Picking the right flash

[igloopants]

What components am I looking at in picking a flash?

I have a D90 but want to have a mounted flash.

I'll be doing a variety of shooting: portraits; inside and on location, event photography and anything else I can shoot really..

Is there a good all-round flash? Or am I really needing to work out what I'm 'specialising' in?

 

[zeto88]

Sb-600. ;D

 

[chip]

SB-600 is probably the best match for a D90.

 

[burnws6]

Except the SB600 sucks balls. Unless you're going to keep the flash on camera and take paparazzi pictures with horrible lighting, invest in the 800. Although overpriced it fits your description. Since you're going to do portrait, I'm sure you would like to take your flash off camera at one point or another. You could get other cheaper flashes but you'll have to worry about sync issues and frying your camera. Do some research.

 

[Dominantly]

This is super easy....

Well, here is the list:

SB-600 $245
SB-900 $460

Decide on how much you want to spend, and pick one. You can go wrong either way.

 

[jnm]

SB600, works off camera with the D90 commander mode.

 

[Dominantly]

Except the SB600 sucks balls. Unless you're going to keep the flash on camera and take paparazzi pictures with horrible lighting, invest in the 800. Although overpriced it fits your description. Since you're going to do portrait, I'm sure you would like to take your flash off camera at one point or another. You could get other cheaper flashes but you'll have to worry about sync issues and frying your camera. Do some research.

Whats wrong with using the SB-600 off camera?

 

[jnm]

Except the SB600 sucks balls. Unless you're going to keep the flash on camera and take paparazzi pictures with horrible lighting, invest in the 800. Although overpriced it fits your description. Since you're going to do portrait, I'm sure you would like to take your flash off camera at one point or another. You could get other cheaper flashes but you'll have to worry about sync issues and frying your camera. Do some research.

Whats wrong with using the SB-600 off camera?

im guessing he doesnt realize it works with commander mode.

 

[burnws6]

SB600, works off camera with the D90 commander mode.

yeah, in a pitch black 4x6 closet.

sb-600 was my first flash. And yes commander mode could be used if you're shooting indoors. But commander mode will not be dependable at allllll if you use it outside in daylight.

 

[Dominantly]

Assuming you are shooting in light bright enough to trick the flash, wouldn't you be using the flash on camera to get rid of raccoon eyes anyways, if at all?


I've never had a problem with Commander mode and firing a SB-600. The D90 will also fire multiple SB-600's in commander mode groups.

 

[igloopants]

Why would you use a flash outside in the day?

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

To fill in shadows.

 

[burnws6]

Assuming you are shooting in light bright enough to trick the flash, wouldn't you be using the flash on camera to get rid of raccoon eyes anyways, if at all?


I've never had a problem with Commander mode and firing a SB-600. The D90 will also fire multiple SB-600's in commander mode groups.

No I wouldn't. I just had a shoot Friday where it was 4:30ish. I had my sb600 in umbrella camera left. Tried it without my PW, didn't work. Don't know if it was the distance or amount of light. But it didn't fire.

Why would you use a flash outside in the day?

Oh god.

 

[burnws6]

To fill in shadows.

Don't forget overpowering the sun.



I don't know if I'm biased and it's just my taste of things. But I wouldn't get the sb800 either, because they're just too expensive. But I'm not the biggest fan of the 600

 

[igloopants]

Ease up, I'm a newbie