wider, there is nothing I would change about it. It just works.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
I like the way my SB-600 works. I hope they don't change what works! I subscribe to the adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
 

ohkphoto

Snow White
I have the SB-900 simply because I could not find a a good deal on the 800. Couldn't see paying $350 for a used 800 when a new 900 cost $100 more. I find it upsetting that Nikon eliminates production of good products.
Has anyone had the SB-900 overheat? I'd be curious to know under what conditions (so I can be prepared) I use the 900 with a power pack and sometimes pair it with the 600 --makes a great combination and have to say that any problems I've had with either one of them was usually "pilot error".
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
I don't expect that the SB-900 is going to be replaced. I expect that the SB-600 and/or SB-400 might.

From what I've read (since I don't own a SB-900), the thermal protection was too protective. A firmware update is supposed to have addressed the problem. YMMV though.

Interesting thread for more info: http://bit.ly/9e6sir
 

Curt

Senior Member
I have both the Nikon SB-800 & 600 that I use as a CLS, They work fantastic. With the extra battery case on my 800 it recycles faster then the 900.
So I am very happy with what I have :).
 

AxeMan - Rick S.

Senior Member
Eduard, can you get or give me more info on the new Speedlight rumor? Or a rumored release date? I have a small windfall coming in the next few days and I "WAS" going to order an SB600, (Monday to be exact) but if there is a replacement on the way I would hate to by one right now, but I might have to. The problem I have is I'm going out of town for a wedding and I have been asked by the bride and groom to bring my Camera with me to take "Candid" shots, I am not the photographer for the wedding, how ever It's Oct 2nd and I don't have time to wait around. Right now all I have is the onboard flash, and the wedding is an excuse to buy a Speedlight. Maybe I'll have to look into renting one for wedding. Grrrr, LOL
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
Just what I've seen on Nikon Rumors and DPReview is that a mid September announcement is expected. I haven't seen anything about availability. From what I understand from comments on both sites the SB-600 is hard to find right now. Sorry I don't have more info than that.
 

goz63

Senior Member
Would seem that the SB-400 should be updated. I am not sure for the money it gives you much more than the built-in flash of most of the DSLR's. If you are going for a high end camera that does not have a built-in, you would not be using the 400 anyway. It is a low cost solution to the flash issue but IMO I would rather have an OEM SB-600 nock off than the 400. I don't shoot much flash anyway and found a Bower comparable to the 600 for $120 that has worked great for me. Might pick up a used 600 if a replacement comes out and someone wants to upgrade.
Mark
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
I own both a SB-800 and SB-400. I absolutely love my SB-400. I have a D300 and most often have the Nikkor 17-55 attached. The pop-up flash causes a shadow on the image because the lens and shade are too big. Because it is so portable, I'll have the SB-400 with me when the SB-800 will be too bulky. It also allows me to bounce. One drawback is that it won't act as a commander like the pop-up does but for around US$100 it is a great value IMHO.

Here is an example where I used the SB-400 outdoors at -0.7 power to just fill. The first was with no flash, the second was as I described.

"Don't leave home without it" is my motto.

Photowalk_2010_0724_09211114_D300.jpg


Photowalk_2010_0724_09215360_D300.jpg
 

goz63

Senior Member
Edward,
Clearly a nicer picture with the fill flash, it also changed the white balance and warmed the second one a touch. I am on a tight budget and can't afford multiple flash units. I went with the Bower as I wanted the capabilities of the 600 but could not justify a $225 price tag after I just bought the camera and some lenses. I had looked at the 400 but felt it was under powered and compared to the OEM for around the same price, I went off the grid.
Have you compared the 400 to the pop-up flash other than the ability to rise above the lens guard? The 600 can be a bit large and the 400 does fit the smaller package, just wondered if the difference goes beyond the height?
Mark
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
Mark:

Neither image is very good but they do make good examples. To be fair, I did no post processing on the first image. I did adjust the white balance and applied a graduated filter to the lower right corner in Lightroom on the second.

I bought it used from a friend that didn't want to "hassle" with an external flash. It came up when I mentioned that I had just returned from a trip where I didn't carry the SB-800 because I was using only one bag for the entire trip. (I like to travel light.) I honestly didn't expect to like it as much as I do. I think maybe because I always have it?

I have had very good results using the LumiQuest Soft Screen Diffuser with the pop-up flash but it still didn't allow me to bounce. Like I said above, you can't use the SB-400 as a commander (which means you need a cable to use it off the body or to trigger additional flashes) and can't adjust the flash off of forward facing mode. The SB-400 is definitely more powerful than the pop-up but I don't have the Guide Numbers handy.

A nice comparison of the SB-400 versus the SB-600 is here.

Ed
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
Latest update from Nikon Rumors on the new flash expected to be announced on September 15th:


Nikon Speedlight SB-700 (low chance to be called SB-650):
  • 24-135mm zoom
  • Overheat protection (Improved from the SB-900)
  • Expected price: around $300
 

Fen

New member
Just what I've seen on Nikon Rumors and DPReview is that a mid September announcement is expected. I haven't seen anything about availability. From what I understand from comments on both sites the SB-600 is hard to find right now. Sorry I don't have more info than that.

The SB-600 was discontinued before the SB-800 came out. Shame as the SB-600 is a cracking flash.

I've got two SB-900's but been keeping an eye open for a SB-600 when I've got the money...
 
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