Need a flash suggestion

Wander

I would like to get a flash to work with my D70s and F4s and be able to work with a full frame DSLR when I can save up the $$. My use is pretty basic-I'm not a pro and my photo subject matter is mostly landscape, outdoors and people/family. So I don't need on of the big ticket flashes. I'd like to stay with Nikon but I'm open to others if it is what I'm looking for. Here's the kicker, I'd like to keep it under $200.00-I don't mind buying used. So SB 26 or 28?

InsuredDisaster

Go on ebay and look for SB-600's. You can get them for under $200. I bought 4 on ebay a while back. While maybe one of the others work well, I've used mine on all of my DSLR's and my FM2. I tried a couple of shots on the F4 but I haven't had those developed yet. One was on full manual with the settings copied from my D700 test shot, the other was on Auto TTL Mode. Later if you do decide to spend some more more money, add an SB-800 (or 900) and then over time you can build up a great wireless flash system.

I haven't used any of the other flashes, but I might look for something F4 era, just to use all period equipment.

glockman99

Get an SB-800 (with the 5th battery adapter) if you need more power and a quicker recycle-time than the SB-600 has. I have both, and the SB-800 worked fantastic with a wedding I shot last month (with my Nikon D200).

Art Scott

Seymore wrote: »

On the 26/28, I think you'll have to push totally manual, if they even work at all. I don't remember... been so long since I played w/a D70 and the SB-28..

My worry about the SB26/28 is that they might have WAAAAY too much trigger voltage..as they are quite old....didn't they come out at the end of the film era......i believe I was looking at the those 2 flashes when I got my F70 from Europe and decided to to just another sunpak for less money...........

So make dang sure that any older flash has less than 6v of trigger volotage or get a Wein Safe Sync to keep from frying your camera.....................

InsuredDisaster

Art Scott wrote: »

My worry about the SB26/28 is that they might have WAAAAY too much trigger voltage..as they are quite old....didn't they come out at the end of the film era......i believe I was looking at the those 2 flashes when I got my F70 from Europe and decided to to just another sunpak for less money...........

So make dang sure that any older flash has less than 6v of trigger volotage or get a Wein Safe Sync to keep from frying your camera.....................

I seem to recall somewhere that Nikon's stuff is pretty backwards and forwards compatible, unlike other brands. A benefit of sticking to the same brand, especially if you are going to start running around and snapping up F4's. To make sure, I whipped out my D70 manual, and the manual has listed all of the flashes as usable on the D70:

(Note, not every flash works with every feature, but here are the ones listed.)

SB-20,
SB-16B, SB-15
SB-80DX, SB-28DX,
SB-28, SB-26,
SB-25, SB-24
SB-50DX, SB-23,
SB-29 , SB-21B , SB-29S 2
SB-30, SB-27 , SB-
22S, SB-22,

The SB-28 and 26 will work in Non-TTL Auto, so it might allow you some functionality, but I wouldn't suggest using them unless you want to use vintage equipment, or are planning to start building up an off camera manual flash collection.

Art Scott

That is good.

Zerodog

SB 600 can be had for under 200. And they come up for sale all the time. The best part is it works with the Nikon CLS system. So when you upgrade your body later you are ready to rock for off camera flash setups. The SB 600 is little but it is a killer flash.

Wander

Thanks for the advice. It sounds like the 600 or 800 would offer the most function for both bodies and have room to grow.