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Sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4.0 EX DG Aspherical HSM for Nikon

02/02/2010 09:26:00 PM · #1

We'll, reluctantly I have agreed to shoot a very small wedding for a friend because he doesn't want his uncle cutting his head off in the photos. I sympathized and decided to do it for a very very low fee- however- I need a flash that will give me those professional quality soft light situations, without having a huge budget. Any suggestions?

Here's the scenario:
I have a Nikon D50 and am going to use various lenses from 17mm-55mm most probably close to wide open and 800 to 1600 ISO. The wedding is in a church (catherdral ceiling obviously) with a very low light situation as it will be mostly lit by candles and dimmed overheads. I am allowed to use a flash and would like something with the abiliy to diffuse it as to not drown out the couple when the flash goes off in that low of a light.

I saw the SB-600 and SB-900 (900's a little too pricey), any one have any good things to say about the 600?

02/02/2010 09:43:25 PM · #2

I can get a SB-600 direct from Nikon here in Canada for $175 + tax...

make sure that you get a Garry Fong Lightsphere though... they are amazing!!!

you should be able to find a used SB-600 on ebay for $200, they are good enough...

I have a 600, 800 and a 900... the 900 is the best, but the SB-600 is more than enough,

just make sure to get that lightsphere =)

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/02/2010 09:45:27 PM · #3

i would suggest upgrading your body to a D90 though... they are getting low in price and are AMAZING at high iso for the price you pay (same image sensor &iso performance as a D300 / D300s)

I upgraded to a D90 from a D50 and it's totally worth it!

If you are here in Toronto for any reason, you can get a D90 direct from Nikon for $750

.

Message edited by author 2010-02-02 21:46:11.

snaffles

Nikon D7100

02/02/2010 09:47:30 PM · #4

I very, very, very strongly recommend the D90 too. Yes, I am still listed as having a D40 as my prime cam, but that will soon change.

Sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4.0 EX DG Aspherical HSM for Nikon

02/02/2010 09:50:31 PM · #5

I think I need to move to Canada!!

What is the lightsphere?

snaffles

Nikon D7100

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/02/2010 09:58:37 PM · #6

I believe is a lightsphere is basically a diffuser that fits over a flash. Gary Fong is simply the brand name. Google Gary Fong lightsphere and something should turn up. Good luck! :-)

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

02/02/2010 09:58:54 PM · #7

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wfshQuBLdw

Message edited by author 2010-02-02 21:59:07.

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

02/02/2010 10:04:08 PM · #8

The Gary Fong is a light diffuffion device fits over theflash and diffuses the light . you could go the DYI way and make one google flash diffusers should do the trick. lumiquest also make a range also

02/02/2010 10:12:09 PM · #9

Originally posted by kiwinick:

For a wedding you are best to go all out and get the universal lightsphere whoch locks on nicely to the flash... I can hold up my camera w/ my 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens on it by the Garry fong.. it locks on there good!

piece of advice... (you may not understand this)... if you are using an SB-900 for a wedding during outside shots at shallow DOF, with Auto FP turned on, WATCH OUT SHOOTING BURSTS!!!

the flash will overheat and shut down for like 5 minutes... Mine did an auto shutdown right before they walked down the aisle!!! Luckily I had a SB-600 for backup, so I threw the SB-900 out on the lawn of the church (I was pissed) and used the SB-600 for the entire ceremony... the SB-600 worked just fine, luckily =)

so... yea... =) I'd look into that if you plan on using an SB-900

Sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4.0 EX DG Aspherical HSM for Nikon

02/02/2010 10:22:14 PM · #10

Good Advice. It looks like something I should definitely look into for a real nice even lighting scheme. So.. anyone getting rid of their SB600 for about $100? LOL just kidding. Thank you all for your help so quickly. Very much appreciated.

kenskid

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

02/02/2010 10:31:41 PM · #11

I have D90 with SB800. Nice setup for low light. I'll be getting the lightsphere for a job I'm doing next month. If the wedding is after March 20, check back here to look at some of my lightsphere shots.

Kenskid

millsa

Nikon D7100

02/02/2010 10:40:27 PM · #12

SB-600 (+SB-24) and D90 here. Would love a 900 but a bit pricey and the 600 gives me plenty of light in most cases, it should be fine for a wedding (maybe except for very large group shots)

Sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4.0 EX DG Aspherical HSM for Nikon

03/01/2010 05:21:21 PM · #13

The Gary Fong C1- it specs out the Nikon SB-600 and 800. Will it also fit the SB-900?
Also, I found the Sb-900 for about 464.00 on Adorama. Is there anywhere that sells it for less or am I just nickel and dimeing now?

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

03/01/2010 06:51:08 PM · #14

Have you checked prices at B and H? I am pretty sure the Gary Fong will work on the SB-900

Originally posted by LaMas:

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

03/01/2010 07:05:16 PM · #15

Yep, the newer ones will fit the SB-900. The newer version has a velcro thing with a base that can be used on an SB-800 or SB-900 because it's adjustable. I have both an SB-900 and SB-800, and a couple lightspheres.

Originally posted by LaMas:

spiritualspatula

03/02/2010 02:33:30 AM · #16

Originally posted by LaMas:

About the cost- Adorama is GENERALLY the same as B&H (within a few cents), but this is NOT always the case. The most notable case I've found is for my Tamron 28-75 which was like $50 cheaper at B&H (though it's now the same price at both). I've ordered from both and the service has been great.
There is a cheaper version of the SB900 at B&H but it's the grey market version- the choice of grey vs. us market is a choice you'll have to make, but for $15 I'd definitely go US myself.

ETA: Adorama has a refurbed 900 for the cost of the grey from B&H, if you're interested in that.

Message edited by author 2010-03-02 02:35:41.

Sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4.0 EX DG Aspherical HSM for Nikon

03/02/2010 05:35:41 PM · #17

ok- here's the verdict:
I called Gary Fong today to see what they would say about the sizing and the type of frosting(clouding) I would need for a wedding. The lightsphere C1-C2 or any of those versions will NOT fit the SB-900, just in case any of you reading are interested in purchasing one. The Universal and the Collapsible are the only two that will work. From there it just depends on if you want a solid piece of expensive plastic or a collapsible piece of expensive rubber.

The collapsible one- from what I researched- is just as good a quality light as the hard plastic, but getting it onto the SB units was a bit of a challenge for some. Though once on- it stayed on. There were a few complaints about it falling off but those people who commented about that didn't even know you weren't suppose to aim it dirctly at your subjects anyway!lol

So for those of you out there in the same situation I am with getting a lightsphere and you are a Nikon nut like myself;

SB-900= the universal or the collaspible only.

The tech-support gal that I spoke to said that for a wedding, the cloud is a great style to get. In a really dark setting you may lose about a Â½ stop, but with the 900 it is plenty powerful enough even with the catherdral ceilings of a church to give a great soft diffused light to the subjects. She said the clear and Â½ Cloud may not give you enough of that soft effect. So for my situation- the cloud seems to be the winner. (I think she sold me on it!!)

BH didn't have the cloud version- they had frosted and Â½ cloud only. So I think I'm going with Adorama.

(Spirtualspatula) You are absolutely right- a couple of bucks more for the piece of mind is worth it to me too!!!

PapaBob

Sony Alpha a7 IV

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

03/02/2010 05:45:01 PM · #18

Originally posted by LaMas:

Lars, I used one for a recent wedding and they do work pretty good but do make sure to get plenty of test shots, up close they work really well but large groups can be a little more challenging in a dark setting, the light really falls off quickly with any distance. Good luck and have fun!

Sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4.0 EX DG Aspherical HSM for Nikon

03/02/2010 09:00:26 PM · #19

Hey Bob!! Does it really fall off quick even if I'm using the 900? I figured that would be powerful enough with a good range since its rated for 17-200mm. What would you say the max distance is before lighting gets shady?- no pun intended.

mrtanz

Nikon D300s

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

03/07/2010 08:40:06 PM · #20

SB-800 w D300s

Was going to get the DB900 but after much reading and talking to my photographer advised against the 900 due to thermal cut off. Yes i know you can turn it of, but there goes the warranty

Advtages of 900 - More powerful, longer zoom, quicker recycle time
Cons of 900 - Thermal cut of, bulky

Advtanges of 800 - Ligher more compact, Can increase recycle time with optional attachment
Cons of 800 - Not powerful enough up to 200 zoom

JeffryZ

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

03/07/2010 08:52:04 PM · #21

SB-800 is also much harder to find. The thermal cutoff on the SB 900 is to protect it from over heating. To get twice the range you need four times the power.

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

03/07/2010 11:13:57 PM · #22

Originally posted by mrtanz:

The SB900 also has a battery pack that can further increase the recycle time, as with the SB800. It is called the SD-9 and is a separate battery pack, not the 5th battery compartment used for the 800. Also, the 900 has (IMO) more intuitive controls. Definitely much bulkier though. The thing is huge. It's harder to get the flash into cutoff mode than you might think from all the reports, but I have had it happen before.