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SB700 vs. SB910

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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
I'm planning on purchasing a couple speedlights to use for some small portrait stuff/indoor events and for some sports "strobe" stuff on the side. I realize both flashes are a tough thing to compare because they're completely different models and they both have their pros and cons. I'm mostly just looking for someone who has used either one of them and can say whether the extra 2/3 power that the 910 uses will be worth it for sports stuff, or if it's not an extreme difference.
Also I know that the SB700 can't be connected to an external battery pack like the SB910 can, does anyone who uses an SB900/SB910 find that they use a battery pack a lot of the time or not?
I used to have a Vivitar 285 and sunpak flash that had just been abused for the past 2 years or so and they both just died on me. I would just use them with some ebay triggers for some "strobe" stuff. I never found for the time that I was out shooting that even their battery life was not long enough and I never felt as though I would have liked to have the option of a battery pack or something so I really don't think I'll be needing it.
I know some of you guys will say "just buy more Vivitar 285's" but I really would like to use a flash on camera for portrait/event stuff so that's why I'm planning on purchasing possibly 2 Nikon flashes and not a few more cheapo vivitar flashes.
I mean, either way I'm going to have to save up for these flashes so if I can get away perfectly fine using 2 SB700's then I would much rather do that, than save up and purchase 2 SB910's.

I'm really leaning towards the SB700's but I would just like someone who has owned either one to just give me their thoughts for the best option that will last me into the future and fit my needs.

Also how well does the CLS system work? I'm probably going to end up purchasing some pocket wizards in the future but for the time being, is it alright to do a little off camera stuff? Obviously having to use some type of on camera commander sucks but it might do the job alright for a little. Just curious again.
Thanks
May 1 2012 10:08AM
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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
I know it's still on the first page and I don't mean to bump this, just wondering if anyone has used either of these because I'm really just curious.
May 1 2012 8:08PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
i don't know too much about flash photography, but i have used the commander mode on my d7000 to fire my sb600 and it worked great!... except when the flash isn't facing the camera, it seems to be troublesome. i'm definitely a beginner with flashes so i might have been doing something wrong, those were just my observations. It wasn't like you had to have it facing dead on, but yeah. here's a shot i took with the commander mode and sb600 to show you the angle it worked at
Click for larger image
May 2 2012 12:05AM
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Ethan.G
Posts: 1166 - Karma: 465
I think you'd be fine getting away with two sb700's. Two 910's would be quite nice but I don't see it as being necessary, although I don't exactly know your shooting style or what you photograph exactly. I use a single sb600 with a wireless trigger and it's been working pretty good, but I'm probably going to buy an sb700 soon.

here's some examples from a single sb600 I have

Click for larger image

Click for larger image

May 2 2012 12:59AM
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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
Thanks for the help guys! I like both of your guyses shots too, I definitely think I'll be all set with 2 SB700's. Like you said, 2 SB910's would be nice, but I don't think it's quite necessary for me right now. Especially since I've been watching videos and it seems like the SB700 has the faster recycling time too, probably because it's less powerful but I think it will be plenty powerful enough for me.
About the CLS system too, I think I could use it for a little, but they do have to be facing the camera like you said which seems like it would get kind of annoying.
Thanks again for the help guys
May 2 2012 9:22AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Don't mean to put you off from buying those SB700's, but if you're going to be using them for off-camera strobes, like if you're shooting skiing, then just get fully manual flashes like the YN-560. Only 60 bucks and (slightly) more powerful than the SB700. Also, the recycling time is just as fast (if not faster with fully charged batteries).

Just a word of advice. I've been using my YN-560 for a year now, not extensively, but every so often, and it's been holding up well, along with everybody else's YN-560 on the internet. If you don't need i-TTL (or ETTL if you're shooting Canon) I don't see the point in getting the SB700's at like 300$.

You say you also want to shoot events: there you'll need i-TTL. Get the YN-565. It has i-TTL and runs you about 150$. Also: more powerful than the SB700 and works really well.

I'd advise to just get 2 YN-560's for your off-camera ski photography where you have to manually expose anyway (just abuse those two cheap ones) and then get the YN-565 for event/portraits where you can't be bothered to manually expose. That way you're set for less than the price of one SB-700...
May 2 2012 9:54AM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Just a note on the yongnuo yn-560's is that the flash is slow, which isn't the best for freezing action. I sometimes find that my subject gets blurred and isn't as crisp as with other flashes I've used. They are awesome for portraits though so it depends which one your shooting more.
May 2 2012 11:23AM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
*flash duration is slow
May 2 2012 11:24AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Personally I haven't shot action with my YN-560's yet, but how slow is it? I was hoping to shoot some action with it soon and was thinking of picking up another one, but I'm not so sure now.
May 2 2012 11:55AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Did a little research and flash duration is 1/640 on full power - should be more than enough, right...
May 2 2012 11:59AM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
I don't think its that fast, it seems like 1/200th to me, faster than 1/1000th is preferable for action. Does it get faster, slower, or stay the same as you increase/decrease power? I can never remember and I think its different with certain flashes.
May 2 2012 12:33PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Less power = faster. Quite logical actually.

Take a look at this link, it's really helpful:
http://www.scantips.com/speed.html
May 2 2012 12:35PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
yah, I thought it was that but I remember 1337 saying it was the opposite.

Either way, the yongnuo's are so much better than the vivitar 285hv ( I used to own one before I switched to the 560's), you have way more control, the light is cleaner (285's have a tendency to give off a yellow hue because they're so old.) The only downside is the vivitar is faster at full power but the yongnuo is more powerful.
May 2 2012 12:41PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
It is so with studio lights. Speedlights work a lot different than studio lights do, that could be it.

Did a little more digging: at full power the flash duration is only 1/200... WTF! How's that even possbible.
May 2 2012 12:56PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Hey, I was right, but yah, it's a slow flash, but for portraits nothing can beat them for the money.
May 2 2012 1:34PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Yeah. It's either that or having 5 to light out your scene at 1/4 power.
May 2 2012 1:57PM
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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
Sorry guys I haven't been on NS in a few days. I ended up picking up a SB-700 to just use on camera with TTL for events and then also indoor sports stuff. I think I'm definitely going to pick up 2 other flashes that I can beat on like I used to with my old Sunpak4000 and Vivitar 285.
You guys were saying the Yongnuo 560's flash duration was on the slower side right? Got any recommendations for fast cheapo flashes? Obviously I'll look around, I just wondered if anyone had any first had experience. Something durable would also be good too. I'm also thinking about picking up an older SB-600 for a backup and also to use off camera on occasion.

I had been using these transceivers too:http://www.amazon.com/Yongnuo-Wireless-Trigger-Shutter-Transceiver/dp/B004YW79F4 and I have 2 of them. I was thinking about switching to pocketwizards, but if I'm going to have a cheap flash set up for off camera stuff, what triggers/receivers would you guys recommend? Or should I pick up a few more o f these transceivers? The transceivers always worked well for me, but again I'm just curious if anyone has any first hand experience.

Thanks again.
May 4 2012 2:00PM
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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
Sorry in my last post I technically meant "short" flash duration. Basically same thing as fast, but I just read it over and it sounded weird to me so I wanted to make sure I specified. Haha
May 4 2012 2:06PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
I've got 603's as well and are really happy with them. They work and do what they're supposed to do. For about 20$ a trigger. Instead of 200$ for Mini TT1 and 140 for a PW III.
May 4 2012 2:30PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Btw, I did some research and asked around a bit and stumbled upon this article. REALLY helpful.

http://www.gock.net/2012/01/flash-durations-small-strobes/

As you can read, the YN-560 is 1/1300 at half power, which is plenty for pretty much any situation at night anyway.
May 14 2012 6:17AM
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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
Wow that's a great article thank you! Definitely planning on picking up a couple 560's as flashes to beat on. Haha
May 14 2012 10:17AM
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