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 enlarge | Brand: Nikon
Category: Photography
List Price: $420.99
Buy New: $312.00
You Save: $108.99 (26%)
New (19) Used (2) from $289.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  107 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 5 x 3.6 x 2.8
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: 4801
Model: 4801
UPC: 018208048014
EAN: 4960759024152
ASIN: B00015GYU4
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: brand new! in retail box, never open, fast shipping, U. S. warranty
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| Customer Reviews:
 Good flash, unimpressive build quality, some quirks July 21, 2008
17 out of 19 found this review helpful
I'm a professional photographer and have three of these (one that's four years old, the others are much more recent). I quite like these versatile and powerful flash units. But rather than repeating the thumbs-up comments that all the other reviewers have already left, and in the interest of "keeping it real," here are a few cons.
* Build quality is so-so. It's not as outrageously flimsy as the way-overpriced SD-8A external battery pack that I usually pair with these flashes, but neither does the SB-800 inspire the confidence that Nikon's pro bodies and pro lenses do.
* After using the single-pin flash terminal on the side of the SB-800 about 100 times, the thin metal sheath around the center pin worked itself loose from my older unit. The flash (now out of warranty) has to be sent in for repair.
* It's a puzzling and annoying oversight that there are no battery indicators on any of Nikon's modern flash units. Even the just-announced SB-900, which will retail for close to $500, lacks that feature, despite the fact that Nikon has had about FIVE YEARS (since the release of the SB-800) to correct that obvious shortcoming.
* The other thing that makes me curse the SB-800 under my breath at times is that it has no proper on-off switch. It has a recessed power button instead that's not exactly the height of responsiveness. If the flash is off-camera and in sleep mode, you can't just turn it off. You have to wake it up from sleep first by pressing the power button, then let go, then press the button again in order to eventually power the unit off. It wastes precious seconds -- and at a wedding, seconds really count. An actual switch like on the cheapo SB-400 would be much, much better (quicker).
* Other parts of the user interface are just as inadequate. The flash settings are considerably harder to change with the controls on the back of the unit than they ought to be -- the menus leave a lot to be desired. It's not as bad as with the even more confusing SB-600, and with patience you can figure it all out, but 'intuitive' is hardly the word here... I know half a dozen photographers who will be buying a SB-900 unit for its supposedly improved interface alone.
* Nikon cautions users against using the flash too intensely. They want you to take no more than 10 to 15 flash shots in quick succession at full power. After that, you're supposed to let the flash cool off for 10 minutes. Yeah, that'll work if you're shooting an event -- just go on a ten-minute coffeebreak every time you've fired the flash a dozen times rapidly.
Don't get me wrong: The built-in wireless capabilities of both the SB-600 and SB-800 are tremendous, and the SB-800 is a really useful, powerful and (mostly) dependable performer. But the "perfect" flash, as some have anointed it -- nice thought, but no.
Great Flash July 20, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm not going to write a long technical review on this unit. That's been done already. I just want to chime in and say that I love this unit. It's been very reliable and just a dream. I bought mine just before the SB-900 came out, so with any luck I'll be able to pick up a couple more SB-800's from the early upgraders.
best Speedlight! July 11, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
My Dad uses this everyday! He doesn't want to put anything on his nikons but the SB800!
Super Flash July 4, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I've been a photography buff for many years and have used many flash units. This one ooutdoes them all....in Spades.
Excellent flash July 3, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Flash was a gift for my husband who just loves everything about the flash. The only negative is the weight....slightly heavy. But not too heavy to want another.
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