What is the major difference between the Nikon SB600 and SB800 flashes?

[keblerelf11]

I just got the SB600 for my D50 and D70s camera, and I have been told by more then one person that I should have gotten the SB800 instead. So my next question was why, and they gave me a bunch of tecnho babble that I just don't have enough experience to understand yet. What is the practical reasons to get the SB800 instead of the SB600. The guy at the camera store told me unless I was getting into some complicated wireless flash setups, I wouldn't need the 800, but then another photographer I talked to recently said that it will make working with multiple flashes, regardless of wired or wireless a ton simpler with the 800. Is the 600 that bad Should I return it and spend the extra $120 on the SB800 I just need someone to put it in terms of practical use for someone that loves to shot landscapes, pictures of my family and others, and sports when I get the chance. Thanks everyone.

[cyclohexane]

The SB-800 has more flash modes: AutoAperture, Aperture, Guide Number, Repeat... though the only ones I find especially useful is AutoAperture (AA) and regular Aperture (A). I found GN mode to be somewhat cumbersome to set, and RPT doesn't do too much for me (and I don't think I've ever gotten it to work quite right). AA works pretty well, but i-TTL is close enough in most use, IMHO.

The SB-800 has a slightly higher guide number (flash farther). The SB-800 works as a master to control wireless flashes (but you don't need this, according to your post). The SB-800 comes with some gels, diffuser, and pull-out bounce card (can all be remedied cheaply). The SB-800 has the fifth battery holder (faster recyle time), and can also be connected to external battery packs (even faster recycle time) and sync cords (doesn't apply because your cameras don't have sync ports).

The SB-800 gives you more room to grow, but if you don't see any faults with the SB-600 for your use, then I'd just keep the $120.

[rootrider]

for most people the extra cost of the sb800 over the sb600 isn't worth the few extra features you get. For others its a necessity. Personally I'm planning on picking up a couple sb600's, and then possibly getting an sb800 later on.. it's not like the sb600's will become useless during that time

[SullivanImagery]

I originally picked up the SB600. I loved it and it really helped me in learning how to use light. It's a fantastic flash and very feature rich. I had it for a couple months and, while helping a friend shoot at a wedding it stopped firing. It was obviously still under warranty so I sent it back to Nikon and, whiel it was away I picked up an SB800, intending to return it once my SB600 was back. After using for a couple weeks and getting to play with the wireless features that the SB800 has* I decided to keep them both.

It's quite handy to be able to light off camera with the SB600 and fire it with the commander mode on the SB800.

All in all I was able to produce great images with both flashes so if the features that the SB600 has are suitable for your needs then it's a good decision to purchase that and perhaps use the remaining cash on a bracket and maybe a good reflector.

Cheers!

Anthony

[TIM]

For ignorant me, will someone please give me some more info on the wireless features of the SB800?

[cyclohexane]

I'm rather busy at the moment, but here's a demo on Nikon's site to get you started:

http://www.nikondigital.com/speedlig...ight/index.htm

At first I wasn't too impressed, but in practice it impresses me more and more as I use it. While Nikon's Creative Lighting System won't replace dedicated studio strobes, Pocket Wizards, and the like, they do a good job in a pinch and give full TTL capabilities even off camera.

[drichi]

I have the 600. I don't need other units, and rarely use everything the 600 offers. I don't do a lot of flash photography. When I do, if possible, I use better lighting equipment than a flash.

I know that many claim the 800, with its multicolored filters, extra wireless capability, and significant extra cost is so much better than the 600. I would say that unless you use a flash often and extensively, you will rarely need the 800. I have done just fine with the 600 and have never heard anything that would convince me to buy a 800 over a 600. I suspect if you don't understand all the supposed benefits of the 800, you don't need it.

Even the salesman refrained from pushing the higher cost 800 in favor of the 600. That would tell me something,

[cyclohexane]

I know that many claim the 800, with its multicolored filters, extra wireless capability, and significant extra cost is so much better than the 600. I would say that unless you use a flash often and extensively, you will rarely need the 800.

The gels aren't much (for 1 cent, B&H will send you the Rosco sample book, which has many more gels to use). The wireless capability is, IMHO, a great asset for moving the speedlights around when you can't carry better lighting equipment than flash. I know I can't haul anything nicer around, as I'm mostly limited to what I can keep on me and move with, so I like the fact that I can control other i-TTL/CLS speedlights using my SB-800's. For me personally, flash is becoming a big part of what I do, and I definitely appreciate all the little benefits of the 800.

Even the salesman refrained from pushing the higher cost 800 in favor of the 600. That would tell me something,

Probably that he makes more money selling you the 600 than the 800.

[Nikonfreak]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

The gels aren't much (for 1 cent, B&H will send you the Rosco sample book, which has many more gels to use). The wireless capability is, IMHO, a great asset for moving the speedlights around when you can't carry better lighting equipment than flash. I know I can't haul anything nicer around, as I'm mostly limited to what I can keep on me and move with, so I like the fact that I can control other i-TTL/CLS speedlights using my SB-800's. For me personally, flash is becoming a big part of what I do, and I definitely appreciate all the little benefits of the 800.

Probably that he makes more money selling you the 600 than the 800.

LOL. Yes those two gels you get with the SB 800 aren't really going to do much for you. You get Tungsten and Flourescent gels.

B&H has another set that you can buy separately that is a Nikon set if you don't wish to cut your own out of a roll of gel sheet. (already cut and sized for your SB800. It'll run you about $20 and you also get a few colored gels.

The manual that comes with the SB800 is semi-worthless. Look for an after market guide.

"A" mode for me is the most useful ... I also keep finding that i TTL isn't as reliable exposure wise as expected. Of course, there are those that argue that TTL itself is not reliable at all.

Julio

[cyclohexane]

Of course, there are those that argue that TTL itself is not reliable at all.

I'd be one of them. We've come a long way... back since the days of the F5. Sure, film TTL wasn't exactly the best thing in the world either, but at least it could adjust for other flashes firing while your shutter's open.

That said, I've managed to rig my cameras to fire i-TTL pretty consistently; it involves spot metering and careful placement of the spot metering point. Center-weighted, and especially Matrix, still leave something to be desired for i-TTL.