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

[rocketman122]

Thanks, I don't really care about its ability to be a master flash since I can use my SB-900 or built in flash as commander.

How's the size/weight compared to SB-900. I might return the Metz 52 and get 2x Yongnuo 565 or 1x 568 instead. I bought the Metz 52 for only $230 so it's not a big price jump over the 568, but the touch screen is a bit tacky.

My idea of setup is SB-900 is strictly off camera flash and I want another lightweight flash to use on body for events, so bounce TTL reliability in body and size/weight are very important

I would use the SB900 on the camera and use the 568/565 as off camera. because the yongnuo flashes cannot fire off the nikon 900 if you want to use it off camera. they cannot be commanders/masters. but more than anything, if you want to have the off camera flash fire in TTL,then you must use radio slaves. relying on the optic sensor in the off camera flash to fire off is very limited and not reliable for consistent expsoures. I have 4-622n slaves I use. 2 on each camera and 2 for each off camera. they fire every time, they dont have to be in line of sight and "see" the camera flash to fire. for events, its a MUST.

if you need for your events and you shoot a lot, then consider the 565 for now. $110 shipped. it has a battery port so you can use one of their battery packs ($40 shipped on ebay) and you can connect that off camera and not have to worry about changing the batteries and recycle is much better. truthfully, I always shoot my off camera flashes in manual (because the damn 622 are not compatible with the D3) and usually fire them at 1/32 power and run iso 4000 on the dance floor.

size wize they are about the same. same with weight. bigger than the sb700/800 and just about the same size. you do realize you said 2 opposite things. your first sentence. ill use the 900 as master. then the 3rd sentence you said you want it off camera.

what I hate about the 622 slaves is that if you turn it off, the flash on top wont work. sometimes I dont want the off camera flash to fire. so what you can do is put the slave in a different group so they dont fire the off camera flash. just remember to put it back.

 

[luwindo]

I would use the SB900 on the camera and use the 568/565 as off camera. because the yongnuo flashes cannot fire off the nikon 900 if you want to use it off camera. they cannot be commanders/masters. but more than anything, if you want to have the off camera flash fire in TTL,then you must use radio slaves. relying on the optic sensor in the off camera flash to fire off is very limited and not reliable for consistent expsoures. I have 4-622n slaves I use. 2 on each camera and 2 for each off camera. they fire every time, they dont have to be in line of sight and "see" the camera flash to fire. for events, its a MUST.

if you need for your events and you shoot a lot, then consider the 565 for now. $110 shipped. it has a battery port so you can use one of their battery packs ($40 shipped on ebay) and you can connect that off camera and not have to worry about changing the batteries and recycle is much better. truthfully, I always shoot my off camera flashes in manual (because the damn 622 are not compatible with the D3) and usually fire them at 1/32 power and run iso 4000 on the dance floor.

size wize they are about the same. same with weight. bigger than the sb700/800 and just about the same size. you do realize you said 2 opposite things. your first sentence. ill use the 900 as master. then the 3rd sentence you said you want it off camera.

what I hate about the 622 slaves is that if you turn it off, the flash on top wont work. sometimes I dont want the off camera flash to fire. so what you can do is put the slave in a different group so they dont fire the off camera flash. just remember to put it back.

I guess I should've been more specific

I really don't like using sb-900 on camera if I don't have to, too big and heavy. That's why I have the Metz for on camera uses.

When I do need it to fire off camera I either use the pop up flash to be the master or I have a Cactus V5 trigger, I set the SB900 to Master and A mode so it can somewhat maintain a degree of automation and also trigger and the other flashes albeit they would be on manual mode.

This is a temporary set-up until I can get another radio receiver or until I upgrade to TTL

 

[rocketman122]

I guess I should've been more specific

I really don't like using sb-900 on camera if I don't have to, too big and heavy. That's why I have the Metz for on camera uses.

When I do need it to fire off camera I either use the pop up flash to be the master or I have a Cactus V5 trigger, I set the SB900 to Master and A mode so it can somewhat maintain a degree of automation and also trigger and the other flashes albeit they would be on manual mode.

This is a temporary set-up until I can get another radio receiver or until I upgrade to TTL

You can go with the lower classed flashes they have. 400 series but for me, I wouldnt bother. the sb700 would suit you perfectly. it has almost everything the 900 has but in a smaller package. but both the 565/568 are the same size and weight more or less as the 910. not sure why metz dont wake though. they have the core/base and history for great flashes but its their execution of the "plans on paper" that sucks ass. they arent with the times anymore. slow recycle, bad ergonomics, UI sucks. and the prices they ask is worse than nikon when it comes bang for the buck. they need a complete overhaul.
Im dying for those clowns (yongnuo) to release the 568 mark II as a master and battery port (and possible 622n slave built in as it seems to be the way things are moving today). it will be all over for nikon. if it sold for $250, id get 4 and ditch everything except the sb700.
the phottix mitros is just another one. an amazing flash, build, price, features, relaibility, warranty. face to face with the sb910 on everything. I would get 4 of them in an instant if they were compatible with the 622n.

btw, you use the 900 for weddings? did it ever go into cool down mode when you used it? my friend says his bulb heats up and he had to replace the bulb because it wore out and it cost him $200. whats your take on it? hes also a machine gun firing kinda guy as well. 2-3-4 shots right after each other. but its weird that it happened since he shoots at very high iso almost always (D4/D3S) so the flash wouldnt need to pump out so much power. saw a few people wanting to get rid of their used 900's.

 

[luwindo]

You can go with the lower classed flashes they have. 400 series but for me, I wouldnt bother. the sb700 would suit you perfectly. it has almost everything the 900 has but in a smaller package. but both the 565/568 are the same size and weight more or less as the 910. not sure why metz dont wake though. they have the core/base and history for great flashes but its their execution of the "plans on paper" that sucks ass. they arent with the times anymore. slow recycle, bad ergonomics, UI sucks. and the prices they ask is worse than nikon when it comes bang for the buck. they need a complete overhaul.
Im dying for those clowns (yongnuo) to release the 568 mark II as a master and battery port (and possible 622n slave built in as it seems to be the way things are moving today). it will be all over for nikon. if it sold for $250, id get 4 and ditch everything except the sb700.
the phottix mitros is just another one. an amazing flash, build, price, features, relaibility, warranty. face to face with the sb910 on everything. I would get 4 of them in an instant if they were compatible with the 622n.

btw, you use the 900 for weddings? did it ever go into cool down mode when you used it? my friend says his bulb heats up and he had to replace the bulb because it wore out and it cost him $200. whats your take on it? hes also a machine gun firing kinda guy as well. 2-3-4 shots right after each other. but its weird that it happened since he shoots at very high iso almost always (D4/D3S) so the flash wouldnt need to pump out so much power. saw a few people wanting to get rid of their used 900's.

I am thinking about getting used SB-700 just for the button menu, if I can find one used for $200-$250 I have until end of January to return the Metz.

The Metz 52 is quite powerful, a bit more powerful than the SB-700, recharge really fast and the swivel head is really nice (it has no lock so I can move it around quickly).

The touch screen is a whole different story...I can make a lot of setting changes quickly but when I do need to menu dive it's a real PITA.

Is this the Phottix: Phottix Mitros+ The All-In-One Flash and Trigger ? I never even heard about it before....really cool that it has built in tx/rx. Looks like you just need one TX if you get a whole set of this, and if it cost $300 I might replace both flash with this.

I don't shoot wedding so I can't comment on that, I did shoot a studio session recently with the flash shooting through umbrella with @ 1/4 power for the whole day.
Keep in mind I didn't shoot machine gun style and I had the thermal protection on at all time and the flash didn't overheat at all.

I did try to overheat the flash when I first got it by mashing the test button at 1/4 power and it had no problem. I didn't bother at 1/1 power since the result would be obvious.

I have no right to complain about the SB-900 limitations though since I bought it for a mere $200

 

[rocketman122]

the 2 things I hate about the sb700 is its too slow a process for inputting FEC and the dial moves it in the opposite way I think is logical. meaning, one way is under, and the other is over but would like it backwards. under stress the smallest things makes a huge difference to get the shot right. I bought mine used for $240. came with case (what a dumb idea..a square case..)box and filters/diffuser

I have the 58 af2 and I just dont like it. too slow to make changes and way too many button presses to get there and there is delay with it that makes me want to take it off my shoe and throw it to the ground with force. when a piece of gear drives me crazy like that, its best it stays at home. I no longer use.

thats the phottix. its a big boy though. full sized. check this out! Strobist: Phottix Mitros [Nikon] Review: The Real Deal
or this Phottix Mitros + with Built in TTL Radio Trigger – Announced | FLASH HAVOC the first is the regular and the 2nd is with the radio trigger built in. problem is their transmitter (the odin) looks great and functions great but a huge problem and a no no is there is no shoe to mount a flash on it..how dumb is that! all that money to waste for an off camera flash setup..hell no. im dying yongnuo put out the 568II. it will be a big game changer.

$200!!? wth. who did you swindle into letting you buy it at that price haha! thats bang for the buck! I was considering gettingt the 900 but im very scared after what my friend told me with his repairs. Im a bit confused because he shoots at very high iso (like me) and the flash wouldnt have to fire so much power or is it time. to get the correct exposure so I dont know. im afraid to take a chance. just like I bought the d600 knowing theres the oil/dust issue. but I have warranty on that. if I buy a used 900 im screwed if it gets sick..

but that sb700 is a great flash. it does get hot to the touch but the temp reading didnt get high so im confused.

 

[luwindo]

YongNuo YN-E3-RT & YN600EX-RT Released – Canon RT COMPATIBLE !! | FLASH HAVOC Looks like YongNuo is releasing their flash with built in receiver too, exciting times for flash development. Too bad its not out for Nikon yet.

That is a huge flash though, if anything this would replace my SB-900 if I make the switch.

No shoe on the transmitter is kinda silly, but I guess it's only designed to be transmitter and you have to buy separate receiver for it / get flash with built in receiver ? Looks like the new YN-E3-RT is the same way

I bought the SB-900 along with 85 1.8g for $600 locally, and sold the 85 for $400 bringing it down to $200 total cost

 

[rocketman122]

annoying all these transmitters with no flash shoe on them. what are they thinking? i cant wait for them to release the 568II. it will change a lot. im certain nikon oare working on a radio installed flash. theyre not dumb. I think they were the first with the cls (werent they?) that was revolutionary

 

[luwindo]

No transmitter w/o shoe = more $$$ to be made, strictly business decision I assume.

For your friend with damaged SB-900, my best assumption would be he had the square diffuser on which require the flash to put out more power and also trap heat. Combined with turning off thermal protection and firing in machine gun mode I guess that would create enough heat to damage the unit.