Nikon 4814 SB-500 AF Speedlight (Black)

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I purchased this flash as an upgrade to the SB-400 which I absolutely loved. I am a "semi-professional" photographer. I do it for fun, but I do take the occasional Senior pictures and the occasional charity event etc. I have always loved the bounce flash of the SB-400 and the additional power over the built-in flash, but I could never figure out why they didnt design the flash so that you could bounce up when holding the camera vertically (portrait). I seriously considered upgrading to a more expensive "professional" speed light just for the vertical bounce, but could never justify spending well over 3 bills for the SB 700 or 900. Then along came the SB-500. I purchased this mainly for the ability to swivel the head and bounce light no matter how I hold the camera. Also, I was excited about the ability to take the flash off the camera and get some great lighting effects. I had one of those big, bulky coiled flash cord for the SB-400 that worked in a pinch, but I had to stay about 3-4 feet to the flash. Not a very good solution for off-camera flash. But it was fun experimenting with off-camera light. The flash fulfilled the 2 requirements, but then blew me away with how great it does everything. It is VERY easy to use. That is another thing I loved about the SB-400, there was a power switch. That was IT! The SB-500 has some additional settings for the power switch (flash, constant LED, A and B) Thats IT! No fiddling with the flash, just turn it on and let the camera do the rest. (Oh it also has a modeling flash button - It fires the flash when you push the button) Nikons iTTL system is phenomenal! I always get a precisely metered picture with no hassle. No matter where the flash is pointed, it will expose correctly. I didnt really think I would use the LED much because Im not much of a videographer, but it works nicely for stills as well. Also, you can use the LEDs off camera and provides a constant light so you can see what the shadows will look like. Ive only had this flash for a day, but I already know it was the exact flash that I was searching for. I have never owned a 700 or a 900 so I dont know the features that those have that Im missing, but I cant really imagine anything else I would need this flash to do.

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Quite like this little powerhouse! What first impressed me was the size. Its quite small for a speed light. Its not as powerful as its big brothers, but that isnt really a bad thing. It beats using the pop up flash by a mile (stronger, tiltable, and can be rotated). This is a perfect first speedlight for someone who has never used a shoe mount flash. Controls are simple, TTL metering works great, runs on 2 AA batteries. Then we get to the reason I had to give this a try...the LED lights. They are really bright! They might replace my lens mount ring light for some situations. It also has a light sensing eye, so you can use the cameras pop up to trigger it while holding it off to the side in one hand, or while its mounted on the included stand. One last note, takes up very little room in the camera bag. Good thing to keep in there in case you find yourself in a situation where you need a quick fill flash. I may update this after Ive had more time playing around with it in different situations, but so far, I am not disappointed. This is a very interesting and usable product.

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This is the sweet spot of Nikons Speedlight line, especially if you have a Nikon camera that can function in flash Commander mode. Ill be using it with another of Nikon sweet-spot products, the D-7100, and this review is from that viewpoint. First, it has twice the flash power of the on-camera flash, and can bounce flash. Second, the D-7100 can operate in Commander mode, which means that it can send signals by flashing the on-camera flash very rapidly -- you barely notice it -- and thus coordinate and control the SB-500 wirelessly. Its magical, really. (The "Commander mode" and the remote or commander flashes are a part of Nikons Creative Lighting System, CLS.) Third, it has a built-in 3-LED continuous light, which you can use for video, or maybe as a modeling light. An on-camera video light isnt the best solution, but when you need light you need light, and its basically included for free with the SB-500. (And not on any other Nikon flash that Im aware of.) Last, the flash is very small, so its easily thrown into whatever case youre using to carry your camera. Im already considering the day when I get a second one for more CLS goodness: one for the subject, one for the background, or two to light a larger room, or two bouncing off of the ceiling for a broad, soft coverage, etc. The flash comes with a little plastic foot you can use to stand the flash up on a flat surface, and a nice little bag that has an inner pocket where you can store the foot.

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This is an excellent flash for someone that doesnt want to haul around a huge hunk of equipment on their Nikon. It is simple and does the trick. Its the best step-up from the flash that is built-in on your Nikon. Get this one and skip the cheap ones that have a lot of (or looks) bells and whistles that you probably dont need.

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I have a Nikon SB 400 and an SB 800. Although I like them both, the 400 is limited to horizontal shots only if you’re trying to bounce the light. The 800 is pretty large for occasionally shooting, so I was looking for a compromise and this Speedlight is perfect for that. I’ve only had it for a short while, but I was amazed at how well it performed in a chapel with an 18 foot vaulted ceiling. The bounced light illuminated my groups of 10 - 12 people beautifully. It’s compact and not too heavy. Unlike the 800, it balances well on my Z-6. I haven’t need to replace the batteries yet, so I really can’t comment on energy efficiency. It’s a little pricey, but I’m thrilled with it so far.

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I bought this when my SB-400 died. I like that this flash can rotate to bounce it off the ceiling for both portrait and landscape photos, but its not as foolproof as the SB-400. It takes a little playing around with and testing to get the lighting right. With the SB-400, I could just angle the flash straight up to the ceiling for bounce and get beautiful lighting every time. This flash is also MUCH larger. I wish they hadnt stopped making the 400.

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With its 3-staged Led video light and I SO 100 78 guide number it is perfect for all family picyures...the SB 700 at I SO 100 might be right for you however if using for weddings etc. Personally I think the SB 500 fills a void and does well out to 24mm in wide angle use. It takes 2 aa batteries and it much better than the built in flash The SB 700 takes aa batteries

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*UPDATE* After a few years of usage Im pulling it back a star. Thats not to say I dont like this flash--but rather Ive outgrown it and that there are a few other 3rd party flashes on the market that can do everything the SB-500 can do, and a bag of chips: For instance, this flash doesnt zoom. The Guide number is somewhat low (as is to be expected by a 2-battery flash) No external battery port for quick recharging. No RF capabilities--Off-camera use as-is is limited to the CLS system, which is line-of-sight, not RF which means in a lightbox, you cant remotely trigger it. Be that as it may, its still part of my system when attached to an RF trigger, and does work admirably as a fill light. However, if I had to do it all again Id look at the less expensive 3rd party options which could do much more. Id still recommend it if youre against using 3rd party options and just need a no-frills flash that can be rotated/bounced. Upgrading on a budget from an SB-30 that was not compatible with the iTTL on my D750, this thing works like a charm and is still kind on the budget. While not as powerful as some other speedlights, it can still throw a good distance and the head being able to spin on its axis, as well as tilting the head up is a definite plus. It comes with a base so you can use it off-camera, and that base has a standard 1/4" tripod screw, so placement of the flash for artistic effects is easy. I rarely use the LED lights, but they do work as advertised. Takes 2 AA batteries. I would definitely recommend if you dont have the money for a more expensive speedlight and want something that works well with iTTL.

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Nice upgrade for my favorite small flash, the SB 400. Its larger but swivels, uses two AA batteries and makes a nice travel flash. Also has a low powered LED that I havent tried yet.

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Im just starting to play with this thing but already I really love it. Goes very well with my new Nikon D7200. This rig can be used in "commander" mode to have the flash off camera and triggered remotely. Really does help with controlling the lighting. Can also be used simply attached to the camera and the flash head swivels so the light can be bounced off the ceiling or other surfaces to soften the light. Im gonna get a lot of use out of this little flash!

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