Review on 📸 Nikon SB-400 AF Speedlight Flash: Perfect Lighting Solution for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras by Robert Pierce

The Nikon SB-400 AF flash unit will appeal to many. It may be small and compact, but this is where the beauty of this little wonder begins. This is Nikon's entry-level Creative Lighting System (CLS), and while limited by many of the features offered by larger Nikon Speedlights like the SB-700 or flagship SB-910, this unit matches that in size and size from surprisingly good results for a built-in flash. If you look at the product description, this SB-400 flash is listed as "Made for Nikon DSLRs", but that's not all: it also works perfectly with the Nikon Coolpix P7100 along with a range of other Nikon DSLRs, as on the confirmed web Nikon website. I've personally used it with my P7100 and D5000, as well as the older D200, and performance has been excellent on both, largely due to the i-TTL mode. The SB-400 was designed to work with modern Nikon digital SLR cameras released since 2004. It's small and expensive, but its performance is impressive. Pros: * Outstanding design quality; SB-400 has metal hot shoe* Requires only two AA batteries; Excellent battery life* Fast recharge, ~2.5 seconds* Shooting range from 2ft to 66ft* i-TTL balanced fill-flash with CLS-compatible cameras* Reflectivity capabilities: 4 levels, up to 90 degrees Cons:* No lateral head tilt The The first thing that strikes you upon unpacking the SB-400 is the precision feel of the device. I was surprised to see that it has a metal hot shoe as many flashes today have gone plastic. There's also a locking lever on the back and it has indicators to let you know if you forgot to lock it. There is a great little soft zip case that will store your flash and keep it from getting dirty in your camera bag. The flash only requires two AA batteries, which you can buy almost anywhere, and while I don't measure carefully, I get about 200 flashes per pair of batteries. With a pair of Sanyo eneloop Ni-MH 2000mAh batteries, I get a charge time of just over 2.5 seconds. four vertical positions 0, 60, 75 and 90 degrees. However, if you hold your camera in portrait (vertical) orientation, you'll need to shoot straight ahead with the flash or bounce it off the wall. It's a pan head, not a pan head like the more expensive Nikon SB-700. The angle of view of the SB-400 is 18 mm (DX format) and 27 mm (FX format). For reference, this is roughly equivalent to a 28mm lens on a 35mm film camera. Flash coverage is excellent and generally well distributed. Toning the head for a reflection effect will give you a softer effect, but if you need more, use a reflection card or the OM-400 Omni-Bounce Flash Diffuser for the Nikon SB-400 and there are similar devices. Suggestion: For many, the SB-400 might be everything Nikon DSLR owners want more than a built-in flash, but some might be looking for more. As previously mentioned, this flash is the entry point into the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS). In that respect it complements my outdated Nikon SB-600, but the truth is I use the SB-400 a lot more every day. For those who want to explore the Nikon CLS and find out what can be done with it I can offer a Nikon Creative Lighting System digital field manual by photographer Benjamin Edwards. This well-written manual provides an excellent overview of creative flash control at the photographer's command and with Nikon's Creative Lighting System flash control can be almost instinctive and the possibilities can be endless and limited by the user's own creativity. And there are plenty of creative tips, along with great full-color images and diagrams, that can make using the SB-400 even more understandable. Conclusion: The Nikon SB-400 is a low-maintenance, high-quality flash with all the features that many will actually use. But do you really need one considering the built-in flash of modern Nikon (and P7100) DSLRs is so good? Maybe not, but consider the SB-400 if you want easy-to-use bounce flash, if you want faster charge times than your camera can offer, and great coverage with your ultra-wide lenses. You'll also get more shots on one camera charge, since your camera's built-in flash uses 2-4 times more power; Using the SB-400 means not using the built-in flash. Other flash features can be gimmicks that can even disrupt the shot and slow things down instead of getting it done. Considering what this little marvel does, this is a 5 star recommendation. 05/06/2012