Nikon SB 50DX vs SB 22S debate

jeff chen · 20th October 2002

Dear Coolpix users,

I am enclosing a response from the technical guru at Nikon Singapore, Max response to my query of the adv of having a Nikon SB 50DX over the SB 22S when using Coolpix series of cameras. U may like to note his comments:

For Coolpix 5700, although it does not support synchronising with zooming
and aperture, i would still recommend SB-50DX for the following reasons:
1)If you do not have any existing speedlight2)Can work as a slave flash
3)Faster refresh rate (3.5sec) as compare to 5 sec for Sb-22s
4)260 Flashes as compare to 230 flashes of SB-22s
5)Tilting of head for bounce off is possible for SB-50dx but not for SB-22s
6)SB-22s is a rather old speedlight that you may not be able to find it
readily available on the market
7)SB-50DX is using LCD Display for its functions while SB-22s is using
manual lever for adjustment
8)If you happens to upgrade to Nikon DSLR, you can have the luxury of DTTL.

It is really a personal choice, there is no direct right or wrong.
Of course maybe those who prefer SB-22s already have the speedlight for
their old Nikon Cameras, so they may not fancy the SB-50DX.

Pse note that these are Max comments and not mine. I agree with him that it is entirely a personal choice between the 50DX and 22S. Also, note that we did not discuss 3rd party flash, which can also be another option. This is for information purposes only. Cheers!

ckiang · 20th October 2002

SB50DX problems (over 22S)
1. More expensive.
2. Less powerful
3. Uses CR123s (or 2CR5, can't remember)

Regards
CK

YSLee · 20th October 2002

CR123, CK... and the head of the SB-22s does tilt, just that it does it in a different way. The LCD on the SB-50DX is rather useless anyway.

erwinx · 20th October 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by jeff chen
Dear Coolpix users,

8)If you happens to upgrade to Nikon DSLR, you can have the luxury of DTTL.

isn't this the most important factor?

rochkoh · 20th October 2002

So what would anyone recommend as a natural upgrade to the SB22s?

I currently own one.. but would getting a SB50DX be considered a downgrade?

I'm a little adverse to getting the older speedlights (24 - 26) due the lack of parts.

Don't forsee myself owning a DSLR anytime soon.

Knighthunter · 20th October 2002

Every full blast of my SB 50DX will cost me 4cents......

Not a cheap flash unit to run.

mpenza · 20th October 2002

Also with a DLSR, you probably want a more powerful flash. The weak 50DX simply doesn't cut it.

ckiang · 20th October 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by rochkoh
So what would anyone recommend as a natural upgrade to the SB22s?

I currently own one.. but would getting a SB50DX be considered a downgrade?

I'm a little adverse to getting the older speedlights (24 - 26) due the lack of parts.

Don't forsee myself owning a DSLR anytime soon.

The 50DX is not worth it. If you want an upgrade, go all the way to the 80DX. Even the 28DX is not worth the money, now that the 80DX is cheaper.

Regards
CK

rochkoh · 21st October 2002

Thanks CKiang,

But seeing that i don't really NEED an SB-80DX, which then would you recommend?

a. A second hand SB-28 (about $350) - Say about 2 years old. But what would i need to be aware of?

b. A new SB-28 (about $475) - I'm answering my own question here, but for just $65 more you'll get the top-of-the-line model. And there're rumors that Nikon might be phasing this out (since it' no longer available on their US website).

c. A new SB-80DX (about $530) - die die must get!

Besides, it's new, spareparts are readily available, there's no where else to upgrade to, and it can probably fetch a pretty high resale price anywhere. But i don't need one!!??

What don't i like about my SB22s? Main problem: It can't swivel sideways. I've always gotta find some way of bouncing it off somewhere..

There's no point in getting an SB-50DX for me. Main reason: Batteries. You'll feel the pain the long run.

YSLee · 21st October 2002

Get a SC-17 and a low end stroboframe flip bracket?

20th October 2002	#1
jeff chen Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 389	Nikon SB 50DX vs SB 22S debate Dear Coolpix users, I am enclosing a response from the technical guru at Nikon Singapore, Max response to my query of the adv of having a Nikon SB 50DX over the SB 22S when using Coolpix series of cameras. U may like to note his comments: For Coolpix 5700, although it does not support synchronising with zooming and aperture, i would still recommend SB-50DX for the following reasons: 1)If you do not have any existing speedlight2)Can work as a slave flash 3)Faster refresh rate (3.5sec) as compare to 5 sec for Sb-22s 4)260 Flashes as compare to 230 flashes of SB-22s 5)Tilting of head for bounce off is possible for SB-50dx but not for SB-22s 6)SB-22s is a rather old speedlight that you may not be able to find it readily available on the market 7)SB-50DX is using LCD Display for its functions while SB-22s is using manual lever for adjustment 8)If you happens to upgrade to Nikon DSLR, you can have the luxury of DTTL. It is really a personal choice, there is no direct right or wrong. Of course maybe those who prefer SB-22s already have the speedlight for their old Nikon Cameras, so they may not fancy the SB-50DX. Pse note that these are Max comments and not mine. I agree with him that it is entirely a personal choice between the 50DX and 22S. Also, note that we did not discuss 3rd party flash, which can also be another option. This is for information purposes only. Cheers!

20th October 2002	#2
ckiang Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 6,597	SB50DX problems (over 22S) 1. More expensive. 2. Less powerful 3. Uses CR123s (or 2CR5, can't remember) Regards CK

20th October 2002	#3
YSLee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,262	CR123, CK... and the head of the SB-22s does tilt, just that it does it in a different way. The LCD on the SB-50DX is rather useless anyway.

20th October 2002	#5
rochkoh Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Under your skin Posts: 582	So what would anyone recommend as a natural upgrade to the SB22s? I currently own one.. but would getting a SB50DX be considered a downgrade? I'm a little adverse to getting the older speedlights (24 - 26) due the lack of parts. Don't forsee myself owning a DSLR anytime soon.

20th October 2002	#6
Knighthunter Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pigeon Hole in Mandalay Posts: 1,003	Every full blast of my SB 50DX will cost me 4cents...... Not a cheap flash unit to run.

20th October 2002	#7
mpenza Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,397	Also with a DLSR, you probably want a more powerful flash. The weak 50DX simply doesn't cut it.

21st October 2002	#9
rochkoh Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Under your skin Posts: 582	Thanks CKiang, But seeing that i don't really NEED an SB-80DX, which then would you recommend? a. A second hand SB-28 (about $350) - Say about 2 years old. But what would i need to be aware of? b. A new SB-28 (about $475) - I'm answering my own question here, but for just $65 more you'll get the top-of-the-line model. And there're rumors that Nikon might be phasing this out (since it' no longer available on their US website). c. A new SB-80DX (about $530) - die die must get! Besides, it's new, spareparts are readily available, there's no where else to upgrade to, and it can probably fetch a pretty high resale price anywhere. But i don't need one!!?? What don't i like about my SB22s? Main problem: It can't swivel sideways. I've always gotta find some way of bouncing it off somewhere.. There's no point in getting an SB-50DX for me. Main reason: Batteries. You'll feel the pain the long run.