Nikon SB-700 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
- Portable, Versatile Speedlight Unit
- Nikon’s Precision i-TTL Flash Control
- Complete Flash Head Positioning Freedom
- Hot Shoe and Wireless Operation
- Wireless Flash Control
The next great speedlight from Nikon is here, introducing the Nikon SB-700, a high-performance portable flash with a host of new features designed to make flash photography simple, accurate and creative. The SB-700 is for photographers looking for an on-camera Speedlight offering more power for greater depth-of-field control than the built-in flash or for users looking for a compact Speedlight that can be set up as a Commander or a Remote in wireless flash set-ups as well as those who want to upgrade from their existing or older Nikon Speedlight.
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A compact SB 900,
I’m a big fan of the Nikon CLS wireless flash system and I have several Nikon speedlights that I use for high quality portable lighting. Overall, the system works really well, and armed with a few flashes and some simple clamps, I can get creative off-camera lighting nearly anywhere (for on-camera flash, I tend to use the Quantum units). Yes, it’s infrared line-of-sight and doesn’t have the range of other radio systems, but for me, it’s fine.
I have a pair of SB900 flashes and have been very impressed with them in terms of light quality, ease of use and so on – my only complaint is the bulk and weight. I also have a few SB600 units, which are more compact – but they don’t offer the same even, high quality lighting I get with my SB900. For whatever reason, I always find the SB600 too hot in the center, and somehow “harsh”. I end up using various diffuser attachments, and by then, I get all the bulk of the SB900, and only half the output.
I figured I’d try an SB700, hoping to get light quality of the SB900 in a smaller, more convenient package. So far, I haven’t been disappointed.
Operationally, the SB700 is very similar to the SB900 – mostly the same menus, switches and options. This is a blessing for me because the older SB600 was so different from the SB900 that I’d have to spend a lot of time figuring out how to get it to do what I wanted.
The power, light quality and recycle time are also quite good on the SB700. I get recycle time under 3 seconds with Lithium batteries, and light output seems to be within about 30% of the SB900. All the SB900 options are available, including zoom, “even” flash (less falloff in the corners) and so on. The device weighs in at about a pound with batteries and it’s notably smaller than the big brother SB900 (but heavier than the SB600). Construction quality is about what you’d expect, and there are even optional weather “boots” that cover the hotshoe contact so water can’t seep between the flash and your camera in damp locations.
Some have complained about the SB900 and it’s thermal shutdown feature. The SB700 seems to work differently – when it detects temperatures rising, it slows down the recycle time, giving the flash tube time to cool. I suppose this is better than the SB900 (which just stops working if the flash tube hits a certain temperature).
The one complaint others have pointed out is that there’s no standard PC jack, making it difficult to operate the flash via a standard PC cord. There are various alternatives if you need this capability, including an add on device with a hot shoe to PC adapter, but it can be annoying if you have accessories requiring PC cord connections.
Otherwise, I think it’s a fine flash that Nikon owners will appreciate. Definitely recommended, either as part of an ambitious system or as your only flash.
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|Excellent Flash – just missing power input and PC plug,
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.
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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.
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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!
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|Commander Mode for entry level DSLR cameras!,
Most of the newer entry level Nikon DSLRs do not have commander mode to remotely control the flash OFF Camera. As the owner of both a D5000 and D3100 I wanted to be able to remote fire my SB-600. Now that I have the SB-700 I can do so very easily. The interface on the SB-700 is much more straight forward than the SB-600 which requires you to push two buttons at the same time to enter certain menus to control the flash. The SB-700 is easier and faster to setup and has more features than the SB-600.
The SB-700 also includes 3 flash covers: Diffuser, Tungsten and Florescent. These unlike gels that wear out come in handy in certain lighting conditions to get the shot you want without having to purchase aftermarket covers/diffusers/gels (nice touch Nikon!).
Though the SB-700 is slightly less powerful than the SB-600 I just find I rather shoot with the SB-700. The SB-700 also has the “Bounce Card” on top of the wide angle diffuser cover. I wish they put that on the SB-600 as it is very useful when you can’t bounce light on a ceiling you can at least bounce the light off the card to light up the subjects eyes.
All in all I highly recommend this flash over the SB-600. I wanted to get the SB-900 but its just too big/heavy for “MY” needs and couldn’t justify the additional cost.
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