I can't afford a SB-700 Speedlight atm. Any other makes good or not?

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paul_b

Senior Member
A few months ago I bought a small Nikon SB-400 Speedlight. Recently I've realized i want to buy an on camera softbox/diffuser too (not a small one). So now i need to buy a bigger headed and taller flashgun (probably a Nikon SB-700 when i can afford it). However, they are quite expensive and i always have to dip back into money saved to pay for other things.

So I'm thinking of buying a cheaper alternative make (although i would still like it to have TTL).

I've come across a few different alternative/cheaper makes & models on the internet but after reading reviews I'm always put off by bad comments about them.

So i was wondering if through their experience if any people here on Nikonites could recommend alternative makes of flashguns that are good and which to ones to avoid.

Many thanks.
 
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WayneF

Senior Member
Where are all the Yongnuo people when we need them? :)

I have never used a Yongnuo flash, but they seem very popular, and "cheaper" is the right word.

Does your camera have a Commander? If so, the model more or less comparable to the SB-700 is the YN-568 for $180

Amazon.com: Yongnuo Professional Flash Speedlight Yongnuo YN-568EX Wireless TTL Flash Speedlite for Nikon Camera Nikon cameras: Camera & Photo

If you only need TTL and Manual (no Commander), look at the YN-565 for $107

Amazon.com: Yongnuo YN-565EX ETTL Speedlite Flash for Nikon: Camera & Photo
 
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paul_b

Senior Member
My camera atm is a Nikon D3100. I only really want to use a flashgun pointing forwards & in automatic TTL mode (and with a softbox attached).

ps.

jrleo33, Thanks for the tip. I don't really want a diffuser cap, i'm more interested in a half decent size on camera softbox and they dont fit on the SB-400 as it sits too low (and the flash head is too small).
 
Dennis Kussener

Dennis Kussener

Senior Member
Well, I was also looking for an affortable flash a couple of months ago.

I did end up with a second hand SB-600

I was also considering a comparable METZ flash,
but the nikon can be used as a slave in a comandermode situation. Also the LCD on the back is realy handy as it aluminates along with the camera top-LCD in the dark.

But I think that METZ flashes will do the trick for on camera TTL shooting.
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
The Yongnuo are highly rated and well respected by many! I have 2 SB 700's .. I would surely consider one if I was looking for another one. (Mind you, I like my 700's!)

Pat in NH
 
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John P

Senior Member
Granted. I stili have 1 SB800 for TTL work (bounce flash)
My 3 Yongnuo's do my manual work now.
After using the Yongnuo's, and seeing how much easier they were to navigate than my Nikons.
The other 3 SB800's went up for sale.
They paid for a very nice lens. And now I have 3 easy to navigate flashes. That have performed every bit a good as any Nikon flash I have owned.
No misfires or hiccups of any kind. And my speedlights getworked alot.

Granted. I still have 1 SB800 for TTL work (bounce flash)
My 3 Yongnuo's do my manual work now.
After using the Yongnuo's, and seeing how much easier they were to navigate than my Nikons.
The other 3 SB800's went up for sale.
They paid for a very nice lens. And now I have 3 easy to navigate flashes. That have performed every bit a good as any Nikon flash I have owned.
No misfires or hiccups of any kind. And my speedlights get worked alot.
 
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paul_b

Senior Member
Ok, there's a pattern emerging here then. It looks like you people are recommending Yongnuo's when money is a bit tight.

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Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
paul_b said:
Ok, there's a pattern emerging here then. It looks like you people are recommending Yongnuo's when money is a bit tight.
Click to expand...
The Yongnuo's are excellent units. Not just "good for what you're paying" they're just damn good flashes. I personally think Nikon branded flashes are a bit overpriced. Yes, they're excellent quality but they're certainly not the only good quality option out there.

.....
 
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paul_b

Senior Member
I think the next logical question then is what Yongnuo model to buy?

All i really want it for is TTL use and pointing straight on (not up) so i can attach a fairly decent softbox/diffuser.
 
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paul_b

Senior Member
Ok, i think i've found 4 possible Yongnuo models for my D3100:

-Yongnuo YN-465 ttl for Nikon i-TTL cameras £55 Amazon
-Yongnuo YN-467 II i-TTL Flash Speedlite for Nikon compatible with D3100 £65 Amazon
-Yongnuo YN-468 II i-TTL Flash for Nikon compatible with D3100 £55 Amazon
-Yongnuo YN565EX TTL Flash Speedlite for Nikon £78 Amazon - Yongnuo on Amazon Doesnt say if compatible with D3100 but a third party supplier on there says that it is. It may be a bit too advanced a model for what i need though.
 
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WayneF

Senior Member
paul_b said:
Ok, i think i've found 4 possible Yongnuo models for my D3100:

-Yongnuo YN-465 ttl for Nikon i-TTL cameras £55 Amazon
-Yongnuo YN-467 II i-TTL Flash Speedlite for Nikon compatible with D3100 £65 Amazon
-Yongnuo YN-468 II i-TTL Flash for Nikon compatible with D3100 £55 Amazon
-Yongnuo YN565EX TTL Flash Speedlite for Nikon £78 Amazon - Yongnuo on Amazon Doesnt say if compatible with D3100 but a third party supplier on there says that it is. It may be a bit too advanced a model for what i need though.
Click to expand...

There would be no issue with the D3100, as compared to the other similar. If the flash does iTTL for Nikon, the D3100 will work fine.

Look at the specs on the Yongnuo web site. Most user manuals are there too. Read the manuals first.

YONGNUO, photographic equipment, camera accessories, flash light, camera remote control, speedlite, photo equipment, LED photo light, flash trigger, camera wireless remote control, TTL cord

You want the 565. The 4xx version looks older, the 5xx has the LCD on them

yong.jpg
 
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paul_b

Senior Member
Thanks a lot Wayne.

Looks like i have a possible winner. I'll try and remember to post here again when it arrives (ps. i assume it's bought via Amazon?)
 
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John P

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
The Yongnuo's are excellent units. Not just "good for what you're paying" they're just damn good flashes. I personally think Nikon branded flashes are a bit overpriced. Yes, they're excellent quality but they're certainly not the only good quality option out there.

.....
Click to expand...


I fully agree with this. Mine have not been good for the money. But just damn good!
I really like the ease of operation. And they slave very well with my pop up flash set to commander mode.
They are very sensitive, plenty of power, and reliable.
I would buy the newest version. I have heard nothing but good things about the 565.
 
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paul_b

Senior Member
A quick supplementary question: Does the red AF assist lamp on the external flash unit completely override and inactivate the one built into the camera body itself? Or can you choose to use the one built into the camera instead?

I'm asking because i'm wondering if using a softbox on the external flash will cover it's AF assist lamp up.

P.s this is the softbox i was thinking of buying:
walimex Univ. Softbox 15x20cm for Compact Flashes - Photogadget.dk
 
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WayneF

Senior Member
The speedlight AF Assist light only works on the hot shoe, or attached to hot shoe with a hot shoe cord. I suppose the camera LED works if flash is off camera, but have never tried it, I keep it off. It is pretty objectionable.

It seems unlikely you would need AF Assist in a softbox situation. Focus should work fine in any normally lighted room where there are people, even if flash is needed for pictures. It should not be an issue unless it is really dark.
 
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