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Your cart is empty.GarageBoy
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2024
I purchased this based on a review by Ken Rockwell, who thought highly of it. I've had great success with the SB-400 and hardly notice it when attached to the camera. Importantly, Nikon apparently no longer offers it. There was a used option, which I purchased, and a like-new flash - more expensive, of course. It sits high enough on the camera so that shadowing isn't a problem with a long lens (e.g. Nikon 70-200mm), and the bounce flash feature works great. I have a big and relatively heavy SB-500, which I'll use for family portraits, etc. but not for working out in the field. AA batteries an advantage for multiple flashes and lots of shots. Hoping the money I saved on a used item won't be lost.
Manuel Beardo
Reviewed in Spain on September 18, 2020
Ya no es posible comprarlos nuevos por que está descatalogado pero es de los mejores flash pequeños que existen. Mucho mejor de los que sacaron a porteriori.
JJ
Reviewed in Japan on September 1, 2019
内蔵フラッシュと違い角度を変えられるので、自然な仕上がりになります。かつ、小型で大げさにならないので、町撮りでも使いやすい。
RAPage
Reviewed in Canada on March 4, 2014
Get one of these while you can. Nikon does not make them anymore & it's replacement is not as good. Sure glad I spotted this one here, as I couldn't find one in the local photo stores. This little guy is so handy when I don't want to carry my big Nikon flash. It's also more powerful than the on-board flash, plus you can tilt it up for bounce flash.Go to kenrockwell.com for an in depth review.Cheers!
xaeinstein
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2014
I actually paid almost double what it originally sold for before Nikon decided to pull the plug on it.And it is worth every penny of it.I take photos for both personal and professional purposes.I own more cameras and lenses that I care to admit publicly, including several "high end" flashes.Why this one?Two sets of reasons:First set (somewhat unique):One of my workhorses is a retro-style Nikon DSLR camera model called the Df.This camera has the look and all the knobs and levers that old SLRs did but the guts of the most modern (digital) DSLR.Built like a tank, it still has menus you can use if you are so inclined, but you can also look at it and or tweak all the dials and knobs.Like an older SLR it does NOT have a built-in flash.I do NOT want to go against this combination of simplicity and power by putting a gigantic high end flash on top of it that is 2X+ longer and heavier and much more complex than this one is.Second set of reasons:It has virtually all the features I look for in an separate flash unit:- great power (high number)- great battery life- highly reliable- very quick recycle time- batteries that are cheap, long lasting, readily available (easily found on on-a-pinch)- automatic control with complete camera interoperability- adjustable head !!! (up / down / etc)- includes a very attractive, compact and durable case to protect it when not in use.What it lacks, I can do without most of the time: and that is remote commander-style master/slave control of other flash units.Which I only use on special glamour shots.Nikon made a huge mistake discontinuing it, but you can fix that - however you'll have to either buy it used or if you want it new (like I did) you must order it from a merchant in Amazon or elsewhere that gets it from Japan where it is still for sale.The amazon seller I used, got it me in relatively short time and in perfect condition. Which for whatever reason included hand folded origami "thank you" notes. (a nice touch)Of course if you or someone you know will be traveling to Japan, have them get you a copy.The price is higher than original because in a Capitalist system, high demand drives the price up but in my mind it is still a value purchase. Everyone in the know wants this flash. It combines extreme functionality in a very very small package.The model Nikon put out to replace it has been neutered, so your real options for external flashes are still much more expensive. Larger too.Most of the time I shoot natural light with no flash.But when I do need a flash, this is the one I use.And it fits in just about every pocket of my clothes so all I have to do is pick it up and stash it.Even when I'm NOT carrying a bag.Now imagine all this at half the price (its original price).Nikon, wake up and smell the coffee.Bring this item back into regular markets.
TB_family
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2013
This is not a professional users review of the flash unit, so please bear this in mind if contemplating a purchase based on my review. The flash unit is mounted on a Nikon D5100 and so performance may vary on different DSLRsThis is going to add some bulk and clumsiness to your camera, but that is to be expected. The additional weight is minimal and not so bad that it throws the balance of the camera out. The charge up time with a good set of batteries is as fast as the camera itself and I have been able to snap several pictures in quick succession with the flash firing every time.The flash bulb can be angled through 90 degrees (face-on to ceiling) to give a range of lighting styles. It locks into the shoe securely and there is an indicator to advise that flash is ready.In dark rooms the additional light given off is noticeably better that the on-board flash, but I have to learn more about lighting as I am seeing some very strong shadows - my lack of knowledge more than a failing of the unit. I can't really see a marked difference in a room where light is starting to fade, so no real advantage for my current skill level.My only gripe, and this is a failing of the camera, if I am in auto mode where flash is needed and I haven't turned the flash unit on, the on-board flash pops up and will not lock back down unless I remove the flash first. Very annoying and I keep making the same mistake!Bottom line. Solid, well constructed unit that has the look and feel that is synonymous with Nikon products. Fast charge up, good battery life and seamless integration with the camera (at least on a D5100). As an amateur I found it easy to use and would recommend it
Sunn Kram
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2011
If you are an avid, non-pro shooter and just need something with better fill than a built-in flash and bounce capability, the SB-400 is a HUGE value at $120.It will work with any Nikon that uses the i-TTL system (all newer DSLRs and some point-and-shoots). I have a D5000 and it has drastically improved my picture quality especially for indoor people shots, thanks to bounce-flash. Simply point the flash at the ceiling or a wall and everything gets soaked in natural looking light. It does wonders for skin tones and colors in general. The look is far-and-away better than the direct flash burn that we're too used to seeing in so many people shots on Facebook, Flickr, etc. I've used it in numerous environments like restauraunts and bars with higher, darker colored ceilings and still bounced sufficient light down to the subject when the flash and a little ISO is cranked up in-camera. Direct fill outdoors looks great as well. Compensation is incredibly well controlled automatically by Nikon's system.Of course, bigger models do all of this with more power and versatility. However, they are significantly heavier, bulkier, and more complicated. 90+% of DSLR shooters these days are just looking to have a good time shooting and get great results. Most people (including myself) have no interest in making dozens of adjustments for every situation, let alone have the technical knowledge to understand it all. Big flashes give you even more decisions to make when your camera is better at making them for you in the first place. The SB-400 is great for its LACK of controls and totally manageable size. I basically leave mine attached all the time and it never gets in the way.Battery life is definitely decent as well. I generally have to switch out the AAs every 5-6 sessions of heavy use. You are adequately warned as recycling starts to lag when power gets low and an LED blinks repeatedly when its done.If there is a "must-have" accessory for Nikon DSLR, this is it. Before you start shopping for faster lenses and fancier bodies, add bounce-flash to your set-up and you might stop there!
Llewellyn709
Reviewed in Germany on September 13, 2010
Zugegeben: Er ist schwach, verglichen mit seinen 'großen Brüdern' oder entsprechenden Fremdhersteller-Blitzen. Und er ist teuer.Anfangs hielt mich das vom Kauf ab, inzwischen sehe ich es aber anders. Er ist sein Geld wert, den Kauf habe ich noch keine Sekunde bereut. Allein schon die Größe: Er ist wirklich so winzig, daß er in die Hosen- oder Jackentasche passt und trotzdem noch deutlich stärker als der kamerainterne Miniblitz (bringt schätzungsweise ca. die doppelte Leistung). Nicht, daß das für mich kaufentscheidend war, denn ich habe keine Hemmungen, notfalls auch auf ISO 1600 zu gehen, was die Blitz-Reichweite drastisch erhöht. Aber er hat eine wesentlich schnellere Aufladezeit als der eingebaute Miniblitz - solange nicht Maximalleistung gefragt ist, schafft er auch durchaus mehrere Serienbilder mit schneller Blitzfolge. Ein sehr wichtiger Punkt, da ich die Kamera sowieso immer auf Serienbild geschaltet habe. Außerdem ermöglicht er indirektes Blitzen, im Gegensatz zum eingebauten Blitz.Diese drei Faktoren gaben den Ausschlag. Für meine Zwecke ist der SB-400 vollkommen ausreichend und ich habe ihn (im Gegensatz zu größeren Blitzen) auch wirklich immer dabei. Er belichtet übrigens ausgesprochen zuverlässig, was ich von den beiden größeren Fremdhersteller-Blitzen (Nissin und Bilora), die ich zuvor einige Zeit getestet hatte, nicht zu 100% behaupten kann. Die waren zwar nicht wirklich schlecht, aber deren Schwankungsquote bei den Bildergebnissen (leicht unterbelichtet, leicht überbelichtet) erwies sich als deutlich größer. Angenehmer Nebeneffekt: Ich komme weiterhin mit einer relativ kleinen Fototasche aus und brauche nicht aufzurüsten. Bei den anderen Modellen wäre das nötig gewesen, aber der SB-400 hat nur ca. 1/3 der Größe und paßt immer noch irgendwo rein, sogar in die Seitentaschen.Fazit: Sehr kompakt. Sehr empfehlenswert.
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