Another SB-600 In The Trash...

******************************UPDATE********************************
Upon re-reading this post, I've come to realize that I was probably in a bit of a snarky mood when I wrote it and -- worse yet -- a bit unclear about the point(s) that I was trying to make. Please, wade through this article (it's a long one) and then read my newly posted "clarifying" note at the end.
**********************************************************************

Though I really don't want to start up any sort of Nikon vs. "other brand" kerfuffle, I would like to say that I'm a huge fan of Nikon DSLR cameras -- a HUGE fan -- and that I usually recommend Nikon gear to folks who are looking to purchase a new camera for the first time, or in need of an upgrade from a point 'n' shoot to something with a bit more versatility. Personally, I love the way in which the Nikon stuff handles such things as menu set-ups, ergonomics, design, consistency from camera to camera, and -- most importantly -- the way in which the final images turn out. For myself, with my personal tastes and particular shooting style (and shooting quirks), Nikon cameras make sense.

Having said all this, I also have to say that I am not -- I repeat, NOT -- a fan of Nikon flashes (especially the SB-600 and SB-800 series), and often advise people who are looking to purchase their first strobe set-up to avoid getting a Nikon flash, unless they're lucky enough to find one used and/or at a dirt cheap price.

Huh? Why the fanboy/hater dichotomy?

Simple... I think that the Nikon cameras are especially well made and well thought out while -- at the same time -- I think that the Nikon strobes are flimsy, have insanely non-intuitive operating menus, and (most painfully) are very, very rough on the wallet.

All of this I know from experience.


This past week, I ended up breaking (and throwing out) my final Nikon strobe -- a Nikon SB-600 -- my third broken SB-600, and so I'm out about $650 total in that regard


A few years back, I also broke an SB-800 ($350!) while traveling, and so -- all together -- I've probably tossed about $1000 worth of strobe lighting in the garbage the past few years.


Am I rough on gear?

Yes, I'm rough on gear... Very, VERY, rough on gear.

On the other hand, despite the rough treatment that I dish out, I've never busted up my current choice of strobes (a set of Vivitar 285s) to the point that they'll stop firing. I've certainly put more than my fair share of cracks, chips, and dents into my Vivitars, but -- fingers crossed -- they keep on working.

What's unfortunate about the breakability of the Nikon series of strobes is that -- when the menu system that operates them can be deciphered and/or they're not being broken by real world conditions -- they happen to work great. Really, REALLY great. Nikon has figured out an amazingly reliable means of having their cameras and their strobes "talk" to each other via a wireless link. More importantly, the Nikon cameras and strobes talk to each other in a way that allows for exposure compensation control directly from the back of the camera. In other words, flash brightness can be manually adjusted up or down (or set into a TTL mode) all without having to walk away from the camera. It's a fantastic system for doing editorial style work, and is actually something that I'd probably re-invest in if I were to solely be doing studio sorts of gigs.

Sooooo... What sort of rough treatment is it that I've dished out that has busted up so many of my strobes? Well... I go out and work in the real world.... My SB-800 was busted while packed away in an equipment case, traveling from Portland to Salt Lake City. At the same time, I've busted up an SB-600 while doing a food shoot (the strobe dropped about a foot or so while mounted on a stand), I've broken another 600 while doing some architectural photos (the strobe got kicked -- by me), and then finally (this past week) I busted up my last 600 while doing some fairly simple sports photography. Yes, I should probably be a bit more careful with my stuff. But, at the same time, I find it hard to believe that a more robust design and build couldn't be instituted by Nikon -- especially given the fact that Vivitar strobes (the semi-competition) are so cheap inexpensive.

****************************UPDATE************************************
Soooooooooo... Just to clarify things a bit, I happen to think that Nikon strobes (especially the SB-600 and SB-800) have both good points and bad points. For myself, with the sort of abuse that I dish out to gear, the bad points outweigh the good points, and so I really can't justify spending the money ($220 a strobe, minimum) on equipment that I know will get broken within two years.

Again, I'm rough on gear. If you're the sort of person who treats their gear with love and respect, then you might do just fine with Nikon flashes.

My other issue with Nikon strobes -- aside from the breakability? I really, REALLY hate the menu structure that drives the operation/modes that the strobes work under. Absolutely non-intuitive... And the manual that comes with the strobes sucks too. Honest, a simple dial and two buttons could have been used to work the various modes and power levels of the flash. Instead, a Habitrail of cascading menus and "guess what I am" symbols leaves the user wondering just how to get the stupid thing to fire in the first place.

If the menus can be figured out (and it's a challenge), well, the wireless communication system that allows a strobe and a camera to talk to each other works great. Really, REALLY great. But -- dang' it -- it's a royal pain in the butt getting the strobe into the correct operating mode
**************************************************************************

Rant mode off.

Matt

P.S.: My quirky shooting style? Though I'm right-handed for most day-to-day stuff, I'm left-eyed while shooting a camera. Left-eyed while shooting a gun, too...