D700 - sb600/sb800/sb900?

[dx379]

Guys,

Just about to pick up a D700 and was trying to decide between the 3 flashes.

The 600 is half the price of the other 2 flashes.

The 800 and 900 are the same price...

Which should I get?

Jonny

 

[kichu]

if you can afford it, get the 900, otherwise 800, otherwise 600

if size does matter get the 800 before 900

 

[Thorsten]

The one feature I like best about the SB900 is the physical knob it has to switch between on-camera use and remote use. That comes in very handy if you use CLS a lot. You can just take the flash off from the camera, pop-up the D700 flash to use as commander, then turn the knob on the SB900 and place it on a tripod, table or give it to somebody to hold. You'll get much nicer lighting from the side, without that deer-in-the-headlights effect that on-camera flash provides.

You can do the same with the SB800, but you need to fiddle with the menu to achieve it: hold down a button to get into the menu, then go to the remote option, then select the desired choice, then leave the menu, etc. It's a pain, especially if you are in a hurry.

 

[dx379]

Thank you everyone for your guidance. I went ahead and got the SB900

Regards,
Jonny

 

[Anthony747]

Thank you everyone for your guidance. I went ahead and got the SB900

Regards,
Jonny

Great choice!

 

[zivilyn861]

Thank you everyone for your guidance. I went ahead and got the SB900

Regards,
Jonny

Congrats, you won't regret it. I can't express how much easier it is to work with the SB-900 as a remote due to its better controls. Given, the extra second or two it takes to set the 800 and 600 isn't a deal-breaker, but you definitely notice a better flow with the 900.

 

[dx379]

Thank you guys for your response. I got the SB900 in, haven't used it yet but looking forward to it...

Jonny

 

[Anthony747]

Thank you guys for your response. I got the SB900 in, haven't used it yet but looking forward to it...

Jonny

What did it cost you?

 

[gadgetguy11]

SB900, no doubt. I also like an SB400 as a little walk around flash. Also bought Demb Flip it! for both.

 

[dx379]

What did it cost you?

I think about $465 from Calumet...

Jonny

 

[idleowen]

good choice.................but watch out for the thermal cutout..........!

 

[zivilyn861]

good choice.................but watch out for the thermal cutout..........!

He's getting a D700, so worst case he can flash the SB-900 with the new firmware (if it doesn't already have it). I personally have never run into the thermal cutoff (running old firmware), even after quite heavy use. Here's hoping you never see it.

 

[pampers37]

in same boat. sb900 it is!

 

[AdamJ]

I will post an opposing viewpoint, the SB-600 provides ~85% of the functionality of the SB-900 (or 800) for about 45% of the price.

The SB-600 is rated for a GN of 98 feet versus 131 feet for the SB-900 (or 125 feet for the SB-800).

I primarily use the SB-600 as a wireless slave and have no problems at all with the setup.

There is only one main feature of the SB-900 I wish I had on the SB-600 and that is the zoom. The SB-600 can zoom only to 85mm, while the SB-900 can zoom to 200mm creating a 'snoot' effect (without the need of an actual snoot).

For the price of a single SB-900, you can have 2 SB-600s with change left over, which using a D700 gives you a 3-light setup.

If your in the decision making process, I would seriously consider whether the value added in the more expensive flash is personally worthwhile.

 

[Mike66]

Would the SB-600 work with the D90 as a slave in a CLS setup? I have the SB-900, but am interested in buying one or two more flashes to take to the field.

 

[IsamuM]

Would the SB-600 work with the D90 as a slave in a CLS setup? I have the SB-900, but am interested in buying one or two more flashes to take to the field.

Yes, definitely as long as it is CLS.

 

[Mike66]

Yes, definitely as long as it is CLS.

Thanks! Most of what I will be shooting will be within ten meters, and likely within three meters, so the lower zoom range of the SB-600 is not a limitation for me.