Flash recs for Nikon d40?

[Ensleygirl]

I am just starting out in photography, and I am looking for a flash to go with my Nikon D40. I have looked at several online, but, to be honest, I don't know exactly what to look for. I am on a budget (isn't everyone? lol). Thanks!!

[jnelson]

SB400 is a great match with the D40, light weight, ease of use, lock it on and your ready to go. The downside to the 400 is that it cannot be used off camera and it cannot swivel. Priced at about 109 its a pretty nice unit.

[inkista]

Short version: If you plan mostly to work with it on-camera, get an SB-900 if you can afford it, an SB-600 if you can't. The SB-400 is ok, but it's really only a step up from the pop-up--you can tilt it, and it's about twice as powerful, but it's really a better match for a P&S camera, or if you more or less like the look the pop-up can give you. The bigger guns have a whole lot more function and power, and are much more effective for getting a natural-looking light by bouncing, rather than something you can mentally label as "flash". You particularly want a current speedlight because they do i-TTL as well as manual, so for on-camera use in run'n'gun situations you have an auto mode, and for off-camera, you have full manual capability.

If you plan to work primarily with the flash off-camera with cheap radio triggers, then you can save money and get a used SB-24/26/28, a LumoPro LP120, or a Cactus KF36/Vivitar 285HV instead. You'll have full manual capability, tilt and a synch port, and with the SBs and LP, swivel capability as well.