Please recommend a flash for my D3

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david071066

New member
Hi All, just grabbed a mint D3 and would like some recommendations for a on camera flash unit. Mostly to use for events, not trying to building a lighting systems, not yet anyway. Read lots of reviews and many different opinions. Seems the sb800 is a favorite. Would you recommend and 3rd party options? Being able to use an external battery pack with the flash unit would be handy. Thanks.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
david071066 said:
Hi All, just grabbed a mint D3 and would like some recommendations for a on camera flash unit. Mostly to use for events, not trying to building a lighting systems, not yet anyway. Read lots of reviews and many different opinions. Seems the sb800 is a favorite. Would you recommend and 3rd party options? Being able to use an external battery pack with the flash unit would be handy. Thanks.
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The SB-800 has been replaced by the SB-910 but I'm sure you could find an SB-800 on the used market. I'd suggest the SB-700 if you want to pay for Nikon branding. If not, look at a Yongnuo 565EX or the Metz MZ 44314N.
 
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Osantacruz

Senior Member
I'd recommend a Phottix. Either Mitros or Mitros+. I have a Yongnuo 568ex which worked great at first but now won't shoot anything but full power even in manual mode. While I still love Yongnuo manual only flashes, I personally won't buy another TTL flash from them. If you're willing to give them a try for TTL though, they have a new 600 series flash that hopefully is built better and is only a bit over $100. Either way, Nikon branded flashes don't really have any advantages to justify their prices.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
 
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rocketman122

Senior Member
I had 2 Sb800. great flashes. strong but recycle a little slow if you need speed, but if you get the 5th battery attachment you get as well. hard to find mint condition today. they go for around $250 used. I sold all 4 of my nikon flashes.
just be aware, IF you ever consider buying 622n slaves, they do not work with their slaves as an on camera flash. off camera, yes.

I personally use asian flashes. I beat on mine nonstop and they are workhorses. I use yongnuo 3 560III which IMO would be the perfect if they had hss. I also use 5 shanny SN600N flashes. they have it all for $80 a pop. 1/3 stop less power than the Sb910 recycle faster than the SN910. ittl, manual strobostic, hss. quick locking foot, 14mm-200mm lens spread. build quality is solid also.

565/568 are considered older gen to whats out now. great flashes but the feel and performance has gone a step forward since.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGwmXwAAcRU

you might also consider looking at the pixel brand or godox, but I dont have experience with them. I was looking into getting the v860 ving flashes but they had a sever problem with their battery pack and it not giving even half the performance they rated. im think theyve fixed it since but after that, I stayed clear. look into them as well before you decide what you need.


Osantacruz said:
I'd recommend a Phottix. Either Mitros or Mitros+. I have a Yongnuo 568ex which worked great at first but now won't shoot anything but full power even in manual mode. While I still love Yongnuo manual only flashes, I personally won't buy another TTL flash from them. If you're willing to give them a try for TTL though, they have a new 600 series flash that hopefully is built better and is only a bit over $100. Either way, Nikon branded flashes don't really have any advantages to justify their prices.
Click to expand...

neither do the phottix at $300/400 a pop. thats way to much to spend for any aftermarket flash. you can get a whole set of transceivers and a flash for that price. no aftermarket flagship flash needs to cost more than $150 with receiver inside.


godox offers one for $180
GODOX – V860II-N – Nikon TTL Radio Speedlite – Now Available | FLASH HAVOC
Ive used the 860 at a wedding from a friend who just bought it and the ttl was crap. this is the mkII and might be better, dont know. personally I now shoot manual mode solely as ttl is very bad. ive said it before but the cameras have advanced in terms of fps, af speed and accuracy but ttl has not advanced one step since the f5. I use manual mode so I can control what I need. specifically on the dance floor. there are lights all over and the ttl system gets confused. you can shoot 4 images of people standing and get 4 different exposures.

anyways. good luck.
 
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Osantacruz

Senior Member
rocketman122 said:
I had 2 Sb800. great flashes. strong but recycle a little slow if you need speed, but if you get the 5th battery attachment you get as well. hard to find mint condition today. they go for around $250 used. I sold all 4 of my nikon flashes.
just be aware, IF you ever consider buying 622n slaves, they do not work with their slaves as an on camera flash. off camera, yes.

I personally use asian flashes. I beat on mine nonstop and they are workhorses. I use yongnuo 3 560III which IMO would be the perfect if they had hss. I also use 5 shanny SN600N flashes. they have it all for $80 a pop. 1/3 stop less power than the Sb910 recycle faster than the SN910. ittl, manual strobostic, hss. quick locking foot, 14mm-200mm lens spread. build quality is solid also.

565/568 are considered older gen to whats out now. great flashes but the feel and performance has gone a step forward since.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGwmXwAAcRU

you might also consider looking at the pixel brand or godox, but I dont have experience with them. I was looking into getting the v860 ving flashes but they had a sever problem with their battery pack and it not giving even half the performance they rated. im think theyve fixed it since but after that, I stayed clear. look into them as well before you decide what you need.




neither do the phottix at $300/400 a pop. thats way to much to spend for any aftermarket flash. you can get a whole set of transceivers and a flash for that price. no aftermarket flagship flash needs to cost more than $150 with receiver inside.


godox offers one for $180
GODOX – V860II-N – Nikon TTL Radio Speedlite – Now Available | FLASH HAVOC
Ive used the 860 at a wedding from a friend who just bought it and the ttl was crap. this is the mkII and might be better, dont know. personally I now shoot manual mode solely as ttl is very bad. ive said it before but the cameras have advanced in terms of fps, af speed and accuracy but ttl has not advanced one step since the f5. I use manual mode so I can control what I need. specifically on the dance floor. there are lights all over and the ttl system gets confused. you can shoot 4 images of people standing and get 4 different exposures.

anyways. good luck.
Click to expand...
Compared to the price of a Sb910 they are definitely a deal but yeah there are cheaper. I haven't dealt with many 3rd party so I can't recommend any others because I haven't tried them myself. I love phottix gear because of how well it all works together and the mitros+ has the built in commander for other flashes/strobes from phottix (none of that line of sight stuff, actual radio triggers) also you're right, they do cost more than I thought, I still have my BH student discount applied til next year so it shows up cheaper and is about $290. For being as powerful, and so far to me as reliable as it is, that's more than a fair price.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 
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