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: Great flash
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the features the SB-800 has that the SB-600 does not is Auto-Aperture. It has a sensor on the flash that can detect reflected flash in order to achieve proper exposure. I'm sure that in complex setups i-TTL is more accurate, but in informal testing it achieved the same results. Why is this important to me? No preflash! My wife has an extremely quick blink reflex that results in closed eyes when I use a preflash. Flash exposure lock is one solution, but my D40 doesn't support it. Even on cameras that do, it is an extra step to take a picture, and some people see the preflash and think you've already taken the picture.
The SB-800 also has a diffusion dome, gels, an optical slave, a little more power, and several other useful features that the SB-600 doesn't.
On the downside, the manual is really long. While the flash having lots of capabilities is good, it means figuring out how to do something can take a while. Read and practice before trying to take crucial shots.
Overall, I love this flash. Highly recommended.
Digital camera Review: Great flash, but the manual needs work
Summary: 4 Stars
Very nice flash. I have had it for about 1 week and have tested it indoors and outdoors. I can immediately tell the difference in the photos - particularly indoors. Red-eye has been eliminated and the ability to bounce the light off the ceiling really gives an interesting ambience to the pictures. It is quick and the display is easy to follow.
I have a Nikon D80 and the built-in flash was not giving me very good pictures in my house (we have a lot of intense can lights which give a 'spotlight' effect, but also cast harsh shadows on people's faces). Also, most of the time I am trying to take pix of two young boys (under the age of 5). Challenging lighting and subjects that will not sit still make for difficult photographs, hence the need for a DSLR and, ultimately, the Speedlight. This flash has been great - charges quickly and doesn't seem to blind the kids. That is important.
Only two complaints:
1) It is heavy. I'm not used to using a DSLR or external flashes, so it does take some getting used to. (I was always using a pocket sized point and shoot camera prior to upgrading)
2) The manual is confusing. I tried reading it page-by-page for a few nights but that was useless. Instead I just started taking lots of pix and experimented indoors and outdoors. The flash unit itself is pretty intuitive to use and now I only refer to the manual when I have a question. I would have given this 4 stars if the manual was more helpful.
Bottom line: I'd recommend it to anyone. Definitely worth the money and the improvement in my photographs.
Digital camera Review: Great flash..... but
Summary: 4 Stars
I won't repeat what many other reviews have already said, other than the flash is great... its ueber powerful...great built in features...slave capable...and yes, you probably want to read the manual if you are not familar with how to use a powerful flash on flesh tones. I use this flash typically with bounce when in doors. It creates some great natural-looking lighting when the real thing is not available.
HOWEVER, on more than one occasion I have used the 5th battery pack for faster recharge times during high usage events (think: awards banquet), only to find that after about 20 minutes my recharge time has slowed down anyways. I've then opened the battery compartment only to find that my Lithium Energizer batteries looked like they were about to explode from their contact ends! They were literally bubbled out. This has happened on more than one occasion using numerous different packs of batteries. So I have to assume that they weren't 'bad' batteries. Perhaps I received a faulty unit... but I figured it would be safer to send out a warning. Again, this has only happened when using the 5th battery pack...which is supposed to give the unit more voltage to allow it to recharge faster.
Digital camera Review: Great speedlight for many situations
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been amazed at the intelligence built into this flash. I have a Nikon D80, so everything programatically synchronizes. The lens knows when I am zooming in on a subject and adjust the focus of the light. I have only played a bit with the bounce feature, but have been very pleased with it for the limited time I have had it.Digital camera Review: High Quality External Flash Unit
Summary: 5 Stars
I opened the box loaded the batteries slide the shoe into place, turned the unit on and began shooting. I snapped the light dispersion cap on for individual photos and to soften the effects of the flash. This is a very professional flash unit.