External Flash/ SB 700... thoughts? Others?

bcarlson87

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I'm continuing my research into external flashes and hoping to settle on one within the next couple weeks.

I currently have my eye on the Nikon SB 700 (averaging about $350). Does anyone have any experience with this flash..pro's/con's to the SB 700.

I also thought about the SB 910 but i'm so new to externals I dont know if that would be a good idea (dropping $550 for a flash i have no idea how to use?)
That's why I keep going back to the SB 700.

However, my other thought process was getting something not Nikon. Any thoughts with none Nikon external Flashes?

Any feedback would be very appreciated! I look forward to hearing back!
THANKS!!!!

I currently have:
Nikon d5100 Camera
Nikon d3100 Camera
Nikon 18mm-55mm Lens
Nikon 55mm-200mm Lens
Sigma 70mm-300mm Lens
 
The Yongnuo speedlights are generally well regarded, as are Metz, but I'm personally a proponent of having at least one 'first-party' speedlight. Have you looked around for a used SB900? They're actually going quite reasonably and are an excellent unit as long as you don't plan on firing full-power pops as fast as it can recharge 'til the batteries die.
 
I also support the notion of getting an OEM flash for your first flash as you know it's fully compatible.
My first flash was a SB-600 which I replaced with a SB-700.

Since then I've added 2 SB-800s

and recently a Yongnuo 560ex for backdrop lighting. After some fiddling, the 560ex worked great initially .. but now it's not shooting as a SU-800 controlled remote for some reason. I've double, tripled, quad checked the settings ... these are the instances you'll like the OEMs.

The newer menu/control design of the SB-700 also makes it my ON camera flash of choice above the SB-800s.

I couldn't stomach the 910's price either.
 
FYI .. I just found out the problem with my Yongnuo 550ex.
I use a Nikon SU-800 remote commander. It uses IR - InfraRed to communicate
The 550ex is limited to about 8 feet away Line Of Sight !! (with minimal light in the room)
Whereas I could put a SB-800 15 feet away partially around a corner .. and much further if in-line of sight, even with the sensor not facing the camera commander. I've never had a problem with my Nikon flashes in my home studio-ish setup.

The distance was better using the on-camera flash as the initiator but I didn't want that.

So, if you plan on using Yongnuos throughout, I recommend getting their Radio triggers too. At some point you'll probably want RF triggers anyways ... I'm just trying to avoid that for as long as possible.
 
I do agree a OEM is a good first flash as mine was, the SB600.

But I just got the Meike mk-910 and it is pretty much a knock off SB-910 for a 1/4 of the price and so far I don't have any complaints.

But yeah, the SB700 will serve you well and is a well regarded flash.
 
I have two SB600's, and just purchased a SB700. I was really eyeing the 910, but all the reviews seemed to favor the 700. I'll let you know what I think when it comes in tomorrow!

Cheers!
Jake
 
I do agree a OEM is a good first flash as mine was, the SB600.

But I just got the Meike mk-910 and it is pretty much a knock off SB-910 for a 1/4 of the price and so far I don't have any complaints.

But yeah, the SB700 will serve you well and is a well regarded flash.

I looked into that Meike after CoastalConn got it
BUt I found some not so good things about it .. so I opted for the Yungnuo.
I can't recall the user reviews I found now as I've deleted my log of them But it certainly "looks" identical.

I've had zero issues with my 3 Nikons other than user error.
 
Just got my SB700 yesterday, and I already love it. It's light years ahead of the 600, and is big enough to where I think the 910 would have been TOO big.


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