I am going to buy a CoolPix 990 and want to be able to take great shots indoors, so I need an external flash. Money isn't such a problem, I just want great shots. That said, the lighter the weight the better. What should I buy? The SB-28 and SB-28DX immediately come to mind. Is there any advantage to buying the SB-28DX over the SB-28 when using the 990?

-- Carl Hyslop (spam2@trav-soft.com), May 27, 2000

Answers

The SB-28DX differs only in having a special pre-flash that's used on the Nikon D1 for its TTL metering mode. (With uncertain results, some users have reported.) All other features are the same as on the SB-28. As noted by the other reader, either is somewhat overkill on the 990, as the camera only uses an area sensor (not TTL), and only provides a squelch signal to quench the flash when the camera thinks it's had enough light. No coupling for automatic zoom of the flash head's angle of coverage. Still, the SB-28 is a fantastic flash unit, with LOTS of flexibility (even has a strobescope mode, which could be a lot of fun). I'll probably end up buying myself an SB-28 for Christmas this year, for my Nikon film camera, and just use it in "dumb" mode with my Oly digicam.

-- Dave Etchells (web@imaging-resource.com), May 29, 2000.

Absolutely no difference with the 990. the camera will only control flash and squelch(stopping the flash). All of the extras on the SB-28 or DX are not used. But the 28 is still a great flash and works well with the coolpix. I use it on my 950 and D-1.

-- Ralph (REObert@aol.com), May 28, 2000.

28 is overkill, get a cheapo sunpak clone.

-- benoit (foo@bar.com), June 01, 2000.