Nikon SK-6 - Kit de Unidade de Alimentação Speedlight USA

Comments about Nikon SK-6 - Speedlight Power Unit Set:

The SK-6 works very well with the SB900 but attaching an SB800 that has a 5th battery requires positioning the SK6 farther from the camera body. The SK-6 easily detaches from the camera body, enabling one to hold the speedlight at a higher angle (limited by the length of the cable). The SK6 mounts on the lefthand side of the camera body, but it's telephone-like cable attaches to the righthand side of the camera's hotshoe; it works fine but the design is a bit odd. I use the SK6 and SB900 with a D3 and mostly telephoto lenses (eg, 70-200 f/2.8). I think the SK6 is due for an upgrade. I'd like to see a future model that mounts the speedlight slightly higher relative to the camera body and has a wireless interface.

Comments about Nikon SK-6 - Speedlight Power Unit Set:

At first glance, this bracket only exchanges faster recycling based on four additional batteries for a less convenient flash position. After all, with the flash centered using the camera hot shoe, shadows cast go a little downwards, whereas with the bracket they are much more noticeable off to the right.

But using the bracket with the flash clamped to it wastes its greatest strength: getting the hand-held flash away from the camera. For this, the coiled cord on the included AS-16 triggering unit is uncomfortably short, starting to bind if held at full arm's length. But very fortunately, the cord uses three line phone jacks to plug into the AS-16 and into the flash bracket. So, I went to an electronics store that produces phone jack cables to any length, and got three cables made in 6, 13 and 20 foot lengths. I got carried away by the bargain - the three cords cost me a total of four bucks. All three work perfectly.

Both the camera attachment bracket and the flash holding bracket have their own tripod socket holes, so you can set your camera or the speedlight up on a tripod (or each on their own tripods) and pretty much put the flash wherever the cord length allows. This makes possible extremely flexible tethered side lighting with full iTTL flash control. Yes, the Nikon CLS wireless system can also do this. But CLS is line-of-sight, and a lot of times its simpler to just plug in a cord than to fuss with all the camera and flash settings required by CLS.

You can attach a monopod to the flash bracket to extend your reach, though it is a top-heavy, leveraged load and I only have the strength for one monopod section of extension. Still, this gives me five feet in any direction hand-held, with no tripod.

The speedlight bracket can also be adapted to a flash umbrella bracket because of its tripod socket, but be sure to mount it on a tripod and not a flash stand if you do this, because it will be a lot more top-heavy.

I only bought this bracket because I got a good deal on it used. But now, I consider the full price well worth it. Just be sure to go to an electronics store to get the longer phone jack cables that allow this unit to fulfill its potential.

Comments about Nikon SK-6 - Speedlight Power Unit Set:

Very easy to use and set up. Extra batteries in unit give me rapid fire power to take more shots and use my flash.

Comments about Nikon SK-6 - Speedlight Power Unit Set:

The product balances nicely with my Nikon D300 body and 18-200 lens. It is easily attached and removed from the camera body in a rapid one step process. Battery life is extended so you don't have to worry about running out of power for that special wedding or important photo event. Like other Nikon battery powered equipment, it used AA batteries so there's no fooling around with charging. You just have to replace the AA batteries. I would be hard pressed to find anything blatantly not-so-great about this beautiful addition to my Nikon DSLR equipment.

Comments about Nikon SK-6 - Speedlight Power Unit Set:

I like this unit for off camera flash. It can be detached from the handle, this allows the flash to be hand held. What confuses me is the external power plug is a different shape on the older model and I cannot adapt it to both plug shapes. Why does Nikon keep the same model number for both versions? If you can afford it, a useful accessory.

Comments about Nikon SK-6 - Speedlight Power Unit Set:

The SK-6 - Speedlight Power Unit lets you cut your recycling time in half.

Comments about Nikon SK-6 - Speedlight Power Unit Set:

Im buying a second one for my daughters Nikon I'm giving her. These are great! Gives you a good handle, snaps on and off easily, gives you double the batteries and curly cord to hotshoe allows you to easily snap unit off and shoot with the flash held overhead or whatever.

Expertise: Semi Pro

Problems Encountered: I will say that the metal bracket that holds the flash onto the power unit fell off mine. It is all that holds the lash to the unit and I saw that it had been glued or friction welded to the plastic power unit. I think I can repair it myself but there is something loose inside the enclosed box now, as if the electrical connectors came loose. I hope not and am not sure about where to return the unit. I still recommend the unit but with my next one I may add some super glue around the edges for security. I will also write Nikon about the problem when I return it.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Three or four different metal flash holders from different manufactures. There are no comparisons (I think)

Items I Recommend: a special bag large enough to hold the whole flash and snap off power unit., flash bag is no good while attached, even if you separate the flash you still need something to protect the snap off portion of the unit.