Nikon SB-700 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

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I purchased my SB-700 two years ago at BH photo in NYC. I could not be happier. Dollar for dollar I think it is the best Nikon flash around. I now have a Nikon SB-910 in the kit and while I dont regret the purchase as it is a fabulous flash, and as others have mentioned it has a bit more power, I think the extra $200 dollars would better be spent towards another SB-700. I can only speak for my shooting style but I seldom need the full power pop from the 910 so the extra power while nice in the limited instances I need it would probably be made up for with a second and close to a third SB-700 for the price. This would open up even more options. I have added the Pocket Wizard FlexTT5 transceivers to the mix and the SB-700 performs perfectly. As though it was mounted on the camera with full control from both a D7000 and a D800 through flash compensation. I have lit entire gymnasium widths for dozens of people and not been dissatisfied. I think the biggest highlight for me is the battery life. I use three sets of Rayovac ni-mh AA in them and I can shoot for hours on a single set. I have only run into the thermal slow down a couple times and the use of the pocket wizards has eliminated that as it can cycle intelligently between two speedlights to beat the off occasion I have run into this. Update: I have since purchased another one and I love it. I dont have the need for the sync port or external power packs so I am avoiding the SB-900. I would rather buy one of these and another PocketWizard FlexTT5 than an SB-900. This fits my workflow. I work with photographers that wouldnt trade their 900s for anything.

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Ive used many Nikon speedlights over 20+ years, sometimes they improve a lot, sometimes they go backwards it seems. Having used 5 SB-800s for the past near-decade or so, i wanted a newer one mainly for on-camera fill and to use as the Master for the older units when i didnt carry my SU800 flash controller. It does work very well as a master unit, and you dont have to carry another piece plus the CR123A batteries for the SU800. THis is a major selling point for me, and if you dont already have a SU800, this is a good alternative for just using as a controller with other Speedlights. The 700 model is actually BETTER than the 800 in a few respects: the controls use some dedicated switches for M/TTL, and slave functions. You have to go thru a bunch of pages of menus to get to the function you want with the older 800, then back in and out, what a ridiculous mess of a menu, Nikon. This is MUCH better and faster, and is the reason i hated the 800 the day it came out, even though ive used it on a daily basis professionally for years now. The thing is, the much older SB26 had the same switches essentially, years ago! So Nikon actually went back in time and realized the OLD way was better, thankfully. I do not like that this unit is actually bigger than the 800 (altho smaller than 900) and uses s newer, weird-fitting bounce cover. Think they just did that to try to sell more accessories, again. So if you lose one, it wont fit or be interchangeable with another, even their own speedlights. Not to mention an off-brand such as Stofen, who made them long before Nikon and other major brands stole the idea and started making their own with their flashes. The really bad thing is that i find it tends to be less accurate on-camera than my old 800s were/are. Sometimes it just totally blows out the exposure/dumps for no reason. The 800s seemed much more reliable and consistant with exposure. The battery chamber/latch is different. Ive read of some problems with this, but so far mine does seem to work fine and is an improvement, it doesnt fall of and get lost at least every time you need to change batteries. Seems like a solid flash overall, but think it should be more compact, its unnecessarily large for the size of the flash tube i think. Doesnt have a PC sync jack. Big no-no for most Strobists, but id rather it had a 1/8" jack anyway. I may put my own in it if i feel the urge (dont recommend if you are not electronics-inclined though, and youd void your warranty). Otherwise, its a decent flash, but i think Nikon just has to change things for the sake of changing up models and such. And it still isnt that reasonably-priced either, just more affordable than the "pro" model.

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I am currently completing an advanced photography course that requires using an external flash, so I started searching for a great, affordable one several months ago. After reading countless reviews online, and following a few fellow photographers suggestions, I decided to go with the Nikon SB-700 AF Speedlight Flash. I was a little hesitant to purchase a refurbished model, but Im glad I did, because it works like a charm. No problems with it, so far. It came with everything a new model is supposed to have, except the instruction manual and the "A collection of example photos" booklet. It would have been nice to have those included, but I just searched for them online. Ive had my SB-700 since February and am very pleased with my purchase. I recommend it!

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I bought the grey market flash instead of the one officially imported and supported by Nikon USA. I never had any issues with past Nikon flashes so I took the risk and savings. Flash came just as expected. Its fantastic. Had the larger SB-910 flash before but sold it again after a few months. Reason: Didnt need the power/features of the SB-910. Major differences are commander flash groups (SB-700 has Master, A and B vs Master, A, B and C on the SB-910) SB-910 reaches farther as well but for me the smaller more portable SB-700 is better. It does everything but is for sure a bit limited compared to the SB-910 but Id say that only matters to professionals, Im not a professional. I like the controls. TTL-BL (balanced light flash with matrix metering) and i-TTL with spot metering. Also FP is no longer displayed on the flash (set in camera menu anyways). Overall a fantastic flash, Im using it with a D600.

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Nice features on a lower level flash, compared to the SB900, which I do not own. Controls are much more accessable than on my SB800 and SB80. Output is more than adequate when paired with my D7000 because of the higher iso capabilities of that body, as well as my D300. So far, exposures appear to be consistant. The release on the head is a little stiff to allow bounce and swivel, so I hope that will loosen somewhat with use. I do like that there is only one release to do both and that you can swivel 180 degrees either direction from straight on position. Comes with a more secure soft diffuser than previous models, as well as tungsten and fluorescent filters. For the money, I would have liked to see more of a colored filter set included, like the SB800. Of course, the Nikon Creative Lighting System compatability is a big plus. Also included is a nice rectangular case to store everything, including a provided stand, although I dont use it, since eveything goes in my bag. Overall, a really nice flash for most lighting situations. Would like to see Nikon (and the other major makers) bring their prices down a little so freelancers dont have to surrender body parts to buy equipment needed to stay competitive, especially since this particular flash is made in China. Having said that, it does appear to be relatively solid in construction. Time will tell how well it holds up.

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I bought this because I just decided to try my hand at professional photography for the first time after years of doing videography. Being a total novice at photography (I always used my phone and point-and-shot camera to take photos), I decided to go pro and get this external camera flash! Best choice I ever made! This is so powerful, it can light up background many feet away even in sheer darkness! Ive used this for professional wedding photography and flash was so great, I had the light settings only on -0.3 and that was bright enough! You wont be disappointed with this flash. It automatically works with your camera once its in the hot-shoe. I chose this rating because as this is my first camera flash and being totally new at it (I must say its really easy to use; I didnt even read the instructions. I just took it right out of the box and started using it! Nothing I didnt like about it. Id recommend this camera flash to beginner, amateur and professional alike! (If youre a professional, and have more money, go with a more expensive one, but if cost is your factor, go with this flash.) You wont be disappointed!

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After 4 years of being a "natural light" kind of photographer, Im starting to get into using a flash. It allows for so much more creative options and control of light... I wish I had gotten into this sooner! As far as the flash goes, Im using it on my Nikon D90, primarily with my 17-55 F2.8 and the image Im getting using iTTL are very good. Next step is to branch off into full manual mode! The LCD on the back clearly shows all your important stats and is easy to read. I recently shot my 20-year high school reunion, indoors in very low light, and this flash with the supplied diffusion dome did a great job in groups of less than 3 or 4 from about 8 feet away. For larger groups, where I had to stand back close to 15 feet, there wasnt enough power to cover everyone with the diffusion dome on, Im talking groups of 8-20 people. But, thats not the flashes fault. Just my current lack of complete understanding of how to properly use it. Overall the build quality is solid . I love it. If youre looking to get into flash photography, I would recommend this over the SB400, because as you become more advanced, this will allow you to do just about everything you could want without having to buy another flash to replace your SB400.

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I LOVE this flash - Im usually a natural light photographer, but for evening events (especially receptions!) Ive struggled with environmental lighting (or should I say - lack thereof). I usually shy away from using a flash for fear of the dreaded directional lighting dilemma, but I did lots of reading, practice, and purchased a diffuser with this flash and couldnt be happier with my end result. My event photos look so naturally lit that looking at them you forget how dim the actual event lighting was! Just be warned that if youre taking lots of photos at once, the flash does overheat and delay - I try to plan my shots so the flash is well rested for the vital moments. But there are shots here and there that I miss because the flash overheats, and this can be a bit frustrating. However, for the price and performance overall of this flash Im incredibly happy with the improvement Ive seen in my photos.

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This is an excellent medium budget flash for Nikon DSLR cameras. It can be used TTL, Manual or as a commander. It also works well wirelessly through the Nikon builtin flash. It has some features over the SB-900 like a menu button but it has a lower output. Another issue with this flash is the on/off/remote switch is not easy to use. I dont know why they made it so difficult. Its basically flat to where you have to turn it with your finger tip. Plus it locks in remote mode so you have to push a tiny button first. It does work very well in TTL mode and as a wireless flash through the builtin flash. (Note: all nikon wireless flash require direct line of site. To improve that you need to look into something like the Pocket Wizard which also allows TTL or the Cowboy Studio wireless system which is manual only.) But is it worth saving the couple hundred dollars or so over the SB-900 or the newer SB-910? I have had mine for about two years now and I have to say I wish Id spent the extra money for the output and the fact that the 900 does a better job telling you the distance. Excellent flash but my next one will be the SB-910.

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If you are planning to get only one speedlight for your Nikon DSLR, this is your best choice (I read so many forum and articles before deciding it). However be aware that this as with any nikon speedlight, the shutter speed of your camera may be limited. In D7000 (series) and other high end models allow to use a broad range of shutter speed when using speedlights. This feature was already included on D90 but Nikon decided to REMOVE it from newer cameras like D5100, limiting the sync time with the speedlight, so you can only get 1/200s on yous shutter speed with these "new" cameras. Very disappointing to me... this was very hard to find on manuals etc. I already bought this speedlight and all my photos of bats are blurry. Need higher shutter speeds but the camera does not allow me when the speedlight is connected. Not a problem of the speedlight though so five stars for this flash and zero Nikon for removing this feature from the firmware that was already on the D90.

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