New SB600 or Used SB800?

NewEraChild

Hey everybody,

So I need a little help with deciding whether or not it's a better idea to buy a new SB600, which will have a warranty and all that, for $220. OR if it's a deal to get a used SB800 with all of the box parts and manual and everything for $250, but the warranty is expired.

Is there a history of SB800s malfunctioning after 3 years? The SB800 was purchased in July 2006.

Any advice would be appreciated!
-JR

SLRdude

NewEraChild wrote:

Hey everybody,

So I need a little help with deciding whether or not it's a better idea to buy a new SB600, which will have a warranty and all that, for $220. OR if it's a deal to get a used SB800 with all of the box parts and manual and everything for $250, but the warranty is expired.

Is there a history of SB800s malfunctioning after 3 years? The SB800 was purchased in July 2006.

Any advice would be appreciated!
-JR

My 800 was bought in April 2006 and still works like a champ after thousands of uses.

I love the 800, but it's a touch choice. The 600 is less money and it has a warranty... but the 800 is just awesome.

Eketelon

NewEraChild wrote:

Hey everybody,

So I need a little help with deciding whether or not it's a better idea to buy a new SB600, which will have a warranty and all that, for $220. OR if it's a deal to get a used SB800 with all of the box parts and manual and everything for $250, but the warranty is expired.

Is there a history of SB800s malfunctioning after 3 years? The SB800 was purchased in July 2006.

Any advice would be appreciated!
-JR

I have the SB600 and have used it very very successfully for years. However, as of late, I'm finding that the additional capabilities the SB800 provides, I now desire. If I had to do it again, I'd find a way to get an SB800.

I wouldn't worry about the warranty too much. If anything, check to see WHAT the warranty covers and see if the value is there. IOW, if it's only going to replace a $2 part (extreme example here) and you can get it taken care of locally, it's not worth it. Same goes if the warranty is only for something that is as much as replacing the entire unit. Understand?
I hope so. Just my 2 cents.

angevin1

NewEraChild wrote:

Hey everybody,

So I need a little help with deciding whether or not it's a better idea to buy a new SB600, which will have a warranty and all that, for $220. OR if it's a deal to get a used SB800 with all of the box parts and manual and everything for $250, but the warranty is expired.

Is there a history of SB800s malfunctioning after 3 years? The SB800 was purchased in July 2006.

Any advice would be appreciated!
-JR

JR,

I think that is a tough choice.



Warranties give such a sense of security, they are hard to deny. Yet, I think both the SB600 and the SB800 have a good record.

Both of these flashes were later production than your D100, if that's what you're shooting with, and they can be used on you camera for TTL or manual flash. Neither of them will produce a iTTL solution, which is the latter day CLS of Nikon: Creative Lighting System.

So if you might upgrade ( in the future) to a D70, D200 or later, then both of these would be a good investment.

When or if you do decide to step your camera game up, The SB800 can do more for you ( read more options) with off camera flash.

If you are not going to upgrade cameras, then an older flash like the SB26/28 would perhaps be a cheaper solution.

Art Scott

if the 800 is an ebay purchase you can always get a square trade warranty for it.....after starting the HOT SHOE DIARIES by Scott Kelby....I believe I would opt for the 800.....but I started off my venture in NIKONLAND, this time around, with the SB900............so even for me the
SB800 seems like the better way to go.........

NewEraChild

First off, it's been a while since I've upgraded that user profile for dgrin, so my current setup is:

Nikon D200
Nikkor 50mm 1.4AF
Tamron 20-35mm F2.8
Tamron 70-200mm F2.8

So Eketelon, I have taken into account the idea that I can individually replace parts if something like a fuse or replaceable electrical circuit goes.

Angevin1, I do have the D200 as you can see, and I have used an SB800 with my Nikon D200 before on loan and I definitely appreciated the speed and power of the SB800. It worked out well for the night time sports photography I was doing at the time. Now, though, I am mostly interested in having a strobe for shooting while inside in low lighting places.

I'm leaning towards the SB800, but just the idea of having a warranty, like Eketelon said is a nice thing too.

Wil Davis

NewEraChild wrote:

Hey everybody,

So I need a little help with deciding whether or not it's a better idea to buy a new SB600, which will have a warranty and all that, for $220. OR if it's a deal to get a used SB800 with all of the box parts and manual and everything for $250, but the warranty is expired.

Is there a history of SB800s malfunctioning after 3 years? The SB800 was purchased in July 2006.

Any advice would be appreciated!
-JR

I have both, and I love them. I would go with the SB800 like a shot; $250 is a bargain, and quite honestly, how often have you ever needed to use a warranty? (…I mean, it's a Nikon, not a bloody Chrysler )

Go for the SB800!

- Wil

BTW - Welcome to Digital Grin…

NewEraChild

Wil Davis wrote:

I have both, and I love them. I would go with the SB800 like a shot; $250 is a bargain, and quite honestly, how often have you ever needed to use a warranty? (…I mean, it's a Nikon, not a bloody Chrysler )

Go for the SB800!

- Wil

BTW - Welcome to Digital Grin…

I think you're right Wil, I'm going to go ahead and go with the SB800 and take my chances. Here's to hoping it will work out!

Qarik

NewEraChild wrote:

Hey everybody,

So I need a little help with deciding whether or not it's a better idea to buy a new SB600, which will have a warranty and all that, for $220. OR if it's a deal to get a used SB800 with all of the box parts and manual and everything for $250, but the warranty is expired.

Is there a history of SB800s malfunctioning after 3 years? The SB800 was purchased in July 2006.

Any advice would be appreciated!
-JR

I have had both..sb800 would be the choice for me

brianb

Most used SB-800's I've seen lately are $320+. A couple years ago I got a used SB-600, but the price difference then (used) was $140 (600) vs $250+ (800). If you're only talking $30 difference between the two, new or not, get the SB-800, its a no brainer.

Brian

cbbr

One of the big selling points on the sb800 for me is the ability to use an sd8a battery pack and the 5th battery to shorten the recycle times.

Scott_Quier

Playing the Devil's advocate here, do you know anything of the history of the SB-800? Has it be well cared for? Had it been force-cycled using a battery pack?

NewEraChild

i went ahead and bought the sb800 last night. very happy with it so far, just looking forward to the next opportunity to use it. =]

as far as the history goes, i don't believe a battery pack was used.

thanks everyone for your questions/comments, they helped me make my decision!