Nikon D90 with 3rd party Flash and battery grip.

[HHenrYY]

Hi guys, newbie here.

was thinking of adding a Flash and battery grip to my D90.

did some research and found that MB-D80 battery grip out-of-stock in most shops. =[

so was wondering if the PHOTTIX one is good or not .

Wanted to get a flash too . but Nikon's flashes are way out of my budget, at least ~$600 right?

so was thinking of getting 3rd party too.

is the tumax flash good ?

DPT386AFZ
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/mchaint/Flashpic-2.jpg

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/8210/tumaxdpt386afz.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6927/flashcomparison.jpg


any bros/sis here using any of the above??
need your most honest opinions. =]
Thanks! :cheers:

[jacob]

hey there,

why dun you get nikon sb600? around $360 i think. a used one is around $250 or so. sb800 used one around $450. sb800 no longer new in the shelf.

[littlegenie]

Maybe you can share with us what's your budget like for the flash unit.

[jacob]

phottix grip not durable enough so better wait since no stock. would suggest you skip the grip as without grip you still can shoot right?

look for good nikon flash. 3rd party flashes other than metz/quantum are not consistent enough in their performance. most 3rd parties aren't that durable. if you want to make full use of your camera then go with nikon flashes.

if you dun get nikon flashes now....somehow somewhere down the road you'll get it. why waste time and money?

in any case like genie said..... show us the budget as that's the most important factor.

[espn]

There are a few flash options for the Nikon Bodies.

i) SB-R200 (macro ring flash)
ii) SB-400 (no frills travel/small flash)
iii) SB-600 (stripped down version of SB800/SB900)
iv) SB-900 (replacing SB-800).

SB-R200 is a slave type ring flash for use on the R1C1 set. Not very practical for most users who are into casual events, photography.

SB-400 is small uses 2 AA batteries but however, does not support CLS nor master/slave combination. Good for travelling & compact usage. $220+.

SB-600 is the basic level good enough for everyday usage with occassional events. Uses 4 x AA batteries and costs half the price of a SB800/SB900. Features & worth is also really half the price of the SB-800/SB-900.

Good enough for day to day usage and nothing more.


SB-800, optional 5 batteries to increase faster recycling time, extinct and no longer in production as replaced by SB-900. Better build than SB-600, more features and longer GN. With a better IR assist in dark conditions, speed, it is pretty much worth the price you can get it. I've sold both sets I owned away at $450 ea.


SB-900 uses 4 x AA, recycling time however is the same as SB-800 with 5 batteries. A larger zoom head and thereabout same GN and the option to use SD-9A (external battery pack). LCD backlit screen with lots more function and easier to manipulate over the SB-800. Comes with overheating warning (can be an arse at it too) when firing multiple shots. Priced thereabouts with SB-800.


Note that 3rd party flashes may only be compatible up to i-TTL in use by the bodies and not CLS or more. If necessary, the best bang for buck is the SB-600, which eventually most I know, upgrade to a SB-800 or SB-900.

[jacob]

that's a good info.

nevertheless my point will be get a used sb600 since budget problem. keep if as second flash in future when TS upgrade.

[kklee]

phottix grip not durable enough so better wait since no stock.

Can elaborate?

[jacob]

Can elaborate?

break easily. cheap plastic.

[HHenrYY]

that's a good info.

nevertheless my point will be get a used sb600 since budget problem. keep if as second flash in future when TS upgrade.

xD

Thanks for all your replies.

i don't like sec hand stuffs .
so i guess i rather save up and wait till i get the money to buy SB-900 lor.
and i'll wait for MB-D80 too.

Thanks. :rofl:

[jacob]

xD

Thanks for all your replies.

i don't like sec hand stuffs .
so i guess i rather save up and wait till i get the money to buy SB-900 lor.
and i'll wait for MB-D80 too.

Thanks. :rofl:

in this case stick to what u have and explore it. when u start to find limitations then you start BBB.

[kklee]

break easily. cheap plastic.

Which part?! The plastic texture slightly different from the original but weight about the same.

[jacob]

Which part?! The plastic texture slightly different from the original but weight about the same.

one of my contacts told me that. so can't advice you on this.

hmn.... u might want to get one and try?:confused1:

[kklee]

one of my contacts told me that. so can't advice you on this.

hmn.... u might want to get one and try?:confused1:

Ok. Already got the Phottix as no stock for the original. Physically no noticeable difference from the original except for the texture of the plastic and a few different color contacts.

[jacob]

Ok. Already got the Phottix as no stock for the original. Physically no noticeable difference from the original except for the texture of the plastic and a few different color contacts.

thanks for sharing.

[HHenrYY]

Ok. Already got the Phottix as no stock for the original. Physically no noticeable difference from the original except for the texture of the plastic and a few different color contacts.

Ooo. what about the compatibility with D90 ?
the battery information on the top LCD and battery info working?

would u encourage me to buy that or wait for orginal stock ?

i went pass challenger and they quote me $279 . MADNESS!

[kklee]

Ooo. what about the compatibility with D90 ?
the battery information on the top LCD and battery info working?

would u encourage me to buy that or wait for orginal stock ?

i went pass challenger and they quote me $279 . MADNESS!

I've yet to have the chance to fully use it yet. I can only say the battery info on the top LCD shows FULL. Also, the battery information in the MENUs of the back LCD was able to show the battery capacity and the number of shots (using Phottix batteries).

Original or Phottix ?

- The original, without a doubt, has a slightly better grip due to the raised texture of the plastic.
- If the need is urgent, get Phottix. If not that urgent and price isn't an issue, get the original. Just to note,

1x Phottix battery grip + 2x Phottix batteries cost close to 1x Original without the batteries.


My experiences .... do you need a battery grip?

- Weight is an important consideration. D90 is not that light compared with D70 or D80. D90 with SB900, it gets heavier... using for a few hours, strain might set in. D90+SB900+Battery Grip... strain might set in sooner. More training required!

- With a battery grip, handling of the D90 somewhat improves due to the increase height. If awkwardness is felt while fiddling with the controls using the right-hand fingers while supporting the camera with the left hand, then probably you will need a battery grip !

- With battery grip, overall heavier which makes it more stable. Can risk using slower shutter speed.

- Finally, with battery grip on the D90, you can roughly do this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDsx3-FWfwk

[jacob]

maybe he wants to look pro? ;)