thinking of getting a ex. flash

[revaaron]

so, I'm thinking of getting an external flash so I can play with bouncing it off stuff. I would like to get a cheapish one like $100.

As I know nothing about flashes, there is a built-in autofocusing/IR thing in the flash, right? how does that work? how well do they work on the D100.
tia

 

[Moon]

I use a D1X, not a D100. But, if my understanding is correct, you will not get any ttl metering from any other flash except for the Nikon speedlights (SB50, SB28 or SB80 DX). That means you will have to do it manually. That means developing a good understanding of how flash power relates to aperture and/or shutter speed, etc.

Unfortunately, the Nikon speedlights are not cheap.

Good luck...

so, I'm thinking of getting an external flash so I can play with
bouncing it off stuff. I would like to get a cheapish one like
$100.

As I know nothing about flashes, there is a built-in
autofocusing/IR thing in the flash, right? how does that work? how
well do they work on the D100.
tia

--
-mike

 

[revaaron]

I was looking at the
sb-28 ~$200 on ebay.
sb-50 ~$130 on ebay.
sb-80 ~$300 on ebay.

so.. what are the pluses and minuses of each of these?

 

[Moon]

I was looking at the
sb-28 ~$200 on ebay.

Good unit. Had a few metering problems. Overexposed for some, underexposed for others, worked well for still others. Quality control perhaps. This one was supposed to be the 'proffessional' speedlight, to the sb50s 'amateur' status.

sb-50 ~$130 on ebay.

Excellent starter speedlight! If you can get it for $130.00, grab it with 2 hands. t is less powerful than than the 28 n 80 and is lacking some of the features (speed strobe, modeling light, etc.) but very good fi your not a pro or not looking for high power and super advanced features.

sb-80 ~$300 on ebay.

The latest 'flagship' speedlight for Nikon SLRs. I own this one. It is outstanding!! it was touted as a replacement or upgrade to the 28. It meters better and is slightly more powerful. It is fast, reliable, feature packed and over-priced ;-)

Make sure you are looking at the 'DX' versions of these units. The 80 only comes in DX, but I think the 50 and 28 have 2 versions. The DX versions are meant to meter with digital SLRs.

Sounds like the 50 is right up your alley. I highly recommend paying a little more for a flash that will not be a source of constant frustration (as could potentially be the case with a 3rd party unit).

(did not proof-read this post...pls disregard sp errors).

so.. what are the pluses and minuses of each of these?

--
-mike

 

[Shutzman]

One of the major drawbacks of the SB-50DX is that it's not using standard AA batteries, but the expensive disposable CRs which is about $5 a set. The 'cheap' $130 unit can cost you undreds more $$$ a year if you use it frequently. Only for that reason I am thinking about the SB-80DX (or a used 28DX).

I was looking at the
sb-28 ~$200 on ebay.

Good unit. Had a few metering problems. Overexposed for some,
underexposed for others, worked well for still others. Quality
control perhaps. This one was supposed to be the 'proffessional'
speedlight, to the sb50s 'amateur' status.

sb-50 ~$130 on ebay.

Excellent starter speedlight! If you can get it for $130.00, grab
it with 2 hands. t is less powerful than than the 28 n 80 and is
lacking some of the features (speed strobe, modeling light, etc.)
but very good fi your not a pro or not looking for high power and
super advanced features.

sb-80 ~$300 on ebay.

The latest 'flagship' speedlight for Nikon SLRs. I own this one. It
is outstanding!! it was touted as a replacement or upgrade to the
28. It meters better and is slightly more powerful. It is fast,
reliable, feature packed and over-priced ;-)

Make sure you are looking at the 'DX' versions of these units. The
80 only comes in DX, but I think the 50 and 28 have 2 versions. The
DX versions are meant to meter with digital SLRs.

Sounds like the 50 is right up your alley. I highly recommend
paying a little more for a flash that will not be a source of
constant frustration (as could potentially be the case with a 3rd
party unit).

(did not proof-read this post...pls disregard sp errors).

so.. what are the pluses and minuses of each of these?

--
-mike

 

[revaaron]

One of the major drawbacks of the SB-50DX is that it's not using
standard AA batteries, but the expensive disposable CRs which is
about $5 a set. The 'cheap' $130 unit can cost you undreds more $$$
a year if you use it frequently. Only for that reason I am thinking
about the SB-80DX (or a used 28DX).

what!?! that sounds almost criminal!

 

[Leif Olstrup]

One of the major drawbacks of the SB-50DX is that it's not using
standard AA batteries, but the expensive disposable CRs which is
about $5 a set. The 'cheap' $130 unit can cost you undreds more $$$
a year if you use it frequently. Only for that reason I am thinking
about the SB-80DX (or a used 28DX).

what!?! that sounds almost criminal!

If you can afford it at all, get the SB80DX. You will feel a sharp pain in the wallet, when the money changes hands in the camera shop, but you won't regret it after that.

A good flash lasts for years. Before getting the SB80DX, I used a 15 years old Metz CT45 and a 10 years old Nikon SB15. They still work fine. But the SB80DX is tailored to the Nikon D series (D1 series and D100).

 

[Moon]

I was looking at the
sb-28 ~$200 on ebay.

Good unit. Had a few metering problems. Overexposed for some,
underexposed for others, worked well for still others. Quality
control perhaps. This one was supposed to be the 'proffessional'
speedlight, to the sb50s 'amateur' status.

sb-50 ~$130 on ebay.

Excellent starter speedlight! If you can get it for $130.00, grab
it with 2 hands. t is less powerful than than the 28 n 80 and is
lacking some of the features (speed strobe, modeling light, etc.)
but very good fi your not a pro or not looking for high power and
super advanced features.

sb-80 ~$300 on ebay.

The latest 'flagship' speedlight for Nikon SLRs. I own this one. It
is outstanding!! it was touted as a replacement or upgrade to the
28. It meters better and is slightly more powerful. It is fast,
reliable, feature packed and over-priced ;-)

Make sure you are looking at the 'DX' versions of these units. The
80 only comes in DX, but I think the 50 and 28 have 2 versions. The
DX versions are meant to meter with digital SLRs.

Sounds like the 50 is right up your alley. I highly recommend
paying a little more for a flash that will not be a source of
constant frustration (as could potentially be the case with a 3rd
party unit).

(did not proof-read this post...pls disregard sp errors).

so.. what are the pluses and minuses of each of these?

--
-mike

--
-mike

 

[Shutzman]

Nikon were almost 'abusive' with this killer combination. SB-80DX kills you immediately (financially that is) and the SB-50DX kills you slowly, but surely.

I wished they had made one in between, that cost about $200 with the features of the SB-28DX and AA batteries. If I can hunt an under $200 used 28DX, I'd get it on E-bay, if not, before a major event, I'll probably break down and buy the 80.

I was looking at the
sb-28 ~$200 on ebay.

Good unit. Had a few metering problems. Overexposed for some,
underexposed for others, worked well for still others. Quality
control perhaps. This one was supposed to be the 'proffessional'
speedlight, to the sb50s 'amateur' status.

sb-50 ~$130 on ebay.

Excellent starter speedlight! If you can get it for $130.00, grab
it with 2 hands. t is less powerful than than the 28 n 80 and is
lacking some of the features (speed strobe, modeling light, etc.)
but very good fi your not a pro or not looking for high power and
super advanced features.

sb-80 ~$300 on ebay.

The latest 'flagship' speedlight for Nikon SLRs. I own this one. It
is outstanding!! it was touted as a replacement or upgrade to the
28. It meters better and is slightly more powerful. It is fast,
reliable, feature packed and over-priced ;-)

Make sure you are looking at the 'DX' versions of these units. The
80 only comes in DX, but I think the 50 and 28 have 2 versions. The
DX versions are meant to meter with digital SLRs.

Sounds like the 50 is right up your alley. I highly recommend
paying a little more for a flash that will not be a source of
constant frustration (as could potentially be the case with a 3rd
party unit).

(did not proof-read this post...pls disregard sp errors).

so.. what are the pluses and minuses of each of these?

--
-mike

--
-mike

 

[Moon]

1 year later, the SB80DX is still totally worth it. I bought it retail when it first came out ($380.00, plus tax US)...ouch!

But I absolutely do not regret it. It is one of the most reliable and consistant things that I own.

I keep 4 sets of high Mah rehargeable batteries (2000 or higher) in my bag. I honestly can get 300 + - shots out of 1 set.

Take the plunge!

I was looking at the
sb-28 ~$200 on ebay.

Good unit. Had a few metering problems. Overexposed for some,
underexposed for others, worked well for still others. Quality
control perhaps. This one was supposed to be the 'proffessional'
speedlight, to the sb50s 'amateur' status.

sb-50 ~$130 on ebay.

Excellent starter speedlight! If you can get it for $130.00, grab
it with 2 hands. t is less powerful than than the 28 n 80 and is
lacking some of the features (speed strobe, modeling light, etc.)
but very good fi your not a pro or not looking for high power and
super advanced features.

sb-80 ~$300 on ebay.

The latest 'flagship' speedlight for Nikon SLRs. I own this one. It
is outstanding!! it was touted as a replacement or upgrade to the
28. It meters better and is slightly more powerful. It is fast,
reliable, feature packed and over-priced ;-)

Make sure you are looking at the 'DX' versions of these units. The
80 only comes in DX, but I think the 50 and 28 have 2 versions. The
DX versions are meant to meter with digital SLRs.

Sounds like the 50 is right up your alley. I highly recommend
paying a little more for a flash that will not be a source of
constant frustration (as could potentially be the case with a 3rd
party unit).

(did not proof-read this post...pls disregard sp errors).

so.. what are the pluses and minuses of each of these?

--
-mike

--
-mike

--
-mike

 

[revaaron]

the sb28 uses rechargables too, right?
or is the issue that it's not a dx thingie?

how does the sb-80dx work with the d100?

 

[Moon]

Yes, the 28 uses standard AA, rechargeables as well.

I believe there are actually 2 models of the 28 (someone correct me if I'm wrong), the DX and the non-DX. If you plan on buying one for your D100, be careful to confirm that it is the DX model. I think most retail places have stopped carrying the 28, though.

I honestly believe the the 80 will work better on your D100 than any other flash. Of course it is more expensive. If you could find a 28DX, used, in good condition, for a low price, that would be the second best. If you could live with the expensive, non-rechargeable battery thing, then the 50 will be your (initially) cheapest route.

Consider how much you think you will actually use it. The CR123 batteries that the 50 uses are LIon batteries. They last for a very long time and hold their charge for a very long time when not used. I your usage dictates that you would only have to buy 2 sets a year, well...then...it's worth it.

the sb28 uses rechargables too, right?
or is the issue that it's not a dx thingie?

how does the sb-80dx work with the d100?

--
-mike

 

[Shutzman]

Supposedly the 80DX is the ultimate one for the D100. Don't get one without the DX, it won't work in all modes and may not use the Matrix metering. The SB-28DX also takes rechargeable double As.

the sb28 uses rechargables too, right?
or is the issue that it's not a dx thingie?

how does the sb-80dx work with the d100?

 

[Moon]

the sb28 uses rechargables too, right?
or is the issue that it's not a dx thingie?

how does the sb-80dx work with the d100?

--
-mike

 

[revaaron]

grummble grummble grumble... last time I ask anything...grummble grummble grumble.. it always gives me sharp jabbing pains in the bank account area.

 

[revaaron]

arg... the sb 28 dx is $300 and the sb 80 dx is $280...
hm.. larger #'s better right?

 

[Barry68220]

Don't be afraid to get the SB-50DX. After the D100 body and the beautiful 17-35 AF-S lens I didn't want to pay for the SB-80. Now I love my SB-50DX. After using re-chargeables for years I very happy with the (expensive, yes) batteries. I can leave them in the flash and carry a spare set and they don't discharge over time (noticeably). I get hundreds of shots per set. Once I studied and practiced and read the By Thom book on the D100, I shot my daughter's wedding. Super results!

The 50 has slightly less power than the 80 - I don't miss it.
The 50 doesn't zoom as far as the 80 - I'm a wide angle user primarily.
The 50 doesn't swivel like the 80 - the tilt is enough for me.
I prefer the batteries because of their absolute reliability with no fuss.

Barry

 

[Moon]

bigger is better! Where are you seeing these prices? I would like to have a gander.

arg... the sb 28 dx is $300 and the sb 80 dx is $280...
hm.. larger #'s better right?

--
-mike

 

[revaaron]

searching for "buy it"s on ebay

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&query=nikon+sb+80&cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&ht=1&from=R10&currdisp=2&itemtimedisp=1&st=2&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&BasicSearch=

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&query=nikon+sb+28+dx&cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&ht=1&from=R10&currdisp=2&itemtimedisp=1&st=2&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&BasicSearch=

 

[revaaron]

so they don't make rechargables of this type?
where do you buy the batteries?