SB800 or another SB600

[Raskill]

Hi folks,

Just a quick question for you all.

I need a new speedlight, as my trusty SB600 is needing a back up.

My main use will be for fill flash in the daytime. There is very very little liklihood of me using the flash off camera in any creative lighting setup.

So, the question is 600 or 800? The price difference isn't a small factor either ($265 compared to $500). I know many will be tempted to say "get the best gear you can", but if I'm not going to use the creative lighting setups that the 800 offers, do I need it at all?

Curious to hear opinions.

One again, apologies fo not posting any comments recently, Dial up is horrendous, and satellite won't be up and running for about a month.

[PiroStitch]

SB800 all the way. You already have the 600 and coupled with an 800, you'll be set up for pretty much anything

[digitor]

One thing the SB800 has that the SB600 lacks, is A mode, which I find useful for fill in daylight. There's no pre-flash in this mode, and it's easy to set your lighting ratio by varying the aperture set on the flash. The SB800 hasn't quite got the flexibility of my Metz 45 CT4 when it comes to fill usage though - but it's not bad for a shoe mount flashgun.

Cheers

[jamesw]

if you do not require the extra power of the sb800, don't bother with it. you've said that you don't need the CLS features of the flash, so is there any other point?

[blackD200]

One thing to consider is the slightly different operation and menu system on both..
I had a SB800 and a SB600 as backup. i primarily used the 800 and when i switch to the 600, i find myself trying to figure out how to set what cos i dont use it as often...

Its not really that big of a deal, eventually you'll learn how to use both..
Though the SB600 now has gone to my brother and have purchased another SB800 for myself =) ...
I just prefer having the same item as backup, if finance permits.. Having said that - I wouldnt go buying a second 28-70 lens just for backup.

maybe in your situation not needing the slightly extra power of the SB800 and the CLS - a second SB600 is prob a better option - cheaper - familiarity with controls ...

[photograham]

I'd go and get the SB 800 and also learn the benefits of off camera use of the 600 as a fill flash, with the stronger 800 to also use as fill and/or commander. The CLS is really good

[greencardigan]

On the 800 you can tilt the head below horizontal. Good for macro.

[Yi-P]

Get at least one 800... you need it to commander other 600's...

[jamesw]

There is very very little liklihood of me using the flash off camera in any creative lighting setup.

The price difference isn't a small factor either ($265 compared to $500). I know many will be tempted to say "get the best gear you can",

if I'm not going to use the creative lighting setups that the 800 offers, do I need it at all?

[xorl]

If you are only going to use the flash for simple on-camera fill and are never going to be doing anything off camera then you will probably be fine with the SB-600. For the price difference you can easily pick up a larger Nikon gel set (SJ-1) than the one included with the SB-800, and you could also get a little plastic "bare bulb" diffuser.

However, I would never recommend that anyone limit themselves to on-camera fill flash. Even if you aren't using Nikon CLS the SB-800 is still very useful for off camera work. It has a SU-4 mode which lets it optically slave off another flash (I find it immensely useful).

If you change your mind in future, would you be happy to purchase another flash to need your new needs? Of course you could just buy a PC-sync hot shoe adapter and/or a 3rd party wireless slave but that isn't as clean a solution as getting the SB-800 in the first place.

[Raskill]

Thanks folks.

I think I am leaning towards another 600. I like the arguments for the 800, but realistically, grid shots (cars, girls and drivers), the lighting need not be overly complex.

Thanks for all who posted opinions, appreciate them as always!

[bwhinnen]

I'll add only one thing Alan.

Recycle time...

[Raskill]

....so.....

I phoned DD photos to order my Sb600,....

...and now I own a SB800. And a few more 2 gig sandisk cards....

Damn it. The power of Visa.

I had a niggling doubt about ordering another 600, so I figured better to be safe.

Thanks again!

[bwhinnen]

Good one Alan I was surprised at the difference one extra battery made on recycle time... And I am still only running on Duracell alkaline batteries.

I know the power of VISA but I know the power of she who reconciles the accounts too... Vicki has more power than any VISA could