Nikon SB800 Speedlight

The Nikon SB-800 Speedlight is a versatile and powerful external flash unit designed to complement Nikon DSLR cameras. Whether you’re a professional photographer or an enthusiastic hobbyist, the SB-800 offers exceptional lighting control, advanced features, and high-quality results, making it a valuable tool for any photographer looking to expand their lighting capabilities. With its wide range of features including i-TTL metering, wide-angle coverage, and stroboscopic flash mode, the SB-800 is a great choice for portraits, events, product photography, and more.

While the SB-800 is now considered a legacy model, it still stands out as a solid flash unit with excellent performance for both indoor and outdoor settings. Compatible with a range of Nikon cameras and lenses, it remains a powerful option for those looking for an affordable yet high-quality external flash.

Key Features of the Nikon SB-800 Speedlight

1. High Guide Number for Powerful Illumination

The Nikon SB-800 boasts an impressive guide number of 38 (in meters at ISO 100), providing strong light output capable of illuminating subjects in a variety of conditions. This high guide number ensures that even in low-light environments, you can achieve bright, well-lit images with ease. The flash can cover a range of distances and is effective for both portrait and landscape photography.

• Guide number of 38 for high-output lighting.
• Suitable for a variety of lighting situations, even in low light.

2. i-TTL Flash Control

One of the most notable features of the Nikon SB-800 is its support for i-TTL (intelligent Through The Lens) flash control. This advanced metering system automatically adjusts the flash output based on the camera's settings, ensuring consistent exposure for your subjects, regardless of the lighting conditions. i-TTL helps to eliminate the guesswork, making it ideal for both professional photographers and beginners.

• i-TTL for automatic flash exposure adjustments.
• Perfect for a wide range of shooting conditions, including variable lighting.

3. Flexible Zoom and Coverage

The SB-800 comes equipped with a zoom head that automatically adjusts to match the focal length of the lens in use, from 24mm to 105mm. This zoom functionality helps to create a more uniform light spread, providing excellent coverage for wide-angle shots as well as tighter portraits. The flash also has a wide-angle panel that can extend coverage down to 14mm, making it suitable for ultra-wide lenses.

• Zoom head for flexibility, covering focal lengths from 24mm to 105mm.
• Wide-angle panel for ultra-wide lenses down to 14mm.

4. Stroboscopic Flash Mode

The Nikon SB-800 offers stroboscopic flash mode, which allows you to capture multiple images of a moving subject within a single exposure. This feature is particularly useful for high-speed photography, such as in sports or action shots, where you want to emphasize motion in your image. Stroboscopic flash is also great for artistic effects like light trails or creative portraits.

• Stroboscopic flash mode for capturing multiple exposures in a single shot.
• Ideal for creative and high-speed photography.

5. Advanced Wireless Flash Control

The SB-800 supports wireless flash control, allowing you to use the flash off-camera for more creative lighting setups. Using the Nikon CLS (Creative Lighting System), you can trigger the SB-800 remotely from a master flash unit or camera, enabling more complex multi-flash setups. This feature is great for professional lighting in studio or on-location shoots.

• Wireless flash control for off-camera flash setups.
• Works with Nikon's Creative Lighting System (CLS) for multi-flash configurations.

6. High-Speed Synchronization (HSS)

Another powerful feature of the Nikon SB-800 is its high-speed sync (HSS) capability. This allows you to use the flash at faster shutter speeds, ideal for shooting outdoors in bright daylight, where you might need a shallow depth of field (e.g., wide apertures) but still require fill flash. HSS is invaluable when working with wide apertures in sunny conditions, enabling flash photography even at high shutter speeds.

• High-speed sync (HSS) for shooting with fast shutter speeds.
• Perfect for outdoor and daylight flash photography.

7. Customizable Settings

The SB-800 is highly customizable, offering a range of manual controls and settings to fine-tune your lighting setup. From adjusting flash power to controlling the flash duration, you can create exactly the kind of light you need for your shots. Additionally, it offers multiple flash modes like A mode (Auto), M mode (Manual), and AF-assist for precise focus in low-light conditions.

• Customizable flash settings for precise control.
• Multiple modes for different shooting needs.

8. Reliable Battery Performance

The SB-800 uses a set of 4 AA batteries, which provide quick recycling times and a long operational life. You can expect to get several hundred flashes per battery set, depending on the intensity of use. The quick recycling time of just 4.5 seconds between full-power flashes ensures you won’t miss the moment during fast-paced shoots.

• 4 AA batteries for long-lasting power.
• Quick recycling time for fast flash readiness.

Why Choose the Nikon SB-800 Speedlight?

1. Superior Lighting Performance

For photographers who need a flash with both power and precision, the Nikon SB-800 delivers outstanding performance. It’s an excellent tool for achieving well-exposed photos, whether you’re shooting portraits, events, or low-light scenes. The powerful flash output, combined with i-TTL and HSS features, makes it a versatile and reliable flash unit for various lighting situations.

• Consistent exposure and creative lighting for various subjects.
• Great for portrait and event photography.

2. Perfect for Off-Camera Flash Photography

The SB-800 excels at off-camera flash setups, which opens up more creative possibilities for photographers. Whether you’re setting up for studio shoots or capturing outdoor portraits, the ability to control multiple flash units wirelessly ensures you can create dynamic and professional lighting effects.

• Wireless flash capabilities for dynamic off-camera setups.
• Multi-flash setups for advanced lighting techniques.

3. Affordable Professional-Grade Flash

For both seasoned professionals and advanced enthusiasts, the Nikon SB-800 offers exceptional value at a relatively affordable price point. While newer models may have additional features, the SB-800 continues to provide professional-level performance without the high price tag.

• Affordable pricing for advanced flash features.
• Professional-grade performance for an entry-level budget.

Conclusion: A Must-Have Flash for Nikon Users

The Nikon SB-800 Speedlight is an outstanding external flash unit that provides incredible value and versatility for Nikon camera owners. With its i-TTL flash control, high guide number, stroboscopic flash mode, and wireless capabilities, the SB-800 offers all the tools you need to achieve professional-quality lighting in a wide range of shooting conditions. Whether you’re a professional photographer, a hobbyist, or a vlogger, the SB-800 can elevate your lighting game and take your photography to the next level.

If you're looking for a reliable, powerful, and highly customizable flash, the Nikon SB-800 is an excellent choice that won’t disappoint.

Description

Nikon SB800 flash unit in excellent condition.

While compatible with virtually every camera, the D800 offers particularly outstanding features when mounted on Nikon cameras.

See a video review here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWM35PWnKcQ

See also my listing for a Nikon SB-80 Flash Unit here -> https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/electronics-photography/camera-accessories/flashes/nikon/listing/5013219653