SB 400, an under-rated flash.

[Randius]

>1. You cannot bounce off the ceiling when shooting in portrait orientation.
This alone makes it undesirable, almost unusable for general use . SB600 is a much better choice.

I will say "undesirable, almost unusable for general use" are pretty strong words. SB600 is about twice the cost of SB400 and targeting those who want more control over the flash. They serve different level of users and SB400 should not be readily regarded as undesirable/unusable.

For beginners with a light-weight camera+lens setup, they can extend the usability of SB400 by getting a SC-17/28/29 remote cord. In this way, they can start playing with a single off-camera flash (but only up to 1.5m away from camera) by hand-holding it or mounting it on tripod/stand; all without the need to buy SU-800/upgrading to D90/D300 + getting SB-600/800/900.

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

>1. You cannot bounce off the ceiling when shooting in portrait orientation.
This alone makes it undesirable, almost unusable for general use . SB600 is a much better choice.

I will say "undesirable, almost unusable for general use" are pretty strong words. SB600 is about twice the cost of SB400 and targeting those who want more control over the flash. They serve different level of users and SB400 should not be readily regarded as undesirable/unusable.

For beginners with a light-weight camera+lens setup, they can extend the usability of SB400 by getting a SC-17/28/29 remote cord. In this way, they can start playing with a single off-camera flash (but only up to 1.5m away from camera) by hand-holding it or mounting it on tripod/stand; all without the need to buy SU-800/upgrading to D90/D300 + getting SB-600/800/900.

Ya man... I agree with you... got a :bigeyes: when I saw such strong comments.
That's like saying "a Honda Civic is undesirable as a car because it can't accelerate from 0-100 in less than 6 seconds. The Nissan GT-R is a much better choice."

From personal experience, I take 95% of my photos in landscape orientation, even indoors at a dinner table, for example. So the vertical bounce of the SB400 suits me fine. I use it much more often than my SB600, simply because it fits my needs.

 

[pooQy]

Ya man... I agree with you... got a :bigeyes: when I saw such strong comments.
That's like saying "a Honda Civic is undesirable as a car because it can't accelerate from 0-100 in less than 6 seconds. The Nissan GT-R is a much better choice."

From personal experience, I take 95% of my photos in landscape orientation, even indoors at a dinner table, for example. So the vertical bounce of the SB400 suits me fine. I use it much more often than my SB600, simply because it fits my needs.

cool, an owner with 1st hand experience.
With the low price of the SB400, worth a try?

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

what are you intending to use it for? I use it to photograph my friends/family at the table during meals, and also for some low-light "evidence that i was there" photographs on my holidays.

 

[pooQy]

what are you intending to use it for? I use it to photograph my friends/family at the table during meals, and also for some low-light "evidence that i was there" photographs on my holidays.

some shots that I do, are in low light... some in normal lightings.

But even though after getting a 'fast' lens, still not able to 'freeze' the action. I'm sure flash would be able to assist in this area.. sometimes to help fill in the shadows too.

since 50mm shooting range is not too far, the effective range of the sb400 might be useful in this case?

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

50mm can also be used to shoot landscapes! The SB400 won't be able to light up the singapore city skyline from Marina Barrage, for example (actually no flash can... haha)

On my travels, I usually use it for fill-in flash, so I'm not underexposed compared with the bright background.
Or I use it in slow-sync mode with long exposures.

 

[pooQy]

50mm can also be used to shoot landscapes! The SB400 won't be able to light up the singapore city skyline from Marina Barrage, for example (actually no flash can... haha)

On my travels, I usually use it for fill-in flash, so I'm not underexposed compared with the bright background.
Or I use it in slow-sync mode with long exposures.

i'm done with landscapes for the longest of times with the kit lens. That should be it for the moment.

Currently going into human subjects.... I like going close. But as usual, lighting is a big factor. Thus i considering ext flash.

Do you use light diffuser / bounce for this flash?

 

[Daedalus Trent]

mmm...imo, if i'm going to fork out cash to buy an external flash, i'd go for at least a SB-600:think:

(i use the wireless CLS a lot!)

 

[pooQy]

mmm...imo, if i'm going to fork out cash to buy an external flash, i'd go for at least a SB-600:think:

(i use the wireless CLS a lot!)

too bulky... and $$

 

[Daedalus Trent]

too bulky... and $$

bulky? Well, to each is own, i guess

I bring my D90 around with me all the time so i guess bulkiness isn'y an issue for me xD

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

i'm done with landscapes for the longest of times with the kit lens. That should be it for the moment.

Currently going into human subjects.... I like going close. But as usual, lighting is a big factor. Thus i considering ext flash.

Do you use light diffuser / bounce for this flash?

Usually I bounce it vertically when I'm in a room. If the ceiling really high, then a bit jialat for the SB400. Can tie some tissue or something in front to diffuse the light.
But be warned that SB400 flash power isn't that great on its own. So if you diffuse it, lagi weaker. Have to try it out to see if it fits your needs. It does for me!
I recommend you to get 2nd hand for around 140-150 price range, or even lower if you can find. So if you find it not suitable for you, selling it won't hurt your pocket too much. Maybe lose 10-20 dollars only. 2nd hand has its risks of course.

 

[redmonsoon]

>I take 95% of my photos in landscape orientation,
Of course lah, then its fine.

Pardon my 'strong' words..haha thats just my personal opinion.
But just that I cannot imagine buying a pdt that then limits me to shooting only in landscape. Again, if thats fine for you , then SB400 is great for tis price.

>That's like saying "a Honda Civic is undesirable as a car because it can't accelerate from 0-100 in less than 6 seconds. The Nissan GT-R is a much better choice."
I reckon that more akin to comparing the flash refresh & reach.
However, I'll say its more like saying the Civic can only drive forward, cannot reverse...lol..just kidding.

 

[zac08]

too bulky... and $$

Get the SB-R200 then... small and light and capable of CLS AWL.

 

[xiaoxian]

Eh. I used to use the flash, and I think it is a pretty compact flash, and easy to travel around with.. However, I lost my SB400, hence i just bot a SB600 from a fellow CS-er yesterday as i thought it might be good to upgrade. I think SB400 is a great flash.. lightweight and recycle time very fast!

 

[sf_kang]

Every product is designed with specific applications/usage/price range/target customers in mind. The SB400 has its place, its benefits and its limitations. If they don't meet your needs, go for another one e.g. SB600, 800 or 900. I have used all of these and basically select the 'right tool for the right job'. Don't expect one 'tool' to cover everything under the sun. Generally, I would recommend the SB600, 800 or 900 since these can be set up as remote wireless flash that can be controlled from the built-in flash on most Nikon DSLR except the D3/D3X which do not have the built-in flash.

Select the flash that best meets not shooting needs. That all there is to it. I use the SB400 when I just need some fill-flash to lighten up shadows but not really for 'big group' shoots.

Nikon has one of the best flash systems (in my opinion after being a Nikon user for over 40 years).

Fred

 

[Blur Shadow]

too bulky... and $$

From what you've described, I'd go for the SB-600. But hey, if you're limited by fiscal concerns, there's no harm starting out with a SB-400 either.

 

[philpoon]

Hi TS, I started with a SB-400 and later added the SB-800. My original intention was to sell the SB-400 after buying the SB800. After some thinking, I have decided to keep the SB-400 for several reasons. It is lightweight, compact, runs on 2 AA batteries and reasonably fast recycle time. It is great for usage indoor, e.g at home or places without high ceilings. For places with high ceilings such as the lobby of a hotel or exhibition halls, the bounce light will be rendered useless. However, I also have a Flip-it bounce reflector specially designed for SB-400. This allow me to use the flash when the ceiling is too high for bouncing off the flash light. You also need to keep in mind the limitation of the distance coverage. It works great for distance within 20 feet. Beyond that the power is quite weak. Even if you use exposure compensation, you cannot really achieve the desired lighting level for your exposure.

So there you have it...first hand experience. So long as you understand and use it within its limitations, you will find the SB-400 a useful little flash. Absolutely better than the built-in flash + many more benefits. It is in my bag all the time, together with the Flip-It reflector. If the SB-600 is out of your budget now, just go for the SB-400 first and add on later when you have the funds. Cheers!

 

[pooQy]

bulky? Well, to each is own, i guess

I bring my D90 around with me all the time so i guess bulkiness isn'y an issue for me xD

all the time? wow... :thumbsup:

 

[pooQy]

Usually I bounce it vertically when I'm in a room. If the ceiling really high, then a bit jialat for the SB400. Can tie some tissue or something in front to diffuse the light.
But be warned that SB400 flash power isn't that great on its own. So if you diffuse it, lagi weaker. Have to try it out to see if it fits your needs. It does for me!
I recommend you to get 2nd hand for around 140-150 price range, or even lower if you can find. So if you find it not suitable for you, selling it won't hurt your pocket too much. Maybe lose 10-20 dollars only. 2nd hand has its risks of course.

1st hand's going for abt $169 (pricing last updated in Jan 09). I guess it should be lower than that now.

Yeah, i heard abt getting 2nd hand and how it works not losing too much $$ if re-selling it.

 

[pooQy]

Get the SB-R200 then... small and light and capable of CLS AWL.

Serious?
Tot this is a macro flash?