13 replies to this topic

[aroomstudios]

I do not use a flash much but from time to time do need one.  I just got a d850 so no built in flash anymore.  I was looking at the sb 700 and the sb 5000.  They looks like the same flash or very similar minus the cooling system and wireless capabilities.  People seem to love the 700 but I see a lot of negative things about the 5000.  Also, the 700 looks a bit smaller to me which might actually be better.

 

What are your thoughts on the 700 vs the 5000?

[Merco_61]

Why go with either? A Godox Ving V860 is in the same ballpark as an SB-700 price-wise but with performance more in line with the SB-5000.

The radio wireless controllers are much easier to use than Nikon's radio version.

The SU-800 is line-of sight only and susceptible to interference from sunlight when used outdoors.

Once you learn how to use off-camera flash, you will use it much more.

The difference in GN has a greater impact than you think. Combined with the shorter recharge time after a 1:1 shot, the higher GN will make the difference bigger as the SB-5000 or a V860 will have used a smaller percentage of a full charge for the same lighting situation.

[Nikon Shooter]

In my book, the SB-5000.

[Merco_61]

In my book, the SB-5000.

Definitely the better choice of the Nikon speedlights. The best third-party units have caught up, and maybe passed, the mothership for now.

[Nikon Shooter]

Definitely the better choice of the Nikon speedlights. The best third-party units have caught up, and maybe passed, the mothership for now.

Unless proven a bad production item, any original gear will
be chosen, I don't spend time shopping but use it for the 
most important RFM approach.

My answer was between the two models the OP addressed
only as I never investigated third party solutions.

[aroomstudios]

Thanks guys.  One question I am a bit unsure of about the metering.  Will the nikon sb700 or sb5000 work with the d850s meter and change as needed?  I know the on camera flash of my d600 changes the meter.  I have a older cheap neewer flash and this does not change the meter on either the d600 or the d850.  Not sure if this is a setting I am not doing or if it is just not communicating with the camera body.  On the view finder it does say "flash" when  the flash is on.  So I know it is sending some data.

 

Anyways, I hear mixed reviews about the Godox.  I read the v860ii and the V1 are good flashes.  Will this work with the meter of my d850?

 

I am not against the Godox because of this.  But I have bought non-Nikon stuff in the past and always wish I bought the Nikon model instead.  Like a few Sigma lens where the Nikon equivalent was only 20-40% more.  When it is $100 vs $1500 it is a no brainier to buy the $100 version if it is very close in quality vs the $1500 Nikon one. 

[Merco_61]

Lots of the cheaper Chinese flash units are not controlled by the camera's meter and can only be used manually. Early Godox units were like this. Then came the CLS (Creative Lighting System) compatible units that work just like the original speedlights on-camera, but AWL (Advanced Wireless Lighting) performance was nowhere near the Nikon units. These are the TTL family from Godox. The Ving family are fully CLS and AWL compatible, plus the optional radio link. Their current studio strobes use the same radio remote system and TTL metering as the Ving units.

 

With Godox, we are where we were with Metz Mecablitz potato masher flashes in the film days, where a third-party supplier did the same as the Nikon products with some extra functionality that Nikon didn't have.

 

The SB-700 and the SB-5000 both work well with CLS on-camera, but you need either an SC-29 cable (both), an SU-800 IR control unit (both) or the WR-R10/WR-A10 pair (SB-5000) to get the flash off-camera.

In the case of the Godox, you can use Nikon's cable or IR solution, but either of the Godox wireless triggers are by far the best solution for off-camera use.

 

Any of the three units will send out a metering preflash, the camera analyses the returned light level and adjusts the flash output for a metered exposure.

 

I am usually sceptical of third-party solutions, but the Godox system has proven itself reliable.

[aroomstudios]

Thanks for the info.  Have you tried one of the Godox V1 vs the v860ii.  From looking around I can get 2 860ii and a control unit (Godox XPro-N) for a little bit more than one v1. 

[Merco_61]

I haven't tried the V1.

[sunshine]

I have never used Nikon flash equipment but am very happy with Godox. I tried TTL just enough to determine that it works, but do all my flash photography now in manual. I've had no problems with a D500, D750, D810 or D850. I recommend this blog for anyone new to off-camera lighting. I found it to be a great resource, particularly the "Lighting 101" courses.

 

Strobist

[BeeGeeDee]

Timely thread as i just bought an N850 with only a 5400 shuttercount from usedphotopro for $1900!  Who wouldn't gladly take a few MINOR NICKS with that price, eh?

 

So as I prepare to sell my D500 and having had occasional difficulties with optical communication, I read this thread and am now considering selling  my two SB900 flashes, although the used prices are crazy low now.  

 

For outdoor portraits, I usually use a flash near the camera (on a stroboframe) down about a stop and another flash off-camera angled to the side opposite the sun or bright light.  Here's an example from two years ago just before upgrading from D600 to D500.

 

I'm thinking of keeping my little Metz mecablitz 26 AF-2 connected to a Godox X1R-N TTL Wireless Flash Trigger with the powerful Godox AD360II-N WITSTRO TTL Portable Flash.  That seems to be a great outdoor portrait setup and would be great for studio work, too.

 

Instead of the trigger, a Godox TT685N Thinklite TTL for the master makes more sense because of its power.  I often carry the little Metz as I walkabout, since the D600's popup spoiled me when I unexpectedly needed some light.

 

Anyway, I hope I have not hijacked this thread as it seems to fit into the discussion. Thanks for any and all feedback.

[BeeGeeDee]

I meant the transmitter, not the receiver (X1T-N TTL Wireless Flash Trigger Transmitter). 

This would save only $45 instead of the TT685N Thinklite, that would be dumb.  For a wireless radio master and powerful flash, the TT685N seems an incredible bargain.  Any reason to look at a different model?

[BeeGeeDee]

Not sure why my posts of a few days ago haven't appeared here yet.  yes I'm new, but this delay is annoying.

Anyway, I ordered a couple of X1 receivers and a transmitter to use with my SB900's with the plan that when I'm satisfied, add an AD200Pro.

[dcbear78]

Selling my Nikon SB700 and going all in on Godox lights has been one of the best photography decisions I have ever made. There is a very good reason Godox has a cult like status among the lighting world.

I haven't tried the V1.

 

The V1 has a much better user interface. I bought one to go along side my V860. Before I had even used it in a shoot I had my V860 up for sale and bought a second one.