L1)NIKON 50MM F1.4G AF-S LENS (2180)

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great lens, especially for low light, no flash work
It’s fast and great optically. For portraits or poorly lit subjects where a flash is not allowed (or not wanted) this is the perfect lens. On a DX format camera it’s a bit long (field of view is about 75mm equivalent) for some inside work, a 28 or 35mm focal length might be a better option (but 1.8 is the faster you can get in those focal lengths).

5 Stars Good stuff. Worth every penny.
I had two of the previous generation of 50/1.4 AF before owning this lens. I’ve tried both versions on a D2x, d90, a d300, d3, and d3x. This is the better version, and it’s really the top of the heap, short of the MF 1.2 or a bloody Leica. So if you want sharp and AF simultaneously, this is your best bet.

Yes, it could be a touch sharper wide open. It could also be five times more expensive. It’s sharper edge to edge than the old version at all settings. It’s sharper in the corners than the Sigma or the Canon 1.2.

All around I’m quite happy.

I am nervous about only one thing: while blowing dust off I tapped the rear element with the plastic tip of my blower bulb. It made a quite resonant “TING”. Looking at the diagrams on Nikon’s site, it is a very thin element. Moreso than the previous generation. For the most part, this seems to be a much more robust build than the previous 1.4AF. (I owned two because I pretty nearly destroyed my first one…it did still work even so.) But that rear element does give me pause and I now try to shift it forward before and after mounting it (when I can remember).

Optically, can’t complain. Focus doesn’t seem any faster or slower than the previous version. It’s more comfortable to hold since nothing spins or moves externally while it’s focusing. It’s quieter, which is nice in the dim situations I often use it it.

It actually focuses properly on my d90, unlike other fast nikon glass. (I’ve tried many d90′s and it seems that d90′s just don’t focus precisely with their center point with large aperture screw driven lenses.)

Good stuff. If you shoot film or FX get one. If you have a DX, get the 35/1.8 AFS. If you have the 35/1.8 AFS, get this too! If you are using your Nikon DSLR for video, you should get like ten of these. Ok, maybe one. But still, it’s that nice.

Hope you found this useful. Enjoy shooting!

4 Stars Nice for DSLR without the internal motor
This is an excellence “fast” lens – very sharp and the auto focus is fast and accurate. This is one that you want when shoot in a low light environment where flash is not permitted.

Having said that, however, it is so much more expensive than the Nikkor 50mm f1.4D without significantly improvement on the optical quality. If you own a entry level Nikon dSLR (e.g., D40/x, D60, D3000, D5000) without an internal motor to power the D-series lens (or lenses without internal motor of their own) then, you will like this one. If you own a more advance dSLR (D80, D90, D300/s) then, you are better off economically with the 50 f1.4D.

5 Stars Sharp, well constructed, and AF-S; great normal lens!
Pro’s:

I initially got this prime because it was THE ONLY lens at the time that had an f-stop less than 2.8 AND AF-S on my old D40x BACK in December of 2008 (other than the $6,000 200 f/2).

Thankfully, Nikon updated their DX AF-S lineup this year aggressively with the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras as well, but I’ll review that later.

This is a bokeh machine, not as creamy and perfect as the Nikon 85 1.4, but pretty nice. But bokeh is a personal thing, and some people find it a little nervous in this lens (your call).

AF-S is dead silent, hunts very little in low light, and tracks well.

Light weight and a nice hood is included.

Works awesome on my N75 film body (and I can’t WAIT to use it a D700!!)

Con’s:

AF is apparently slower than previous 50mm models that are AF only (not AF-S).

A bit long on a DX body to be considered “normal”(75mm equivalent), but still useful as a portrait lens (just not AS close as say a 85mm on an FX body).

I just don’t use it as often as I’d like and always reach for the 35 1.8G as my “go to” prime ONLY because 50mm on a DX is too long for a general purpose lens.

Upshot:

A worthwhile purchase, an excellent AF-S revision to older models, and perfect choice for those AF-motor-less users (D40/x/D60/D5000) who need a portrait/fast prime lens. Also works on FX/Film bodies (but not compatible with film bodies prior to the N75 era, ie

P.S.

I have also found DxO Optics Pro v 5.0, Elite Edition Photo Enhancing Software for Mac & Windows. a priceless software tool with this camera/lens combination (This “module” is available with my D200 + 50 1.4G, helps give my shots an “extra stop” of noise reduction.). I always shoot RAW images and use DxO to convert to TIFF or jpg.

5 Stars Nikon 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens
Good basic prime lens. Bought it because it is a required/suggested/recommended lens for many photo classes & exercises. Forces you to get closer to your object. Is closest to “human eye” observation. Not an expsensvie lens: I read great reviews on this lens.

Buy/More Info

f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX wide-angle to telephoto zoom lens * Vibration Reduction II allows in-focus shots with longer exposure times (up to four stops slower shutter speed) * 35mm equivalent focal length of 27-300mm * contains two ED (extra-low dispersion) and three aspherical lens elements for high resolution and contrast * Silent Wave Motor for fast, quiet focusing *

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Nikon 18-200 VR II, One of Several Very Good, All Purpose, Walkabout Lenses
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and so, I think, is one’s opinion of a camera lens. I’ve learned over the years that lens reviews are helpful, but they are just opinions. Yes, for sure, you generally get better optics with more expensive lenses, but it’s certainly not a guarantee. And for reasons one can only wonder about, oftentimes two copies of the same lens will produce very different results. For example, my friend Sara, who is as nuts about buying (we’re like compulsive buyers) and using Canon lenses as I am about buying and using Nikon ones, has a Canon EF-S 18-55mm kit lens that produces images so tack sharp through its whole range that would make you cry.

And so it goes with super zooms, these wonderful lenses that go from pretty wide to very long. If you look at the reviews of any of them, some people claim horrible results, while others scratch their heads, because they’re just loving them to death.

My first superzoom was a Sigma 18-200 which I got about five years ago and I was blown away with what I could do with just one lens. Plus my shots were pretty darn sharp. The lens was more expensive then, than it is now. It’s still a good lens, it weighs a couple ounces less than a pound and if I only could have been satisfied, I’d have saved a bundle of money. Ah well. Anyway, I had an opportunity to try out the Tamron 18-200 as well back then, but I decided on the Sigma. It was a coin toss. At the time I thought both lenses would be good general, all purpose, walkabout lenses. They wouldn’t be as sharp or fast as primes and wouldn’t be as light as shorter zooms, but heck, one lens which went all the way from 18 to 200mm (okay 27 to 350mm in the real world), such a deal.

Both lenses were five star lenses as far as I was concerned, both still are, because they are what they are, a very good compromise. If you’re expecting a lens that will reach out across a dark night and grab a shot of lovers making out by the beach, then you don’t want these lenses, but if you’re looking for a good general walkabout lens, both will suit you and they won’t break your bank.

But they don’t have image stabilization and when Sigma came out with it, I had to have it. So I shelved the Sigma zoom I had, (thankfully I didn’t sell it) and bought the Sigma 18-200 OS and Sigma’s Optical Stabilizer worked great. I got sharper handheld shots in lower light, but they came at a price, almost half a pound. It doesn’t sound like much, eight ounces (7.6 to be exact), but try carrying it around on your shoulder all day long. I really noticed the difference, especially when I was shooting.

I probably wouldn’t have gone to that auction site with my fairly new lens, if it hadn’t been for Tamron. They came out with their Tamron 18-250 and I had to have it. A bigger reach, the heck with image stabilization. Not only could I go all the way from 27 to 375mm in the real world, but I got back a bit over six ounces, the lens was lighter. So now I had two super zooms, which was good, because I go out people shooting with my sister a lot.

So one would think I’d be satisfied, but when the Nikon 18-200 came out, well Nikon optics in a superzoom. I had to have it, so the Tamron went up for auction (because I just loved the Sigma, even though it didn’t reach as far). The Nikon lens focused faster, but not that much faster then the other two, had image stabilization and was faster at the long end and it took great shots, but it weighed more than the other lenses, coming in at a whopping 20 ounces and it was creepy, creepy, creepy and with no zoom lock. The other lenses had almost no zoom creep and they had a zoom lock, which I never used. Very annoying the zoom creep was, still, great shots from a great lens.

Satisfied, well for awhile, then came 2008 and the Tamron 18-270 with their VC version of image stabilization and up for auction went my expensive Nikkor lens. Yeah, I still hung on the my first super zoom, the Sigma. For sure the Nikkor was a five star lens, but a girl can’t justify more than two super zooms at any one time.

The Tamron lens actually weighed a fraction less than the Nikkor it replaced. It was a bit slower on the long end, was a bit stiff in the zooming, but easy to get used to and almost no, sometimes no, zoom creep and it has a lock. It’s just simply one heck of a lens. Sometimes it’s a bit slow to autofocus in lowlight, but still I think it finds its focus faster than I would, but not as fast as the Nikkor.

I should add here that Nikon has upgraded their 18-200 adding a zoom lock. I’ve played with one and not only have they added that zoom lock, but it doesn’t seem to creep nearly as much, but that could just be the copy I used. I should also mention that Sigma has come out with their Sigma 18-250 OS which I was lucky enough to use for a month. That is just one super fine lens. It focuses fast and I think it finds its focus better in low light than the Tamron 18-270. Also this new Sigma has a super quiet motor, though I’ve never really been bothered by the sound of a focusing lens.

By reading other reviews of these lenses, I’ve learned that they are all subject to zoom creep, so I suppose in the main, I’ve been lucky. All of these lenses are very good, at least all of the copies I’ve used. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any of them. However, if you go with Nikon, you’re going to be paying an awful lot more. You get a slightly faster lens on the long end and you get Nikon quality, but Sigma and Tamron give quality as well and Tamron warranties their lenses for six years, so they’re pretty confident that they’re building a great product (and now they’re part of Sony).

So through my whole super zoom experience, which one do I wind up using the most? You guessed it, that Sigma I bought five years ago. Like the proverbial Timax, “It takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’.” If the day is bright and I’m going people shooting it’s the one I put on my camera, because it’s light and it’s images are true.

4 Stars Value relates to cost and quality
For the price and the quality given this is a high value lens. So it creeps…big deal. It only creeps when it is pointing down and not being held by your hand. When you’re carrying it over your shoulder just activate the “anti-creep switch.”

I tested the lens at home shooting boxes and other items that contain writing at 15-20 feet. You can read the small writing, enlarged. That’s real-world sharpness.

I bought the lens to take pictures of people in varoius settings. The 18-200mm gives me the flexibility I am looking for…no more changing lenses to get that close-up of a kid laughing.

What finally got me to buy it were the changes made in the VRII and Scott Kelby saying: “Now, you will see some photographers in forums online saying that these lenses (18-200…he had the Nikon lens pictured in the writeup) are basically beneath them, because they’re not as sharp as they could be, or they’re not as rugged as the more expensive lenses, etc. Don’t let that throw you. I don’t know of a single photograper that actually has one of these that doesn’t love it…etc. As for quality, I have a 30×40″ print framed and hanging in my home, Everybody loves it, and it looks perfectly sharp and crisp all the way through.”

Kelby was right.

5 Stars For the most people – the best lense you can get
There are a lot of reviews comparing every feature of the lense. They are long, detailed, but more confusing than helpful. So I’ll try to keep it short.

Let’s say you a typical amature photographer. You take all kinds of pictures in all kinds of conditions. So what lense would be the best?

You can probably live with some minor distortions but nothing gives you as much freedom as a wide range zoom. If you shoot inside a room, you really need 18 m on a low end. The smaller the number the wider the angle and the more people you can squeeze into the frame from the other side of party table. Every mm here makes a big difference. So 18 mm on the low end is pretty much a must have. On the longer end, well, the bigger the better. However, if you that also means heavier and it also means much harder to take good pictures because on a long zoom range the camera gets less light, it’s sensitive to shaking hands and the lense distortion is getting worse. Also it’s more expensive.

So bottom line is – if you can afford the Nikon 18-200 mm lense – go for it. That will be your single all around lense and you won’t feel sorry. If it’s too pricey – check out the 18-105 mm one. Think about it this way – there are a lot of specialized lenses but really only a few all-around ones. So 80% people really need to choose between only 3: 18-55, 18-105 and 18-200 and the biggest factor here is how much you can afford. So it’s actually not that complicated.

I few side notes.

It’s tempting to buy a couple lenses instead of one. It looks like you’re getting more for less, but in reality changing lenses is not something people do often. The extra lense is heavy, it takes time to change, every time you take a lense off, there is a risk you can get dust inside the camera – there are a lot of reasons why having two lenses is not the same as one.

Other vendors. You can get much cheaper lenses from other vendors like Sigma etc. I heard mixed stories. Some people got lucky and got good glass, some were not. If you can try and buy, you may want to take a chance. But Nikon quality control is pretty good, so there is not much risk there.

Protective filter. If you’re planning to spend many hundreds on a lense, please, don’t forget to buy a good protective filter. Something like UV(0) or clear glass. Once you try to wipe out the glass on the lense, the microscratches on surfice will cause all kinds of image defects so you should never ever touch the lense glass. The filter is way more forgiving and it can be replaced easily. A bad filter can ruine the quality, so don’t be cheap, plan to spend somewhere in $50-90 range.

And finally, why would you not buy this lense?

1. Price. Most people say this lense is nice but too expensive. Since there are new better camera bodies for the same price coming out pretty much every year and the lenses hold value very well I’d suggest you to consider buying the best lense you can afford and maybe saving a bit on a cheaper body. The lense will likely outlast the camera.

2. Weight. This camera is heavy. No DSLR will fit in a pocket but this lense on a camera will require fairly large bag to carry and holding it on your shoulder for a day could literally be painful.

There could be some other reasons like if your requirements are very high and you need some specialized or professional grade lenses but if you’re requirements are that high, I don’t think that review will open your eyes anyway.

Hopefully this review will help you.

5 Stars A new improved lense
The main difference I see from the previous version is that this lense has a switch to lock the zoom in its place unlike the older version in which the zoom used to slide out the moment u tilt it downwards.

5 Stars Exceptional All-Around Performer
The 18-200 VR II is an all-around great lens. While it is not “the best” lens available for any single role, it stays mounted on my D90 a large majority of the time. When I don’t want to haul around a bag full of gear, this is the lens I take without a thinking twice. Clearly, Nikon had to make some tough choices in balancing the features of this lens, trying to satisfy a wide range of users and applications. Here is my take on where they ended up.

This lens IS:

- Remarkably versatile with an 11x zoom factor

- Surprisingly sharp at all focal lengths

- Very good for outdoor sports in good light

- Useful for almost-macro close-up work

- Solid enough to not require kid-glove treatment

- Usable in many indoor situations with the VR system

- Reasonably sized, considering the zoom range

This lens IS NOT:

- Very fast, especially racked out

- For low-light sports photography

- A pro-level all-metal “indestructable” lens

- Well-suited for low-light shooting

- Compact or lightweight

As noted by other reviewers, the minor distortion and corner fall-off is easily remedied via post-processing software. While many use Photoshop, I recommend DxO Optics Pro software. It has very effective custom modules for this lens and many Nikon DSLRs that work extremely well.

The most pleasant surprise for me with this lens is how good it works for “almost-macro” photography. I also have the heavy and expensive Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro, which is without a doubt the sharpest lens in my bag. However, some of the best close-up shots of bees, flowers, etc that I have taken came from the 18-200, for two reasons. First, unless I am out on a “macro safari” I don’t generally have the 105 mounted, so it isn’t always “at the ready” for targets of opportunity. Second, with the 18-200 racked out to 200mm, it focuses about 8 inches from the front of the lens (which equates to just over 19 inches from the sensor), which provides a pretty decent close-in range. For lower light or extreme macro situations, the 105 is still the superior lens, but the 18-200 does much better than I had ever hoped for when pressed into macro service.

Buy/More Info

This 5.8x zoom, designed exclusively for use with Nikon’s DX-format, features Nikon’s VR image stabilization and is perfect for portraits and action. The wide-ratio 5.8x zoom
Compact, versatile and ideal for a broad range of shooting situations, ranging from interiors and landscapes to beautiful portraits–a perfect everyday zoom. Vibration Reduction is engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens and enables handheld shooting at up to 3 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper images.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Super People Shooting Lens
If I know I’m going to be shooting people, you know, a wedding, bar mitzvah, baptism, birthday party, especially one with children and clowns, then this is the lens I use. If I take both bodies, I’ll have a wide angle on the other one, so I can get good group shots inside. The 16-85mm range of the camera translates to 24-127mm in real world photography and that’ll give you good wide angle shots and allow you some pretty good closeups from across the room or yard, plus the 80 to 120mm range is perfect for portraits.

This lens isn’t all that expensive and you’re buying better than excellent optics, Nikon quality (the build on this lens is as good as you’ll find on any lens made today) and VR that works (it’s almost like going a couple stops lower).

You might wonder why I’d opt for this lens for people shooting events over the very nice Nikon 18-200mm or the Tamron 18-270mm, well this lens weighs less, focuses faster, takes sharper photos and I’ve never ever wished I’d had a longer lens at an event, well once, when I shot a wedding in Huntington Beach. It was a beach side condo and there was some good surf action going on, great waves, but that had nothing to do with the wedding.

If you want a longer range than the kit lens, this could be a good walkabout lens and there have been days when I’ve used it for that, though I prefer the more compact Nikon 18-55mm for everyday use and one of the above mentioned wide to long telephotos for vacations. Still if you shoot a lot of people or are planning to, you’ll find this lens will serve you well.

5 Stars A great upgrade and overall excellent lens
I want to say that when I first got this lens for Christmas I was utterly disappointed, not because it wasn’t a good lens, but I had my heart set on a prime lens. Well, I pushed my sadness aside and mounted it on my D60. The first thing I noticed about it was the size, it was significantly larger in every way possible over the 18-55mm kit lens that came with the D60. The only thing that didn’t change was the f-stop. It was sort of heavy mounted on the D60′s tiny body but that is something that is easily overcome. The picture quality and the overall use of the lens is where it started to win me over.

I was shooting inside all day with f/3.5, ISO 800 and shutter speed of 1/6 of a second. The pictures came out crisp and clear with the aid of the vibration reduction, whereas my 18-55mm would be a hit-or-miss. I found it great that I could go from shooting wide angle shots to mid-range telephoto shots without having to switch between lenses. I began to see a difference between the quality of my old 18-55mm and the 18-105mm. The 18-105 is the older brother of the 18-55mm kit lens, and it is more useful/ The focusing ring on the lens can override the auto focus. If you are someone in my situation with a three point AF D60, then this comes in handy considering that the focus isn’t always where you want it to be. The feel of the lens was different. It felt like it was made of plastic and rubber on the outside, which isn’t bad and doesn’t inhibit the ability of the lens to do its job, it just feels sort of cheap if you are obsessed with having the best built thing possible. The feeling of cheapness, isn’t something to be concerned about, so long as you realize that the lens is meant for picture taking and not groping. The sheer portability of the lens doesn’t seem to be an issue, it is just bulkier then the 18-55mm, especially on the puny D60.

The lens is the kind you want to have if you enjoy having versatility in your range but don’t want to put more money towards the 18-200mm lens. I look forward to using this lens a lot more and seeing what it can do. Like everything else, it’s flaws are just something that the user will have to learn to overcome. But if you are looking at buying D40, D60 or D5000 I strongly suggest buying the bodies only and buying this lens.

5 Stars Bought this for a short vacation
I originally got a 18-55mm lens with my Nikon camera and decided to buy the 55-200 as my second lens but found that changing out the lenses was a hassle. When I decided to take a short vacation that was about 2000 miles away, I didn’t want to deal with carrying the different lenses around so I bought the 18-105mm. It was one of the best things I ever did. I almost feel like it is the only lens needed for general photography. I chose this particular one because the customer reviews were so good. All my photos with this lens are wonderful. They look professional and that is the point when you buy a good lens from Nikon.

5 Stars Great all-purpose at the right price
Seems like everyone recommends the 18-200 mm VR lens, but at a cost of over $600-700!

Instead, this lens for about half the cost will cover most of the useful range of the 18-200. The VR works great on this lens, especially at 105 where the lens performs admirably.

A very good upgrade to a kit lens with more versatility, a more solid feel and VR to make your telephoto shots much better.

5 Stars My perfect lens
I had been looking for the perfect lens for portraits. This lens covers the exact zoom length I need, while retaining the wide angle.

I was nervous about getting a refurbished camera lens. No problems at all. In fact, you would never even know it’s a refurb.

It’s not a “fast” lens. But, you won’t get a fast lens with VR. That’s ok. It’s easy to make up the difference with shutter speed. And for doing photos in a church, where it’s rude to use a flash, it opens up enough. Again, shutter speed helps there. Plus, shooting in RAW makes all the difference in the world.

Lenses are personal. Just do your research, and figure out what you need.

Buy/More Info

The SB-900 i-TTL Speedlight leads the Nikon Creative Lighting System by delivering the portability, power, and versatility to support any photographer’s creative lighting imagination. The SB-900 works as a wireless standalone flash, or you can use it as a commander or wireless remote light source. In commander mode, the SB-900 controls up to three remote Speedlight groups and an unlimited number of compatible Speedlights, with four wireless channel options helping you manage wireless conflicts in multiple photographer environments. The flash also offers streamlined controls and menus, including a rotary select dial that sets key flash functions quickly, along with a prominent master and remote control switch to simplify wireless operation.

Photographers working on zoom photos will appreciate the SB-900′s expanded auto power zoom coverage, which ranges from 17 to 200mm in the FX format to 12 to 200mm in the DX format. Photographers also have the choice of three light distribution patterns: standard (for general illumination), center-weighted (for portraits), and even (for groups or interiors). Finally, the SB-900 automatically identifies mounted color gel filters and adjusts the camera’s auto white balance setting (available with select Nikon digital SLR cameras). Other details include automatic FX/DX format identification; user-friendly firmware updating; flash tube overheat protection; and a drip-proof mounting foot cover.

Technical Specifications

• Guide number: 34 meters/111.5 feet (ISO 100), 48 meters/157.5 feet (ISO 200)
• Electronic construction: Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry
• Flash exposure control: Slow sync; red-eye reduction in slow sync; front curtain sync; rear curtain sync; rear-curtain slow sync; auto FP high-speed sync; FV lock flash
• Lens coverage: 17 to 200mm (FX format, automatic mode); 12 to 200mm (DX format, automatic mode); 12 to 17mm (FX format, automatic mode with built-in wide-angle panel deployed); 8 to 11mm (DX format, automatic mode with built-in wide-angle panel deployed)
• Bounce function (tilt): Flash head tilts down to -7 degrees or up to 90 degrees, with click stops at -7, 0, 45, 60, 75, and 90 degrees
• Bounce function (rotate): Flash head rotates horizontally 180 degrees to the left and right, with click stops at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 degrees
• Minimum recycling time: 4 seconds with alkaline-manganese (1.5 volts); 4.5 seconds with lithium (1.5 volts); 3 seconds with Oxyride (1.5 volts); 2.3 seconds with Ni-MH (2,600 mAh)
• Flash duration: 1/880 second at M1/1 (full) output; 1/1,000 second at M1/2 output; 1/2,550 second at M1/4 output; 1/5,000 second at M1/8 output; 1/10,000 second at M1/16 output; 1/20,000 second at M1/32 output; 1/35,700 second at M1/64 output; 1/38,500 second at M1/128 output
• Required power source: 4 AA-type batteries in the following types: alkaline-manganese (1.5 volts), lithium (1.5 volts), or Ni-MH (1.2 volts)
• ISO range: 100 to 6,400
• Optional power supply: SD-9 high-performance battery pack, SD-8A high-performance battery pack, or SK-6 power bracket unit
• Ready light: Yes
• Minimum number of flashes: 110 with alkaline-manganese (1.5 volts); 230 with lithium (1.5 volts); 190 with Ni-MH (2,600 mAh)
• Wireless flash modes: Off, master, master (repeating), remote, and SU-4
• Wireless communication channels: 4
• Wireless groups: 3
• Dimensions: 3 x 5.7 x 4.7 inches (W x H x D)
• Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Supplied accessories: AS-21 Speedlight stand, SW-13H diffusion dome, SJ-900 color filter set, SZ-2 color filter holder, SS-900 soft case

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars SB 900
First wedding I used it on The Flash died while the wedding party was coming down the aisle

Have used SB 800 and SB600 and never had this happen before

5 Stars Don’t overcomplicate things … This is a great flash
First, let’s focus on the most important. The flash has a lot of features, but nothing, let me repeat, nothing is more important than the raw power it can produce. If you were to ask a single question about a flash – ask about the guide number. The higher it is, the more options you have. You can reach objects far away, can bounce flash off the walls, put some filters – a lot of things you just can’t do at all if your flash is not powerful enough. So if you look at the Nikon line, the SB-900 has this advantage.

Second, if you look that the DSLR bodies, there is a lot of progress there and in a couple years you can get a much better body for the same price. The lenses and flashes on the other side are not changing that much and hold value over many years. So if you have a choice it’s a good idea to get the best lense and flash you can afford so they can last forever and upgrade the cheaper bodies time to time.

So these are two big reasons to buy SB-900.

Now let’s think why would you not buy this flash.

If you read the reviews below, there is a lot of arguing about which batteries to use and the thermal shut off. You know, yes, they all have their points but in most of the real life situations all those concerns a way beyond reasonable.

What else is not good about this flash? Well, the noise. If you have a zoom lense, every time you zoom in or out, the flash will adjust the mirrors to provide good coverage and that’s causing some noise. It’s ok outdoors or at a party, but if you try to take pictures at a concert, that could be distracting. (Yes, you can lock the mirrors in a wide position and give plenty of raw power you should get by without moving those mirrors in most case)

Well, the menu and the controls could be easier to operate but that’s not a deal breaker. And, of course, the price. It’s quite expensive.

So overall, this is really an amazing flash. Because it’s so powerful, it can light up a huge areas or using filters or bouncing it can create some very nice lighting effects which you just can’t do with a smaller flash, so if you can afford it – it’s not a bad flash at all.

4 Stars Bulky
The only real con of this flash is it’s sheer size, as it occupies what used to be two lens pockets in my Kata camera bag. The flexibility to use as a bounce flash and the overall operation of the flash is wonderful.

A diffusion dome, some colored filters/holder, a fabric case, and a flash base (for use when the flash is not directly mounted on the hot shoe) are all included.

5 Stars SB-900 Initial observations
I’ve been using my new SB-900 with a Nikon D3S and have great results. I previously used an SB-800 and liked that unit very much. I had not heard anything about the thermal cutoff until reading a couple of reviews on Amazon, so I gave my unit a test. I could not duplicate any cutoff problem. I use it as delivered and did not turn off any thermal protection. I fired it multiple times and it recycled very quickly and never hesitated. The recycle time is faster than my SB-800 with the extra battery add-on.

5 Stars THE benchmark in ease of use, expandability, and system integration!
Great flash, and my second entry into the Nikon CLS system.

I needed something to work wirelessly with my D200 using the commander mode (remember to also purchase the Nikon SG-31R IR Panel for Built-in Flash Repl – Nikon 4905 to mount over your built in flash so you can wirelessly trigger the remote flash), something with a bit reach, and FAST recharge time.

For a naive user, the SB900′s menus are a GOD sent – easy, quick, intuitive, the way it should’ve been.

There is some buzz on the web that early adopters had flashes that overheated and would shut down during events. . .how to combat the problem? Use Sanyo Eneloop 4 Pack AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargable Batteries w/ Charger, or get the battery pack for the SB900, which attaches with a wire and reduces recharge time and disperses heat better.

I personally have never had a problem with my SB900 recycling fast and overheating.

Looking forward to Nikon updating the SB600 with this user interface!

Worth buying.

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The new D700 digital SLR camera featuring a 12.1-effective megapixel Nikon FX-format sensor that measures 23.9 x 36mm, which is nearly identical to the size of 35mm film. Benefiting from Nikons legacy of imaging technology innovation, the D700 offers both advanced and professional photographers stunning image quality, accurate color reproduction and revolutionary low light performance.Building on the immense success of the Nikon D3 professional D-SLR camera, the D700 offers pro-level performance and an extensive array of features and innovations in a comfortably nimble platform. In addition to the Nikon-original FX-format CMOS sensor, the D700 incorporates Nikon’s EXPEED Image Processing System, Nikons renowned 51-point auto focus system with 3D Focus Tracking and two Live View shooting modes that allow photographers to frame a shot using the camera’s three-inch high-resolution LCD monitor. The D700 also features Nikons sophisticated Scene Recognition System and a new active dust reduction system.Nikons flagship FX and DX-format cameras, the D3 and D300 respectively, established new benchmarks for digital image quality, speed, and unmatched ISO performance. The D700 maintains this new measure with exceptional overall image quality, broad tonal range and depth, and extremely low noise throughout its native ISO range of 200 to 6400.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars My favorite camera
Over the last 50 plus years I have owned and used a box Brownie, a Kodak 120 folding camera, a Graflex, three Leicas (2 of which were IIIgs), a Canon AE-1, a Nikon N70, a Nikon N80, a Nikon D100, and a Nikon D200. This is the first camera I have really liked since the Leica IIIg. I have been using it with the 24-70mm f2.8 lens and the picture quality is excellent.

Other reviews will give you more details and comparisons. I will simply say that this is the first camera since the Leica IIg that puts all the controls that I actually use at my fingertips. Combining that with the bright, clear, viewfinder I feel comfortable with the camera and can concentrate on composing the photograph.

The only shortcoming that I have noticed is that occasionally photos seem overexposed by half a stop. That is a subjective impression and since I always do a lot of post processing it does not matter much. I have not conducted exhaustive tests but the tendency to overexpose seems to disappear if I shift from matrix metering to center weighted metering.

I doubt that I will ever upgrade this body. Instead I will invest in lenses.

5 Stars Nikon gets it right all around
As a former f100 owner, I have strange feelings of deja-vu holding this camera and looking through it.

And then I realize how far things have come in the past 9 years.

This camera is what many have been waiting for. And it’s about damn time!

Size? Check. Speed? Grab a grip and double check. Ease of use? Check. Compatibility with crazy old lenses? Check. Built in flash that commands useful multi light flash system that works in TTL? Check. Resolution for good 20×30′s? Check. Insanely high ISO that looks better than film at 1600? Check. (?!) 51 point AF with tracking across all the points? Check (?!) Same price as a new F5 in 2000? Check (?!)

I can almost hear Phil Collins…because I’ve been waiting for this camera, for all my life.

Ok, but in all seriousness, this camera can do it all. If it can’t, it’s YOUR shortcoming as a photographer.

Of course it doesn’t do video. Who cares?

Thanks for reading. Hope this has been useful.

5 Stars Perfect, a dream come true!
I started with the Nikon D50 went to D80 D300, and wanted to move to full frame but the D3 was just to expensive for me. Once the D700 came out I was trilled to find it very similar to the D3, I order one immediately and it was the best decision ever.

I work as a wedding photographer and love full frame. I used the Canon 5D and 5D Mark II and was surprised how slow in terms of operation they where in comparison to the D700. When moment are happening I need a camera that reacts as fast as I do and I’m happy Nikon made it.

Amazing Low light, speed, easy of use, and now in a smaller package. What more can you ask for.

5 Stars Full frame photos on a DX body
Full frame (FX) in a DX-size body. As easy to use as a D300 and really excellent image quality, especially in dim light. Very good for street photography when you prefer to keep a low profile. High ISO shooting without the noise of a DX sensor is the main reason that I purchased this camera body. I have a D3s body for REALLY low light/High ISO, but you aren’t going to EVER be inconspicuous with a D3. This camera is virtually the same size as my D300s and even shares the MB-10 grip. Excellent. I have to look/touch closely to tell which body I have in the dark.

5 Stars Excellent FX Digital Pro SLR Camera
I have been a Nikon user for long time and I’ve always liked the picture quality, ease of use, and the ergonomics of Nikon cameras compared to other camera brands. I have done an extensive research on full frame (FX) digital SLR cameras and the D700 is by far the best FX digital SLR camera on the market. The picture quality is awesome and it’s performance at high ISO is superb. Be sure to use pro-grade lens and fast CF card (e.g., Sandisk Extreme UDMA) to get the best out of this camera.

Here are my setup:

Nikon D700 with MB-D10 Battery Grip with EN-EL4a battery

Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8

Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8

Nikkor 50mm f1.4

Nikkon SB-800

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