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On Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:20:50 -0500, Alan Browne
<> wrote:

>On 2012.11.22 13:28 , wrote:
>> My Son got his wife a Nikon DSLR for Christmas, and I'd like to get her a flash
>> for it, at his recommendation. All he told me was that it's a 24 point something
>> megapixel camera. Looking at the Nikon models, unless my Son is nuts and got her
>> (a total beginner with a DLSR) a high end Nikon, I'm guessing he got her a D3200
>> or a D5200. My question is, will the Nikon SB400 flash work alright with the
>> camera? As I said, she's used to taking pictures (of my Grand-daughters) with
>> her phone, so she's not a pro photographer and won't be shooting weddings!
>> Thanks for any input or other suggestions.
>
>At a minimum it should tilt (use the ceiling as a reflector and get
>softer light and remove all those awful shadows behind the subject). So
>the SB400 would do.
>
>Also get 1 or 2 sets of Eneloop batteries and charger.
>
>
>
>To go a little further (more advanced models).
>Swivel (side to side) for wall bounce or ceiling when taking a portrait.
>Head should "zoom" (follow the lens zoom so the light coverage is
>optimized (this saves flash batteries when zoomed in as well)).
>
>It does not need to be the most powerful one - the middle range flashes
>do very well for family and small group shots.
>
>Further bonus if the camera can wirelessly trigger the flash when it's
>off camera - for this the flash should come with a little stand. I
>don't know if the SB-400 supports this.

I have a SB-400. I use it for fill lighting outside and some indoor
photography. It's fine for limited flash photography. It tilts up so
I can bounce light off the ceiling. It doesn't swivel, so using it in
the portrait mode has limitations, but I compensate by shooting
landscape mode and cropping to a portrait mode if that's the best
output. It just means using your feet to compose. I can get creative
with a reflector if I really have to shoot portrait mode with flash.

I see the SB-600 advertised for about $190, and that swivels. The
SB-400 is available for under $100.

This is for a novice photographer, so one of those two should be
adequate. Depends on how much the guy wants to spend.

I don't do any "studio" work, but I do take a lot of photographs of
the grandchildren. I'd kinda like to have a swivel flash, but don't
consider at major need.

--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida