Thoughts on Nikon SB-600

benlonghair · Jul 29, 2009

Hi everyone, looking for thoughts on my next piece of gear. I'm having a great time with my D60. I find myself looking at lots of gear porn (so to speak).

The limitations I've run into so far is the fact that both my lenses are kinda slow. The way I see it, there's two ways to handle this limitation: buy faster glass or buy a speedlight. A flash unit seems to be the most cost effective solution.

Now the real queston is which one to get. I'm looking at a SB-600 on craigslist (yes, I will check it out before I buy). The SB-900 is way out of my price range plus has features I'd probably never use. Ths SB-400 seem like it's missing some features that I would use.

Any thoughts on these flashes?

SrBiscuit · Jul 29, 2009

i really enjoy my sb600, but i am SURE i am not using it to it's full potential.
it's so nice to be able to dial down the outpur, and angle the head to suit your needs. (not that you cant do that with a 3rd party flash).
a sync cable makes it fun to take it off cam and experiment with that.

like i said, i know theres more that can be done with it that im not doing (im a lighting noob). im sure a real strobist will chime in a reccomend the 600.

JerryPH · Jul 29, 2009

I own two SB-600s. I use them mostly as off camera flashes, sometimes triggered by CLS, sometimes by remote wireless triggers, sometimes even doubled up in a softbox.

Great little workhorse flash, I like it a lot. It is NOT a commander, though, you need the SB-800 or SB-900 for that. CLS is something that after I discovered it and how to use it, said... "how did I ever do without it???". Don't discount the SB-900.

KNOWLEDGE, though, is more important than fast glass or good light... and, if you pair them up, you have incredible options suddenly made available to you and your pictures will NEVER look the same.

benlonghair · Jul 29, 2009

I know it's not a commander, but that's not a huge deal to me. If I end up needing a command, I'll just use the 600 as the slave. But that's down the road.

I'm well aware that I don't know the first thing about flash photography. It's gonna be a little bit of a learning curve. But I'll figure it out.

And what's CLS?

PhotoXopher · Jul 29, 2009

I've got both the SB400 and a couple SB600's... I find that the SB400 is on my camera more often because of it's size and what I need it for.

I use my SB600's off camera mostly.

CLS: Creative Lighting System (Nikon thing).

JerryPH · Jul 29, 2009

benlonghair said:
I know it's not a commander, but that's not a huge deal to me. If I end up needing a command, I'll just use the 600 as the slave. But that's down the road.

You cannot do that a commander flash is needed, and it cannot be a SB-600. If you ever plan on doing this (90% of people who have Nikon eventually do), then save a bit longer for the SB-900 now and get the SB-600 later.

CLS is where an on camera SB-800 or SB-900 control remote SB 600s wirelessly. Read THIS to learn more about CLS. It's quite the tool!

benlonghair · Jul 29, 2009

So the 800 or 900 won't control a 600?

PhotoXopher · Jul 29, 2009

800 and 900 will control a 600.

benlonghair · Jul 29, 2009

Ok ya, that's what I was saying. When and if I find myself needing an off camera flash, I'll look into having a 800 or 900 on camera and keep the 600 as the off camera. Is this a poor plan?

JerryPH · Jul 29, 2009

Meh... for you, maybe not... for me, yeah, its not a good plan. If all you are is an amateur with no aspirations of getting serious about your photography and/or lighting, nothing wrong with getting just a SB-600.

My thinking is that there are 2 things in photography you buy ONCE and get the best of... lenses and lighting.

The SB-900 is stronger, has better light control and higher zoom. It has a commander mode for other SB-600-800-900 speedlights. I would rather go without for a while longer and get the best, rather than settle for second best.

That said, as I mentioned, I have 2 SB-600s... but they came well after I bought my SB-800 plus I also trigger them using Pocket Wizards when greatest range is needed.

In the configuration above, I have them in a 28" softbox, triggered via CLS.

Josh220 · Jul 29, 2009

I like my SB-600 but I plan on getting an SB-900 when I need to get serious with lighting. I'll probably grab a 2nd SB-600 as well to use as an extra slave.

Joves · Jul 29, 2009

I have one and love it. It does what it needs to do when I need it to. Considering I dont do the studio or, pro thing it is all I need at the moment.

IgsEMT · Jul 29, 2009

look around for used sb800.

Jay M · Jul 30, 2009

I just got the SB-600 for use with my D90. I had searched for a used flash and couldn't find any good deals. The SB-600 was $218 shipped from amazon.

The D90 and some other newer Nikons with a built in flash can trigger the SB-600.
If you search, specifically here: Strobist you can find some great advice and comparisons.

Off camera lighting makes an enormous difference in picture quality. Even the ability to bounce an on camera flash is pretty huge.

I have often read that a good flash should be one of your first purchases.

~Jay

benhasajeep · Jul 30, 2009

I have 3 SB-600's and they are getting a pretty good workout. As for having the flash off camera. Remember you can always get a SC cord (no fancy wireless needed). Being able to bounce the flash helps lighting. Moving the flash from right above the lens helps even more. Getting a SB-600 now is not a waste of money. It's a capable flash and will help you improve your pictures.