OK Dilema with a speed light

**dullbird** · 30th December 2008, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by dm_td5

Lou, I'd go the SB-900 I have two SB-800s and they are brilliant

The other option would be to look for an SB-800 as they are well and truly old stock now and should be cheap as the SB-600

.

The SB-600 is due a refresh. If I needed a third flash I'd be getting the SB-900.

One thing to note DON'T BUY A SECOND HAND OR DEMO FLASH.

Flash units have a finite life and this has no reflection on the units appearance, it may look like new, but how many times it has been fired of and at what intensity and with what batteries.

For batteries, get 2700mA rechargeable ones, uses the 5 batteries so buy 10. This is a good vendor Servaas Products he's cheap and very knowledgeable.

there is only $100 dollars difference between buying an 900 over an 800 they are not that cheap yet! and I have no intention of buying second hand that is why it has taken me a wilhe to save money the SB-900 i'm looking at about $650 the SB-800 i'm looking at about $540

So people are thinking get the 900 even though it is very much bigger and I can't update the firmware?

**dmdigital** · 30th December 2008, 10:01 PM

Why do you need to update the firmware?

**dullbird** · 30th December 2008, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by dm_td5

Why do you need to update the firmware?

well apparently there is already a firware release to tell it thats its not over heating when it thinks it is, as it has a thermo shut down...

but its like any firmware is done to give more features generally

**dmdigital** · 30th December 2008, 10:14 PM

OK I just answered that myself firmware update is via camera and only on the latest DSLR's

Did you know you can get almost all the Nikon manuals etc from Nikon KDB

I'd suggest the SB-800 as the best option then. Its more than advanced enough for the D80, has a good guide number, quick recycle time etc. Friends got one for his D50 and he loves it - I think its great because when I've needed 3 flash guns I can borrow his

The SB-900 is really for the newest bodies. Also consider an SC-28 or SC-29 cable.

**dullbird** · 30th December 2008, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by dm_td5

OK I just answered that myself firmware update is via camera and only on the latest DSLR's

Did you know you can get almost all the Nikon manuals etc from Nikon KDB

I'd suggest the SB-800 as the best option then. Its more than advanced enough for the D80, has a good guide number, quick recycle time etc. Friends got one for his D50 and he loves it - I think its great because when I've needed 3 flash guns I can borrow his

The SB-900 is really for the newest bodies. Also consider an SC-28 or SC-29 cable.

cable? is that so you can have the flash gun off the camera?..if so why not wireless

**dmdigital** · 30th December 2008, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by dullbird

cable? is that so you can have the flash gun off the camera?..if so why not wireless

Most of the time wireless is the way to go. There are times though where you want the flash near the camera and don't want it wireless. For example macro or birds where having the flash forward on the lens with a mount on the lens foot improves things (macro also helps to have a softbox over the flash but that's for another day). Also for having the flash mounted higher than the prism or to the side of the camera helps e.g. when taking in portrait and you want the flash vertical.

Not something to rush out and get though, kind of thing to pick up duty free on a trip.

**dullbird** · 30th December 2008, 11:07 PM

what was the battery pack you had on your 800 derek you said it enabled quicker cycling time if I remember right.......

**Xavie** · 30th December 2008, 11:32 PM

http://www.cameras.net.au/product_in...products_id=83

Price any better?

the guys are good. Bit neurotic at times but they are quite customer focussed.

**dullbird** · 30th December 2008, 11:36 PM

yeh that is a good price xavie.....but I have decided that i'm going to get the 800 and they dont do it

but on an up note I got paid more than i thought from work...which means by me buying the 800 I think i might just be able to scrap enough together to buy the manfrotto 055xprob tripod with a 3way head on it too

and before anyone says the pan head will also be for video camera too so I might look at getting a good ball head in the future but at the moment I need a head that will do both

**dmdigital** · 31st December 2008, 05:27 PM

ECS as mentioned are good, got my D200 through them. DigitalCamerawharehouse.com.au and d-d-photographics.com.au are also OK as is Photo Continental in Brisbane.

Also consider B&H Photo Video in NY, the freight can kill things (as can the exchange rate) but they have the SB-800 listed for US$319.

Thread: OK Dilema with a speed light

Thread Tools

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions