I am thinking that I need an external flash for my Nikon D5000. I hate having to use the flash, because it is so harsh on faces, but there often there isnt enough natural light, or time to set up other lighting.
If I am looking at using a flash for portraits, so pregnancy and newborn shoots etc, what kind of flash would be best?
I have a SB 400 and am pretty satisfied with it. The bounced or diffused flash is much, much more favorable than the harsh pop up. While it's pretty versatile it doesn't tilt, so if you're shooting vertical you have to bounce it sideways or get creative with multiple bounce surfaces.
The positives are that it's plenty powerful, pretty good on batteries, and really a bargain at around $120 US.
I have the SB 600 which I am also satisfied with. I think Bob nailed the big difference which is that the 600 tilts. The tilt gives you more options for bouncing. I'm not sure of the price difference but I think I got my 600 for under $200 so it might not be too big of a difference.
I'm also not sure about how the 400 works off camera but that might be something you want to look at as well.
I have a SB800, which isn't made anymore, but still found on ebay and what not. I love it. Had an SB400, shot one wedding and event with it, and HAD to upgrade. Everyone I knew with SB600s had issues with them, so I just went for the SB800 and have been very happy with it. I also use it off camera alongside my AlienBee strobe for studio stuff.
I've got an sb-600, two sb-900s and the su-800. I rarely use the sb-600 and my guess is they'll be replacing that model soon based on rumors I've been hearing. I use my flash equipment all the time even with ambient light so I feel a good external flash is a good thing. Doesn't even need to be Nikon branded, although some like to take advantage of Nikon's creative Lighting System (CLS). I use my flashes almost always off-camera via the infared su-800, but I've found that it's not as reliable as radio controlled triggers. Oh, and once you get familiar with your external flash, you'll want to look into a flash stand, soft box/umbrella too. Once comfortable you'll wonder how you got by without it :). Good luck!
Vikdaddy - we seem to play with the same equipment (although I'm patiently waiting to upgrade my 400D) ... Both myself and the hubby use the 580EXII speedlite ... has pretty much the features talked about above for the Nikon ... tilts and twists for bouncing flash, has the diffuser as well as bounce card (I know there's a technical term for that but I'm too tired to remember or look up) ... works great as an off-camera flash as well (although I'm not that adventurous when doing shots by myself to do the off-camera stuff - DH helps me work that out) ...
The 430EXII is the next one down and about a $200 price difference so I guess there's that to consider as well ...
(Sorry to steal your thread Zeph! You know I know NOTHING about Nikon)
I also have a SB600, its not too complicated for me and has some great auto settings for interior and exterior shooting... plus all the twisting and bouncing features as mentioned above. I bought it earlier this year because the SB 800 & SB 900 were just too pricey for my pocket, plus the SB600 is fine for my mid-ranged Nikon D90 which is similar to your entry level D5000.
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The positives are that it's plenty powerful, pretty good on batteries, and really a bargain at around $120 US.
I'm also not sure about how the 400 works off camera but that might be something you want to look at as well.
The 430EXII is the next one down and about a $200 price difference so I guess there's that to consider as well ...
(Sorry to steal your thread Zeph! You know I know NOTHING about Nikon)