A flash for Nikon must be compatible with i-TTL for automatic exposure with digital camera bodies. Apart from Nikon’s own speedlights you can buy from third party manufacturers such as Nissin, Yongnuo, Metz, Sunpak or Vivitar.
The two tables below list brands and models with approximate cost, power (guide number), wireless features and links to specs and reviews, split up between current and discontinued speedlights.
Contents
Flash for Nikon – Current iTTL Models
Discontinued i-TTL Speedlights (buy used)
Recommended Flash For Nikon List
Flash for Nikon – Current iTTL Models
When deciding which flash for Nikon to buy there is the choice between 3 speedlights from Nikon or third party brands which have some cheap but really good alternatives. The first table lists all relevant offers in alphabetical order (brand and model name). Click on the ‘specs’ link for detail information, or on ‘review’ for test results and evaluation.
| Brand | Model name | Cost (USD) Mar 2011 |
GN (spec / test) m, 35mm, ISO 100 |
Wireless TTL | More info | ||||||||||||
| Nikon | SB-400 | 130 (e, a) | 21 / 22 | no | specs, e, a) | 28 / 29 | slave + master | specs, e, a) | 34 / 35.5 | slave + master | specs, e, a) | 34 / ? | slave + master | specs, e, a) | 22 / ? | no | specs |
| Nissin | Di622 | 130 (e, a) | 32 / ? | no | specs | ||||||||||||
| Nissin | Di622 Mark II | 170 (e, a) | 32 / 37 | slave | specs, review | ||||||||||||
| Nissin | Di866 | 280 (e, a) | 40 / 41 | slave + master | specs, review | ||||||||||||
| Nissin | Di866 Mark II | 350 (e, a) | 40 / ? | slave + master | specs | ||||||||||||
| Sigma | EF-530 DG ST | 120 (e, a) | 31 / ? | no | specs | ||||||||||||
| Sigma | EF-530 DG Super | 170 (e, a) | 31 / ? | slave + master | specs | ||||||||||||
| Sigma | EF-610 DG ST | 160 (e, a) | 36 / ? | no | specs | ||||||||||||
| Sigma | EF-610 DG Super | 250 (e, a) | 36 / ? | slave + master | specs | ||||||||||||
| Sunpak | PZ42X | 150 (e, a) | 28 / 35.5 | no | specs | ||||||||||||
| Sunpak | RD-2000 | 60 (e, a) | 20 / ? | no | specs | ||||||||||||
| Vivitar | DF-383 | 130 (e, a) | ? / 35.5 | no | specs | ||||||||||||
| Yongnuo | YN465 | 65 (e, a) | 33 / 27 | no | specs, review | ||||||||||||
| Yongnuo | YN467 | 80 (e, a) | 33 / 20 | no | specs, review |
Discontinued i-TTL Speedlights
Buying a used flash is an alternative since speedlights don’t wear out in moderate use. When shopping for a used flash, there’s additional choice among the speedlights in the table below. All these models also support i-TTL which qualifies them for full automatic flash photography together with your Nikon camera body (2005 or newer).
| Brand | Model name | Cost (USD) Mar 2011 |
GN (spec / test) m, 35mm, ISO 100 |
Wireless TTL | More info | ||||||
| Nikon | SB-600 | 200 (e, a) | 30 / 31 | slave | specs, e) | 38 / 41 | slave + master | specs, e, a) | 35 / ? | no | specs |
| Sigma | EF-500 DG Super | 180 (e, a) | 35 / ? | slave + master | specs |
Recommended Flash For Nikon List
There are some cheap alternatives on the market and there’s no necessity to buy your speedlight from Nikon. The recommendations below are based on value within a defined price range. In addition, speedlites are only recommended if also practically usable for off-camera flash with low-cost radio triggers such as the Yongnuo RF-602 or similar models.
Speedlight < $100
Yongnuo 465
$100-$200 range
Nissin Di622 Mark II, Nikon SB-600 (used)
$200-$300
Nissin Di866, Metz 50 AF-1
$300-$400
Nikon SB-700, Nissin Di866-II, Nikon SB-800
Above $400
Nikon SB-900, Metz 58 AF-2
The above tables don’t claim to be 100% complete, but they list the main alternatives to consider when buying a speedlight for Nikon in August 2011. Pricing information is approximate.
Pls understand there can’t be any warranty for the accuracy of information provided here. Leave a comment or send an email to fransener (at) speedlights.net if you find any mistakes.
