Anyone ever compared the SB-80dx and the SB-600?

[CheaperKings]

I'm thinking of buying one of these and was just curious as to which one is better...

[inkista]

Well, if you wanted i-TTL, the SB-600 is the obvious choice.

The SB-80DX is an obsolete flash--they stopped making them back in 2004. And these days, thanks to the built-in optical slave, it goes for prices that are possibly (just possibly) higher than the flash may be worth. It's great as a slave flash in a Strobist set-up, but if you want to get a single external flash for both on and off-camera usage on a digital SLR, the SB-600 is going to give you a lot more capability.

So, which one is "better", kind of depends on how you plan to use it.

[CheaperKings]

Thanks for your input - it's greatly appreciated! I kinda thought the SB-600 would be the better choice, I just couldn't find any comparisons between the two.

Thanks again!

oh, and I'm going to use it for off-camera lighting

[inkista]

Ah, for off-camera exclusively, then the SB-80DX might be the better choice, depending on the kind of investment you were willing to put into the triggering system. If you're going to use non-TTL radio triggers like Cybersyncs, Cactus V4s, or PocketWizard Plus IIs, then the SB-80DX is probably just as good as the SB-600, since that type of triggering system can't communicate i-TTL information, and you're stuck with the flash in Manual anyway. The addition of the optical slave is also one better over the SB-600, which has no SU-4 mode, like the SB-800 and SB-900. And the SB-80DX has a PC port, again something the SB-600 doesn't. The SB-80DX is more powerful and about half the price.

However, if you were planning on going off-camera with CLS, and using your built-in pop-up flash as a commander unit, then the SB-600 can do that that; the SB-80DX can't--but can be triggered with the optical slave and the pop-up flash set to Manual. But again, the SB-80DX don't do iTTL, high-speed sync, or any of the other hifalutin "newer" features that are the reason you want to use CLS in the first place.

The main drawback in going for an SB80-DX is that you (obviously) have to find one for sale and buy it used. So you're at the mercy of the seller and how well the previous owner treated his/her gear. Getting an SB-80DX with a return policy and a warranty is not going to happen. The SB-600, obviously can come with both those things, and is readily available at a known price.

[CheaperKings]

I'm planning on using a wireless remote hotshoe trigger system. One that the receiver is part of the hotshoe for the flash. Does that make any difference? From what I can tell, the SB80dx has pc ports but, I wouldn't really need them with the trigger system I'm using, correct?

[inkista]

Yup. As I said, a lot depends on the type of triggering system you're thinking of using.

Radio triggers that attach to the hotshoe don't require a PC port. However, using that kind of receiver on the hotshoe often raises the flash physically--some people prefer the flash to be nearer the center of the umbrella when the flash is used on a stand with one, and so use a PC port instead of the hotshoe to trigger the flash.

Just be aware that the term "wireless" covers both optical and radio triggering systems. You should know the differences and tradeoffs of both systems, and which one you plan to go with.

[CheaperKings]

Ok. Cool. Thanks a lot! I can get the SB-600 cheaper so I'm leaning that way. I've been using continuous lighting and this would be my first go at strobes.