SB-600 or SB-800 for Nikon D50

[dw75209]

Hello,

I have Nikon D50 and I am tyring to deciede to buy either the SB-600 or SB-800. Would the SB-800 be over kill for my D50 or would I be ok going with SB-600.

Don

[PeteQ]

Do some searching here. This has been discussed a few times. Here is one thread talking about the differences between the two and why most lean towards the 800.

SB-800 v. SB-600

[david seale]

heres a pretty good link too http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/sb600vs800.htm

you know, i was in the same boat as you a while back. i almost wish i would have went with the 800 only because of one thing. the d50s flash can not act as a trigger for an off camera flash. so, if you wanted to have a flash located off the camera, say to the side, you HAVE to have a sb800 or su800 on the d50 in order for it to trigger that other flash. but will you ever need that? maybe not. but i would have liked to have left that door open... well, i guess its still not closed. i hope im right with all that info

in the end, im still very happy with the sb600.

[dlbdata]

I agree with David, Ken Rockwell does have a good sensible, readable review of the 2 units.

[Wes]

OMG! Someone on this board had something good to say about Ken Rockwell!

*Porsche faints*

Seriously, I'll agree with the posters above. I have the SB-600 but wish I would have bought the 800. I never thought I'd be doing much off-camera flash stuff (my D70 pop-up does it), but there are some other off-camera stuff that the 800 does that I would like to experiment with but can't.

[amadjuster]

Seriously, I'll agree with the posters above. I have the SB-600 but wish I would have bought the 800. I never thought I'd be doing much off-camera flash stuff (my D70 pop-up does it), but there are some other off-camera stuff that the 800 does that I would like to experiment with but can't.[/quote]
I can use my SB-600 off camera by setting the Commander in the Flash format in my D200 and it is also supposed to work with the D70. The flash fires wirelessly for free! Ken Rockwell has a segment on how to set this up. By the way, what is wrong with Ken Rockwell?

[PeteQ]

Ken has been known to "review" items he has never used....

[Wes]

David - I read Ken's instructions on how to set up the off-camera SB-600. It worked like a charm.

[PeteQ]

In a nutshell here are most of the major differences, the 800 can:
1. Act as a commander for three groups on any of four channels and the 600 cannot act as commander.
2. Be used as a simple slaved remote that fires when it "see" any flash. Just like a studio flash unit with a photo-slave. 600 cannot.
3. Recycle faster and continue to work longer as it has an auxiliary battery that comes with it.
4. Be used with Pocket Wizards as it has a external trigger port built in.
5. It's more powerful.

It's worth the extra $$$. I bought a 600 and wish I hadn't. I ended up buying two additional 800's and now my 600 rarely gets used. Only if I need three lights in a set-up because it cannot "back-up" an 800 because of the commander mode. Once you start playing with the CLS you will use it often.

[dw75209]

Thanks everyone for there replies, I guess i will save my money and buy the SB-800 for both now and future investment. If anyone is instrested the SB-600 is on sale. I hope that is ok to post the like for the sale.

Don

[simon]

Originally Posted by dlbdata

I agree with David, Ken Rockwell does have a good sensible, readable review of the 2 units.

Sensible my ass. He's completely dismissive of the advantages that the SB-800 has, and worse, words things in such a way as to suggest that if you don't agree then you are an idiot.

This isn't anywhere near the worst of his `reviewing' (sigh... unfortunately), but it is hardly an unbiased review. There is some useful information on that page though, so long as you pretty much ignore Ken's commentary it is ok.

[dw75209]

Originally Posted by dw75209

Thanks everyone for there replies, I guess i will save my money and buy the SB-800 for both now and future investment.
Don

I order the SB-800 yesterday for $327.09 and it is should be here on Monday. Thanks again everyone for the input.

Don

[Mandy]

So how do you like the SB-800 so far? I just got mine last Friday and I'm already in love.

[kamari]

sheesh. I just bought a 600 from circuit city 6 days ago...you guys are making me ponder hard about suffering the 15% restocking fee only to pay another $125 additional to get the 800. I walked in Circuit City with intentions on buying a $699 D50 last Thursday...I walked out spending $1290 on camera & accessories, and another $350 the following day on a 70-300mm. *sigh* someone should have warned me this would get expensive.

[mcphotography]

wecome to the club Kamari...it only gets more expensive from here