Noob Speedlight question

[Stradawhovious]

It's time for more toys!!!! I'm looking to get into a speedlight for my D7000, and really don't know much about them. In the limited research I have done, it seems that the Nikon SB-600 will be a good fit for someone that is terminally amateur.

Is that one a safe bet, or am I going to run into issues down the road where spending the extra money on the SB-900 would be justifiable? It seems that the SB-600 would be more than adequate, but since my experience with off camera flash couldn't fill a thimble, I thought I'd ask you folks.

Thanks!

 

[Big Mike]

I'd say that yes, the SB-600 would be a good choice.

 

[Light Artisan]

You could always get the newer SB-700, but the SB-600 should be a good choice as well - it's a solid flash unit. You could also look into the Nissin line.

 

[KmH]

Like most camera gear, it depends to a large degree how you intend to use it.

The SB-600 is pretty basic.

• It doesn't have a built-in bounce card.
• It doesn't have a sync cord port
• It doesn't have an external power jack
• It doesn't have Commander mode
• It can only zoom to 85 mm.

Many are getting better strobed light results by getting the speedlight off of the camera (off-camera-flash, OCF).
Your D7000 has CLS, Commander mode, so OCF is redily available to you. CLS is an optical infrared system and is limited to line-of-sight, and loses range, or may not function at all, if used in direct sunlight.

 

[Geaux]

It's time for more toys!!!!

Thanks!

Dude you must be made of money lol, you just bought the d7000 less than a week ago

I have the sb600 and love it, but if you got the funds ... go big! lol.

With the commander mode of d7k, sb600 should be fine for what'd you'd probably use it for.

 

[Stradawhovious]

It's time for more toys!!!!

Thanks!

Dude you must be made of money lol,

Not even a little bit. I'm made of "Two years interest free" financing from Best Buy, and will have it paid off long before the deadline. Besides, the SB-600 is onlt $200, and if I look hard enough, Id bet I can find one for close to half that used.......

ETA..... Wait a minute........ That's not you, is it Mom?

With the commander mode of d7k, sb600 should be fine for what'd you'd probably use it for.

That's my understanding of the situation. It is also my understanding that in the event that I do find a different, higher model flash more suitable there will still be a place for the sb-600 to be used in conjunction with the others. Right now its just for highlights outdoors, and friends and family at gatherings and holidays.