SB-80DX and the D100

Just bought a D100 and I need some advice about a flash for it. The SB-80DX seems like the way to go, but I need to know if there are others that are better for the money or better performance for like money. I expect to use it for indoor events with fluorescent bulbs like weddings and indoor concerts.

Thanks,
Sky

sky collins said:

Just bought a D100 and I need some advice about a flash for it. The
SB-80DX seems like the way to go, but I need to know if there are
others that are better for the money or better performance for like
money. I expect to use it for indoor events with fluorescent bulbs
like weddings and indoor concerts.

Click to expand...

I am curious as well. I have the SB-80 but have been curious if there are better options. I did just notice that there may be a SB-800 coming out...leaked on the Nikon SLR forum...but it may not be compatible. It shows to be able to do wireless remote flash. That would be the way to go...but you may have to trade in your D100.

--
Drew
http://www.pbase.com/lokerd

Drew's got a good point. Nikon's new product release is only a few days away. It might be worth waiting to see what features the SB-800 has. The SB-80 is Nikon's current top-of-the line, but it sounds like that is about to change.

I'd be shocked if the new SB-800 only works with the soon-to-be-released cameras like the D2h. That wouldn't make sense for Nikon. They couldn't sell enough flashes to justify the development cost if they did that.

If you need more power, you might look at the Quantum qflash. Quantum apparently now sells a module that supports DTTL with Nikon's D series bodies. Those units are pricey, however, and have power like studio lights. It might be overkill for your application.

If you're going to shoot under florescent light, look into a gel filter that color corrects your flash to more closely match the color of the florescent. Then you can set your camera to florescent WB and shoot away. Otherwise, the parts of your picture lit by the flash will look normal, and everything else will look a sickly green. Sorry if I'm stating the obvious.

Duncan C
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Drew Loker said:

sky collins said:

Just bought a D100 and I need some advice about a flash for it. The
SB-80DX seems like the way to go, but I need to know if there are
others that are better for the money or better performance for like
money. I expect to use it for indoor events with fluorescent bulbs
like weddings and indoor concerts.

Click to expand...

I am curious as well. I have the SB-80 but have been curious if
there are better options. I did just notice that there may be a
SB-800 coming out...leaked on the Nikon SLR forum...but it may not
be compatible. It shows to be able to do wireless remote flash.
That would be the way to go...but you may have to trade in your
D100.

--
Drew
http://www.pbase.com/lokerd

Click to expand...

--
dpreview and PBase supporter.



http://www.pbase.com/duncanc

After buying a D100 and SB50DX earlier this year, on one of my trips back to the photo store, I mentioned that I had discovered the D-TTL/pre-flash problem when slaving flashes. This was just before the photoshow and my store contact said he'd ask Nikon reps about it. Following the show, the store rep said that he was informed at the Nikon 'party' (how wild that must be) that Nikon would be releasing a new flash 'in the fall' which would correct the problem. Maybe they were referring to this new strobe (sorry, I'm old; strobe = flash)??

Kevin

Drew Loker said:

sky collins said:

Just bought a D100 and I need some advice about a flash for it. The
SB-80DX seems like the way to go, but I need to know if there are
others that are better for the money or better performance for like
money. I expect to use it for indoor events with fluorescent bulbs
like weddings and indoor concerts.

Click to expand...

I am curious as well. I have the SB-80 but have been curious if
there are better options. I did just notice that there may be a
SB-800 coming out...leaked on the Nikon SLR forum...but it may not
be compatible. It shows to be able to do wireless remote flash.
That would be the way to go...but you may have to trade in your
D100.

--
Drew
http://www.pbase.com/lokerd

Click to expand...

Kevin,

The new SB-800 must be what they were talking about. This new flash is supposed to support wireless multi-head TTL. From what I can gather, though, it will only work if you have more than one SB-800. I bet these won't be cheap, either.

Duncan C
-------

Kevin54 said:

Kevin

Drew Loker said:

sky collins said:

Just bought a D100 and I need some advice about a flash for it. The
SB-80DX seems like the way to go, but I need to know if there are
others that are better for the money or better performance for like
money. I expect to use it for indoor events with fluorescent bulbs
like weddings and indoor concerts.

Click to expand...

I am curious as well. I have the SB-80 but have been curious if
there are better options. I did just notice that there may be a
SB-800 coming out...leaked on the Nikon SLR forum...but it may not
be compatible. It shows to be able to do wireless remote flash.
That would be the way to go...but you may have to trade in your
D100.

--
Drew
http://www.pbase.com/lokerd

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
dpreview and PBase supporter.



http://www.pbase.com/duncanc

While the SB-800 looks like a sweet multiflash setup for a pro, it will likely cost as much/more as a location lighting setup. So we'll see how that shakes out.

The SB-80DX is the only real flash choice for the D100 is you want something you can:

Get batteries for (even in a pinch)
Upgrade to more power with a digital camera battery pack

In short, with the rebate, you can't go wrong.

--
Equipment Listed in Profile

Chris Patterson said:

While the SB-800 looks like a sweet multiflash setup for a pro, it
will likely cost as much/more as a location lighting setup. So
we'll see how that shakes out.

The SB-80DX is the only real flash choice for the D100 is you want
something you can:

Get batteries for (even in a pinch)
Upgrade to more power with a digital camera battery pack

In short, with the rebate, you can't go wrong.

--
Equipment Listed in Profile

Click to expand...

I've had the DZ80 and the D100 combo for 6 months or so and find it to be sweet. I waited months and months to buy the 12-24mm lens, so I wouldn't wait for the 800, might be way out there. With the 12-24mm and the 80 with the wide angle diffuser in place, I can get close to large groups and set on aperature priority, it's usually on the money. If you have patience and some disposable income, I'd wait for the d2h. Wireless digital seems to be science fiction....no more being tethered to my laptop in the field.
Jeff

I have been using the Metz 54 mz4....its much better than the sb80dx. In my personal opinion.

I felt the dx80 was a little underpowered, that it didn't have "reach".

I started using my Metz 54MZ-3 Flash set to manual. It has a secondary reflector that fires at 25% power. I used it with the secondary reflector on anf the main flash head at 45 degrees with a metz bounce card.
It worked great.

The 54MZ-4 Flash (just came out $400.00 @ B&H) supports DTTL preflash. I've been using it with great success.

I sold my SB80 on ebay...I have another $299 if you want it!

Eric Fernandes
http://www.rowesphotography.com

sky collins said:

Just bought a D100 and I need some advice about a flash for it. The
SB-80DX seems like the way to go, but I need to know if there are
others that are better for the money or better performance for like
money. I expect to use it for indoor events with fluorescent bulbs
like weddings and indoor concerts.

Thanks,
Sky

Click to expand...