Red Dot Photo Review - Nikon SB-700

[Felicis]

Red Dot Photo Review - Nikon SB-700: An Instant Flash of Light

The SB-700

The SB-700 is Nikon’s latest speedlight model released for sale in Singapore on 17 December 2010.

Overall, the SB-700 is packed with many features and controls that are simple and easy to use, catering to new photographers who range from beginners to serious amateurs. Equipped with features such as wireless lighting capability which is significant to creative lighting, a versatile power zoom coverage that goes up to 120mm and user-friendly controls, the SB-700 is indeed one flash that is a great addition to a photographer's lighting needs.

Nikon’s Speedlight Line-up

Besides the SB-700, Nikon's lineup also include earlier models of speedlights such as the SB-600, SB-800 and SB-900.

SB-900 and SB-700

Below are some details regarding the SB line-up.

A brief history

In July 2003, Nikon announced the release of the new SB-800 flash. It was the first installment of the SB (with a three digit suffix) series, which is the pioneer of Nikon’s new i-TTL technology and Creative Lighting System (CLS).

6 other models were subsequently introduced to the SB line up. The latest addition to this series is of course, the SB-700.

Comparing 4 SB Models

• SB-800

→ Release Date: 2003
→ Availability (in Singapore): Discontinued (only available in used market)

• SB-600

→ Release Date: 2004
→ Availability (in Singapore): Discontinued (only available in used market)

• SB-900

→ Release Date: 2008
→ Availability (in Singapore): Available in market

• SB-700

→ Release Date: 2010
→ Availability (in Singapore): Available in market

The SB-700 has many features similar to the other models of Nikon’s speedlight line-up, but it also has been improved from its predecessor, the SB-600. Further, the SB-700 is built with a variety of useful functions that makes it stand out from other brands and Nikon’s speedlight models.

Supplied accessories

A full assortment of useful accessories accompanies the SB-700 in the package.

These accessories include:

• 1 X soft case
• 1 X speedlight stand
• 1 X diffusion dome
• 2 X colour filters (incandescent and fluorescent)

Some contents in SB-700 Package

In comparison with other models/brands:

• SB-600
Difference: → Filters and diffusion dome NOT provided.
→ Flash stand - metal threads tripod mount unlike SB-700's plastic tripod mount.

• SB-800 & SB-900
Difference: → Different coloured filter set - Filters are soft and flimsy which makes them harder to attach to the flash head (A holder is required for their attachment).
Meanwhile, the SB-700 filters are simple to attach onto the flash head as their exteriors are hard.

• Canon (430EX II) & Nissin (Di622 Mark II)
Difference: → Filters and diffusion dome NOT provided. Basic accessories (a stand and a pouch) offered.

Build Quality and Controls

The SB-700 is similar in size to the SB-600 and SB-800 but much smaller in size compared to the SB-900.

Compared to Nissin's Di622 Mark II and Canon's 430EX II, the SB-700 is similar in size.

The bounce and swivel ability of SB-700’s flash head is similar to most other Nikon speedlights and other brands, as it is able to rotate up and down, and left and right.

This ensures that the direction of light from the flash can be changed easily.

Controls - In comparison with other models/brands

• SB-900

Similarity: → Screen display is very similar to SB-700 - offers an intuitive and easy-to-read LCD display, which can be controlled easily.

Difference: → SB-700's controls are easier to operated - flash mode switch and
illumination pattern slider are conveniently located at its sides.

SB-900 and SB-700

• Canon (430EX II)

Difference: → 'Mode button' rather than flash mode switch.

• Nissin (Di622 Mark II)

Difference: → NO LCD display.

Nissin Di622 and SB-700

Features

Available flash modes

Nikon uses an i-TTL system and the SB-700 has two i-TTL modes – the standard i-TTL (TTL) and the balance fill-flash i-TTL (TTL-BL). It also offers two other modes – manual (M) and distance priority (GN).

In manual flash mode, aperture of the lens and flash output level are manually selected. This enables the control of exposure and flash-to-subject distance.

The SB-700 can automatically switch between TTL and TTL-BL i.e. TTL-BL mode changes to TTL when the metering mode of the camera is changed to spot metering.

Without the balanced fill-flash, the flash operates in standard TTL mode, where flash output level is adjusted to the correct exposure of the main subject, regardless of background brightness.

TTL Mode

However, the balance fill-flash i-TTL mode is an added feature which automatically adjusts the flash output level for well-balanced exposure of the main subject and background.

TTL-BL Mode

Thus, these two modes can be used as such:

• TTL Mode → When flash is the main source of light.
• TTL-BL Mode → When the ambient light is also dominant and thus the subject and background exposure needs to be balanced to ensure that subject is exposed correctly.

For distance priority mode (GN), the distance from the subject to the flash can be selected and the flash can automatically select an output level according to the camera settings (such as ISO and f-stop).

GN Mode

In comparison with other models/brands:

• SB-600
Modes: → Distance priority mode is NOT available

• SB-800 & SB-900
Modes: → Distance priority mode is available

Zoom mode/range

The SB-700 is able to zoom within a range of 24mm to 120mm and it is the only speedlight other than SB-900 with maximum range of 120mm. Other speedlights max out at 105mm.

The SB-700 offers an automatic zoom feature. This feature enables the adjustment of the zoom reflector based on the focal length of the lens. The SB-700 also provides a manual zoom mode, where users can easily set the focal length of the flash by going through the menu page.

Manual Zoom

In comparison with other models/brands:

• SB-600
→ Zoom range: 24mm to 85mm
→ Zoom modes: Automatic/Manual

• SB-800
→ Zoom range: 24mm to 105mm
→ Zoom modes: Automatic/Manual

• SB-900
→ Zoom range: 17mm to 200mm
→ Zoom modes: Automatic/Manual

• Canon 430EX II
→ Zoom range: 24mm to 105mm
→ Zoom modes: Automatic/Manual

• Nissin di622 Mark II
→ Zoom range: 24mm to 105mm
→ Zoom modes: Automatic ONLY

Illumination Patterns

In order for the user to adjust to different lighting environments, the SB-700 offers three types of illumination patterns – standard, center-weighted (suitable for shooting portraits) and even (suitable for shooting large groups). An illumination pattern slider on the back panel allows users to switch between these three patterns easily. This feature makes Nikon stand out from other brands as it provides the ability to control flash exposure according to different lighting environment.

In comparison with other models/brands:

• SB-600
→ Illumination patterns NOT available

• SB-800
→ Illumination patterns NOT available

• SB-900
→ Illumination patterns available

• Canon 430EX II
→ Illumination patterns NOT available

• Nissin di622 Mark II
→ Illumination patterns NOT available

Flash compensation and flash output levels

In general, the SB-700’s flash compensation and flash output level controls are comparatively similar to other models and brands. It has a flash compensation level of –3.0 EV to +3.0 EV in increments of 1/3 steps in the three different flash modes.

Flash compensation at -3.0 EV and at +3.0 EV

As for its flash output level, it provides access to 8 output levels between 1/1 and 1/128.

At 1/1 output level and 1/128 output level

In comparison with other models/brands:

• SB-600
→ Flash compensation:–3.0 EV to +3.0 EV in increments of 1/3 steps
→ Flash output level: 1/1 to 1/64

• SB-800
→ Flash compensation:–3.0 EV to +3.0 EV in increments of 1/3 steps
→ Flash output level: 1/1 to 1/128

• SB-900
→ Flash compensation:–3.0 EV to +3.0 EV in increments of 1/3 steps
→ Flash output level: 1/1 to 1/128

• Canon 430EX II
→ Flash compensation:–3.0 EV to +3.0 EV in increments of 1/3 steps
→ Flash output level: 1/1 to 1/128

• Nissin di622 Mark II
→ Flash compensation:–3.0 EV to +3.0 EV in increments of 1/3 steps
→ Flash output level: 1/1 to 1/128

Wireless triggers/modes

The SB-700 provides a wireless flash mode, which enables multiple flash-unit photography operation through various groups and channels. The modes come in Master, Remote, SU-4 and Quick Wireless Mode: A:B.

Thus the SB-700 can operate as both the master unit and slave unit (SU-4) for multi-flash photography. And SB-700 has the added Quick Wireless Mode which allows the two remote flash unit (triggered by master flash unit) groups, A and B, to be easily balanced.

SB700: Wireless trigger at Remote Mode

In comparison with other models/brands:

• SB-600
→ Wireless flash modes: Off / Remote ONLY (4 channels - groups A, B and C).

• SB-800
→ Wireless flash modes: Off, Master, Master (RPT), Remote (4 channels - groups A, B and C) and SU-4.

• SB-900
→ Wireless flash modes: Off, Master, Master (RPT), Remote (4 channels - groups A, B and C) and SU-4.

• Canon 430EX II
→ Wireless flash modes: Slave mode (4 channels - groups A, B and C).

• Nissin di622 Mark II
→ Wireless flash modes: SD (slave digital), SF (slave film) and Wireless (Channel 1, Group A).

PC sync cord and Mounts

Just like its predecessor (SB-600), SB-700 lacks a PC sync socket. Thus, it can’t be used for connections with external devices such as PC-sync capable cameras or devices.

A useful aspect of the SB-700 is that the mount fits all regularly sized hot and cold shoes. Other Nikon models, Nissin's di622 Mark II and Canon's 430EX II models have a tripod and hot shoe mount as well.

Performance and Power

Battery

Similar to other brands and other Nikon models, the SB-700 operates on 4 AA batteries. What makes it unique from other models is that its battery has a short recycling time and it has an automatic delay in recycling if its temperature gets too high.

Guide number

The SB-700 has a guide number of 44 (105mm, ISO 100). This is lower when compared to its predecessor, the SB-600, which has a guide number of 46 (105mm, ISO 100). The SB-800 and SB-900, have guide numbers of 56 and 54 (105mm, ISO 100) respectively.

Nissin's di622 Mark II and Canon's 430EX II have a similar guide number as SB-700 but Nissin’s Di-866 and Canon's 580EX II has a whopping guide number of 60 and 58 (105mm, ISO 100) respectively.

Worth the buy?

Pros

• Ergonomically well-built → easy to use controls and buttons that are conveniently located and easy to read LCD display which clearly shows the settings of the flash.
• Various modes available for multi-flash photography → can be used as both master and slave unit and has unique Quick Wireless Mode.
• Relatively high zoom range → its zoom ranges all the way up to 120mm.
• Three different types of illumination patterns → allow easy and quick alteration to flash exposure.

Cons

• PC sync cord → unavailable - lack of external connection.
• Guide number lower than predecessor, SB-600 → slightly less powerful.

Overall, the SB-700 is a flash equipped with many features that enhances photography. Best of all, these features are easy to use and thus is recommended for amateur photographers. With features such as a high power zoom coverage, three illumination patterns and wireless lighting capability, SB-700 is valuable to a photographer's kit.

Specifications (1) - Comparison between Nikon Speedlights

Flash / Features	SB-700	SB-900	SB-800	SB-600
Guide No. (ISO100) 105mm	44	54	56	46
Swivel	Up/down, Left right (180 deg)	Up/down, Left right (180 deg)	Up/down, Left right (180 deg)	Up/down, Left right (180 deg)
Battery source	AA X 4	AA X 4	AA X 4	AA X 4
Flash illumination patterns	Center, Even, Standard	Center, Even, Standard	NA	NA
Flash exposure compensation	+3.0/-3.0 in 1/3 EV steps	+3.0/-3.0 in 1/3 EV steps	+3.0/-3.0 in 1/3 EV steps	+3.0/-3.0 in 1/3 EV steps
Manual power range	1/128 - 1/1	1/128 - 1/1	1/128 - 1/1	1/64 - 1/1
Focal Length	24 - 120 mm	17 - 200 mm	24 - 105 mm	24 - 85 mm
Wireless flash modes	Optical trigger, with SU-4 mode. Various groups and channels	Optical trigger, with SU-4 mode. Various groups and channels.	Optical trigger, with SU-4 mode. Various groups and channels.	Trigger only available in remote mode
PC Sync chord input	No	Yes	Yes	No
Price	S$499	S$789	NA (discontinued) [Est. 2nd hand: $200-400]	NA (discontinued) [Est. 2nd Hand: $200-300:]
Tripod mount (receiver)	Yes - plastic	Yes - plastic	Yes - plastic	Yes
Hot shoe mount (receiver)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Specifications (2) - Comparison between Nikon, Canon & Nissin Speedlights

Flash / Features	SB-700	Canon 430 EX2	Nissin Di622 Mark II
Guide No. (ISO100) 105mm	44	43	44
Swivel	Up/down, Left right (180 deg)	Up/down, Left (0-180) right (0-90)	Up/down, Left right (180 deg)
Battery source	AA X 4	AA X 4	AA X 4
Flash illumination patterns	Center, Even, Standard	NA	NA
Flash exposure compensation	+3.0/-3.0 in 1/3 EV steps	+3.0/-3.0 in 1/3 EV steps	+1.5/-1.5 in 1/2 EV steps
Manual power range	1/128 - 1/1	1/64 - 1/1	1/32 - 1/1
Focal Length	24 - 120 mm	24 - 105 mm	24 - 105 mm
Wireless flash modes	Optical trigger, with SU-4 mode. Various groups and channels.	Optical pulse, with 4 channels.	Wireless remote: channel 1, group A
PC Sync chord input	No	No	Yes
Price	S$499	S$579	S$200
Tripod mount (receiver)	Yes - plastic	Yes	Yes - metal
Hot shoe mount (receiver)	Yes	Yes	Yes