Digital Camera Information

The main difference between the Nikon Speedlight SB-800 and the SB-600 flash unit are as follows:

The SB-800 has..

1. More power
2. Color filter
3. 5th battery
4. CLS master
5. Diffuser dome
6. Pull out reflector card.
7. External battery pack connector.
8. SU-4 mode.
9. AA mode.
10. Manual adjustment down to 1/128.
11. GN mode.
12. Ttl socket.
13. Sync socket.
14. Modeling light button.
15. Minus 7 degree tilt for close up work.

Although the SB-800 has more features and is more expensive, most people would not need all that extra power.

For example:

The color filter is not a big deal as you can get a Rosco cine gel sample pack from your local professional photo store for free or just a couple of bucks. The sample filters fit exactly on the flash unit.

The fifth battery is not necessary as you may not really need that much power. The SB600 has 4 batteries, however recycling is a bit slower.

The diffuser dome, IMHO, is not that important. If you understand the principles of light, any diffuser that is placed close to the source does not
really diffuse light but causes to cut its output. In this case the dome is basically attached to the light source and reduces the light ouput of the unit and the diffusing result is negligible. If you still want to put a diffuser attached so close to the light, get one of the diffusers which come in the Rosco sample gel and attach it to the camera.

For people who use multiple flash photography, the SB-800 is the best choice due to the ability to set it as the MASTER and has the SU-4. For the majority of people who just wants a flash that fills in all areas and is especially great in low light, the SB600 is perfect the choice.

Nikon SB-600

Nikon SB-800