The Professional's Source
800.831.2434 / 212.502.6272
Upcoming Holiday Closing Sunday, May 27th and Monday, May 28th. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patronage.
Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash USA
Remember the Essentials
Batteries are required but not included with this item. Please be sure to purchase batteries for this item.
The SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash from Nikon is an on-camera flash, designed for use with Nikon DSLR cameras that use the i-TTL metering system. It is compatible with DX and FX sensors, and its power zoom head covers a 24-120mm range when used with an FX camera.
You'll be able to use the strobe directly on your camera via the hot shoe, or wirelessly as a Commander or Remote. Using the flash as a Commander allows you it to take control over other Nikon Speedlights, expanding your creative lighting options. As a Remote, it can be controlled by another Speedlight, or your camera's built-in flash. Its Quick Wireless Mode, with A:B light ratios, allows you to quickly adjust settings on multiple flash units -- giving you the ability to control two remote units in i-TTL mode.
It features a dot-matrix LCD control panel with an intuitive layout for easy operation. It derives power from AA batteries -- supporting rechargeable NiMH, disposable Alkaline, and disposable Lithium cells. Recycle time is a scant 2.5 seconds when using NiMH, 3 seconds when using Alkaline.
The SB-700's Thermal Cut-Out detection prevents the flash from overheating. It increases the recycling time if the temperature of the flash head crosses a certain threshold, preventing the unit from becoming damaged.
The strobe includes hard plastic-type color filters for fluorescent and incandescent color temperature balancing. When you use these supplied filters, the flash is able to recognize which filter is installed, adjusting the white balance automatically on compatible Nikon DSLR cameras. It also features an AF-assist illuminator lamp, which helps to speed up the autofocus of your camera in low-light situations.
The SB-700 supports three illumination patterns -- standard, center-weighted, and even -- for use in different shooting situations. Standard mode provides conventional flash coverage. Even mode covers the subject with even light across the entire frame, perfect for group photos where even illumination is desired. Center-weighted mode directs the light to the center of the frame, creating a vignette around your subject that is suitable for portraiture.
- Portable, Versatile Speedlight Unit
- i-TTL Speedlight optimized for use with Nikon's Creative Lighting System (CLS).
- Complete Flash Head Positioning Freedom
- Bounce 90° up and 7° down with 360° rotation elevates creative lighting freedom.
- Wireless Flash Control
- Wireless Commander Mode controls up to 2 remote Speedlight groups and an unlimited number of compatible Speedlights. When used as a remote speedlight up to 3 Groups can be selected. Four wireless channel options help manage wireless conflicts in multi-photographer environments.
- Choose From 3 Light Distribution Patterns
- Using the simple slider switch on the back of the SB-700, you can optimize light quality by selecting Standard for general illumination, Center-weighted for portraits or Even, for groups or interiors.
- Color Filter Identification
- Automatically identifies mounted hard type color filters and adjusts camera white-balance. 1
- Automatic Format Identification
- Automatically senses the FX or DX-format camera in use and optimizes light distribution.
- Firmware Updating
- Allows uploading of performance enhancement developments. 2
- Nikon's Precision i-TTL Flash Control
- Delivers precise flash exposures and seamless fill-flash performance-even in challenging lighting situations.
- Hot Shoe and Wireless Operation
- Use on-camera, as a wireless master, commander or remote light source.
- Versatile Auto Power Zoom
- Coverage Smoothly covers lenses as wide as 24mm and up to 120mm in FX-format.
- Streamlined Controls and Menus
- Convenient Rotary Select Dial sets key functions quickly and a prominent Master and Remote control switch simplifies wireless operation.
- Flash Tube Overheat Protection
- To prevent overheating, flash recycle time increases when SB-700 detects heat build-up.
- Flash Value (FV) Lock
- Locks in a specific flash output on the main subject, regardless of aperture, composition or the lens's zoom position. 3
- Drip-Proof Mounting Foot Cover (Water Guard)
- Provides enhanced moisture protection. 4
| Mount | Shoe |
| Guide No. | 92' (28.04 m) ISO100 at 35 mm position |
| Vari-Power | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| TTL Dedication | Yes |
| Bounce Head | Yes, -7° to +90° |
| Swivel Head | Yes, 180° |
| Coverage | 24 mm - 120 mm (Full frame) |
| Zoom Head | Full frame: 24 mm - 120 mm |
| Recycle Time | Approximately 2.5 seconds - 3.5 |
| Power Source | 4x AA Alkaline, Lithium, Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 2.8 x 5.0 x 4.1" / 7.11 x 12.70 x 10.41 cm |
| Weight | 12.7 oz / 360 g |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 407 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
99%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Good power output (246)
- Attach securely (240)
- Even light source (120)
- Durable (108)
- Good color value (68)
Cons
- Heavy (26)
- Uses power quickly (6)
- Runs hot (5)
- Weak (5)
- Heavy bulky (3)
Best Uses
- Outdoor events / games (201)
- General purpose (141)
- Indoors (135)
- Low light (122)
- Night time (91)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (87), Semi-pro photographer (74), Tech savvy (60), Pro photographer (27), Parent (24)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (337), Yes (20)
Most Liked Positive Review
Fast Startup, Solid Performer!
I chose the SB700 after finding that the SB600 was discontinued. After some research, I decided that the SB700 would fill my needs for my Nikon D7000.
I use the SB700 for general photogr...Read complete review
I chose the SB700 after finding that the SB600 was discontinued. After some research, I decided that the SB700 would fill my needs for my Nikon D7000.
I use the SB700 for general photographic applications ranging from product shots to pets and family. One thing I do a lot of is photographing my pet parrots in flight inside the house. I use the 6 frame/sec CH mode on the D7000 to help me get sharp photos of the parrot in flight in a relatively dark interior of the house and the SB700 can keep up with this frame rate.
Bear in mind, I am used to my 6 year old Olympus FL-36, which takes quite a while to recycle between flashes. Compared with that, the Nikon SB700 is simply amazing.
The SB700 comes with a diffusor, which I keep on the unit nearly always, and CTO and fluorescent filters for matching existing lighting situations.
The menu system may initially seem daunting, however, after spending a bit of time with the manual and the SB700, it all makes good sense and is relatively easy to use.
I have not used the remote features of this flash, but inclusion of these features on it makes it have many additional application possibilities which are handy to have.
One really strong plus with the SB700, and the Nikon D7000 as well, is the 'instant on' nature of these units. I have Eneloop NiMH batteries in my SB700 and once powered on, it's ready to flash. There's no 20 second wait for a flash capacitor to charge up. I've had the SB700 for nearly 2 weeks, have shot hundreds of flash photos and the batteries are still on the original charge. One never has to miss a photo opportunity for lack of a ready flash. I can start shooting with this setup as fast as my fingers can turn on both flash and camera, literally.
My slight gripe is with the button that releases the head for adjustment of angle. It's difficult to release the head if you don't press the button with the right amount of force, in just the right place. It's hard to tell, tactily, whether the button is engaged or not, as many times I find myself fighting with the head not wanting to turn. It is for this reason I give it 4 stars out of 5.
The flash doesn't have the rumoured overheating problems of its larger sibling and it provides enough light for most situations. In addition, the flash pattern is adjustable, and with the diffusor and used as a bounce flash, it provides very natural lighting for most shots, where a white ceiling is available as a bounce surface.
In conclusion, the Nikon SB700 is an excellent upper midrange portable flash unit and excels at recycle speed and startup readiness.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Nikon SB 700
As a previous owner of the SB 600 I cannot agree that this flash is much superior. It is useless with older film cameras. The SB 600 was fully compatible with older equipment and ...Read complete review
As a previous owner of the SB 600 I cannot agree that this flash is much superior. It is useless with older film cameras. The SB 600 was fully compatible with older equipment and a bit more powerfull also. With digital cameras this flash is limited to spot metering in the iTTL mode while the SB 600 could be used in matrix and center weighted metering modes. Nikon charges much more for this flash yet offers us fewer metering options. Yes it can be used as a commander if multi flash setups is your thing and comes with useful accessories. although the flash shoe has a plastic tripod connection.
Build quality is OK, nothing to brag about though. The rotating flash head is a bit wobblier than on the SB 600. The matrix LCD panel is not as easy to see either.
Overall the flash does what is expected but backward compatability is pretty much abandoned. For the $100 premium Nikon is asking for this unit over the SB 600 I feel they could have offered more.
Reviewed by 407 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Even Light Source
Cons
- Uses Power Quickly
Best Uses
- Birthdays
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
With wireless capabilities, lots of customizable options along with mutiple filters included; this flash does it all. My night time images now look as good as those in day time and allow me to tell the true picture of a given evening rather than the deer in the headlights look of yesteryear.
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Even Light Source
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
Read the instuctions and practice with it.. You will be happy you did!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Similar:
- Nikon D300S, 18-200 3.5 Nikkor lens
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Even Light Source
- Long Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Birthdays
- Special Events
- Weddings
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
Sb700 is very easy to use on and off camera. Cls is very easy to work with. Works great on my d90. Saving to get another one
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Even Light Source
- Long Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Special Events
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
I'm still adjusting to this flash after transitioning from the SB800 (ruined by battery acid). I couldn't bear the cost of the SB900, and after reading reviews of the 700 and finding that there is not much difference between the 900 and the 700 for my needs, I made the purchase. I've used it for one event and had good results.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Even Light Source
- Long Lasting
- Powerful
- Remote use
- Versatile
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Band shoots
- Birthdays
- Multi flash work
- Skateboarding
- Special Events
- Weddings
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
I was looking for a remote flash suitable for an amateur. Instead of having to buy a remote system and/or a cable, the sales person told me that my Nikon had a remote system in itself which saved me a good stack of bucks.The flash has a number of options, which make it very versatile. It can be used both indoors and in more varied situations outdoors (I've shot skateboarding and promotional band photos with it). The remote function and the included stand make it a very very nice addition to a basic kit. Truly recommend!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Even Light Source
- Long Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
- Not a rock solid mount
Best Uses
- Birthdays
- Outdoor events games
- Professional Work
- Special Events
- Weddings
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
Easy to use menu options. Lightweight. Perfect for fill flash when shooting weddings, parties and specisl events. The mount could be a little sturdier. There is a little play after locking it down. But this is minor, and does not take away from the overall performance of the unit.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Even Light Source
- Long Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Birthdays
- Professional Work
- Special Events
- Weddings
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
Although I'm still getting use to this flash, I absolutely love it. It's great when you need that wireless flash on the side of a subject. Overall a great price and awesome quality.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Ease of use
- Good power output
- Nice size weight
Cons
- Little high on the price
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
I have found this flash easy to use on camera and off camera as a remote flash. Pretty much dummy proof. It's nice that the flash automatically knows when one of the supplied filters (tungsten and florescent) is attached. All the functions are intuitive and the controls are easy to operate. I don't have any trouble reading the LCD or understanding what's being displayed; except, I don't understand the need for the flash head position icon. I just look at the head. Also, it would be nice if you didn't have to press the SEL button then rotate the dial to adjust EV, but that's a nitpick. I just wish it didn't cost so much, so I could afford another one.
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
My first Nikon flash was the SB-800. I found the menu path so irritating that the flash didn't get a great deal of use except when I needed to go off-camera.
I much preferred using a pair of SB-600s that I bought subsequently. The SB-600s work quite well in CLS with the SB-800 as commander, but for strobist style shooting they need separate triggers (optical or radio) - in Nikonspeak they don't do SU-4. They also don't act as commanders. This, of course, reduces the size of the command set and simplifies working with them immensely, hence their usefullness.
Enter the SB-700. By moving some important options out of the menus and to physical controls the Nikon folk have brought about a synthesis of the abilities of the SB-800 (including CLS both as commander or remote as well as SU-4) with the ease of use of the SB-600. The 360 degree swivel of the flash head is appreciated! I haven't been able to really test this unit to my limits let alone its, but its ease certainly invites use and I look forward to responding to its call.
This comes in a squarish zippered soft case that, unlike its predecessors, easily accommodates the included stand and light modifiers. But, the belt loop (if that is what it is) could only be put in one worse place. Win some, lose some. 4 stars for the case, the flash is probably 5 but it has to prove itself, first.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Long Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Birthdays
- Professional Work
- Special Events
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
I thought I could take good pictures, but after I started using the SB700 I realized how much I can improve the quality of them. Highly recommended.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Extra batteries pack (rechargeable)
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Even Light Source
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Birthdays
- Professional Work
- Special Events
- Weddings
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
Just to put it simple, the Nikon SB-700 suits my needs. It does the job when needed.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Even Light Source
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Birthdays
- Professional Work
- Special Events
- Weddings
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
I think that the Nikon SB-700 Speedlight is a fine flash that does the job both inside and outside.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Even Light Source
- Long Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Birthdays
- Night Video
- Special Events
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
I have only had my Speedlight for a very short time, but it has made a big difference in the pictures I have taken. Indoor and outdoor pictures benefit from the extra light that the Speedlight throws off. I am also pleased with the battery life. It seems to last a long time and I haven't had any issues with it recharging between pix. I am enjoying experimenting with the different settings I can use with my Speedlight and look forward to all it has to offer.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Even Light Source
- Long Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Work
- Special Events
- Weddings
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
I use the flash in the remote mode. I have an SB 800 and it is so much easier to move between remote, master, and regular on camera flash
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Even Light Source
- Long Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Birthdays
- Night Video
- Professional Work
- Special Events
- Weddings
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
Straight forward speedlight. Easy to use
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Even Light Source
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Work
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
I bought this as a secondary speedlight flash for its wireless capabilities. I use with my Nikon D7000, and SB600..I also own a an SU800 wireless controller but find I prefer the light when using the flash on my camera in commander mode with the two speedlights better.
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Easy to read display
- Even Light Source
- Long Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
- Haven't found any yet
Best Uses
- Birthdays
- Family Pictures
- Special Events
- Weddings
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
I am very happy with the SB-700 Speedlight. I didn't realize the diffuser and 2 filters came with it along with a nice case. I was expecting just the Speedlight. The instruction book is generally pretty easy to understand. I am very happy with the results of the pictures I have taken so far. I have it paired with a Nikon D90 and have been taking pictures with the flash and without to see what the difference it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Even Light Source
- Long Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Birthdays
- Special Events
- Weddings
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
A great flash to get the job done!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
I purchased two refurbished Sb-700's, and except for the plain white box, could have been sold as new! Save yourself some money and get a refurbished flash!
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Even Light Source
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- INDOOR
- Weddings
Comments about Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash:
I'm just an amateur photographer and this is my first experience with a flash, but so far I love it! I'm still learning all the settings (they are a little overwhelming) but I'm excited to unlock this flash's full potential.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Batteries & Power
Required item:
- Price: $1.23
- Price: $13.99
Flash Diffusers
- Price: $10.50
Softboxes
- Price: $20.75
Bouncers
- Price: $14.95
Reflectors
- Price: $24.95
Sync Cords & Flash Remotes
- Price: $49.95
- Price: $32.95
What's in the Box
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via any UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority shipping methods by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
