There are always many questions about "Which flash to buy"? This depends of course... Those answering will say "I like this one", or "I have that one", but it seems impossible to answer without knowing how YOU will use YOUR flash? No one ever mentions this when asking. And you may not even know yet, but there is a wide range possible. No actual answers are here. It is more just thinking about how to answer the question.
Level 1 Users. Minimum level, using flash a few times a year, when you have to, and you probably only know to use it on the hot shoe as direct flash, always aimed straight ahead. No experimentation with better methods is considered. Sadly, this is most users by number (maybe not most posting here). They don't know about flash, and don't want to know about flash. They imagine flash is difficult (it is for them). If this is you, the one thing we know is that you don't need a $300 flash. You may spend more, but you likely will never use more. If you are not too sure yet just what shutter speed and aperture do, and always only operate the camera in full Auto mode, then this Level sounds like you. I hope that is not harsh, it seems realistic. If you only want a larger internal flash, the most minimal iTTL flashes (compatible with Nikon iTTL) probably will do it, $100 class. The camera does the TTL metering, the flash only has to respond and flash at the specified power level that the camera sets.
Level 2 Users. Middle of the road, more reasonably and commonly expected of "amateurs" who actually try to learn something about photography. Most of us posting here, hopefully. Your goal is pictures that count, important photos of the kids growing up, etc. You are willing to think about your pictures a little, and certainly will try a little. You will discover the wonderful advantage of hot shoe bounce flash, aimed up at the ceiling for its wonderful soft light properties (but needs a little more flash power). Your goal is GOOD flash pictures, and you're willing to work at it a little. It's really all rather easy, but maybe not obvious at first, so you will have to participate (meaning, giving a little thought to it, not all point&shoot).
Level 3 Users. At the other extreme, you discover how wonderfully neat and useful flash is, how great the lighting can be. Flash is always needed.
You'll actively try many things, including bounce and off-camera lights (for the great lighting), and umbrellas for portraits, etc. You will love this new world, and you will investigate every path. You don't sit back and wonder about doing it, you wade in and try it. It is all easy, it only requires a little interest. You will want more features and more performance, stuff Level 1 will never even know about.
Now, among the features are some details, about TTL flash mode, Manual flash mode, Commander flash mode, etc.
Level 1 is about TTL flash mode - which is Point & Shoot automatic flash (like compact cameras). However the picture comes out is how it comes out. There are inexpensive flashes that do this, $100 class, even $50. Price probably does add reliability and consistency. If you want to insure good quality and reliability, the Nikon SB-400 flash offers more than you will use, including some opportunity to experiment with more (bounce and manual flash). There are third party flashes even cheaper, and even the bottom end, even $50 class flashes, will work, like here:
On Camera Flashes | B&H Photo Video (sorted by lowest price)
Here is a list of TTL flashes for Nikon on Amazon (sorted by popularity)
(Flash specifications are a bit hard to read, so do look for satisfied user ratings there, the five stars and comments about features. On both B&H and Amazon. You will know a lot more after reading more user comments, but careful, not everyone knows what they are talking about )
The wording can vary slightly, but the description should say "automatic iTTL flash for Nikon cameras". Some just say TTL instead of iTTL, same thing now, they mean automatic point&shoot flash. "Compatible with Nikon cameras" is important to see.
Level 2 needs probably are often TTL, but could be Manual flash (Manual flash is far from point&shot. It means it is YOU that sets the right power level for correct flash exposure, for every picture. But manual flash is easy for one flash).
We can buy TTL only flash, or Manual only flash, or both modes. Both modes have their purposes. This higher interest will certainly include bounce flash, which requires a flash with a little more power, bigger than minimum. My notion is the SB-400 is too small and limited if you actually use flash, not enough to grow into. Bounce needs more power and a rotating flash head. You will discover that Flash Compensation is how we control automatic TTL flash. We watch results, and if not perfect, we learn to simply fix it, then and there. We learn how to get great flash pictures, how to do it right. If your camera model includes the Commander, which is sort of Point&Shoot with multiple lights (automatic setup), then the compatible flashes with that feature are high end, and will cost more.
Level 3 wants both TTL and manual flash. TTL is convenient, but Manual flash probably dominates your serious use. Multiple manual lights in a studio setting (might be your living room) probably will need a flash meter, which makes it all be easy, and well controlled, and repeatable. It may be the same better flash units as Level 2, but manual flash capability will be emphasized, and you are seeking features.
But about the first two questions are:
How serious a flash user will you be? Minimum when you cannot avoid it, average amateur (most are not all that interested in flash until they see what flash can do), or deadly serious?
Do you need TTL point&shoot flash, or Manual flash for more control, or both at different times?
No one ever mentions these things.
There is an article at Beginners Guide to Select a Hot Shoe Flash - and Compare Power Rating of Flashes with Guide Numbers that includes a way to compare power levels of speedlight flashes.
Level 1 Users. Minimum level, using flash a few times a year, when you have to, and you probably only know to use it on the hot shoe as direct flash, always aimed straight ahead. No experimentation with better methods is considered. Sadly, this is most users by number (maybe not most posting here). They don't know about flash, and don't want to know about flash. They imagine flash is difficult (it is for them). If this is you, the one thing we know is that you don't need a $300 flash. You may spend more, but you likely will never use more. If you are not too sure yet just what shutter speed and aperture do, and always only operate the camera in full Auto mode, then this Level sounds like you. I hope that is not harsh, it seems realistic. If you only want a larger internal flash, the most minimal iTTL flashes (compatible with Nikon iTTL) probably will do it, $100 class. The camera does the TTL metering, the flash only has to respond and flash at the specified power level that the camera sets.
Level 2 Users. Middle of the road, more reasonably and commonly expected of "amateurs" who actually try to learn something about photography. Most of us posting here, hopefully. Your goal is pictures that count, important photos of the kids growing up, etc. You are willing to think about your pictures a little, and certainly will try a little. You will discover the wonderful advantage of hot shoe bounce flash, aimed up at the ceiling for its wonderful soft light properties (but needs a little more flash power). Your goal is GOOD flash pictures, and you're willing to work at it a little. It's really all rather easy, but maybe not obvious at first, so you will have to participate (meaning, giving a little thought to it, not all point&shoot).
Level 3 Users. At the other extreme, you discover how wonderfully neat and useful flash is, how great the lighting can be. Flash is always needed.
You'll actively try many things, including bounce and off-camera lights (for the great lighting), and umbrellas for portraits, etc. You will love this new world, and you will investigate every path. You don't sit back and wonder about doing it, you wade in and try it. It is all easy, it only requires a little interest. You will want more features and more performance, stuff Level 1 will never even know about.Now, among the features are some details, about TTL flash mode, Manual flash mode, Commander flash mode, etc.
Level 1 is about TTL flash mode - which is Point & Shoot automatic flash (like compact cameras). However the picture comes out is how it comes out. There are inexpensive flashes that do this, $100 class, even $50. Price probably does add reliability and consistency. If you want to insure good quality and reliability, the Nikon SB-400 flash offers more than you will use, including some opportunity to experiment with more (bounce and manual flash). There are third party flashes even cheaper, and even the bottom end, even $50 class flashes, will work, like here:
On Camera Flashes | B&H Photo Video (sorted by lowest price)
Here is a list of TTL flashes for Nikon on Amazon (sorted by popularity)
(Flash specifications are a bit hard to read, so do look for satisfied user ratings there, the five stars and comments about features. On both B&H and Amazon. You will know a lot more after reading more user comments, but careful, not everyone knows what they are talking about
)The wording can vary slightly, but the description should say "automatic iTTL flash for Nikon cameras". Some just say TTL instead of iTTL, same thing now, they mean automatic point&shoot flash. "Compatible with Nikon cameras" is important to see.
Level 2 needs probably are often TTL, but could be Manual flash (Manual flash is far from point&shot. It means it is YOU that sets the right power level for correct flash exposure, for every picture. But manual flash is easy for one flash).
We can buy TTL only flash, or Manual only flash, or both modes. Both modes have their purposes. This higher interest will certainly include bounce flash, which requires a flash with a little more power, bigger than minimum. My notion is the SB-400 is too small and limited if you actually use flash, not enough to grow into. Bounce needs more power and a rotating flash head. You will discover that Flash Compensation is how we control automatic TTL flash. We watch results, and if not perfect, we learn to simply fix it, then and there. We learn how to get great flash pictures, how to do it right. If your camera model includes the Commander, which is sort of Point&Shoot with multiple lights (automatic setup), then the compatible flashes with that feature are high end, and will cost more.
Level 3 wants both TTL and manual flash. TTL is convenient, but Manual flash probably dominates your serious use. Multiple manual lights in a studio setting (might be your living room) probably will need a flash meter, which makes it all be easy, and well controlled, and repeatable. It may be the same better flash units as Level 2, but manual flash capability will be emphasized, and you are seeking features.
But about the first two questions are:
How serious a flash user will you be? Minimum when you cannot avoid it, average amateur (most are not all that interested in flash until they see what flash can do), or deadly serious?
Do you need TTL point&shoot flash, or Manual flash for more control, or both at different times?
No one ever mentions these things.
There is an article at Beginners Guide to Select a Hot Shoe Flash - and Compare Power Rating of Flashes with Guide Numbers that includes a way to compare power levels of speedlight flashes.
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