Smallest TTL flash for Nikon Z

Hello

I would like to have the smallest possible travel kit for my Nikon Z7/
I use the 26mm pancake lens attached to the Z7 and a SB400 as a fill flash or for macro

Is there a smaller flash that allows TTL operation on a Nikon Z ?

I have currently a Fuji X100VI for my small travel kit, and the integrated flash is one of its strong points

Thanks in advance
Guy

grrr101 said:

Hello

I would like to have the smallest possible travel kit for my Nikon Z7/
I use the 26mm pancake lens attached to the Z7 and a SB400 as a fill flash or for macro

Is there a smaller flash that allows TTL operation on a Nikon Z ?

I have currently a Fuji X100VI for my small travel kit, and the integrated flash is one of its strong points

Thanks in advance
Guy

Click to expand...

SB-400 is probably the best you're gonna get in terms of reliability; most 3rd party flashes can be pretty flaky on build quality and reliability ime. You can probably get a tiny non-TTL flash that would work; you'd probably be limited to manual control mind. I had a really nice little Meike MK320 unit; was more flexible than the SB-400 (had a swivel as well as bounce head) but wasn't ever the most reliable in terms of connection, and doesn't work on my newer Z cameras lime the Z50ii andZ8. I'd play it safe and stick with the SB-400.

I have the Nikon SB-400 and the SB-300 (as well as some of the larger Nikon units). Neither is what I'd call a system workhorse like the larger flashes, and are both pretty limited in what they can do. I usually like the sb-400 as a travel unit for my z7, and the sb-300 on my ZFC. The sb-400 as you know uses 2 AA cells, the sb-300 2 AAA cells, so longer recycle and shorter battery life. But it's truly tiny. Ken Rockwell has a review on the sb-300 and the sb-400, so that might be a good starting point for you so the link is below. I use the 300/400 series for daylight balanced fill flash. If the flash is going to be the main light for an extended session and especially at a distance, there's really no substitute for the larger flashes. Many people recommend the godox flash units, I've never used one.

Hal Wilson said:

grrr101 said:

Hello

I would like to have the smallest possible travel kit for my Nikon Z7/
I use the 26mm pancake lens attached to the Z7 and a SB400 as a fill flash or for macro

Is there a smaller flash that allows TTL operation on a Nikon Z ?

I have currently a Fuji X100VI for my small travel kit, and the integrated flash is one of its strong points

Thanks in advance
Guy

Click to expand...

SB-400 is probably the best you're gonna get in terms of reliability; most 3rd party flashes can be pretty flaky on build quality and reliability ime. You can probably get a tiny non-TTL flash that would work; you'd probably be limited to manual control mind. I had a really nice little Meike MK320 unit; was more flexible than the SB-400 (had a swivel as well as bounce head) but wasn't ever the most reliable in terms of connection, and doesn't work on my newer Z cameras lime the Z50ii andZ8. I'd play it safe and stick with the SB-400.

Click to expand...

That's what I would say. There's also the even smaller SB-300, but that one is extremely hard to find.
Godox has some mini flashes (the iM-20 and iM-30), but those are manual flashes, no TTL.

I have the sb 500 which is quite compact and I take with me when travelling. Happy with it.

You're not going to beat the Nikon SB-400 Speedlight that you already own. I carry the tiny Nikon SB-300 for fill flash when needed.

--
Bill
Nikon since 1969

I have an older Sunpak RD2000. It uses two AA batteries, has TTL and tilts. There is exposure compensation adjustment.

I think way back I paid under $100

grrr101 said:

Hello

I would like to have the smallest possible travel kit for my Nikon Z7/
I use the 26mm pancake lens attached to the Z7 and a SB400 as a fill flash or for macro

Is there a smaller flash that allows TTL operation on a Nikon Z ?

I have currently a Fuji X100VI for my small travel kit, and the integrated flash is one of its strong points

Thanks in advance
Guy

Click to expand...

Godox TT350N, I have four of them. RF control of/by other Godox flash units/triggers, AA battery, high speed sync, full Nikon Z i-TTL compatibility, bounce/swivel, compact, <$100.

Frankie J said:

grrr101 said:

Hello

I would like to have the smallest possible travel kit for my Nikon Z7/
I use the 26mm pancake lens attached to the Z7 and a SB400 as a fill flash or for macro

Is there a smaller flash that allows TTL operation on a Nikon Z ?

I have currently a Fuji X100VI for my small travel kit, and the integrated flash is one of its strong points

Thanks in advance
Guy

Click to expand...

Godox TT350N, I have four of them. RF control of/by other Godox flash units/triggers, AA battery, high speed sync, full Nikon Z i-TTL compatibility, bounce/swivel, compact, <$100.

Click to expand...

I also have one of these and the V350 version.

grrr101 said:

Hello

I would like to have the smallest possible travel kit for my Nikon Z7/
I use the 26mm pancake lens attached to the Z7 and a SB400 as a fill flash or for macro

Is there a smaller flash that allows TTL operation on a Nikon Z ?

Click to expand...

I'm not really aware of a smaller flash that is currently still in production. If you have the SB-400 and size is your main priority than I would stick with it. If you were hoping to get something with a few more features I would go with the Godox TT350 or V350. But while small, I believe it's a little larger than the SB-400.

First, thanks to all for the info and advice

So the only **possibly** better solution (for smallest size and occasional use as fill flash) is the SB-300 which has its drawbacks.

It is possible to find it 2nd hand here in Europe at 120-124 Euros/$$. I may give it a chance, otherwise I will safely continue with the SB-400

Regards
Guy

I owned and used the SB-400 on a previous camera before the SB-300 that I now have, and I think the SB-400 was the better unit, but both do the job for fill flash.

Not the smallest possible but the sb500 is a nice unit with moderate speed ( GN 14 ), a swivel head and it can be controlled via the in camera menus as ( if you want ) commander mode.

It’s what I use on camera on my z6. Balances nicely.

I prefer a TTL unit cos it’s faster to get a shot - you can always tweak output / add diffuser etc etc if you have time.

Not had a lot of luck with small non oem units except GODOX