SB-800 or SU-800

[photograham]

At present, I have a SB-800 and wife has SB-600, and have used the CLS system with SB-800 as the controller (of course) and SB-600 as the slave. Am now having thoughts as buy SU-800 as controller and then being able to the existing 2 units as slaves, or buy another SB-800. Then I would have 1 SB-800 as controller (and being able to control the light output) with the other 2 units as slaves.
Interested in the thoughts of group members please.

[Yi-P]

If you can reach for an extra SB800, definitely go for the SB800.

You get an extra flash, and extra power for what you need to achieve.

Put the SB800 on an SC-29 sync cable, you can commander the other SB800/600 off camera as well!

[chrisk]

depends what you are shooting imo. if you are using it primarily on a tripod or need the extra flash power then the sb800 is a good choice.

but, if you are hand holding the camera alot then i personally prefer to use the su800 cos its alot lighter, (a third of the weight), and a heck of alot smaller/ compact. its also much easier to carry in your kit bag than another flash gun.

[DVEous]

... Obsolete ...

[chrisk]

do you mean the range of the SU800 is useless ?

i have no problems with using cam as commander firing the sb600/800 as remotes. range is excellent.

[DVEous]

... Obsolete ...

[chrisk]

thats good info, thanx.

i use the onboard flash as commander aswell and find the range is great. i just tune the flash way down and use an empty teabag as flash "diffuser" for the onboard.

[photograham]

Thank you folks for your replies. I really am no closer to making a decision however I have asked Gary to see if Poon can supply a price for the SU-800.

[Oz_Beachside]

graham, can you share with us the percentage usage you would expect to get out of a second SB800?

I'd only get the SU800 once you have two SB800's (but thats easy for me to say, since I can control them via built in, but think you are on D2x), unless an SB800 on camera is too heavy for the work you are doing.