Looking For an In-Between Flash

Zeke_M

Senior Member
As the title says, I'm looking for a flash that's in-between the SB-400 and the YN568EX.

I have an SB-400 on my D7100 almost all the time. But it doesn't have the horsepower in some situations.
The YN568 is excellent but it's heavy and awkward to pack around on the camera all day.
What's a decent flash that's an in-betweener in size and power?
 
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Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
This is a tough call and the SB-500 is about the only suggestion I could come up with as well. You're gaining a little more power (but not a lot) with the SB-500 while keeping the smaller form factor. The Yongnuo 468 II is another suggestion. It's much more powerful than the SB-500 but has a larger form factor. As usual, it's a bit of juggling act.
 

Zeke_M

Senior Member
I've looked at the SB-500 too.
Almost bought one the other day but I thought I'd get opinions from the experts here first.
 

skene

Senior Member
You can always look for a used sb600 I find the size on the medium size and it will have a bit more power than the sb500.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
all flashes that are powerful have heft. you cant find a small SB700 flash thats strong. u can find a smaller manual flash but not ttl. no way.
stick with the 568. its faster more powerful when you need it. its inexpensive.
 

Zeke_M

Senior Member
all flashes that are powerful have heft. you cant find a small SB700 flash that's strong. u can find a smaller manual flash but not ttl. no way.
stick with the 568. its faster more powerful when you need it. its inexpensive.

I stuck with the status quo. On proper expeditions I take the YN568 in the camera bag and dig it out if needed. I use it in the house or indoors exclusively.
The SB400 is still better than the on-board flash for ordinary bumming around.

A confession though. The money set aside for another flash got rerouted to buy a grail lens.:)
 
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I think you miss a trick ( I have SB 400 and always have enough power) When you go to auto iso set the min to iso 200. This means that when you turn the flash on you get iso 800...at that iso you have enough power for anything ... Also have the 565 ..never use it..

Note ..this works for 99% of shots ..if you are outside it will stick at 200 .if its pitch black it will go over 800. It goes under 800 more often than over !!
also engage FP 1/320 (flash programme) this will ensure if you leave it on outside and your speed is say 1/1000 you will have no problems.

Nissin I 40 .....
 
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rocketman122

Senior Member
@Zeke_M woke remembering that the sb800 is the most compact flash thats very powerful. actually more powerful then any nikon flash and has decent recycle (if you add the 5th battery) and is the size of the SB700. used they go for $250.

regarding power and Sb400, you may be shooting at a small aperture or too low an iso or mix. dont expect it to give you great results shooting portraits outdoors. you need a very strong flash for that.
 

Zeke_M

Senior Member
@Zeke_M woke remembering that the sb800 is the most compact flash that's very powerful. actually more powerful then any Nikon flash and has decent recycle (if you add the 5th battery) and is the size of the SB700. used they go for $250.

regarding power and Sb400, you may be shooting at a small aperture or too low an iso or mix. dont expect it to give you great results shooting portraits outdoors. you need a very strong flash for that.

I ordered an SB-800 a few minutes ago as well as more Eneloops.
I've been using the 70-200 f2.8 VRII as a dogwalking lens. It will be interesting to see how much heavier the SB-800 will make this setup.
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
I ordered an SB-800 a few minutes ago as well as more Eneloops.
I've been using the 70-200 f2.8 VRII as a dogwalking lens. It will be interesting to see how much heavier the SB-800 will make this setup.

The SB-800 with 5 batteries will weigh in at 1lb 2.5oz.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
I ordered an SB-800 a few minutes ago as well as more Eneloops.
I've been using the 70-200 f2.8 VRII as a dogwalking lens. It will be interesting to see how much heavier the SB-800 will make this setup.

im using a d3/s with 70-200vr1 and flash with transmitter on top. it gets quite heavy after some time. sb800 is great. but it doesnt work well with the 622n. its the reason I sold both of mine. btw it will seem like its rocking on that transmitter but its not the flas. itsthe crap shoenthe 622n
 

singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
im using a d3/s with 70-200vr1 and flash with transmitter on top. it gets quite heavy after some time. sb800 is great. but it doesnt work well with the 622n. its the reason I sold both of mine. btw it will seem like its rocking on that transmitter but its not the flas. itsthe crap shoenthe 622n

Been using my SB-800s with 603s for years with no issues.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
I will add to my comment. it will not work with the 622n as a master. I wouldnt use a nikon flash as ocf for weddings. a $75 shanny or yn560 mk3/4 will do a better job and cost less for repair should someone topple the stand over on the dance floor. and it has happened.
 

Zeke_M

Senior Member
I've tried the SB-800 with Commander Mode. It works fine.
The fifth battery is neat feature.
I'm having trouble menu diving. I'm not able to get where I need to go every time. I bought more aspirin and am continuing to work on it.
As far as off camera flash goes, I don't use off camera flash often. If I do I use the YN-568 and the 603 triggers.
That may change if and when I unlock the riddle of the SB-800's menu.
 

Zeke_M

Senior Member
I will add to my comment. it will not work with the 622n as a master. I wouldn't use a Nikon flash as ocf for weddings. a $75 shanny or yn560 mk3/4 will do a better job and cost less for repair should someone topple the stand over on the dance floor. and it has happened.

FWIW I can use the YN-622N Master and the YN-622 trigger with the SB-800.
I agree with the quote about the dance floor. If I need an off camera flash I'll let the YN568 take the hit.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
FWIW I can use the YN-622N Master and the YN-622 trigger with the SB-800.
I agree with the quote about the dance floor. If I need an off camera flash I'll let the YN568 take the hit.

I have used ttl mode with the 622n but they are not accurate. ive been shooting everything ttl. as well as on camera flash being manual. the sb800 will not work well on camera though. when I first used the 622n I tried it in ttl mode, on camera, sometimes it wouldnt fire. after a while, I got fed up and just shot them in manual mode. I shoot everything manual mode now. the fps increases as well. in ttl, youll get 2-3 fps. in manual mode (when the 622n light is red) you can shoot much more than that. just press the gp/mode button till it turns to red. to turn the assist light press the left ch/af mode till the green light turns off or on. 4 seconds or so. needs to be off camera when you do this.

yn flashes are excellent as off camera flash.
 
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