SB-700 Speedlight Flash Unit ,4808

This is my first TTL flash, I've only used old manual flashes with optical slaves before. I am constantly surprised by how accurate and fast this flash is. The TTL system takes care of constantly having to figure out the flash strength, and this works on camera as well as in wireless mode. The wireless Creative Lighting System is extremely useful, it means you can simply use the flash without a cable, optical slave, or any sort of extra equipment whatsoever just as if it was on the camera. I was initially worried if this system would work in bright sunlight, as optical slave systems tend to fail or misfire in harsh light, but I was happy to see that even in the harshest sunlight, this flash works exactly as it should with the wireless CLS system. Although it isn't as powerful as the professional SB-800 or SB-910, I have to stress that it's very bright! I could easily shoot my model with the sun behind her and have plenty of fill from the flash on an early summer afternoon. Recycle time is very very fast, especially that you will rarely need to approach maximum power, which means most of the time you can just shoot without waiting at all between shots. The controls on the flash are very simple and intuitive. I never had problems finding what I wanted. The only thing that lacks polish is the feel of the dial: it feels a bit cheep and doesn't click at the same time as it registers the rotation. This doesn't really affect use though, and the SB-700 is a really great flash that I definitely recommend.

Having owned and still own the SB600 flash for 3 years I thought long and hard about buying this flashgun. I wanted an extra unit for creative lighting but was going to go for the more powerful 910. Well, for my needs the 700 does an excellent job. I was lucky enough to have dropped onto Amazon when this flashgun was being sold for an unbelievable low price so I took advantage and just grabbed the last one as they were disappearing before my eyes. I was a little concerned after reading reviews about the the 700's slightly lower power output compared to the 600, but in real world phtography this just is not the case. Where the 700 shines over the 600 is the quicker access to features such as ttl, manual control and Nikons excellent CLS off camera flash to name a couple. The head rotation and positioning are more flexible than the 600 and a bounce/catchlight card are incorporated into the flash head too. Extras include two clip on filters for different indoor lighting situations and a flash diffuser. Also the the 700 works as a commander for other compatible Nikon flash guns using the CLS system, this feature is not so important to me as I have it built into my camera, but for more basic Nikon cameras such as the D40/60 etc it is very useful. Another great feature on the 700 is its ability to be a slave flash, meaning it will fire remotely off camera triggered by any make of flash as long as that flash is set to manual mode. The 700 also features an automatic cut out should it start to overheat due to constant repeated use, but as the flash has a meter on the display monitoring the temperature of the flashgun I have never seen it rise to levels that become a concern. Recycle times are very good with rechargable nimh batteries fitted ( I use the Sanyo Eneloops) with the flash used at normal output being ready almost immediately. All round I find this flashgun a significant upgrade compared to the 600 for its ability to access control of different settings, flash output is very similar on both and the 600 is still a great flashgun. Build quality of the 700 is excellent and its extra control and features plus its excellent lighting capabilities makes it a great buy for anyone with Nikon camera equipment.

Quite a complex product which requires some appreciation of both the photographic objective and the hardware to use to its best. With my Nikon DSLR, the SB-700 can be set to operate totally automatically both on and off the camera. It can also operate as a simple (and very versatile) strobe with any other make of camera - I have used it in that way with both film and digital Olympus systems. Comes as a compact kit in a slightly-padded case with a very good range of accessories - filters, diffusers, bounce card, foot. I suspect this will be more than adequate as part of a NIkon system for almost all enthusiasts and many semi-pros, and perhaps as part of a pro photographer's array of flashes/strobes. Not cheap, but definitely of Nikon quality.

Fantastic unit, works a treat with my D6.

This is my second SB-700 Speedlight, so impressed with the first that I decided to get another for more creative lighting using Nikon's own inbuilt synchronisation as well as external wireless triggers rather than using a cheaper brand and being limited to wireless triggers only. This isn't an issue it itself, but would preclude the use of Nikon's wonderful iTTL system. My first SB-700 (not from Amazon) didn't come with any manual or example brochure but I was told Nikon had dropped the printed version in favour of on-line for environmental reasons! Not a big deal, the retailer knocked the price down and I bought a manual direct from Nikon for around £6. This SB-700 (from Amazon) came complete with English & Spanish editions of both the manual and example brochure. This Speedlight is quite intuitive to use, but the manual (and brochure) are definitely needed for reference or if you intended to use it to it's full potential. Although I considered a SB-910 for the extra power, the larger size, weight and extra £100+ put me off (for now). A well made, superb piece of kit and it's a Nikon. Nuff said. (Edit: Noticed a slight alteration/improvement to the battery door release on this purchase over previous)

2/5/11: Final postscript: Sent the SB700 to Nikon; had to wait a month (according to Nikon, they had to wait to get parts shipped); but - they did repair the flash at no charge. Nikon's service has always been good. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12/25/10: Update to my review - today was my first real tryout of the SB700; and unfortunately; I have to report the battery door fell apart as I was changing batteries. The battery door design is different than past Nikon units. There is an actual pushbutton that you need to depress to release the door. As I was trying to open the door - it fell apart into 3 pieces. I'm not sure what Nikon was thinking; the old door designs seemed to work fine (aside from the SB800 w/ the removable door/battery chamber). On a positive note; I did not have a problem w/ thermal shutdown - but - that said; I'm very disappointed in the door design and am thinking I'll probably stock up on some SB600's while they are still being manufactured. While I hate the pushbutton setup on the SB600; at least I haven't had any reliability problems w/ the unit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just received the SB700 today from Amazon after a 3 month wait - I am not disappointed. I have been a Nikon user since the 70's, and have owned every F and D pro bodies, and associated flash units. I have seen all the reviews on the web criticizing Nikon for omitting the PC input and power input - they know if they included these features it would have killed sales of the SB900. Like others, unless I need maximum power from my flash (which is rare); I can get by with the SB600 and most recently, the SB400 for most of my (fill) flash work. I mainly use the flash for fill and have it on the camera 100% of the time. For "walking around" the SB400 works great due to its size and weight. When I need to use bounce flash, I typically use the SB600. I still own the SB800 and SB900 but find myself rarely using them. The SB700 fills the gap - the best features of the flash are the smaller size and weight (vs. the SB900); easier to use controls (I hated the SB600/800 controls); and finally the hard plastic snap-on color correction filters. Nikon needs to make these (hard) filters for the SB900 - trying to use their gels and holder in the field is crazy - you will either lose or damage the gels the first time you are working under pressure. Also the bounce dome is also smaller than the large unit that comes w/ the SB900. The SB700 is the first Nikon flash I've used that seems to get the exposure right on. Normally I have to set the flash exposure to -0.7 to get what I consider a normal exposure. I do not have to do this on the SB700. I also like the fact that Nikon has gone to switches (vs. menu) to switch from Auto to Manual exposure - I care less about the switch for the flash coverage as that's not a setting I change - but others who do change it will like the fact that it's easy to switch on the fly. Back to the power input and PC sync input - those who are fans of the Stobist are very unhappy about the inability to use their PC cords to their Pocket Wizards - most folks do not like using the PC - Hot shoe cords; one more thing to go wrong in the electrical chain. Personally - I miss the power input for the Nikon battery packs - and although I'm sure Quantum will come out w/ a battery adapter to use w/ their packs, I haven't use my Quantum packs in years since I've converted to using the Nikon external packs that use the AA's. That said - think the SB700 will become the de facto standard flash; and the SB800 will continue to sell on eBay and Craig's list for more then they sold new (I'm keeping mine) for the Strobist fans. As to the overheating issue; haven't had the unit long enough to see if it reacts the same as the SB900 - another review said that the unit slows down on recycle time before shutting down - I've had my 900 shut down; so I have to carry a backup just in case. As of today (12/13/10) looks like Amazon isn't even taking orders for the unit; if you are in a hurry suggest checking your local camera store - mine told me they were getting some in periodically - Bottom line: if you are in the market for a Nikon flash - buy this one!

Easy and multiple function to suit individual when operating. Love this Nikon speedlight flashlight

All Nikon equipment is top quality, and the SB700 is no exception. Powerful and works brilliantly in tandem with a second flash. For a lot more money could have bought the model that works the second flash by remote but this model depends on both flahes being close to in line of sight. But in normal indoor settings the flashes work fine together. Everything you'd expect from Nikon.

Perfetto accoppiamento con la mia Nikon D3300. Consiglio l'acquisto del caricabatterie "Technoline BC 700" e un kit 8 batterie "Sanyo Eneloop AA", le migliori... L’unità flash Nikon SB-700 può operare nelle modalità più diffuse, tra cui i-TTL, automatismo particolarmente preciso e affidabile in ogni condizioni di ripresa, oppure Manuale “M” per assicurare la consistenza di illuminazione artificiale quando si ha il totale controllo della scena. Lampeggiatore versatile e di semplice utilizzo, compatibile con le fotocamere SLR formato FX e DX e con Nikon Creative Lighting System. Sorprendentemente intuitivo da utilizzare, è dotato di una gamma di funzioni avanzate che rendono semplice gestire la qualità e la direzione della luce. Grazie ai tre pattern di illuminazione, è possibile controllare totalmente la copertura del flash e il modo A:B, di semplice accesso, consente il controllo wireless di più unità flash. Dotato di un corpo compatto, è l'accessorio ideale da avere a portata di mano quando si desidera scattare in modo creativo oppure ottenere immagini più bilanciate in situazioni di illuminazioni difficile. Sistema automatico di protezione termica: avvisa dell'eccessivo surriscaldamento durante scatti ad alta intensità e, se necessario, ritarda la ricarica. Zoom motorizzato multi-step: copre un ampio angolo di campo da 24 a 120 mm. Funzionamento intuitivo: l'ampio schermo LCD di facile lettura e i comandi posizionati in modo pratico consentono di regolare le impostazioni senza difficoltà. È possibile selezionare i pattern di illuminazione standard, ponderato centrale e uniforme, per adeguarsi a qualunque situazione di ripresa. Accessori Inclusi Speedlight Stand AS-22, Soft Case SS-700, Diffusion Dome SW-14H, Fluorescent filter SZ-3FL, Incandescent filter SZ-3TN. Consegnato PRIMA della data prevista... OTTIMO SERVIZIO AMAZON

This is one of the great flash from Nikon. I am just loving this one. The results are really great. If you want to get good results for indoor photography one must go for this flash. You will see drastic changes in the results. Earlier i was using the inbuilt flash and was not at all satisfied with the image results. But now since i have started using this flash, i must say i should have purchase this long back. My recommendation is .... go for it.