K_Pugh
No longer a newbie, moving up!
If you just want something for a little fill on portraits from time to time the SB-400 will be just ok I think, the main feature over the on-camera flash is you can bounce it, but not tilt it.. which is limiting. [if you're shooting portraits in vertical position, as you'd likely do, you could bounce the flash off a reflector i suppose... i believe the SB-400 is iTTL so it should set itself up pretty nicely most of the time]
I would say the SB-400 is probably most use indoors where you can bounce the light off a white ceiling.
If you do a lot of portraits i'd highly recommend investing a little extra and buying an SB-600. More power, faster recycle times, much much more functionality, bounce & tilt, zoom.. Get it off camera, on a stand, with a simple light modifier and you'll be over the moon with the results over what you would be getting with a SB-400 or the likes.
Don't be afraid to spend a little extra on flash.. they really are worth spending money on. It will change the way you shoot, a lot, and generally it's for the better, too.
I would say the SB-400 is probably most use indoors where you can bounce the light off a white ceiling.
If you do a lot of portraits i'd highly recommend investing a little extra and buying an SB-600. More power, faster recycle times, much much more functionality, bounce & tilt, zoom.. Get it off camera, on a stand, with a simple light modifier and you'll be over the moon with the results over what you would be getting with a SB-400 or the likes.
Don't be afraid to spend a little extra on flash.. they really are worth spending money on. It will change the way you shoot, a lot, and generally it's for the better, too.