Reading mode: Light Dark

SB-400 lack of a swivel head - what to do?

Go to last post
V

Vito_F

Well-known member
Messages
191
Reaction score
11
Location
North Andover, MA, US
Hi,

Interested in the SB-400 but am concerned that since it doesn't swivel the bounce feature will be lost when the camera is turned on its side for portrait mode.

This seems to be a serious limitation to me - what can be done to compensate and are there 3rd party flashes that are 100% compatible with the d40?

Thanks

Vito
 
--
ToeKnee44 (aka Tony)
'The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue
happiness. You have to catch it yourself.' Benjamin Franklin
 
Vito_F said:
Hi,

Interested in the SB-400 but am concerned that since it doesn't
swivel the bounce feature will be lost when the camera is turned on
its side for portrait mode.

This seems to be a serious limitation to me - what can be done to
compensate and are there 3rd party flashes that are 100% compatible
with the d40?

Thanks

Vito
Click to expand...
Why even look at the 400? Go for the 600 or the 600 and your troubles are gone. Simple as that.
--

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - ' Wow! What a ride!'

 
I agree with both Toe and Bill. Go with the SB-600. It gives you a lot more flexability for a small amount of money.

--
-Jarrod

Pro Desk Manager
Don's Photo



Esplanade Riel pedestrian bridge
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
D50
30mm
F/8
20 Sec.
 
This unit does bounce.

The flash tilts 90 degree upwards.
Perhaps you can go to your local photo store and check it out..
 
Swivel the head up, turn the camera sideways, and you've got side bounce instead of top bounce. Sure, you don't have as much flexibility (you can't do top bounce with a portrait-oriented shot, or side bounce with a landscape-oriented shot), but it works pretty nicely.

Here's an example of side bounce using my SB-400 from a while ago:

 
careytilden said:
Here's an example of side bounce using my SB-400 from a while ago:
Click to expand...
sure but you can't point it behind you, or up and to the side...

or up and behind you.



(and yes, I only have a limited amount of pics that I post)

--
http://www.andrewthomasdesigns.com

in other news, it depresses me when I think about what some people have done in the world, and here I am sitting on my butt talking about digital cameras... There are more important things I could be doing, and there are more important thigns going on in the world. Too bad we can't take all this energy and apply it to something useful.
 
SB-400's primary advantage is that it is a small and compact flash. Some have suggested that SB-600 is heavy (especially on lighter DSLRs like the D40) so even though it has vertical bouncing, it may not suit your needs if space is an issue for you.

You can also use a bounce card with the SB-400:



Also, how much guide power would you want your flash to have? If not too much, then SB-400 might be for you. Otherwise, you should get a SB-600
 
I was really looking for a couple of things:

1) is there any type of attachment that could direct the 400 flash above the subject when the camera is in portrait; and

2) are there other (less expensive than the Nikon) 3rd party flashes that take advanyage of Nikon's technology and are 100% compatible?

Heavensgate - thanks for the photo of your bounce card. That was kind of what I was looking for but I would have to direct light to the ceiling when the camera is turned on its side. Using the wall as a bounce locaion doesn't work for me as well as the ceiling.

For the sake of conversation, I tend to take many more "people" shots, in portrait. That said, the popularity of the SB-400 confused me a bit as I would think having a non-swivel camera is a limitation and maybe someone had a nice attachment that could assist.

If not an option, then the "obvious" choice would be to go with a higher priced Nikon flash that swivels. The "not-so-obvious" suggestions would include compatible 3rd party flashes - what I had hoped to learn from this group.

Thanks

Vito
 
Wouldn't it be great if someone made an iTTL hotshoe attachment similar to the the Nikon SC-28 sync cord, but instead of having the remote shoe attached to a cord, it would sit directly on top of the mounting adapter, attached by a metal pin so that it could swivel. THAT would be a great solution to the D40 swivel problem and could probably be produced to sell at $40 or less. If only there was enough demand for it...
Vito_F said:
I was really looking for a couple of things:

1) is there any type of attachment that could direct the 400 flash
above the subject when the camera is in portrait; and

2) are there other (less expensive than the Nikon) 3rd party
flashes that take advanyage of Nikon's technology and are 100%
compatible?

Heavensgate - thanks for the photo of your bounce card. That was
kind of what I was looking for but I would have to direct light to
the ceiling when the camera is turned on its side. Using the wall
as a bounce locaion doesn't work for me as well as the ceiling.

For the sake of conversation, I tend to take many more "people"
shots, in portrait. That said, the popularity of the SB-400
confused me a bit as I would think having a non-swivel camera is a
limitation and maybe someone had a nice attachment that could
assist.

If not an option, then the "obvious" choice would be to go with a
higher priced Nikon flash that swivels. The "not-so-obvious"
suggestions would include compatible 3rd party flashes - what I had
hoped to learn from this group.

Thanks

Vito
Click to expand...
 
Oh and as to the OP's wish for a "cheaper" flash than the SB600 - you should realize that it's an incredible bargain at $200 considering its features and power. Saving a (very) few bucks on the Sigma defintely seems liek a case of penny wise, pound foolish.

The lure of the SB400 to me is the size - much more convenient than the SB600. I would actually use it at my kid's school events, where I usually leave my SB600 home because of its bulk.
Hank Wolfe said:
Vito_F said:
I was really looking for a couple of things:

1) is there any type of attachment that could direct the 400 flash
above the subject when the camera is in portrait; and

2) are there other (less expensive than the Nikon) 3rd party
flashes that take advanyage of Nikon's technology and are 100%
compatible?

Heavensgate - thanks for the photo of your bounce card. That was
kind of what I was looking for but I would have to direct light to
the ceiling when the camera is turned on its side. Using the wall
as a bounce locaion doesn't work for me as well as the ceiling.

For the sake of conversation, I tend to take many more "people"
shots, in portrait. That said, the popularity of the SB-400
confused me a bit as I would think having a non-swivel camera is a
limitation and maybe someone had a nice attachment that could
assist.

If not an option, then the "obvious" choice would be to go with a
higher priced Nikon flash that swivels. The "not-so-obvious"
suggestions would include compatible 3rd party flashes - what I had
hoped to learn from this group.

Thanks

Vito
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Put it at the end of an SC-17 or SC-28 cord. Then you can aim it any way you want and still maintain full i-ttl contact.
 
Vito_F wrote:
[snip]
Vito_F said:
1) is there any type of attachment that could direct the 400 flash
above the subject when the camera is in portrait; and
Click to expand...
Haven't seen anything yet.
Vito_F said:
2) are there other (less expensive than the Nikon) 3rd party
flashes that take advanyage of Nikon's technology and are 100%
compatible?
Click to expand...
The very latest Sigma flash units are supposed to be, but (generally speaking) people who have them don't seem to be overly happy with them. Certainly not like SB600 owners.

The SB600 is only about $50 more than the SB400 isn't it?
Vito_F said:
For the sake of conversation, I tend to take many more "people"
shots, in portrait. That said, the popularity of the SB-400
confused me a bit as I would think having a non-swivel camera is a
limitation and maybe someone had a nice attachment that could
assist.
Click to expand...
I agree that it's a limitation. I have used the swivel capability on my SB600/800 units a lot when on- and off-camera.

larsbc
 
larsbc said:
The SB600 is only about $50 more than the SB400 isn't it?
Click to expand...
There's quite a difference here, cheapest I could find the SB400 was £66 and the cheapest I could find the SB600 was £140

Some of it will come down to how much you're going to use it, and how flush you're feeling financially. The main reason I've bought a DSLR is because my first child is due in september and I want a chance at taking decent photos. The D40 kit has cost me £270 I'm not spending half again on a flash, it's not a high enough priority when there's car seats, buggies and cots to buy.
 
i also have the d40 and sb400 (cost and weight being critical to me)...

here's what I do. i frame everything in landscape and then back off with my feet or with a wider-angle to leave enough room to crop the picture into a portriat aspect ratio later.

sloppy, i know, but it works.
 
squirrelz said:
larsbc said:
The SB600 is only about $50 more than the SB400 isn't it?
Click to expand...
There's quite a difference here, cheapest I could find the SB400
was £66 and the cheapest I could find the SB600 was £140
Click to expand...
Very true.
squirrelz said:
Some of it will come down to how much you're going to use it, and
how flush you're feeling financially. The main reason I've bought a
DSLR is because my first child is due in september and I want a
chance at taking decent photos. The D40 kit has cost me £270 I'm
not spending half again on a flash, it's not a high enough priority
when there's car seats, buggies and cots to buy.
Click to expand...
Yeah, have you priced strollers yet? Man, they're expensive!!! On the other hand, a good stroller makes life so much easier, too.

Congratulations on your upcoming child. We've got two (3.5 yrs old, 1.5 yrs old) and I've had a ball with them.

I strongly recommend reading this book: http://www.amazon.com/Photograph-Your-Baby-Nick-Kelsh/dp/1556708955

It provides excellent tips for how to best photograph your child without getting bogged down in technical details. Lighting is something that is very, very important but the author shows you how to get good lighting without spending money on expensive gear. A very practical and effective book. Most of the example shots (if not all) were taken by friends of the author after they were taught the techniques and the cameras used were (film) P&S cameras.

larsbc
 
I have the SB600 on my D40 and I've gotten used to it, very good decision on my part I might add. Plus you can take advantage of the cheap and highly effective better bounce card which I get good results with.
 
i dare anyone to tell the difference between a 4x6 portrait style that was cropped from a full landscape jpeg

David
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top