is SB30 good enough for coolpix5000?

jo3pit · 5th October 2002

need your opinion guys...

***TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS***

Type of Speedlight: Automatic Insulated Gate bipolar (IGBT) and series circuitry

Guide Number: 52 at 28mm setting with ISO 100

Angle of Coverage: Covers 28mm without Wide Flash adapter; Covers 17mm with Wide Flash adapter

Power Switch: Three provided: Off/On/Standby (automatically turns off after approx 40 seconds if flash is not in use)

Recycle Time: Minimum recycle time approx. 4 seconds when fired at M1/1 output using a fresh battery

Number of Flashes: Approx. 250 times at M1/1 using a fresh battery

Mode Selector Dial: TTL Auto flash, Non-TTL Auto flash (4 steps), Manual Mode (3 steps) and Wireless flash (A or M only)

Ready Light: Light up when SB-30 is recycled and ready to fire

Power Source: One 3V lithium battery (CR-123A or DL-123A)

Flash Duration: 1/2800 second at M1/1 output

Dimensions (W x H x D): Approx. 2.3 x 3.3 x 1.4 inches

Weight: Approx. 3.2 oz.

thanks in advance

mpenza · 5th October 2002

note that the GN is rated in feet rather than meters....

jo3pit · 5th October 2002

care to elaborate please..

thanks

mpenza · 5th October 2002

oops, guess I wasn't clear. I meant the GN of 52 here is in terms of feet. Some other manufacturers (e.g. Metz) give the GN in terms of meters, so if you want to compare across different flash, make sure you use the same measurement.

The SB30 is really quite weak for an external flash and I feel is a bit overpriced (given that you don't really need the slave function). It can't swivel or tilt too, so you can achieve any bounce effect. Advantage is the compactness and weight.

The link below shows a list of flash.....
http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/nikonflash.htm

jeff chen · 5th October 2002

Agree with Mpenza, feel that the SB 30 is a bit too small for my liking, that is why I bought the 50DX. The GN is 26 meters at ISO 100 for the 50DX for info.

Depends on the DC u have, u cld get a third party flash, eg. Metz, that also can be used and usually the GN is bigger and probably better value for money.

Just make sure when u buy third party flash, make sure that it caters to your DC brand (i.e. Nikon, Canon etc), otherwise no issue.

5th October 2002	#1
jo3pit Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 406	is SB30 good enough for coolpix5000? need your opinion guys... *TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS* Type of Speedlight: Automatic Insulated Gate bipolar (IGBT) and series circuitry Guide Number: 52 at 28mm setting with ISO 100 Angle of Coverage: Covers 28mm without Wide Flash adapter; Covers 17mm with Wide Flash adapter Power Switch: Three provided: Off/On/Standby (automatically turns off after approx 40 seconds if flash is not in use) Recycle Time: Minimum recycle time approx. 4 seconds when fired at M1/1 output using a fresh battery Number of Flashes: Approx. 250 times at M1/1 using a fresh battery Mode Selector Dial: TTL Auto flash, Non-TTL Auto flash (4 steps), Manual Mode (3 steps) and Wireless flash (A or M only) Ready Light: Light up when SB-30 is recycled and ready to fire Power Source: One 3V lithium battery (CR-123A or DL-123A) Flash Duration: 1/2800 second at M1/1 output Dimensions (W x H x D): Approx. 2.3 x 3.3 x 1.4 inches Weight: Approx. 3.2 oz. thanks in advance

5th October 2002	#3
jo3pit Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 406	re care to elaborate please.. thanks

5th October 2002	#4
mpenza Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,397	oops, guess I wasn't clear. I meant the GN of 52 here is in terms of feet. Some other manufacturers (e.g. Metz) give the GN in terms of meters, so if you want to compare across different flash, make sure you use the same measurement. The SB30 is really quite weak for an external flash and I feel is a bit overpriced (given that you don't really need the slave function). It can't swivel or tilt too, so you can achieve any bounce effect. Advantage is the compactness and weight. The link below shows a list of flash..... http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/nikonflash.htm Last edited by mpenza; 5th October 2002 at 10:10 AM.

5th October 2002	#5
jeff chen Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 389	Agree with Mpenza, feel that the SB 30 is a bit too small for my liking, that is why I bought the 50DX. The GN is 26 meters at ISO 100 for the 50DX for info. Depends on the DC u have, u cld get a third party flash, eg. Metz, that also can be used and usually the GN is bigger and probably better value for money. Just make sure when u buy third party flash, make sure that it caters to your DC brand (i.e. Nikon, Canon etc), otherwise no issue.