Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
A sophisticated flash unit / Special functions with NIKON D2H, D1 and D100 Digital Cameras / Supports up to 3 slave units TTL and Non-TTL Auto Flash (A) with film cameras Intelligent i-TTL system supports Advanced Wireless Lighting, including 3 remote i-TTL Speedlight groups controlled through the master SB-800 D2H and SB-800 wireless lighting system makes operation as simple as an on-camera Speedlight Auto FP High Speed Sync Mode delivers fill flash in bright light as needed FV Lock (Flash Value Lock) allows photographer to change the composition or zoom for the shot, while maintaining desired lighting of the subject Wide-area AF Illuminator covers D2H's 11 AF sensors Compatible with every AF Nikkor lens Power Source - Four 1.5 V (AA-size alkaline), AA (AA-size NiCd) or AA-size lithium batteries, Quick Recycle Battery Pack SD-800 holds a fifth AA - size battery for faster power recycling Dimensions - Width Approximately 2.8 x Height 5.1 x Depth 3.7 inch Weight without batteries - Approximately 12.3 ounces Batteries are not included. Must be purchased separately.
Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Accessories
 Nikon EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery for D200, D300, D700 and D80 Digital SLR Cameras
Nikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning System
Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon D40, D40x, D60 & D80 Digital SLR Cameras
Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
Nikon MB-D10 Multi Power Battery Pack for Nikon D300 & D700 Digital SLR Cameras
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-135mm AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
SanDisk 8 GB Extreme III CF Card SDCFX3-008G-A31 (Retail Package)
David Busch's Nikon D300 Guide to Digital SLR Photography
Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Reviews
The SB-600 does not. I have four of them now. But I am fine with using Pocket Wizards and leaving the SB-800 on manual mode. I like that it has a PC sync port. If you want to use radio signals but still use TTL data then you could use those Radio Poppers.
I shoot them through translucent umbrellas, bounce their light off walls, and I am acquiring an arsenal of modifiers to manipulate the light. While the $320 price seemed steep at first, I actually get plenty of value out of this flash. They have the built-in wireless syncing, which really works pretty well in most situations. They also come with a diffuser cap and some color correction gels.
I use them on my camera, as well as mounted on a light stand. With pocket wizards you lose the ability to send TTL data. The light packs a lot of power and if you use the fifth battery compartment you get a faster recycle time. I'm sure it is a great light but I love this SB-800 and have no plans on upgrading as long as these things are still available.
There is a built-in bounce card and a diffuser for distributing light for wide angles. The SB-900 just came out and cost over a hundred bucks more than this light. You can also use pocket wizards or some other radio signal device to trigger them as well.
I sync a 400WS studio monolight from the SB-800 as my camera does not have a PC Sync connector and this works seamlesslyeven if I only want the monolight to fire. This unit is the fullest featured strobe I've had for a camera. I use the SC-29 to keep the flash off of the camera 99% of the time and it allows me to hold the SB-800 behind a diffusion screen with one hand while I shoot with the otheramazing effect for a small flash like this. In true NIkon fashion, this flash will do everything for you or allow you to manually control everything down to 1/128th power. Powerful output will supply enough light for most enthusiasts and works nicely in combination with other flash units, even if they're not Nikon CLS compatible. Recharges quickly and uses power judiciously so that batteries last longer than in other flash units (through a combination of iTTL metering and zoom capability). Also works very nicely with the Nikon SC-29 off camera cable which includes focusing lamps on the hot-shoe connector so that your camera can focus effectively in low light. You won't be disappointed with the SB-800.
In other words, once you own more than one of these, you'll need a new camera bag too. - It's big, and when using all 5 batteries, is heavy, although not as big or as expensive as the new SB-900. Excellent piece of equipment - for most Nikon shooters, this should be their first choice for a flash. If you're doing anything but shooting family snaps, you'll have use for this piece of equipment and once you do you'll know why it's a required piece for Nikon shooting pros. That's right - these things are like potato chips - you can't have just one. Other reviewers have done an excellent job outlining the details of why you might want this flash. - As soon as you watch those tutorials, you'll want more than one SB-800. Check out some of the Joe McNally tutorials at Kelby Training online or the wealth of stuff at Strobist.
Expensive, but worth it if you intend to grow as a photographer. You'll need to do more than just read the manual to get the most out of this unit. 3 caveats -. - This is the most sophisticated piece of photo equipment I've ever owned (and I've owned professional Norman units back in the film days).
I bought this flash for the express purpose of using it during weddings and I have to say that after three very different weddings, with different lighting conditions, this flash is amazing. I would definitely, and most likely will, order another for a backup very soon.
There are so many functions you can set and get great photographs.
I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for.
If you're new to photography and you're looking for a great all around speed light that you will have for a years to come then this is it.
It's really difficult to mess up a good picture with this speed light.
Also the cool strobe effect (continuous mode) for certain types of shots.
I've used it with my D70 and D2X with outstanding results.
What a great piece of equipment.
It's great as a primary light or if you have two then as a secondary light works awesome as well.
The SB-800 seems to exceed that statement and much more.
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