Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hi all, i'm a noob, first time posting,

i currently have a D90 w/ 18-200 as my longest lens...
i'm lookin' into buyin' a Nikon Flash,
my question is, do i really need a SB-900?
many friends out there i know of gave me advise that
buy the best flash out there, cuz you can alwayz upgrade
lens, bodies....flash, u rarely upgrade.... and that the SB-900
can flash very very far compare to the 800s or 600s...

so for the extra $$ is it really really necessary, as this is
only a hobby, i won't be like takin' pics @ weddings, or studios
like the pros....

if i do get the SB-900, anythin' i should watch out for? becuz i'm
most likely gonnna buy it in HK, any issues w/ SB-900?

please advise~

On the plus side:
- You definitely want as much power as you can afford
- If you ever want to go beyond Nikon CLS, then you will want the PC ports
(if you never want to go beyond CLS, then the SB700 is a possibility)
- It spins around both ways

On the minus side:
- Loss of TTL support with older bodies like my FE2 (the SB600 still does)
- I've heard of overheating issues.

If your a hobbyist then you buy whatever makes you happy. If your a pro you buy whatever makes you more money.

My advice, be happy. True, flashes are seldom upgraded

the SB-900 is pricey and there is the occasional overheat problem. The used SB-800s are a good alternative.

I have 2 SB-600s and they serve me well when i need portability and they are cheap. Otherwise, look at alien bees flash heads (cheap and powerful).

Good luck

find a used SB800! I still have mine, and it works great!

thx for all the great advises!

it's really really difficult to find the discontinued 800s.....

Being a canon shooter I do not know the specifics. For on camera for a non pro I bought the second best one. The only real difference for my uses is the power. I find it is more than enough. Remember it works both ways. If you find you need to upgrade you can always sell later.

The SB600 is probably the way to go for you.

Double post sorry...

I own two 800's and a 900.

It's a tough choice, both have their merits.

SB-900
Good - powerful, great button layout for quick changes, 200mm zoom.
Bad - HUGE, has overheating issues (I use my 800's for weddings)

SB-800
Good - smaller, no heating issues, does everything the 900 does.
Bad - not as powerful as the 900, going through the menus to make changes takes some extra time.

If I had to pick ONE flash to have.. i would go with the 800. It's great all around. I like my 900 to use as a commander for CLS, it's really quick to make changes with the buttons on the back. If you don't plan on going crazy with speedlights, I would try to get an 800 off of kijiji/craigslist for $300-$340. Maybe try the 700?

Another great option is the Sigma 530 @ $380

http://www.henrys.ca/1153-SIGMA-EF530DG ... -ITTL.aspx

I am in way a pro, but I have not found myself wanting with mine.

used: http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/pho/2031024817.html

If you are going to use your 18-200 a lot with flash end to end, get the SB900 as the flash will cover the total zoom range. With the SB600/900 you will overexpose on the wide end and under expose on the long end. If you shoot mostly between 24-105 with you 18-200 get the SB800. Other wise I would spend the extra cash and get the SB900.

I have a three flashes and use the SB900 the most with the 18-200 and 70-200. I like using the 900 as you do not need the 5th battery like you do in the 800 for faster recycle times. Only downside is, it's heavier than the 800.

thx for the great advise, i guess i'm pretty set gettin' the SB-900~

thx so much guys~

Agreed on this... but overheating is from the batteries used. I've had to swap batteries just because of that...lost some shots.

Unless you are using this flash continuously non stop, I wouldn't worry about it.