Nikon Flash
- Thread starter OldSkool
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OldSkool
Pioneer Nut
Hello again, thank you all for good information. She doesnt plan on doing this kind of thing often, but having top-of-the-line gear is something she and I both appreciate, whether we are doing it all the time or not. So it is nice to hear from folks about the high end gear, too. I have always believed in the idea if you need a tool, buy the best you can find and use it for life. I had thought about getting her a D300 and keeping the 200 for a backup also, but that is some serious bucks!
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HandyHamlet
dissatisfied customer
This review doesn't apply to weddings.
Mr. Rockwell praises the SB-600 with a guide number of 98. Insufficient for weddings. With a guide number of 98 the flash is useless outside if caught in the noon (or any other) sun and the photographer can't work around it. And there is no way it will wash out weird ambient light. For alter shots, even with small groups, as just one example. Unless Mr. Rockwell likes his bald men with shiny orange heads. Even the SB-900 is pushing it. And this is where the Lumidine/Quantum guys have no problems.
Mr. Rockwell's appraisal of the SB-900 overlooks the basic rule even a wedding hack knows. A larger light source equals less contrast. If bouncing is not an option, like processional/recessional in a cave of a church, this is a consideration that can't be overlooked. Same with the ability to swivel the flash head 360 degrees. Depending on the bracket the SB-800 will be on the side and not over the lens for a vertical shot. Leaving a shadow behind the subjects.
Two SB-800s sit in my bag relegated to back-up status. They have not seen the light of day since I purchased the first SB-900.
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OldSkool
Pioneer Nut
Hey everyone, Felicia and I have been following all this great advice and a bit stumped to be quite honest. LOL
Without a doubt, the price of the Vivatar and SB-600 are intriguing! She has used/owned older model Vivitars before when shooting 35mm stuff. And although she wont be doing weddings often or shooting outdoors too often, we are a bit wondering about the abilities of the lesser priced units when shooting outside. I know for certain the SB-600 would do great for most 'normal' shooting with the family and such, but if you did want to do something outside, will it fall short?
Also wondering about the issue about the limitation of the D200 if paired with the SB-900.
Its tough to make a good decision when there are very differing opinions on the 600 and the 900. Ive Googled and read lots & lots of reviews and critiques are all over the place.
Of course cost is always a consideration, but when you own cameras that cost $1500 just for a body and lenses >$500, I just dont know that being a cheapskate on a flash is smart.
Thanks for all the input everyone.
Without a doubt, the price of the Vivatar and SB-600 are intriguing! She has used/owned older model Vivitars before when shooting 35mm stuff. And although she wont be doing weddings often or shooting outdoors too often, we are a bit wondering about the abilities of the lesser priced units when shooting outside. I know for certain the SB-600 would do great for most 'normal' shooting with the family and such, but if you did want to do something outside, will it fall short?
Also wondering about the issue about the limitation of the D200 if paired with the SB-900.
Its tough to make a good decision when there are very differing opinions on the 600 and the 900. Ive Googled and read lots & lots of reviews and critiques are all over the place.
Of course cost is always a consideration, but when you own cameras that cost $1500 just for a body and lenses >$500, I just dont know that being a cheapskate on a flash is smart.
Thanks for all the input everyone.
Didnt you mention before that you might be buying another body? if so I would guess you are getting an upgrade to the d200. i would get the better flash if it is economicaly feesable and later on get an appropriat body for it. You will still maximize the abilities of the camera body you currently have.. and future proof.
OldSkool
Pioneer Nut
That is the way I am starting to think. Part of me says get a tried & true SB-600 because they are truly affordable. But I just have read some really good things about the 900 and its ability. Not so much all the widgets it has, but its ability to throw some serious light.
http://www.daveblackphotography.com/workshop/11-2008.htm
http://www.daveblackphotography.com/workshop/11-2008.htm
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HandyHamlet
dissatisfied customer
D200.
Great camera. But it is just barely adequate for weddings. The main problem with it is that you can only use it at ISO 640
max. If you go to 800 or above the shots get more and more noisy. This means that no matter what flash you have on camera your room/alter shots will have a dark background.
Remember, photography is about light. Digital excels in low light situations. With the D300 you open up an entirely new world when capturing ambient/low/no light situations. You can't do this with the D200 (*edit* - on the fly).
The photos below illustrate the point. The bride's dad is retired military. The groom's dad is retired military. The groom, sister and groomsmen are all captains. They wanted a photo with the flag at some point. Well the caterers placed the bar in front of the flag. There is the father/daughter dance and a different wedding with the dad leading a traditional Greek dance. The flag is massive and half a football field away. With the D200 @ 640 you can't get these shots. Period.
The SB-600 has an insufficient guide number for shooting a wedding.
Technically so does the SB-800 and the SB-900. Unless the wedding is going to be shot totally without flash do not show up with an SB-600. I'm not going to even get into respect for the bride/groom and family.
If the couple (or anyone) wants a pic outside on a sunny day, with say a fountain in the background, around noon you are totally screwed. The SB-600 is not powerful enough to fill flash a full length shot while properly exposing for the sky. You will have a perfect sky and dark faces with ungodly shadows or perfect faces and a blazing white sky. The SB-800 isn't even powerful enough to do a group shot in this situation. But you can barely get away with it if you know what you are doing. This is why the guys are talking about Quantum flash units. Quantums can handle this exact situation with ease. Same with alter shots. Halls and churches have weird lighting. Everyone's heads will be orange (best case) if you can't balance the flash and ambient light.
The SB-900 has a bigger flash head than the SB-800. Bigger light source equals better quality of light. Better quality of light means more flattering pics. Which means a happy bride's mother. It takes less batteries. Recycles faster. It's more user friendly than the SB-800.
Bottom line. Your wife gets one shot at this. She may not do this often but she chose to do this one. If she is the primary photographer she OWES it to the couple and their family to do the best she can. There are ways around everything. But at some point you have to ask yourself are you willing to give these people your heart and soul? Or are you going to dick around. No disrespect meant but if anyone is considering shooting a wedding they need to know exactly what is at stake. Everyone thinks " Oh, I can do this..." And here's another secret. The pics aren't even the most important thing the photographer does. You can be Ansel freakin' Adams but if you are an ass and make the bride/sister/mother cry it doesn't matter what the pics look like.
It's not about the photographer. It's about the Bride. Groom. Mothers. Sisters. Grandparents. Ring bearer's mom. Best Man's wife...
Great camera. But it is just barely adequate for weddings. The main problem with it is that you can only use it at ISO 640
max. If you go to 800 or above the shots get more and more noisy. This means that no matter what flash you have on camera your room/alter shots will have a dark background.
Remember, photography is about light. Digital excels in low light situations. With the D300 you open up an entirely new world when capturing ambient/low/no light situations. You can't do this with the D200 (*edit* - on the fly).
The photos below illustrate the point. The bride's dad is retired military. The groom's dad is retired military. The groom, sister and groomsmen are all captains. They wanted a photo with the flag at some point. Well the caterers placed the bar in front of the flag. There is the father/daughter dance and a different wedding with the dad leading a traditional Greek dance. The flag is massive and half a football field away. With the D200 @ 640 you can't get these shots. Period.
The SB-600 has an insufficient guide number for shooting a wedding.
Technically so does the SB-800 and the SB-900. Unless the wedding is going to be shot totally without flash do not show up with an SB-600. I'm not going to even get into respect for the bride/groom and family.
If the couple (or anyone) wants a pic outside on a sunny day, with say a fountain in the background, around noon you are totally screwed. The SB-600 is not powerful enough to fill flash a full length shot while properly exposing for the sky. You will have a perfect sky and dark faces with ungodly shadows or perfect faces and a blazing white sky. The SB-800 isn't even powerful enough to do a group shot in this situation. But you can barely get away with it if you know what you are doing. This is why the guys are talking about Quantum flash units. Quantums can handle this exact situation with ease. Same with alter shots. Halls and churches have weird lighting. Everyone's heads will be orange (best case) if you can't balance the flash and ambient light.
The SB-900 has a bigger flash head than the SB-800. Bigger light source equals better quality of light. Better quality of light means more flattering pics. Which means a happy bride's mother. It takes less batteries. Recycles faster. It's more user friendly than the SB-800.
Bottom line. Your wife gets one shot at this. She may not do this often but she chose to do this one. If she is the primary photographer she OWES it to the couple and their family to do the best she can. There are ways around everything. But at some point you have to ask yourself are you willing to give these people your heart and soul? Or are you going to dick around. No disrespect meant but if anyone is considering shooting a wedding they need to know exactly what is at stake. Everyone thinks " Oh, I can do this..." And here's another secret. The pics aren't even the most important thing the photographer does. You can be Ansel freakin' Adams but if you are an ass and make the bride/sister/mother cry it doesn't matter what the pics look like.
It's not about the photographer. It's about the Bride. Groom. Mothers. Sisters. Grandparents. Ring bearer's mom. Best Man's wife...
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