Nikon SB-600 Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Let me start out by saying that I am an AMATEUR photographer. I had a point and shoot that was so slow that all the pictures of my four year old daughter were just shots of a small, human shaped, blur. She just doesn't sit still long enough for the camera to cycle. So I did some research and decided that a DSLR was the cure to my blur. I ended up purchasing the Nikon D50. It is a great entry to mid level camera that can allow you to do things that professionals are doing with higher end cameras. The one issue I had with the camera was that the built in flash when needed, wasn't cutting it (a problem I am told with all built in flashes on DSLRs). The pictures while consistently clear, crisp, and still way better than pictures from my point and shoot, were still lacking the brilliance of a picture taken outside on a perfect, picture taking day. That sounds kind of corny I know; but, I couldn't think of any other way to get my point across. So I purchased the SB-600. This flash is a great add on flash with a built in diffuser that stores in the flash housing and flips out when you need it. The flash head is hinged and swiveled so you can angle it anywhere that you want. It has an abundance of controls and adjustments that can let you customize your settings if you so choose. If you experiment with the settings so much that the flash starts misbehaving (I have), you can reset the flash back to factory settings at the push of two buttons. The flash can be triggered remotely (via IR signal using D70 and more advanced cameras but not with D50) meaning that it does not have to be mounted in the hot shoe of the camera. I am still experimenting with it; but, after reading the manual about three or four times (I've discovered photography is an art form that requires a scientific approach. I've got the science part but I am still lacking in the art department.) and finding other informative literature elsewhere (the net and talented friends), I am actually starting to take really good pictures. The settings on the flash allow you to get very creative with some interesting, illumination results. The cycle time on the flash is very quick. I am actually able to take three or four pictures in quick succession and the flash fires every time. I am now able to capture my daughter and see her as clear as if she were standing in front of me actually taking a second to stop and talk to me. Bottom line... It is a very good flash. UPDATE: December 10...The flash is still working fine. The rubber that covers the flash head tilt release on the side of the flash came off. I was able to easily reattach it with a small amount of contact cement. Good as new! *UPDATE* 7/18/24: I still have the flash and I use it regularly. This thing was built to last!

Though the price has inexplicably gone up $30 since I bought it two months ago (just in time for the holidays, I guess), the SB-600 is probably one of the best photography purchases I've made. Though there are some good off-brand flashes out there, to be sure, a dedicated Nikon speedlight is surely the best choice for a Nikon camera. After researching the available options, I chose the SB-600. The SB-800 is too expensive for the very few extra features it offers over the SB-600 (for like 95% of photographers). Similarly, the SB-900 is, for me, just complete overkill. (Landing a small airplane is easier than sorting out how to use that speedlight.) The SB-600 is a complex flash as far as its capabilities, but with only six buttons on the back, fairly straightforward in its use, especially for its basic functions. To me, the best points are its total compatibility with Nikon cameras, autofocus zoom capability, the ability to bounce the flash, and best of all, to use the flash in an off-camera wireless configuration for excellent creative lighting control. This last point isn't true with all Nikon cameras, but for the upper range of digital SLRs, it is. For camera bodies which do not have built-in wireless commander control, you must purchase a small device to attach to the camera (this is for the consumer-level cameras, like the D3100 and D5100). Like most photographers, I would virtually never set up a lighting system using three SB-600s/800s/900s. I would use a pro-grade studio lighting system (at half the cost) that would give me much more flexibility and real-world applicability. For this reason, since I don't need to use the strobe as a master, I opted for the 600 rather than the 800. For a professional, sure... I'd probably get the SB-900 and spend two weeks learning how to use it, but since I don't make my living taking photos, there's a cost/benefit analysis involved, and for me, the SB-600 is all the flash I need. Recycle time is good, and the lighting results are spot-on. If you don't plan to use the wireless capabilities of the SB-600, you can probably get away with the SB-400 for half the price. However, I like the two-axis (bounce and rotate) adjustability of the flash head on the SB-600, while the SB-400 only offers one (bounce).

I bought this to go with my Nikon D40 to learn more with flash photography. I was considering the sb-400 first but I though about the difference in price and what the actual difference in result would be. I am glad I spend the money on this over the smaller one. Being able to control the light power in the steps it does gives good control over.It gives great light for indoor party photos and out doors for off camera flash. It is not too heavy on a D40. If you have a 55-200mm vr lens, it is balanced nice. The NIKON D40 flash will not trigger this!! You need an optical slave or a remote unit or a ttl cable for remote triggering. It is easy to use straight out of the box. Put in your batteries, turn it on and attach to the camera and you are ready to go. Then you can read the manual and find out about the custom settings that you can use. So far, it seems to be ok on batteries. I managed to take about 400 photos while messing around with it and there was no sign of a low battery light. I left it for a few days though and came back, turned it on and it was making funny noises. I recharged the batteries and it was back to normal, so it was a power issue. I bought a set of remote triggers also to use with this for off camera flash and it is a great set up for the price. If you are thinking about the sb-800, I would consider saving the money and getting one of these instead, unless you need the extras. I cant say anything bad about it yet, but then again I am not that experienced. Some gels and a white card would be nice if they came with it though.

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Konnte das SB600 direkt mit dem Metz AF 44i an meiner D80 vergleichen. Von der Ausleuchtung sind beide gut, allerdings sind die Bilder mit dem Nikon etwas ausgeglichener Belichtet. Von der Blitzfolge sind beide Blitzgeräte fast identisch, minimal ist das SB600 besser. Sehr gut ist, das das SB600 in alle Richtungen schwenk- und neigbar ist. Diese Möglichkeit bietet das Metz nicht, nur neigbar. Das Display des Nikon ist wesentlich klarer, beleuchtet und es bietet mehr Einstellungen als das Metz. Weitere große Vorteile: 1.Streuscheibe - damit werden die Bilder wesentlich weicher und besser Ausgeleuchtet. 2.Kabellos blitzen, als Slave-Blitz lässt sich das SB600 paralell zum internen oder eines weiteren aufgesteckten Blitzgerätes betreiben. Dazu wird ein sicherer Standfuß mitgeliefert. 3.Eine Tasche wird mitgeliefert, indem Blitzgerät und Standfuß Platz finden. Eine Tasche wird beim Metz nicht mitgeliefert. Fazit: Teurer als das Metz, allerdings in der Praxis mit der individuellen Schwenk und Neigbarkeit des Blitzgerätes wesentlich besser. Qualitativ sehr gut verarbeitet mit Metall-Blitzschuh und Fixierungshebel der schnell und leicht bedienbar ist. Ist den Mehrpreis auf jeden Fall wert.

Tiene EVIDENTES signos de uso, pero no lo voy a devolver porqué funciona correctamente. Me llegó en una funda GODOX, y sin el pie (o soporte) que ponía en el anuncio que incluía... Lo que si que diré es que me parece un precio bastante alto por un flash que no está impecable, flashes como este los he visto en Wallapop por bastante menos dinero...

Talks to my Nikon P1000 and gives brilliant results.