What third-party speedlite/flashes are available for Nikon?

Question

I'm looking for a flash with a budget of < $200. I have a Nikon D3100, and I'm a beginner with photography, who is taking some classes and wants some flexibility with a decent bounce flash.

I was surprised to find that the only Nikon flash < $200 is the $119 SB-400, which I'm concerned might be a little too limited. But the next jump up is around $279+ to the SB-600, and up from there with the SB-700.

I'm looking for some strong recommendations for alternative brands that will provide comparable functionality of an SB-600 at a more affordable price.

If there are no options, then we'll consider the higher priced Nikons, or postpone the purchase 'til we have a bit more cash, so if you feel really strongly that we have to go with one of the more expensive Nikons, let that be known.

Answer 1

There's one that I've looked at several times as a possibility for my next flash - although I have no personal experience with it - the Vivitar DF383.

Features:

• TTL
• Swivel and Tilt
• GN45
• AF focus assist

Answer 2

have a look on METZ flashes - they have wide range of products and good price/performance ratio.

Answer 3

I recently bought a Yongnuo YN465 for about $80 from Hong Kong, I cannot comment on how it compares to the Nikon ones but it beats the on-board flash hands down. It has tilt, swivel, ttl and will zoom to some degree. Also has a slave function built in to fire off another flash.

Answer 4

Nissin Di622 Mark II seems to be the good candidate:

• Guide Number : 44m, 145ft. (ISO 100), 62m, 205ft. (ISO 200)
• Illumination coverage : 24-105mm (16mm wide angle diffuser)
• Turning head : 90 degree upward, 90 degree to left, 180 degree to right
• Power source : 4 X AA or equivalent Mi-MH, lithium
• Number of flashes : 200-1500 flashes by fresh alkaline batteries
• Energy saving system : 2 minutes to stand-by mode, 30 minutes to shut down after the power on or the last use of flash unit
• Recycling time : 5 sec., with fresh alkaline batteries.
• Flash exposure control :
  • E-TTL and E-TTL II for Canon cameras
  • i-TTL for Nikon cameras
  • Manual(Variable power) : 6 levels : Full - 1/2 - 1/4 - 1/8 - 1/16 - 1/32 powers
• Wireless mode :
  • SD: Slave Digital (with 6 level)
  • SF: Slave Film (with 6 level)
  • Wireless TTL remote Channel 1 Group A (Controlled by master flash)
• Flash Power Lock: FE lock (for Canon) / FV lock (for Nikon)
• My TTL Setting
• AF Assist light : Infrared LED for distance of 0.7 to 6 meter.
• Color temperature : 5,600K (same as daylight)
• Flash duration : 1/800sec. to 1/20,000sec.
• Camera contact : Hotshoe , X-contact, External Synchro socket
• Accessories included : Shoe stand, pouch

The only missing feature for me is the high-speed sync support.

Answer 5

One option is to get non-TTL flash. For example LumoPro LP160 recommended by strobist is around $160, so you'd get lighting power of hi-end Nikon flash at lot lower price. Put the remaining $40 to umbrella and PC sync cord and you're done.

The downside obviously is that that flash is fully manual, so you need to adjust the power yourself. But at $200 you need to do compromises somewhere, be it power, automation, reliability or something else.