Jump to content

Welcome to NikonForums.com
Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!
Photo

Any Recommendations For A Nikon SS 400 Speedlight?

recommendations nikon ss400 speedlight

  • Please log in to reply
4 replies to this topic

#1
Tony

Tony

    Nikonian

  • Premium Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,517 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationBeaverton, Oregon

Site Supporter

I am in the market for a replacement of my Nikon SB-24 Strobe.  I have seen many SB-24 strobes available, however I believe I would be better off getting a more updated release from Nikon.  Nikon stopped making the SS 400 in 2013, but there are many of them out there and available for a very reasonable price.  Some even come with a 30 day warranty.  I have read many glowing reviews on this unit, (including my close, personal friend, Ken Rockwell) and it appears to be exactly what I am looking for.  It does offer the ability to bounce light off of ceilings and walls, however it cannot swivel from side to side.  It is also very stingy with batteries as even regular AA Alkalines last a long time.

 

 So if anyone has prior experience with this unit or knows anyone who has, I will appreciate any input offered.

 

Many thanks,

 

Tony

 

P.S. Almost forgot, it is for my Nikon D200.  Compatible.



#2
Merco_61

Merco_61

    Nikonian

  • Premium Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 10,589 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationUppsala, Sweden

Site Supporter

Why get an SB-400 when an SB-600 is about the same price today?

Bounce in portrait mode makes it much more usable, so does the remote flash capabilities. A radio link would be even better, but then you would have to look outside Nikon products.



#3
leighgion

leighgion

    Senior Member

  • Forum Member
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 167 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationMadrid

I don't own an SB-400, but one of my friends a few years back did. It's fine, but its main asset is that it's small and light. The inability to swivel makes the bounce capability very limited and being only a 2-cell flash means it's short on power and recycle time is constrained. 

 

If you insist on sticking with a Nikon-branded flash, I agree with Peter that finding an SB600 is a much better budget option. If you're willing to buy Nikon-compatible third party, look at something like a Yongnuo 565ex. Just make sure you shop for the Nikon version.



#4
Tony

Tony

    Nikonian

  • Premium Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,517 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationBeaverton, Oregon

Site Supporter

I have tried very hard to avoid purchasing other than dedicated.  Here is a recent and very good example why.  A friend gifted me with a Sigma 70~300mm APO Macro Lens, which was pretty new.  Sigma claimed that the lens was compatible with all Canon DSLR bodies including his T6i and my T5.  Okay, I used the lens outdoors and admittedly I was impressed with the results, especially the Macro end.  Now, taken indoors and it becomes a totally different animal.  I stopped the lens down all the way and the images consistently turned out to be extremely overexposed.  I went to the other side and opened the lens up all the way and the images turned out slightly underexposed.  Excuse me, went off topic.  :((

 

The choice is obvious for me and that would be to go with the used SB600, which is less expensive than the SB-400 used.  Gentlemen, I thank you very kindly for your advice.

 

Rgds,

 

Tony



#5
leighgion

leighgion

    Senior Member

  • Forum Member
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 167 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationMadrid
If sticking with Nikon is a must and you’re on a budget, then the SB600 is the way to go, yeah. I’ve got one. Its shortcomings are small. It’s come to my rescue as recently as a few months ago.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk





Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: recommendations, nikon, ss400, speedlight