Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras - Old Version by Nikon
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Digital camera reviews of Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras - Old Version
Digital camera Review: Good flash, unimpressive build quality, some quirks
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm a professional photographer and have three of these (one that's four years old, the others are much more recent). I quite like these versatile and powerful flash units. But rather than repeating the thumbs-up comments that all the other reviewers have already left, and in the interest of "keeping it real," here are a few cons.
* Build quality is so-so. It's not as outrageously flimsy as the way-overpriced SD-8A external battery pack that I usually pair with these flashes, but neither does the SB-800 inspire the confidence that Nikon's pro bodies and pro lenses do.
* After using the single-pin flash terminal on the side of the SB-800 about 100 times, the thin metal sheath around the center pin worked itself loose from my older unit. The flash (now out of warranty) has to be sent in for repair.
* It's a puzzling and annoying oversight that there are no battery indicators on any of Nikon's modern flash units. Even the just-announced SB-900, which will retail for close to $500, lacks that feature, despite the fact that Nikon has had about FIVE YEARS (since the release of the SB-800) to correct that obvious shortcoming.
* The other thing that makes me curse the SB-800 under my breath at times is that it has no proper on-off switch. It has a recessed power button instead that's not exactly the height of responsiveness. If the flash is off-camera and in sleep mode, you can't just turn it off. You have to wake it up from sleep first by pressing the power button, then let go, then press the button again in order to eventually power the unit off. It wastes precious seconds -- and at a wedding, seconds really count. An actual switch like on the cheapo SB-400 would be much, much better (quicker).
* Other parts of the user interface are just as inadequate. The flash settings are considerably harder to change with the controls on the back of the unit than they ought to be -- the menus leave a lot to be desired. It's not as bad as with the even more confusing SB-600, and with patience you can figure it all out, but 'intuitive' is hardly the word here... I know half a dozen photographers who will be buying a SB-900 unit for its supposedly improved interface alone.
* Nikon cautions users against using the flash too intensely. They want you to take no more than 10 to 15 flash shots in quick succession at full power. After that, you're supposed to let the flash cool off for 10 minutes. <sarcasm> Yeah, that'll work if you're shooting an event -- just go on a ten-minute coffeebreak every time you've fired the flash a dozen times rapidly. </sarcasm>
Don't get me wrong: The built-in wireless capabilities of both the SB-600 and SB-800 are tremendous, and the SB-800 is a really useful, powerful and (mostly) dependable performer. But the "perfect" flash, as some have anointed it -- nice thought, but no.
Digital camera Review: Good thing
Summary: 4 Stars
Good functionality, everything in place.
Good recharging time, but I would like it to be a faster when working with less than half load.
Digital camera Review: Great Flash
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent piece of equipment - for most Nikon shooters, this should be their first choice for a flash.
If you're doing anything but shooting family snaps, you'll have use for this piece of equipment and once you do you'll know why it's a required piece for Nikon shooting pros. Expensive, but worth it if you intend to grow as a photographer. Other reviewers have done an excellent job outlining the details of why you might want this flash.
3 caveats -
- This is the most sophisticated piece of photo equipment I've ever owned (and I've owned professional Norman units back in the film days). You'll need to do more than just read the manual to get the most out of this unit. Check out some of the Joe McNally tutorials at Kelby Training online or the wealth of stuff at Strobist.
- As soon as you watch those tutorials, you'll want more than one SB-800!! That's right - these things are like potato chips - you can't have just one!
- It's big, and when using all 5 batteries, is heavy, although not as big or as expensive as the new SB-900. In other words, once you own more than one of these, you'll need a new camera bag too.
Digital camera Review: Great Flash
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm not going to write a long technical review on this unit. That's been done already. I just want to chime in and say that I love this unit. It's been very reliable and just a dream. I bought mine just before the SB-900 came out, so with any luck I'll be able to pick up a couple more SB-800's from the early upgraders.Digital camera Review: Great Flash
Summary: 5 Stars
Three great features of this SB800 Flash:
1. Very Powerful and with the standard diffuser which is part of the unit can produce enough light for very wide angle lens. Great for indoor photos if you want to show what the house looks like.
2. Can be used as a slave unit in its remote mode, being triggered by the camera built-in flash (without a cable). When the camera built-in flash on my D70S is set to the "Commander" mode the flash communicates with the camera through the lens to provide proper lighting for the subject.
3. Even though the flash set-up is quite complicated, Nikon service provided via telephone is out of this world. You can always get to talk to a Nikon representative within minutes and the guys know what they are talking about and take you with great patience through every step necessary and make sure you do what you need to properly. Other manufacturers can learn from Nikon what goog customer service is all about.
And about Amazon - The purchase arrived on the day promised, nicely packed. I have been recommending Amazon to all my friend and will be a repeated customer for sure.
Thanks Amazon.com