Do I need a flash? If so, what are some recommendations?

[endervalentine]

Been playing with my d90 for a couple months and it's been lost of fun. One thing I notice was that for some of the indoor pictures the lighting is off, either there is too much flash or there is too little, something it's perfect.

I'm still trying to play around with it since I'm still a dSLR noob, but was wondering if it would be good to invest in a flash. Currently, I"m using a d90+18-200mm VR lens.

Also, what does the diffuser do, I see that on some of the flash kits that they sell.

 

[whoiswes]

I have a D90 as well (started on a D40) and purchased a SB-600 last year. Not the cheapest flash around but it's very easy to use and has produced some great indoor pics especially when bounced off the ceiling. Haven't done anything off-camera (past testing and playing around) or outdoor yet but I'm very happy with the purchase.

If you're happy with the way the built-in flash looks, you can always adjust your flash compensation if the output is too high or low. That's free and may be all you need.

Hope this helps.

 

[PurdueRy]

Been playing with my d90 for a couple months and it's been lost of fun. One thing I notice was that for some of the indoor pictures the lighting is off, either there is too much flash or there is too little, something it's perfect.

I'm still trying to play around with it since I'm still a dSLR noob, but was wondering if it would be good to invest in a flash. Currently, I"m using a d90+18-200mm VR lens.

Also, what does the diffuser do, I see that on some of the flash kits that they sell.

Not sure what Nikon calls it but have to tried using FE Lock? This fires a pre-flash that can be aimed at anything and meters off the center focus point. It then sets the flash exposure based on that reading. I believe if you don't do this then the pre-flash comes right before the main flash and the result is an evaluative setting of the flash. this can be off if a large portion of your image is white or black.

 

[IronWing]

A diffuser spreads the light from the flash out a bit to make it work like a bigger source which helps soften shadows. IMHO, a cheap set of reflectors is a better method for spreading the light out. You can buy a set of 22in cloth reflector disks for ~US$20.

 

[996GT2]

For indoor shots, get a flash that has a tilt/swivel head so you can bounce off of white walls and other features. SB600 and 800 are both good choices. I'd skip the SB400 because it doesn't swivel.

 

[BabaBooey]

For indoor shots, get a flash that has a tilt/swivel head so you can bounce off of white walls and other features. SB600 and 800 are both good choices. I'd skip the SB400 because it doesn't swivel.

My SB400 has a head that can be set in a few different positions up and down and it works great for me for indoor shots at home,not sure how effective it would be in a large arena but mine works great for me.

 

[996GT2]

My SB400 has a head that can be set in a few different positions up and down and it works great for me for indoor shots at home,not sure how effective it would be in a large arena but mine works great for me.

Yeah, SB400 tilts, but does not swivel. Tilt works fine when you are shooting in landscape orientation but when you want to bounce off a ceiling while shooting from a portrait (vertical) orientation then that's when you need a swiveling flash head.

 

[ProfJohn]

SB400 is very cheap though. So if money is a factor then go with the SB400 and you will be very happy.

I would say that it was the best thing I have bought for the camera because I can take indoor portraits that look like they were done with fancy studio lighting.

Although I do admit the inability to swivel is a pain since it takes away the ability to take vertical pictures, unless you can bounce it off a wall

 

[shocksyde]

A diffuser spreads the light from the flash out a bit to make it work like a bigger source which helps soften shadows. IMHO, a cheap set of reflectors is a better method for spreading the light out. You can buy a set of 22in cloth reflector disks for ~US$20.

Just a note for anyone reading:

A diffuser does not make the flash seem like a bigger source. It simply spreads the light at a greater angle to get more coverage.

 

[IronWing]

Just a note for anyone reading:

A diffuser does not make the flash seem like a bigger source. It simply spreads the light at a greater angle to get more coverage.

No, a diffuser like this:

or this:

or this:

or these:

all work by spreading the light out at the source to make a bigger source. They don't make a very big source however. That is where reflectors come in. Reflectors really spread the light out to make a much bigger source before bouncing it to the subject than is possible with a flash mounted diffuser.

 

[shocksyde]

No, a diffuser like this:

Well, sure, if the diffuser is larger than the original light source it will make the light source appear larger. Just trying to prevent any misleading information.

 

[endervalentine]

yeah, I've been doing some reading and it's going to come down to the sb400 vs sb600. I really like the sb400 formfactor, it's great to just take a out and take snapshots, whereas the sb600 looks pretty intimidating. But at the same time, the sb600 has a lot more power, can swivel and can be operate remotely.

decisions decisions

 

[endervalentine]

Any recommendations on where to buy used stuff? aside from craigslist?

 

[Aharami]

sorry to jump in this thread with my question, but thought it's better to pose my question here than to create another flash related thread.

I can get the Canon 430EX (original one) for $200 or the 580EX for $270 off CL.

Or I can get a brand new 430EX II for $250. I'd like to have tilt and swivel features for bounce capability. I know that the 430EX II has both and Im pretty sure the 580 EX has it too. Not sure is the 430EX has only tilt, or tilt + swivel.

Is the 430EX for $200 a good deal? or should I spring for the new 430EX II for $50 more? But if Im considering the 430EX II, should I just spend $20 more and get the 580EX?

 

[shocksyde]

Any recommendations on where to buy used stuff? aside from craigslist?

The forums on FredMiranda.com and Photography-on-the.net are filled with used equipment. I buy/sell almost all of my stuff there.

 

[twistedlogic]

Not sure what Nikon calls it but have to tried using FE Lock?

FV lock or Flash Value Lock.

The forums on FredMiranda.com and Photography-on-the.net are filled with used equipment. I buy/sell almost all of my stuff there.

Does POTN offer Nikon stuff?

I'd also suggest nikoncafe.com but you need at least 300 posts to access the For Sale sub-forum.

yeah, I've been doing some reading and it's going to come down to the sb400 vs sb600. I really like the sb400 formfactor, it's great to just take a out and take snapshots, whereas the sb600 looks pretty intimidating. But at the same time, the sb600 has a lot more power, can swivel and can be operate remotely.

I was also torn between the sb-400 and the sb-600. If I had one to choose again, I'd still pick the SB-600 for no other reason than remote firing. I'd only suggest the 400 if you have a dedicated flash already but wanted something lighter.

While CLS works great, its a bit more expensive than doing everything manually. So if your wanting to just get your feet wet in strobing(off-camera flash), there are cheaper alternatives that could produce as good as if not better results than the SB-600, it just might take more trial and error (and lots of learning).

 

[oogabooga]

Or I can get a brand new 430EX II for $250. I'd like to have tilt and swivel features for bounce capability. I know that the 430EX II has both and Im pretty sure the 580 EX has it too. Not sure is the 430EX has only tilt, or tilt + swivel.

Is the 430EX for $200 a good deal? or should I spring for the new 430EX II for $50 more? But if Im considering the 430EX II, should I just spend $20 more and get the 580EX?

I just got the 430exII and have been very happy with it. Had a thread in D&VC here about it just a week or two ago. I don't know which is the "best value" unfortunately. The tilt and swivel features on the 430exII are nice but I think the 430ex does too?

 

[Muse]

I've yet to get my 1st DSLR, but have done some research and I have bought and read Scott Kelby's books The Digital Photography Book (volumes 1 & 2). Scott makes the case very forcefully that external flash is imperative if you want to take quality shots. Now I said in one sentence what Scott takes some pages to say, so go to the horse's mouth here!

 

[soydios]

SB-600. end of story.
the SB-400 does not swivel the head, nor does it allow you to use the flash off-camera. both of these problems severely restrict what you can creatively do with the flash, which is the whole point of buying an external speedlight. with your D90, the SB-600 also supports iTTL off-camera flash metering. the SB-600 can also be used off-camera with any camera in SU-4 mode, where it will fire at a preset intensity whenever it sees a flash from any source.

 

[Munky]

yeah, I've been doing some reading and it's going to come down to the sb400 vs sb600. I really like the sb400 formfactor, it's great to just take a out and take snapshots, whereas the sb600 looks pretty intimidating. But at the same time, the sb600 has a lot more power, can swivel and can be operate remotely.

decisions decisions

I was debating the same choice a while ago, and decided to go with the sb600. Sure, it throws a small SLR body off balance, and almost doubles the weight, but when you use it in situations where you need an external flash, you get to really appreciate the extra flexibility of a swivel head, direct controls on the flash, the extra power, and compatibility with standard accessories like bounce and filter gel attachments. I'm glad I went with the sb600. And I haven't even used the wireless capabilities, which the sb400 lacks.

 

[endervalentine]

thanks guys! it's funny, it seems like every board that has this discussion sb400 vs sb600 ... there are always two distinct groups of people.

I'm gonna try the sb400 first ... reason being, I'm still a noob and do most of pictures with family and friends. I think the sb600 would be too big and intimidating to casual get-togethers. I don't see myself using the wireless capabilities during someone's bday party or during thanksgiving.

Once I get better and can really 'see' how and when to use bounce flash I'll spring for the sb600.

One good thing is that I heard the resell values on nikon toys are pretty good. So worse is sell it for 20% less and get the sb600.

 

[virtuamike]

SB-600. end of story.
the SB-400 does not swivel the head, nor does it allow you to use the flash off-camera. both of these problems severely restrict what you can creatively do with the flash, which is the whole point of buying an external speedlight. with your D90, the SB-600 also supports iTTL off-camera flash metering. the SB-600 can also be used off-camera with any camera in SU-4 mode, where it will fire at a preset intensity whenever it sees a flash from any source.

SB-600 doesn't have SU-4 (you're thinking SB-800). SB-600 can only be triggered remotely via CLS, TTL sync cord, or manually through a hot shoe adapter (into which you can plug in an optical slave, radio trigger, or regular sync cord).

Agreed, would pass on the SB-400.

 

[virtuamike]

thanks guys! it's funny, it seems like every board that has this discussion sb400 vs sb600 ... there are always two distinct groups of people.

I'm gonna try the sb400 first ... reason being, I'm still a noob and do most of pictures with family and friends. I think the sb600 would be too big and intimidating to casual get-togethers. I don't see myself using the wireless capabilities during someone's bday party or during thanksgiving.

Once I get better and can really 'see' how and when to use bounce flash I'll spring for the sb600.

One good thing is that I heard the resell values on nikon toys are pretty good. So worse is sell it for 20% less and get the sb600.

You're limited with positioning on the SB-400. The SB-600 is much more versatile.

 

[soydios]

SB-600 doesn't have SU-4 (you're thinking SB-800). SB-600 can only be triggered remotely via CLS, TTL sync cord, or manually through a hot shoe adapter (into which you can plug in an optical slave, radio trigger, or regular sync cord).

oh. well that's a bummer. sorry for my bad info.

 

[twistedlogic]

oh. well that's a bummer. sorry for my bad info.

I've also read the SB-600 could work in SU-4 mode, but upon further digging I found that it was not, . So maybe its just a common misconception.

manually through a hot shoe adapter (into which you can plug in an optical slave, radio trigger, or regular sync cord).

Do you have any suggestions on a optical slave hot-shoe adapter? I've read that the SB-600 can be finicky with optical slave do to the sync voltage.

I have a long enough TTL cable but would like to try SS above the sync speed, not sure what route I want to take, radio, optical slave, or sync cord. The Radio poppers and Pocket Wizards are a little too much $$$ for me, been looking at the Yongnuo RF-602 but not sure what sync speed they will support.