The 8 Best Speedlights For Nikon Cameras

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This wiki has been updated 19 times since it was first published in March of 2018. Illumination is essential to a photographer, but sometimes there just isn't enough of it to go around. One of these speedlights for Nikon cameras can take a dimly-lit scene that would likely result in a poor-quality image and provide it with enough brightness to look much better. We've ranked them here by overall power, recycle time, build quality, and extra features. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.

1. SB-5000 AF

2. Godox Ving V860II-N

3. SB-700 TTL Digital Flash

Editor's Notes

April 20, 2020:

Since Nikon's Z series of mirrorless cameras still use the same hot shoe design as their more traditional DSLRs (both full-frame and APSC), they didn't need to reinvent their flash mount the way they did with their lenses in the past three years. As such, the SB-5000 AF remains their current top of the line model, brought out to replace the SB 910, which was really just a stop-gap measure to address overheating issues with the SB 900. I can speak to those issues personally, having unsuccessfully attempted to manually clean battery corrosion off the inside of a door on the 900 after a meltdown. The 5000 fixes pretty much all of those issues.

We still kept the models moving backward in Nikon's lineup that don't include the 900 series, as these not only evaded those overheating issues, but as each offers something positive with their respective reduction of both cost and features, like the useful mode and spread switches on the SB-700 TTL Digital Flash. We did, however, get rid of the 1 SB-N10 Underwater, which is really part of a bygone system for the company that hasn't seen a release since 2015, and hasn't seen a compatible underwater model in almost a decade.

Special Honors

Flash Photography The Easy Way Learning to use sources other than natural or ambient light can be extremely daunting, but this article on the Nikon website makes it easy to find a footing in what can quickly become a confusing world by teaching you some of the basic principles by which its authors applies his strobes. It won't make you a pro overnight, but it can accelerate your learning process. nikonusa.com

4. R1C1 Wireless

5. SB-500 AF Flash

6. Neewer 75060

7. SB-300 AF Digital Flash

8. Altura Photo AP-UNV2


Daniel Imperiale
Last updated by Daniel Imperiale

Daniel Imperiale holds a bachelor’s degree in writing, and proudly fled his graduate program in poetry to pursue a quiet life at a remote Alaskan fishery. After returning to the contiguous states, he took up a position as an editor and photographer of the prestigious geek culture magazine “Unwinnable” before turning his attention to the field of health and wellness. In recent years, he has worked extensively in film and music production, making him something of a know-it-all when it comes to camera equipment, musical instruments, recording devices, and other audio-visual hardware. Daniel’s recent obsessions include horology (making him a pro when it comes to all things timekeeping) and Uranium mining and enrichment (which hasn’t proven useful just yet).


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