What speedlight is best for a nikon d40?

Question

What speedlight is best for a Nikon D40?

I heard of SB-400, SB-600 and SB-800. What's the difference between each?

Which would be best for an amateur photographer?

I normally take pics of just people and friends, indoors/outdoors, and other random stuff.

Answer 1

Stay with one of the Nikon flashes. With the TTL metering Nikon offers, you will have excellent results with their flashes.

The most bang for the $ is the SB-600.

You can save a bunch of money if you get the SB-400. It's nice and small, but less capable than the SB-600.

Learn how to do bounce flash indoors.

Use a flash outdoors to soften shadows.

If you get the SB-600, get a diffuser.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/sb600vs...

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/sb400.h...

Answer 2

SB-800 is an excellent choice. Especially now that the SB-900 has hit the shelves and dropped the price of the 800's

Answer 3

If you can afford it the SB 800 gives you the best guide number ( read more power) It has more features and it can act as a commander if you ever get more Nikon speedlights to use together in the creative lighting system. The SB 600 and SB400 are solid units but if you grow in your photography they may limit you. You may want to check out strobist.com