I am planning on purchasing a flash this week. It's quite overwhelming. I like the 400 for its compact traveling size but do not know much about the 600 or 700. I know the 400 doesn't share the advanced features or the larger ones. I'm not a portrait guy so having the ability to fire off other flashes isn't a concern for me.
Willy, the 400 is a nice compact flash but my first question to you would be why do you need an external flash??? What have you found that you need flash for and what parts of that did the built in not handle???
The 400 will do if you just want a little more ummph than the pop-up and also to get it up higher... It also a little bounce capability ..
I went through a similar exercise... I was looking at the 400 for its compact size etc.. Realized it only did bounce in one direction and that it was only slightly more than my built in.. My built in handled my "snap shot" needs so I went for the SB-700 so I could expand my flash capabilities. (decided to spend more now rather than spend twice!)
Unless you just want small, for what you pay for a 400 , you can get a Full Featured Yongnuo 468 II that has most of the capabilities of an SB 700. If you cannot afford the 700, I would go Yougnuo before the 400 as you get so much more for the same dollars.. Just be sure and get the Nikon version as they make a canon model also..
I went with the 700 and never looked back... very pleased. You have to evaluate your flash needs but do not limit too much and wish you you had more later..
My 2 cents worth and to some, its barely a pennY!! :highly_amused:
Pat in NH