"All Things Mopar" wrote in message
...
Hi, Leo.

Just wanted to pass on to you (and any othes lurking on
this) that I confimed the specs and prices for the Nikon
SB-600 and SB-800 Speedlights.

The 600 retails for $250 with no rebate, has a GN of 98,
and weighs 10 oz. with less features than the 800, as you
noted in a reply to me yesterday.

The 800 retails for $380 with a $25 rebate, making the net
price 355. It has a GN of 125 and includes a 5th AA
battery pack for faster recycle times. It weighs just 12
oz.

Both are quite a bit lighter than my Sunpak 433D, which is
16 or 17 oz. (all specs without batteries, of course).

Interestingly, neither the 600 or 800 is listed as
supported by TTL or i-TTl for the Coolpix 8800. Actually,
the only cameras listed on the 600/800 spec sheets are
Nikon DSLRs, and then only a few of what Nikon actually
sells.

Hmmm. Besides your personal experience, both local camera
stores I've talked to say that the SB-600 and SB-800 are
i-TTL compatible with the 8800.

Given the 98 and 125 GNs for the 600 and 800 respectively,
that would give me theoretical maximum range at f/3.5 of
28' and 35'.

So, I've got a hard decision to make. And, I don't wanna
blow it again buying a potentially less-capable flash to
save just $105.

Besides your personal experience and dpreview.com, can you
point me to any sources to learn more about these 2
flashes, as well as the 8800?

Thanks in advance, Leo.

--
ATM, aka Jerry

Hi again Jerry,
Yes, I feel sure the SB-800 would give you better results BUT I believe the
reason the Nikon DSLRs are listed as being combatible but not the CP8800, is
that the former are fully compatible and utilise all the SB-800 features,
whereas the CP8800 has the limitations as set out in the manual which I
listed for you.
Any other info? Don't know. Perhaps if you went to the dpreview forums and
did a few searches of Nikon Talk you may find something. Or better still,
take the CP8800 out for your ten day "test drive" and see if you can include
an SB-800 as well.
Sorry I can't be more helpful Jerry but good luck.
Leo