Hell ya, I love this new flash for my Nikon D50!!

[blurredvision]

I was able to pick up a used SB-600 Nikon Speedlight at a really great price, so I jumped on it. I got it in the mail today, and this thing is amazing! I went through the instructions, checked out to use it, then popped it on my D50. My test subject? My dog.

I had also purchased a Sto-fen diffuser cap, as I've heard only good things about it, and for $15, why not? I threw the diffuser on for the first couple of shots:

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/blurredvision/diffuser_on.jpg

Proceeding with my test shots, I took the diffuser off, and pointed the flash straight at her.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/blurredvision/diffuser_off_straight_ahead.jpg

I then tilted the flash up about 80 degrees, and bounced the light off the ceiling. WOW! What a difference!

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/blurredvision/diffuser_off_ceiling_bounce.jpg

The results amazed me, as I wasn't expecting anything near this good. Obviously, bouncing the light (if possible) is the way to go. I already knew this, but when I see the results for my own eyes, it just cements it in stone. I didn't want to pay the extra for the SB-800, as I'm not a professional photographer, so I'm not worried about any of the wireless modes I lose by using it with my D50.

I look forward to using this flash some more. The only problem from here on out is dealing with the dumbfounded stares when I pull this contraption out and hook it together.

 

[shuttleboi]

When taking portraits, try pointing the flash towards the walls. If the walls or ceiling are too far away, use a flash diffuser like those made by Sto-fen.

 

[tfinch2]

Are you using the kit lens?

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Are you using the kit lens?

Nope, 50mm f/1.8. Sharp as a tack I tell ya, although I didn't really give any thought to making the pictures look good. Just tests.

 

[JMWarren]

Originally posted by: shuttleboi
When taking portraits, try pointing the flash towards the walls. If the walls or ceiling are too far away, use a flash diffuser like those made by Sto-fen.

If the walls are too far away to bounce the stofen isn't going to do anything! The only ways to soften light is to A)enlarge the light source B)get closer to the light source (there by making it bigger)

Since the stofen is the same size as the flash head it does not enlarge the light source.

The stofen relies on bouncing light off the walls, floor and ceiling to increase the light source size.

If you can't bounce a stofen won't help, but a pocket bouncer will.

 

[dartworth]

This is good info. I have a D50 coming tomorrow

SB-800 did seem like an over kill for myself, and the price on the SB-600 is more my style

Do you have more pics?

 

[TuxDave]

Poor dog. She looks like she wants to sleep and here you are using her as a flash subject.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: dartworth
This is good info. I have a D50 coming tomorrow

SB-800 did seem like an over kill for myself, and the price on the SB-600 is more my style

Do you have more pics?

I have more pics at my website www.joshpuckett.com, but none of those use the flash I just got. If you have any requests, I still have some testing to do with the flash .

Originally posted by: TuxDave
Poor dog. She looks like she wants to sleep and here you are using her as a flash subject.

You hit the nail on the head. She sleeps all day while no one is home, and I just happened to get off work early today.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: dartworth
This is good info. I have a D50 coming tomorrow

SB-800 did seem like an over kill for myself, and the price on the SB-600 is more my style

Do you have more pics?

seemslike a lot of us got one recently.
i'm waiting for mine. i hope it comes tomorrow but i haven't received any shipping info yet.

 

[Ornery]

Every single person who owns a DC could benefit from an add on flash. Too bad so many chose pocket cameras that can't accommodate such a thing.

 

[shuttleboi]

Originally posted by: JMWarren

Originally posted by: shuttleboi
When taking portraits, try pointing the flash towards the walls. If the walls or ceiling are too far away, use a flash diffuser like those made by Sto-fen.

If the walls are too far away to bounce the stofen isn't going to do anything! The only ways to soften light is to A)enlarge the light source B)get closer to the light source (there by making it bigger)

Since the stofen is the same size as the flash head it does not enlarge the light source.

The stofen relies on bouncing light off the walls, floor and ceiling to increase the light source size.

If you can't bounce a stofen won't help, but a pocket bouncer will.

When the ceiling is too high, you may have to use the external flash pointed directly on the subject, at which which point the sto-fen serves to diffuse the light and make the shadows' edges not as hard. Isn't that right?

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: shuttleboi

Originally posted by: JMWarren

Originally posted by: shuttleboi
When taking portraits, try pointing the flash towards the walls. If the walls or ceiling are too far away, use a flash diffuser like those made by Sto-fen.

If the walls are too far away to bounce the stofen isn't going to do anything! The only ways to soften light is to A)enlarge the light source B)get closer to the light source (there by making it bigger)

Since the stofen is the same size as the flash head it does not enlarge the light source.

The stofen relies on bouncing light off the walls, floor and ceiling to increase the light source size.

If you can't bounce a stofen won't help, but a pocket bouncer will.

When the ceiling is too high, you may have to use the external flash pointed directly on the subject, at which which point the sto-fen serves to diffuse the light and make the shadows' edges not as hard. Isn't that right?

That's what I've always thought.

 

[pontifex]

bleh, they didn't even ship mine until today...coming from new york so it i should get it by friday if not sooner.

 

[pmoa]

DROP DA CHALUPA!

 

[spacelord]

I just got the SB-600 for my D70 and its a nice flash. I just sold my Canon 420EX which I used with my G3.. and it too took some nice pictures.

Lately I've been rubber banding an index card behind the SB-600, with it pointing up near 80 degrees or so. It gives a little more light straight out at your subject.. with allowing light to bounch off the ceiling.

I recommend a real flash for any camera with a hot shoe. It makes a HUGE difference. I can use the SB-600 as a remote flash with my D70 also. Pretty sweet.

I had a Omnibounce for my 420EX.. it was ok.. not as good as everyone hyped it to be.. especially for a $16 piece of Tupperware.

 

[Jon855]

Originally posted by: TuxDave
Poor dog. She looks like she wants to sleep and here you are using her as a flash subject.

QFT