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pavetim

 

Joined: Sat Jun 18th, 2016
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Im by far a pro and honestly i have no clue the difference in a $300 Nikon flash and a $80 Ebay flash. Can somebody recommend a low price flash and kind of explain the difference in the $300 and $80 ones?

Robert



Joined: Mon Apr 2nd, 2012
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The $300 flashes are more complicated but tend to 'just work' on the default settings, especially the likes of the Nikon Speedlight SB800/900 etc. The Nikon Speedlights communicate fully with the camera/lens and work seamlessly together. They usually have a long life and stand quite a bit of abuse.

The $80 eBay flashes usually work, for a while. Have fewer features which you may or may not need... And probably have lower output.

You can't expect a lot for a little $$!

I have two SB800's which I picked up second hand for a song and an SB28 which I got off of eBay years ago and it's still going strong.

If you go for used, check the battery compartment for battery leakage residue and scorched lens caused by the flash bulb getting too hot from continuous use. Otherwise used should be OK, they tend to either work or not, if you aren't going to use it every day then you don't need new, in my opinion.

jk



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I use a set of 3x SB800 units and a SB600 unit for location work.
I have a studio with four powerful studio flash packs. These allow me to control my lighting setup very well.

Iain



Joined: Fri Apr 6th, 2012
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If you want a cheap flash have a look at the Pixal flashguns, i bought on as I don't use flash much now but it does everything I want it reasonably built and at £70-80 good value.

Gilbert Sandberg

 

Joined: Tue Apr 17th, 2012
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P,
re: explain the difference
There is a huge difference in cost between making a no-name flash, sold over the internet without warranty and while stock lasts.
Nikon makes several flashes for most current camera's.
I may bet that producing the Nikon manual for a single model flash-unit alone has cost more then some copy-cat has spent designing his/hers far-east copy.
And that does not account for things like warranty and customer support.
Regards, Gilbert

Gilbert Sandberg

 

Joined: Tue Apr 17th, 2012
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P,
re: advise on low cost...
You may want to considfer a second-hand SB600 or 700 model from Nikon.
This does sacrifice some options/compatibility compared to the pro-oriented 800/900/910 etc models, but it may save you money.
Regards, Gilbert

pavetim

 

Joined: Sat Jun 18th, 2016
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Yes i git the "quality" part and yes i would love to get an sb800 or sb5000 but im not gonna use it much. I was looking at a used sb600 or an aperlite yh-700n. Any experience with those as they are same price about $100. The aperlite per the chart looks "better" than the sb600. With more iptions even unless i am missing something

jk



Joined: Mon Apr 2nd, 2012
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Get a SB600 is you dont want to spend the extra to get a SB800 but the SB800 is a much better unit IMHO.


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