Nikon SB-400

Nikon SB-400

Nikon has added a 3rd speedlight to their range and at a reasonable price too. I have added a SB-400 to my other speedlights for times when I need more light, but do not require setting up multiple units in a CLS scenario.

The unit itself is built very well, and its operation takes the word simple to a new level. It is powerful enough for most occasions though, and the settings are modified on the body so you do have some options. I use mine in the bounced position almost all the time, and this unit has a clever solution of just bouncing the actual flash head.

I really like having one of these available and its exposure is spot on, as to be expected from Nikon, but I need to stress that these SB-400’s are not a substitute for either a SB-600 or SB-800. There are some important differences between this speedlight and the two more expensive units. For me, one of the most important is that this unit isn’t designed to be used in a wireless CLS set-up as a master nor a slave, which the other two can do straight out of the box. It is also less powerful of course, but in reality it will do the job when you need a little extra light without breaking a sweat.

If you are looking for a simple to operate, straight forward speedlight then this a great addition to your bag. There are many times when you just want a little fill to bring out somebody’s face when you have a stronger light source behind them, or you are in a room that isn’t well lit and you need to bounce a little extra light to get the correct exposure. For those times, this is a wonderful unit. If somebody were to ask me though which flash they should buy first, I would probably point them towards the SB-600 or maybe even the SB-800. The SB-600 isn’t that much more expensive and it does offer more power and of course it can be used wirelessly with only a little extra weight penalty. If you do not need those things however, then this will do a wonderful job. As I said in the SB-600 & SB-800 write-ups, getting a speedlight is one of the best things you can do as soon as you become more serious about your photography, as it will open up an entirely new world of possibilities.