Comment on Nikon SB-700 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras by R. Ohara.
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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