As a professional photographer I have been using Nikon Speedlights for about 10 years now. Previously, that is before I switched to all digital, I used a Bronica Medium format film camera and Sunpak, "potato-masher" type flash for editorial and wedding assignments.
Since I switched to all digital in 2000, I have used Nikon DSLRs and the Nikon Speedilights, SB800 and SB600. These are both rugged little flash units with plenty of power.
The SB800 is slightly more powerful than the SB600 with a guide number of 125 at ISO 100 versus 118 for the SB600. However the guide numbers do vary with the degree of zoom used. I get F8 out of my SB800 at 10 feet and ISO 100 with the zoom set to 50mm at full power. When I add the SB600 at half power, I get F9.
The SB800 and SB600 are very nearly the same size and weight at 2.8x5.1x3.7 inches and 350grams for the SB800, and 2.7x4.9x3.5 inches and 300 grams for the SB600. And they both have nearly all the same features and controls.
Since I specialize in portrait photography, I use the Speedlights when working on location. I really appreciate the light weight and small size of the units, as every ounce counts when carrying a full gear bag along a stretch of beach for a half mile, or hiking up a mountain trail to get to the locations!
What I really like about these flash units is the way they have a built in diffusion/ zoom system. As all pro photographers know, the smaller the light source, the harsher the light and harder the shadows. However with these little buggers, using the SB800 as my key light, and the SB600 for fill, I am able to replicate the same look as I get in my studio using a 30x40 inch softbox on my key light and a 4'x6.5' scrim in front of my fill light!
Generally I'll zoom the SB800 to 50mm, and set the SB600 to 24 or 35mm. The result is a beautiful soft light with gentle transitions from highlights to shadows. Well, actually they do create specular highlights on noses and cheeks, but with just a little air brush in Photoshop, the effect is beautiful, soft lighting.
I'm an "old school" photographer, and like to control my equipment myself rather than let the programs in the equipment control exposure, so I operate everything in manual mode. However, the Nikon Speedlights have a built in remote trigger system that also sees the light output and makes adjustments. This feature is called the Creative Lighting System, or CLS.
Reading the manuals and attempting to use the CLS was not as successful for me as I would have liked. I have been unable to figure out how to use the CLS with the flash units in manual so I can control the output, even though I pair the lights with Nikon cameras. However, there are others who tell me they have been able to do just that.
My biggest complaint about the CLS is that it is an inferred based system, and therefore the 'slave' flash(es) must see the inferred beam coming from the 'Master' unit, and the sensor is located on one side of the flash. As a result, the units must be in line of sight of each other. And, because the master flash sends out a signal pre-flash, then computes the data before firing the 'actual' flash, it delays the exposure. And in portrait photography a lag between pressing the shutter release and making the exposure is not a good thing!
Both the SB800 and SB600 have swivel and tilt heads that allow you to bounce the light off of surfaces, and easily direct the light where you want it. In manual mode you can fire them at full, (1/1), power, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16 power. They also have TTL modes that can be used with Nikon cameras that have CLS capability, and for those that do not.
These flash units are hotshoe mount flashes, and the SB800 also has a PC plug input. They both come with little stands, or rather "feet" that are a flat platform with 3 hotshoe-like docking slots for mounting the flash. In this way you can attach them to a light stand as on the bottom of the foot there is a standard threaded nut for this purpose. You can also place the flash on a counter, shelf or the floor by use of the foot platform.
They operate on four AA batteries, and recycle in about 5.5 seconds at full power. I get about 120 full power flashes on one set of batteries. I use the rechargeable batteries, so I get about 120 full power flashes before having to recharge the batteries. There is an indicator light on the back of the flash to let you know when it's fully recycled, and the recycle time does slow considerably as the batteries get low.
Both flash units have a digital LCD readout of the settings on the back, and the controls are quite intuitive...especially for use in manual mode.
I have found the light output to be very uniform and consistent, which is a definite asset to portrait lighting. And as I said earlier, I love the built in diffusion and zoom capabilities. Add to that the light weight and compact size, and durability of these units, and you have an outstanding location portrait lighting kit!
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