Magic Lantern Guides: Nikon AF Speedlight Flash System: Master the Creative Lighting System!

Light & Lighting: The Definitive Guide For Serious Digital Photographers (Digital Photography Expert Series)

Nikon SB-600 Speedlight

The SB-600 is a cheaper alternative to the SB-800 and a handy companion for the D70 and D200, whose built-in speedlights can function in commander mode quite nicely for wireless TTL control. It took Nikon 3 generations of digital cameras and flashes to get it right, but the end result is the most amazing and capable electronic flash system ever invented. Pictured with the Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce, a handy diffuser that fits like a glove.

Sigma EF 500 DG Super

The EF 500 DG Super is the latest and greatest in Sigma's line, it comes in two flavors. The original "NA" (Nikon Autofocus) model, which supports the D-TTL standard of the D1 series of cameras; and the current "NA-iTTL" model, which out of the box supports the D70's Creative Lighting System (CLS) features and with an additional upgrade supports CLS in the D2 series (including the D200).

Sigma has done a reasonably good job of reverse-engineering Nikon's sophisticated flash system, though in practice the Sigma flashes are sometimes a little erratic. The process for setting wireless options is even more complicated than Nikon's, the iconography is less intuitive, and the instructions are even less helpful. But with patience, the DG Super NA-iTTL can be made to work with most aspects of the CLS.

Sigma EF 500 ST

The low-end, film-only, no-frills version (now discontinued), this is essentially a light pump with the added feature of compatibility of Nikon's excellent 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill Flash system. It is pictured with the Nikon SU-4 Wireless Remote TTL Flash controller, which allows it to operate in TTL mode wirelessly with the built-in flash of my film SLR, the N75. Also fitted is the LumiQuest Pocket Bouncer, handy for achieving bounce flash effects when you have nothing to "bounce" from.