Hi guys

It's been a while since I touched my D40, and I feel like picking up photography habit again.

With the recent announcement of the SB700, I'm thinking of getting this flash (maybe SB600), I wonder if it would cost less than RM1k, and hope that it will be released by mid-October.

Does the guide number difference between the SB600 and SB700 really affects image quality, as I assume that at a distance of more than 15m, the flash output wouldn't be too effective after all. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thank you.

Ur talking about the GN (guide number) rite?
Yes it does affects image quality (but if the picture is already bad in compo, exposure, etc then it won't do much wonder then) because higher GN means stronger output power (ie using 1/1 power on the flash)

About the 15m, where did u get the number? Hehe some flash don't even reach 5meter light-effective hahaha

i wouldn't say image quality but rather the quality of the photo itself BUT only at the point where more light is helpful.

after all, flash quite often don't reach 1/1 (full power). i prefer not to reach 1/1 power.

this is Very Subjective. because it will be affected by shutterspeed, aperture, and iso.

D40 has good iso till 800, and assuming standard 5.6 lens. shutter of 1/60(which wont affect flash power yet)... it may reach 15m (example, any given flash)
D7000 has good iso till 3200, and who know u using F2.8 lens, shutter of 1/60.... the flash may reach up to 25m because given sensitivity and light absorb rate has increased.

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Added on September 28, 2010, 5:34 pmwhy not? if given 580ex2 has GN58 (in meter) means at iso100, F1, 105mm zoom, it reaches 58meter.

let say a 550D has iso3200, F5.6, the flash CAN reach 58meter. 15 meter is nothing.

(apply same way if u are Alpha user, with A550 +F58)

or even F20 (sonyflash) can reach 20 meter with iso3200, F5.6

This post has been edited by ieR: Sep 28 2010, 05:39 PM

Eh I tot its in feet not meter..by bad then..
As what I was saying, I mean people rarely use flash longer than they usually use..
Me myself rarely (if the flash is mounted on d camera body) shoot subject that's 5meter away from me..
A different story if doing off camera flash..

"Does the guide number difference between the SB600 and SB700 really affects image quality, as I assume that at a distance of more than 15m, the flash output wouldn't be too effective after all. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thank you."
For SB700 haven't had the chance to try it yet

feet la. cannot be meter.

you know 58 meter how far la, and we'll be like carrying a mini-lighthouse already for that.

nikon are in feet (read my reply to Goldfries.

yea, noone shoot taht far, but the power of the flash is need when u do bounce sometimes, GN40~ (like 420, F42 and SB600) are not enough to bounce a 2 industrial story ceiling... or huge ballroom. or fighting against daylight/backlight photo, u do need that 'power' but not the range.

the GN is a way to show how far the power can do, not a comparison of distance... but power a lot ppl misunderstood the need of GN58m.

Goldfries: nikon GN is in Feet Canon and Sony uses Meter GN.

SB900 has 132GN. (it canot be 132 meter so that is in Feet.) so its possible that GN58m...

but the Gn feet to M cant be converted directly, because the 132GN is at 35mm iso100. some trial and test show that SB900 fire till 57meter, on 200mm iso100

in other words, the F58 and 580ex2 is more powerful then SB900 (people got mislead that sb900 is more powerful or further in range because of the 200mm zoom)

(the mm refer to flash zoom, not lens zoom. and all GN is sensor sensitivity upon using F1 lens)

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Added on September 28, 2010, 6:32 pmbut our flash is a 50+ watt strobe, we cant compare to a 100watt or 200watt studio strobe... those, if set properly, with proper zoom design head, it can reach pass 100meter GN easily

This post has been edited by ieR: Sep 28 2010, 06:32 PM

Yes thanks to Victor for bringing up the topic..
Now I need to go and test Nissin Di866's GN.. Hehe
Wana know if its really 'stronger' than SB900

What is the different between Di622 normal and Mark 2? Malaysia got sell Mark 2? Thanks.

it could be, i dont know exact value of 866 GN, but most figure i saw online is GN60 (m)... but then, those several meter makes no diff, because the distance drop drastically at iso100, F5.6 (that is 5 stop) meaning, from 1/1 drop to 1/32

This post has been edited by ieR: Sep 28 2010, 07:00 PM

Guys.. just wanna ask.. besides the strobist blogspot mentioned at the 1st post.. still got any online sources to share on lesson of lightnings tutorial? =X

I get it, thanks for the info. This means that a powerful flash will benefit most when using bounce flash on high ceilings. SB900 is probably off my budget for now.

When bounce flash is performed, is there any "distance sensor" in the flash in order to increase flash power to reach the ceiling? Would it be better for the picture if Manual settings is used in that case?

Ahhh.. I want SB700 to be released ASAP...

the "distance sensor" in this case would be TTL
it will fire a pre-flash and the camera will judge how much light is required just before it fires the main flash.
the pre-flash is too close to main flash for our eyes to detect it

well, its not distance sensor, but just a TTL sensor with Lens-distance information being calculate intensely(well noone knows the real formula LOL) which they market as i-TTL (nikon) or (e-TTL(II) for canon and ADI for sony)

3rd party flash does not have the intensive formula to retrieve distance as key to accurate exposure (hence why we always encourage people to get original brand flash), but Metz flash (more expensive then Nissin) has license for i/e TTL and ADI.

the TTL(pre-flash) will calculate how much light is needed to brighten up the photo, but another thing u have to know is, the TTL relies on the Metering Mode u choose. if u picked spot, the TTL will only fire as much to balance the Ev on the spot only, ignoring all other space(frame). if u pick Multi/wide/(other word mean whole frame) metering, the flash might fire stronger to fill the room with light, that might cause ur subject to be a little brighter then usual.

understand the whole basic of ur camera from PASM to Metering EV(aperture,shutter and ISO - the exposure triangle) then only learn flash.... or u can just use AUTO all the way

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Added on September 29, 2010, 12:26 pmThis post has been edited by ieR: Sep 29 2010, 12:26 PM

Guys which brand is better for flash? on canon mount [550d]

1. Di622
2. YN560
3. YN460II

either 1 of these.. which is the best 1? or is it that they own have specialties? I mainly use it for wedding photography and low light hall.

Thanks in advance

wanna ask about batteries
currently using canon 580 ex ii
was using normal alkaline battery, realised that the recycling time was super slow
wat kind of batteries should i be using in order to get a faster recycling time?

ok you're right! i thought ft was standard used for GN.

ever consider Metz? http://shashinki.com/shop/metz-shoe-mount-...facturers_id=94

its less power then the model u mention, slightly more expensive, but it has better "e-ttl" accuracy. those model u mention only has TTL which is not consistent. if u wan to go serious with wedding and event shooting, i really advise metz or canon flash, because if u buy those, u will struggle to get right photo then 2-3 month later u surely wan to upgrade to canon flash ohhh...

or Metz more powerful model, http://shashinki.com/shop/metz-shoe-mount-...facturers_id=94 in my opinion, this flash is better then 580exII, for the frontfill is very useful(there is another 2nd flash below the main head)

Maha Imedion (2100mAh (oldmodel), (new model) 2400mAh)
Sanyo Eneloop (2000mAh)

these 2 are highly recommended. the new Imedion has 2400mAh(min) are not Hot Seller! grab one now from Shashinki! promotion

This post has been edited by ieR: Sep 29 2010, 06:30 PM

Wanna ask for opinion,
which Demb flash diffuser more suitable to shoot vertical ar?

I had trouble when shooting in vertical. Seems that the left frame slight overexposed, while the right frame underexposed.

Anyone can share their advices or experiences?

Link: http://dembflashproducts.com/order/index.php
Offical website seems to be cheaper than those at GS.

Try reading Neil's blog.
Its pretty informative with lots of real world examples.