Sigma or Nikon Flash?

[destroyallx]

I'm looking to buying a flash unit for my nikon dslr. I'm debating myself between the sb-600 and some of the level sigma flashes. Can anyone convince me? or am i just being cheap. I'll be doing alot of model photography and indoor portraits, even some lowlight concert situations (alot actually, for the ones that let me use a flash anyway)

[nathan.welch]

sb-400 looks good too.

check out ken rockwells reviews, google his name

[andkiich]

You can't really beat the nikon sb-600 or sb-800 flash units. At least with those you're sure what your getting and you'll know the exact functionality they will provide.

[Nescio!]

When I was shopping for speed light (I decided against buying one) I was gonna go for the Sigma actually. I forget why, but I really liked it's features. I do alot of action shooting, if that means anything.

[milehidweller]

I have D70s and recently bought SB-600. That makes whole world of difference shooting indoors. Don't even bother considering anything non-Nikon, even on paper they are much worse: just look at recycle times. And the greatest thing is the Commander mode on SB-600 and up (not sure if it is available on SB-400). Well, it probably does not work with D50 either. And SB-800 is not worth extra money, little more power, few unnesessary bells and whistles, and heavier too.

[andkiich]

SB-600 doesn't have a commander mode AFAIK, only the sb-800.

[milehidweller]

You are right, Andrew.
What I meant was that SB-600 can be a remote Slave for a camera set up as Commander. SB-800 can be a Commander, built-in flash of D70 too, the one on D50 not. Not sure if the newer SB-400 can be a Slave.

[photoshopabuser]

SB-600 doesn't have a commander mode AFAIK, only the sb-800.

I run my sb600 with a d70s all the time in Commander mode. I know it doesn't work with a d40. My son has one and I couldn't get it to work. Not too sure about other Nikon cameras though.

[EasyEdE]

For what it is worth I'm using a SB-800 and I couldn't be happier. I'm not very well versed at using flash but with the SB-800 I managed to get some very satisfying shots, especially of people. The people shots look quite natural and lack the harsh "camera flash" shadows so often seen on such photos.