Summary: Bought this to use with my Nikon F60. It's the first speedlight I've owned and I'm very happy. I've shot about 7 rolls, mostly portraits, with it so far.
Wasn't sure whether it was going to be money well spent when compared with the F60's built in speedlight, but it has definitely made a big impact to the quality of my flash photography.
So far I've used it with everything from 24mm to 105mm and it has performed well. The light is so much more flattering and even when bouncing compared to the built-in speed light.
You can also use it in conjuction with the built in speedlight with many Nikon cameras, which I'm yet to master, but it seems like a good feature - you can combine bounce and direct flash for extra illumination... good example of this in the book, but I seem to get more shiny highlights then just using bounce alone...
Price is in Australian Dollars, which are worth about US$0.55.
Strengths: Good features for the money. Opens up the world of flash photograhy, compared to built in flash. Built in slave feature for off camera use - can sync up with another speedlight (built-in or otherwise). Compatible with D1 and D100 so don't need to replace it if you go digital.
Weaknesses: No swivel head, just tilt, so portrait aspect bounce shots tricky - worked around this by taking it off the camera and using it as a slave to the camera speedlight (diffused with a few pieces of paper). None otherwise.
Rating Reviewed by: Chris (Unregistered User)
(Intermediate)
Review Date November 9, 2002
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for 3 Months to 1 year
Visitors rate this review 4.40 of 5,
5 votes
Review 3 of 6
Price Paid:
$170.00
from Lincoln Photo
Summary: This is a dynamite little flash and, in my opinion, quite powerful for its size. In the situations I use it, which range from total darkness to broad daylight, it produces well balanced exposures almost every time. If they are underexposed, it's usually my fault for not opening up the aperture.
The wireless slave feature adds another dimension and makes up for the lack of a swiveling head. Also, it allows you to use your old flash units that would just be gathering dust in your closet. Just mount the old flash to the camera and park the SB-50 somewhere in the room for backlighting or whatever. How many other flashes under $200 have this feature?
I use the SB-50 on an N-80 and the operation is seamless. For instance, pressing the illuminate button on the camera lights up the LCD on the flash as well. Both the camera and the flash use CR-123 batteries which, while more expensive, last longer than AA batteries. The SB-50 automatically stands down after a short time if its not being used, then turns back on when the shutter is partially depressed. Nice powersaving feature.
Strengths: *Wireless slave, which retains TTL within a moderate range
*Auto zoom
*Balanced fill flash with N-80, Matrix balanced fill flash with N-65, N-70, N-90, F-100, F-4, and F-5
*Rear curtain sync
*Low cost
*Great build quality. The metal foot and the locking mechanism are nice touches
*Ease of use, great owner's manual
*The flash head is slightly forward, which allows the use of a longer lens without obstruction for close-up photography. Also has -18 degree down angle for close-ups
*Autofocus assist illumination, which uses an almost imperceptible red light as opposed to the bright white light the camera uses
Weaknesses: *STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LOW GUIDE NUMBER! If you need to give your subjects a sunburn, buy a Metz. You know what the GN is going in. If it's not sufficient, GET SOMETHING ELSE.
Similar Products Used: SB-26
SB-16B
SB-23
Vivitar something or other
Customer Service: Haven't needed it yet and I don't expect to. It's a Nikon after all.
Summary: For a compact flash SB-50DX is loaded with a lot of good features and would be an excellent flash, except for it''s low guide number. The low guide number is the main reason (along with several minor "Cons" noted below in Weaknesses) for the "4" and not a "5" rating. I bought the SB-50DX only after extensive comparison of the SB-50DX with other makes (Sunpak, Metz, etc.) of "Nikon compatible" compact flashes, and that the camera store said I could return flash if not satisfied.
If you have an N80 and want a small "compact/lightweight" flash (i.e, don''t need the power or want to pay $300+ for an SB-28) that would support all the N80''s flash features -- the SB-50DX is the best choice. None of the other compact non-Nikon flashes provide the same build quality, features, coordination and seamless flash/camera operation. The SB-50DX supports ALL the N80 flash features and you can used camera''s flash controls just like you would for the N80''s built-in flash.
Within in it''s flash range the SB-50DX always provided great results with my N80, Nikkor 28-105 3.5-4.5 D lens and Kodak Royal Gold 400. Took some close-up pictures of flowers with lens at 105mm, f/11 and distance of 1'' from front of lens during early evening. Flowers came out great, the flash with it''s wide-angle diffuser did great job of providing even exposure.
Due to the SB-50DX''s low guide number, would not be the best option for anyone who mainly shoots slide or print films of less than 200 ISO.
Strengths: The following based on using the SB-50DX with the N80. Not all features noted are available with other Nikon cameras.
* Compact, lightweight and good build quality. Comes with very nice soft case, and excellent instruction manual. Manual not only explains how to use the SB-50DX but has a lot of sample photos and diagrams as to using the SB-50DX''s "Double Flash", "Bounce/Fill Flash", "TTL Auto Wireless Slave" and other "Multiple Flash Operation" features.
* 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash capability. Just like the SB-27 and SB-28.
* Flash Head: Automatic power zoom for 24mm-50mm coverage with manual settings of 24mm, 28mm, 35mm and 50mm. Built-in wide flash adapter covers 14mm wide-angle lens. Tilts up to 90 degrees or down to -18 degrees enabling bounce-flash or close-up shooting down to 12" from subject.
* Allows synchronization with camera''s built-in Flash for "Double Flash" or "Bounce/Fill Flash" operation. (Only in standard TTL, i.e., no 3D or Matrix Balance)
* Built-in diffuser for use camera''s built-in flash to provide fill-flash when using SB-50DX for bounce-flash,
* AF-Assist Illuminator.
* LCD panel with illuminator. Pressing the button on
Weaknesses: * Low guide number "GN" (ISO 100/Ft.). At 28mm the SB-50DX''s GN is only 66, that''s not much greater the N80/N65 built-in flashes that have a GN of 40 at 28mm. With ISO 100 print film and f/5.6 the SB-50DX flash range is 12'' @ 28mm to 15'' @ 50mm. With ISO 400 print film and f/5.6 the SB-50DX flash range is 23'' @ 28mm to 30'' @ 50mm.
If the SB-50DX had at least the same GN as the SB-22s, 92 @ 35mm, it would have been truly an excellent "compact" flash. Even with the SB-50DX (@ 35mm) combined use with the N80/N65 built-in flash the combined GN is only 82 -- still less than the SB-22s.
* Flash metering when using the SB-50DX and the N80''s built-in flash for "Double-Flash" is standard TTL -- no 3D or Matrix Balance.
* LCD display does not show flash distance range for zoom head settings.
* Flash head has no swivel; prevents ceiling bounce with camera in vertical position.
Similar Products Used: Currently SB-22, SB-28
In the past Vivitar 283, 285
Summary: the sb-50 is a strong unit. when compared with other flashes in the same $$ range, there are many more features to be had. With all of the options; slave, speed-light, tilt head, macro diffuser...it is very useable. A great flash.
The beniffit to the sb-28 would be a higher GN, but the GN on this sb-50 has not held me back at all. Everything mates up well with my N-80. I am very happy with it. A great value for the money
Strengths: wireless slave is a cool feature, and the use of the built-in speedlight along with the sb-50 is a neat plus. the metal foot feels tough, and the features are easy to use. The TTL, auto, manu., all of them are super easy to move through. The auto ranges seem to work well, very accurate. I have only shot one roll of color film, the rest has been B&W. Nothing looks washed out and the light is not harsh. It gets better eery time I use it, and I am still feeling really new with it.
Weaknesses: The low GN (85) is a little draw back, but i would not say that is a weakness. You know what it is going in. A weakness would be when it does not perform up to the standard that you purchased it under.
I have been very happy with it.
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