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Archive 2016 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800

  
 
david debalko
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800


Looking to add another flash, I currently
Have 4 sb 800's and shoot with D4s's. Will the 5000 give me any advantages?



Oct 16, 2016 at 06:59 PM
Two23
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800


I use a lot of flash (own x12 nikon SB-25, x2 Nikon SB-900, x8 White Lightning X3200, plus about x10 CyberSync triggers and x3 PW triggers.) I've taken a look at SB-5000 of course (although I don't have a body to use it with at the moment.) My thinking is for what it does, it's very expensive. There are plenty of add-on triggers out there that will do the same thing for less $$. With a built in radio trigger the problems are (1) if trigger malfunctions you are also down a flash (2) you will be more or less stuck when newer triggers with better technology come out. Another problem I see for you is none of your other flash will work with that system, so in effect you will only have one flash doing iTTL.


Kent in SD



Oct 16, 2016 at 07:41 PM
david debalko
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800


I use a sb800/pocket wizard in a soft box with the other flashes just slaving off of that. I know it's old school but it works. Do any of the newer flashes have more power or work more efficiently on the batteries? I use a 5th battery, Powerex 2700 rechargeables


Oct 17, 2016 at 08:30 AM
kaplah
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800


david debalko wrote:
Do any of the newer flashes have more power or work more efficiently on the batteries?

No, the limit in a speedlight-format flash is the capacitors, which are stable technology.

Having said that, there is the the Godox V860II-N, which has a high-capacity LiOn battery and radio trigger built in. It will work with CLS (although the range is shorter than a Nikon flash), and using this flash compared to an SB-900 with external battery pack and trigger saves you about 14 rechargeable AAs, cabling, etc.

I'm still experimenting with the Godox system, so far it seems reliable.

The SB-5000 will get you more full-power pops before shutting down, because it is fan-cooled. But it is very expensive, the radio trigger is short-range, and you still need an external battery pack (~$100 aftermarket, pixel) and many rechargeable AA's to otherwise match the V860II-N.



Oct 17, 2016 at 08:56 AM
Frank Scallo
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800


I have two - one for each body. I generally only use them for bounce during receptions or prep (weddings). The fan cooling rocks so far as they just keep going. Probably too expensive for anyone other than pros but I'm loving them for my specific needs.

I do wish Nikon made the radio functionality more like Canon's as I'd consider using that over my Cactus stuff. One less device on the camera. Oh well... Nikon went a 'different way'



Oct 17, 2016 at 10:33 AM
DGC1
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800


Newer, bigger, better (?) always comes along but as you already know, SB800's are tough to beat.


Oct 17, 2016 at 10:51 AM
djb663
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800


I also have the D4S, as well as the D500 and have multiple sb 800's and sb 5000's. The biggest benefit in my opinion is the interface of the sb 5000. Much quicker to make selections than the sb 800. Also, on the D500, you can put a controller for a monolight on your hotshoe and use the 5000 off camera since the dongle is on the front of the body.

You can control the sb 800 with the sb 5000 as it has dual mode control.



Oct 17, 2016 at 12:03 PM
elkhornsun
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800


I have 3 SB-800's that I have been using for the past 12 years and they still perform flawlessly and provide more output than the D910. The SB-5000 is still a work in progress and an island technology.

I have two Quantum Qflash and they provide more power than any speedlight and they have interchangeable reflectors and can be shot "bare-bulb" and there are quick to setup and attach portable softboxes. RF wireless for TTL up to 1000 feet and the DW unit on a hot shoe allows me to make 1/3 EV flash output adjustments to a remote flash with the turn of its dial - nothing could be faster.

The Quantum Qflash can also work with IR iTTL when I need a 5 flash setup and I can run two Qflash off of a single Quantum battery pack. And they are designed for event use and so are rugged and durable and never overheat.

The lack of thought put into the Nikon RF wireless flash equipment should be a source of embarrassment. It is not like they could not have looked at all the solutions sold over the past 10 years for insight. Whoever is the product manager for their flash equipment does not have a clue about the needs of pro or serious amateur photographers. 10 years ago the Nikon system was superior to that of Canon but the situation has reversed itself completely.



Oct 17, 2016 at 05:12 PM
frdjohns
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800


If it were me, I'd pick up another sb-800 and call it a day.


Oct 17, 2016 at 05:59 PM
morris
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800


I've got SB-800 and SB-910. Both are quite good with the SB-800 a bit more powerful and the SB-910 a more modern interface. A used SB-800 will be a bargain

Morris



Oct 17, 2016 at 07:06 PM
BigIronCruiser
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800


Second hand SB-9xx units can be bought for roughly $300 on the buy/sell forum. I sold mine (and my PW's) a couple of months ago after getting the Godox (aka Cheetah & Adorama) V860II's. The SB-5000 seems like a nice flash, but their new wireless system boggles my mind.


Oct 17, 2016 at 07:45 PM
Two23
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800


If you don't need bang-bang-bang-bang shooting, the SB-900 looks like the best value. The interface is simpler than the SB-800. Very slightly less power than SB-800, but not enough to notice. I have two. I think it's important to standardize on ONE type of flash if you are doing paid work. Life is much simpler, less stress, and less chance of making a mistake. The Nikon CLS trigger is pretty good indoors. Outdoors, there are plenty of other iTTL RF choices such as Radio Popper Jr., Vello, etc. Most are around $80, some less than that. You didn't say what you are doing with the flash, but if for paid portrait outdoors I'd be sure to get one that's compatible with HSS. For the price of one SB-5000 you can get TWO used SB-900 + trigger. No-brainer to me. I've been using two SB-900 for weddings and outdoor portraits and have had zero problems. Again, I make sure all triggers, flash, stands, modifiers etc. are all the SAME. Don't have to think about any differences because there aren't any.


Kent in SD



Oct 17, 2016 at 10:47 PM
Mark_L
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800


It really is not worth buying nikon speedlights anymore. Godox speedlights have lithium batteries and wireless power control for less than 1/4 of the price.


Oct 18, 2016 at 04:35 AM
rico
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Sb 5000 vs sb 910 va sb800


I have enjoyed my SB-800 for years, and still deploy it, but SB-5000 operates at the next level: recharge that is rapid and silent, fan cooling for endless 100% discharges, relatively-sane menus, radio remote control. I use it in the field and in the studio. The SB-5000 can be fully operated from the 10-pin port (including remote firing) while keeping the hot-shoe open for Pocketwizards:



(Scene above lit by a single SB-800 in SU4 mode.) Of course, you need a D5/D500 for full integration, and price is an issue, but the SB-5000 has compelling use cases.



Oct 19, 2016 at 05:38 AM





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