ATTN: PROS - I NEED A NEW FLASH!

[dbphotos]

The biggest struggle I'm having is getting a flash that is powerful enough with a fast recycle rate that allows me to shoot rapidly.

I have a Nikon SB-50DX which is a nice lens for short range and non-rapid firing and I have a Sigma EF-500 DG ST which is a large flash but the TTL is horrible and the consistency of the power is unacceptable for what I want.

So, here's the question to all you pros... I would like a flash that offers distance (so I can use it with my 70-200 lens) and a rapid recycle time w/out having to lug around an external battery pack.

What do you use and do you like it? I'm willing to purchase the Nikon SB-800 AF but not sold that it will meet my requirements. Any help will be great appreciated!

[Badge]

I use the Nikon 800 and am very pleased with it. You can just use it on auto and picture after picture come out good. Crank up the power and take pictures 130 ft away at night. Batteries last a long time and it is light weight. After all the other flashes I have used this is the best.

[Will Raybourn]

I started with the sb-50dx, but soon moved up to the 80dx...not sure on the 800 since I have not used it, but it was the replacement for the 80dx. The main difference I know of it the 800 support iTTL, while the 80 only supports the dTTL. I'm still shooting with the D100, so the 80 is working very well for me. If you have a D70 or D2X, buy the SB800. If you are shooting a D100 or other "older" nikon digital, the sb-80 works and can be picked up for around 200.00 used.

Keep the sb-50 around though. It works fantastic with the IR cover on as a remote trigger for other nikon units set as slaves.

[jeffkohn]

The SB-800 recycles pretty quickly when using the fifth battery (which I always use, can't think of any reason not to). For balanced-fill the range of this flash is pretty impressive and in fill mode I can usually fire off a few continuous shots with flash unless I'm really pushing the range.

I don't know of there are any hotshoe flashes that are more powerful, but I think if you want signicantly more power and shorter recycle times than the SB-800 offers you're probably going to have to use a battery pack. (Which the SB-800 does support, I believe).

[Silvernic]

In the interest of money, I would recommend the 600 as opposed to the 800 if your going to be using only one flash. I have one and the recycle speed is great. With my D70 if I'm shooting and 1/4 power or less, then the camera can't overrun the flash. And even at full power I'm probably getting close to a flash per second.

[dbphotos]

OK, I bought it. Arlington Camera had the SB-800 for $329 and then Nikon has a $25 rebate, so the price was right. I'll play with it and hopefully I'll fall in love with it. THanks for all the feedback.