hey photographers (joesys...)

eclaires

So I'm thinking of getting a speedlight for my camera.  I have a nikon d80...

do any of you have any recommendations?  suggestions on what I should read up on before I buy?

joseysbride

Since this is sort of addressed to me, here is my very professional opinion...ask on the photography board.

I don't own a speedlight and have no desire to ever own one.  I've only used one twice in my life for shooting weddings (reception), and had borrowed it from a friend.

shopgirl78

I have the D90 and a the 600 speed lite thingy...(I can't remember the name but they come in 400, 600, and 800, i believe, my mind is shot from PMS) anywho, the range is 80 ft.  I push that ever year at DD's recital (seriously where we sit must be exactly 80ish feet because sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, when DD was stage right (further away) = not at all)  and its the ONLY time I use it!

camrude

I've had the SB-600 since 2007. I used it with my D50 and now my D90. It has served me well. I think there is the 700 and 900 now. I know there are cheaper ones, but I love having the full head positioning. It takes some time to get a feel for it. I use it less now because my D90 can handle noise a lot better than my D50 did. If you get one, also get a diffuser of some sort.

eclaires

thanks, joseys and shopgirl!

I'm not sure how much I'd use it, but it seems like it'd be nice to have around because the lighting in our house can be kind of hit or miss, and OMG, if I ever take pictures at my ILs - which I do a lot at holidays - it is so flipping dark in there!  It drives me nuts.  

eclaires

thanks camrude!

the sb-600 is what my dad's friend recommended to me, but that was a few years ago and I saw that the 700 and 900 appeared to be newer.

shopgirl78

eclaires:

thanks, joseys and shopgirl!

I'm not sure how much I'd use it, but it seems like it'd be nice to have around because the lighting in our house can be kind of hit or miss, and OMG, if I ever take pictures at my ILs - which I do a lot at holidays - it is so flipping dark in there!  It drives me nuts.  

Our house is dark too but I find it creates too much light = more, bigger shawdows!  But I'll admit, I don't know how to use it that well!  I learned by trial and error and the internet : )

If I didn't have it, I would have NO pictures from DD's recitals and that alone makes it worth it too me.  (I don't think my BFF even takes pictures at her recitals due to the same issue, she never uses flash either). 

eclaires

I imagine the same thing will happen with me, shopgirl!  I'll get it, get frustrated with how to use it...

but seriously, I hate all of my pics from Christmas because of how god awful the lighting is in my ILs' house.  at least if I had a flash, I might like some of them...

good point on recitals - we have no pics from Jackson's Christmas program because of this too.

j-w

I have a D90 and the SB600.  AWESOME purchase!  My house is so dark and it takes just wonderful pics!  Here is one straight out of the camera:

 

eclaires

he is so flippin' cute, j*w!  I love his pants...Jackson has the same pair but in the other color!

 

j-w

Thanks!  They are my very favorite pants.  He had the gray last year.  He pulls them out to wear them all the time.  I have to admit he kind of excels at picking out outfits...that one was all him.  lol

r9stedt

I *think* the sb600 has been discontinued.   I think it has been replaced with the sb700.  

You want something that swivels-- so don't do the sb400. (I think).



At least that is what I have heard.  I don't have anything.  ha!