Name: Used Nikon SB-400 TTL AF Shoe Mount Speedlight undefined
Brand: Nikon
SKU: US1768172
Price: 126.00 USD
Availability: Discontinued
Rating: 4.34 (179 reviews)

Nikon SB-400 TTL AF Shoe Mount Speedlight

Nikon SB400

Nikon

Adorama

Used

Photography

Lighting & Studio

Flashes & On-Camera Lighting

On Camera Flashes

Nikon On Camera Flashes

Nikon SB400 

Top Rated Gear: Used Nikon SB-400 TTL AF Shoe Mount Speedlight undefined

This is a new external flash unit that provides i-TTL flash operation in a compact and lightweight body at an affordable price. The SB-400 offers a guide number of 98.4 feet / 30m (ISO 200), and effortless bounce flash function. The SB-400 is a flash unit for entry-level digital SLR users, but it is also useful for D2 series digital camera users as a handy flash unit.  The SB-400 has been developed to provide an entry-level external flash unit which is compatible with i-TTL flash operation. In combination with cameras compatible with Nikon Creative Lighting System the SB-400 is controlled in i-TTL and D40's M (manual) mode.Its flash head can be tilted in 4 steps, horizontal, 60, 75 and 90 degrees, and has a flash shooting distance range from 0.6m to 20m(depends on the ISO setting). Slow Sync, Red-eye Reduction and other flash modes can also be set on the camera body. With the SB-400, users can easily enjoy brighter and more natural lighting for better flash pictures.

Used Nikon SB-400 TTL AF Shoe Mount Speedlight undefined

This flash is always in my bag. I've had it for 7 or 8 years and it's never let me down. I don't use flash often but when I do in the field this little guy has never let me down. It sits under my filters taking very little space in my three lens bag, two slots for lenses and one for a tiny flash and filters. The most useful gear is the gear you have with you.
DG

SB400 Great Little Flash

Don't buy this flash it work once for about 3 flashes on my Df. I don't use a flash vary often so I delayed researching why until it was out of warranty you error.

I'd give it zero stars if possible

I have an SB-700 which I've been using on my Nikon Df, which doesn't have a built-in flash. But the SB-700 seems too big for a relatively small DSLR, especially when carried around on the street for fill or at an indoor party.

When I stumbled upon an old review of the SB-400 by Ken Rockwell, it appeared that I had discovered a solution to my search for a more compact alternative to the SB-700.

Unfortunately I also discovered that Nikon had discontinued the SB-400 about 2 years ago. Not to be deterred, I started searching for a "previously owned" unit at the usual places, and found a wide variety listed on eBay.

I received my lightly used SB-400 a few weeks ago and have started using it on a fairly regular basis.

This Speedlight is very compact and only adds about 2.25 inches to the height of the Df. The unit is exceptionally "cute" and we'll-constructed. It doesn't have any bells and whistles, and basically only has a lock for the foot, an on / off switch and a choice of four vertical tilt positions (45, 60, 75 and 90 degrees). If you know how to install 2 AA batteries, you're good to go. It's simple to use and does a fine job of adding fill or lighting up dark scenes. Recycle time seems almost as fast as my SB-700 (2-3 seconds per shot) and results are pleasing. Two AA envelop pro batteries seem to last forever, and one freshly charged set should be all you need for a full day (or more) of casual shooting.

But the best features of the SB-400 are its compact size and attractive design, which complement the Df instead of "overpowering" it.

I really like my new "used" SB-400 and hope that Nikon either brings it back to the market or develop a "new and improved" replacement offering the same compactness and utility.

The biggest

Great Small Flash for Nikon Df

Excellent little flash. Bought it for my P5000 which had a fairly weak internal flash. It really changed flash photography for me. Bouncing, fill, everything, was easy, simple and created great results - almost every time. It is now in use with my D-3200 and its quick cycling is really great - faster than the internal flash.

Yes swivel and more features would be nice but the price is so good its hard to say you are not getting your moneys worth.

Money Well Spent

If you don't own a higher end Nikon DSLR you probably have no reason to go beyond this very inexpensive Speedlight.  It is up to most tasks until serious/complex lighting is required. The unit lacks the internal code that Nikon's higher end Speedlights provide. That code syncs all sorts of things with your camera: zoom, ISO, aperture etc.  For point and shoot/casual photography that's surely overkill.  The SB-400 is a basic, bare bones flash to give clarity to faces, though serious portraiture is not even a consideration. 
IMPORTANT:  I bought it thinking it was part of  Nikon's Creative Lighting System.  It does NOT work as any sort of CLS unit.  It's the lightest weight shoe mounted flash that Nikon sells, good news there; it is, however, strictly a stand alone adjunct to built in flashes used on Nikon point and shoot cameras as well as lower end DSLRs.  If you're a casual user, this is an excellent buy.  If you are serious about interior lighting you'll want something stronger, though a good deal more expensive.  I'd also look at the SB-600, SB-800 or SB-900. These are out of production, but were top of the line just a year or two ago. The current SB-700 is a good compromise in the mid-$300 dollar range.
Finally, I'd be careful with the Gray Market.  It has to do with the warranty - so caveat emptor!

Good as a starter Speedlight.

Small, lightweight, effective fill-in flash.
No frills, but it does the job - just as Ken Rockwell described it in his review.

Just As Ken Rockwell Describes It

Small but Powerful!

I purchased one of these about 5 years ago.  All of a sudden, the on/off switch would not engage.  Liked the unit so much, I looked for a new one, but they had been discountinued in favor of the SB300....which I feel is a lesser unit.  Adorama had a new unit, but gray market.  Had not purchased "gray" before, but they provide their own 1 year warranty.

The unit is small and sleek enough to keep on the camera all the time without getting in the way...and it looks good.  Its power is more then the built in on my NikonD200, and is raised over the camera just enpugh to not produce shadows at 18mm range, nor red eye.  Works on just 2 AA batteries, with fast recycle time.  While it doesn't swivel, it does have bounce capabilities, up to 90 degrees. Its a great flash for most of your everyday needs.

Fills most of your needs

The SB400 works perfectly on my D3200: easy to install and use. Recommend it highly.

Perfect Addition to My D3200

I keep this on my Nikon all the time so that when the opportunity arises, it's ready to go. It's compact and light, yet well built.

Does the job

This is a great little flash. It produces good, even lighting for almost any situation. I love that it only requires 2 AA batteries and recycles very quickly given the size. The ability to bounce on such a small unit is great. Unfortunately, it does not swivel so the bounce feature is not viable in portrait mode. However, given the great price of this little guy we can't expect the world so I still say "5 Stars Nikon"!

Essential add on if you like to travel light

This product is poorly designed, mine stopped working with in few hundered flashes and i was very careful is using this product, i gave enough delay between shots still it failed in 1 and half year. I have heard from my friend that his also failed in 1 year or so. I dont recommend this product to anyone.

poorly designed, stopped working even with very careful use

discreto y efectivo para uso diario en todo lugar.

un buen flash!

if you need an occasional ability to do bounce flash and/or are not doing a lot of portrait style work, please buy this flash. it is small, uses AA batteries, and lasts a long time with good NiMH cells. I should also mention that you'll see a huge difference in picture quality. Spend your 100 bucks here and it'll be like a new camera. great product.

Great small flash

I am a real estate agent looking for better images. The ability to bounce the light with the Nikon SB-400 has increased traffic to my listings and yielded more offers.

Nikon SB-400 TTL AF SM Speedlight

I gave this a 4 star only because this is my 2nd flash to replace the one that has a broken switch after a few years.  What do I expect?  Things to break don't they?  As a Nikon owner for 30 years, my past flashes have all held up well, even with more extreme use.  My last SB400 was babied.  I would not say the quality has gone down, but maybe 10% cheaper plastic is used now....just an opinion.  But would still buy again like I did now.  It's a great flash for what it is.

A different view

This is a perfect flash that will easily fit into your camera bag.  It has several movement options as well.

Perfect Compact Flash

Supports iTTL CLS, but it has no support for:

No High-Speed Sync - it's too bad, because you could use this for daylight fill if it had HSS, unfortunately, with a top sync speed of ~1/250s, you're not likely to be able to use it in that manner.

Diminished bouncing if shooting in Portrait mode.

Good, but be aware of a couple of limitations

I've used this for a few weeks now and it works great for indoor family shots, outdoor fill, any situation where you might need some extra illumination but don't want to carry a larger speedlight. Most of the time I like to keep it simple, pare down on equipment and rely on a fast prime. Usually, I prefer to shoot without flash but there are times when existing light just isn't enough and carrying a full sized speedlight adds weight. This device fills that space nicely. If you're looking for a pro or prosumer level speedlight, look to the larger Nikon devices but with some experimentation and imagination, this product will deliver inspiring and stunning results!

Just right to travel light....

This flash is great especially for my Nikon Coolpix p7700. I can rotate the flash to full 90 straight up; or different angles. takes 2 AA batteries I use rechargeables, and has a small profile which suites the camera just right. I do own the Nikon SB-700 speedlight also, but I found the sb-400 crates a much better and softer light than the harsh on board flash. The SB-400 keeps a lower profile my travel camera the Nikon coolpix p7700. Another great product from Nikon.

Here is some pic's showing the SB-400 on the Nikon Coolpix P7700 and you will notice the low profile of the flash

Great Little Flash

I bought this in hopes that my photos of my grandson's big first birthday party would be better than the popup flash on my Nikon D300 would give me.  I must say there was a quantum leap in the quality of my photos with this flash.  The ability to adjust the flash power was very helpful after I had gotten a good feel for what each level would do with some test shots.  For what I do with my photography, this is all the flash I need.  It seems to be well built as well.  When I think of all the shots I could have made so much better had I only bought this earlier I could kick myself.

Should Have Bought This A Long Time Ago!

Excellent Flash

Bought mine after reading Ken Rockwell's review and have not been disappointed. It was my only flash (except for pop-up) for quite a while. Four or five years later it still sees use. The ability to use as a bounce flash as well as the strength of it is what separates it from the pop-up flash,

I carry it around with a D60 that stays in my truck, and being so small it fits easily into my small travel camera bag. Battery life is exceptional. I do have other Nikon flashes used on other cameras, but this one has really been a gem.

Great Value!

A great all around flash which is light enough to leave on the camera all the time.

SB-400 flash

For the most part, I have little need for a separate flash unit in my work. The SB400 serves my limited needs perfectly. It is simple and easy to use and provides plenty of power for my purposes. Others, who use a flash unit more than I do, will probably want and need a more versatile unit. Mine works for me.

Works for Me

This flash is perfect if you don't need a large, heavy flash. It does the job well for casual indoor photography. Also the price is half of those large cumbersome 4 aa battery flash.

Light, fast, and easy to use

I bought this because it is compact and rotates 90 up for a nice bounce flash.  It meets all my current needs without the bulk!

Gets the job done!

With the omnibounce it provides a brighter softened light. It does require off camera mounting for macro. All in all happy with the purchase.

A solid buy

Plus : small, light, just 2 batteries, variable angle flash (light itself tilts up/down), relatively inexpensive

Minus : Kind of an "incomplete" rather than "conclusive" negative because... Mine was kind of broken on first receipt...at first I thought bad batteries caused the flash to not work...so I just put it aside for a loooong time...when I finally got around to using it, my testing seemed to indicate it had a loose connection to my camera shoe, and that's why it was not working...but of course now it's out of warranty...

Maybe purchase of a better flash would have meant better construction...I don't know...but I'm just an occassional "mounted flash" user, so this price/size/convenience would have been ideal, but I just can't give it a conclusive review unless it worked properly...

Pluses and Minuses to this lens...

use this on a nikon 5100, fill flash and bounce flash indoors.