Using a D70s, wanted a flash for people/close up, is the SB600 up to the job, if so would i be wasting money on the SB800?
It's not like I use a Flash very often but lately I think my shots of people could do with the extra lighting from a good flash, any advice greatly received, oh use the 50mm f1.8 or 18-70mm when shooting people or the Sigma 105mm for close up/macro if that helps, thanks

Regards

Nick

'Shoot it today it's alive, By tomorrow it may be extinct.'

If you don't need the CLS commander modes (and you really don't since they are built into the D70), nor a built in SU-4 flash slave mode then you really don't need the SB-800. Those are the only two major features that I need to see on the SB-800 that the SB-600 doesn't have.

--
Shawn
http://www.lazyeights.net/

Thanks Shawn, i think i will get the SB600, cant see I will need the SB800, Just really noticed recently looking at people pictures that if I had used a Flash then the image would have been a hell of a lot better, cheers m8

Regards

Nick

'Shoot it today it's alive, By tomorrow it may be extinct.'

The SB600 will be plenty for what you need.

If you have a look at this gallery, all were taken with this flash during my Cousins wedding. (Stofen Omni-Bounce Attached)

Was taken when I had my D70, 50mm f1.8, SB600, Stofen Onmi-Bounce

http://www.slphotos.fotopic.net/c734941.html

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Nice gallery there man!

Jeff

Never wear anything that will panic the cat...
www.rocklobsters.net

Jeff

Never wear anything that will panic the cat...
www.rocklobsters.net

I wouldn't say you are wasting you money, because I bought one, but not knowing the SB600 I can't tell you much other than I went to Google and type in what is the difference between Nikon SB600 and SB800, think there was about reviews in first pages. I will tell you that I have never taking a picture that almost looks like a pro did it before, the main though about is if you can afford the expense. well goo luck you will like either I am sure. SB800 has several features not on SB600.

If only we could put to film what is in our heart and mind.

>SB800 has several features not on SB600.

That's true; but, most of the SB-800 features will likely never be used by the average amature photographer.

I bought a SB-600 with my D70 and used it for well over a year before I added an SB-800. I still use my SB-600 quite a bit, especially since it is a tad smaller than the SB-800 and fits into my pocket easier.

The SB-800 has
* about 2/3 stop more maximum light output than the SB-600 - not usually a problem since, in most situations, the SB-600 won't be firing at full power anyway
* Ability to be a master flash controlling remote slave flashes - If you only have one flash then this is a moot point. If you have more than one flash then, at least, one of them should be an SB-800
* AA mode - never tried it
* Repeating flash - tried it once, thought it was cute, haven't used it since
* External sync connectors - These don't support iTTL; so, this is only important if you plan to use it with a film camera
* External battery connector - Could be useful; but, the SD-8A is quite expensive (nearly as much as a SB-600 flash)
* Button for modeling light - I actually find this useful. The SB-600 also supports a modeling light; but, there isn't any way to fire it on the SB-600. Using a SB-800 as a master flash, you can control the modeling light on a SB-600

So, IMOHO, the SB-600 is a good first flash. Nikon's Creative Lighting System (CLS) is awesome; so, get the SB-600 now. Later, add a SB-800. After that, if you really get into CLS, add another SB-600 (or two).

Jon D.
My Nikonians Gallery

Jon Davis
My Nikonians Gallery
My Flickr Gallery
My Epson R2880 Tips & Tricks blog

I agree with this post. I intially bought an SB-600, bought an SB-800 when I could get a good deal on a used flash, and recently bought another SB-800 because I wanted a third flash and found a used SB-800 for almost the same as a new SB-600. If I had to buy another new slave now, I'd definitely buy an SB-600, especially since the SB-600 can almost do anything that the SB-800 can as remote. Both modelling light and repeating flash work fine. The only differences are the AA mode and a few acessories that I hardly use.

Others may use some of these features every day (a sports or wedding photographer probably won't be happy with an SB-600 without fifth battery or external power connector).

The power difference is quite small in practice. Through an umbrella about 0.5 meter from the subject, the SB-800 on full power gave f/16 at ISO 200, the SB-600 gave f/13, big deal.

Even though I own two SB-800s, I often grab the SB-600 when I need on-camera flash, because of the weight and size (and you don't have to cycle through useless modes like RPT and GN).

Alson