Customer Reviews

Nikon Flash Guide: The Definitive Speedlight Reference

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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I was about to buy the magic lantern guide to the sb-28 speedlight until I saw all the horrible reviews. The owners manual that came with my speedlight also comes up wanting. I was floored when this book arrived!! I had a crude understanding of this rather expensive flash unit, and my results were never what was expected. After reading this book, now I understand why. If you own a speedlight, get this book, otherwise you will be literally "shooting in the dark".

Most photographers are aware of the auto-focus and auto-exposure revolutions that have gone on in the world of computerized cameras. Less heralded is the revolution in electronic flash. Thanks to through-the- lens metering many cameras now have the ability to automatically turn flash on and off to get the just the right amount of light on a subject. Today's flash offers opportunities for improved picture taking even on a sunny day.

This book is aimed at the owners of Nikon speedlights and cameras with built-in flash who want to get better pictures than just a simple flash shot. It takes the few short pages contained in the Nikon instruction manuals and expands them so that the Nikon owner can really understand how to can increase photographic opportunities by knowing what's really going on in slow synch, rear synch and red-eye reduction modes, amongst other things. It is probably the most comprehensive and up-to-date material that one can find, and can be updated at the author's website.

The book has short sections on every Nikon speedlight since the 1969 SB1 and Nikon cameras from the FM2 to the N80. Of course this means that, unless you have an unusually varied collection of equipment, two-thirds of the book will go unused. On the other hand, if the information that you glean from the pages you do use help you to be a better photographer, you will probably feel it's worth the cost.

This book makes no pretense at being more than a technical guide. But not only will it tell you how to best use the available modes on your camera and speedlight, it will also tell you how to set up for multiple flash and even how to store your speedlight batteries!

One thing that this book will not do is tell you how to use speedlights to convert your vision into reality. On the other hand, if you already understand the principles of good photography, you should be able to take what you learn here and combine it with those principles to improve your pictures.

I searched the web to see if there were similar books specifically for the owners of Canons, Minoltas or other brands, without success. I didn't find any, although my reading revealed sections of other books, like "John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide" and "Mastering Flash Photography" by Susan McCartney that covered the same ground, but without so much depth. Too bad, Canoneers, the Nikonians may be able to get a lead on you.

I have purchased 4 or 5 Nikon flashes, ranging from the SB-11 to the newest SB80DX because most of my pics are portraits or candid people shots. Have even done a few weddings for friends. I find myself consistently re-reading sections of Hogan's chapter, Flash Techniques before a major picture taking event. Bottom line, I consistently get the best skin tones in my pics by following the author's recommendations, e.g., use standard TTL vice multi-sensor balanced fill flash ("...Nikon's TTL system is dam good...")! No more washed out facial skin tones! Best part of the book is the first 80 or 90 pages; I haven't delved into the remaining pages dealing with specific Nikon flash models. I hope updated versions expand on flash techniques.

I took the advice of others and ordered this book. There is no hype on this book. I would consider it just as important as batteries for my flash. The book doesn't cover the D1 series explicitly but the information provided allows the D1 user to gain better control over off-camera flash scenarios and multi-flash situations. An excellent book for all but true professionals (who probably already know the pearls in this book).

Hogan's book was a helpful item for me as an SB-25 and SB-23 owner trying to set up multiple-flash photographs, but unfortunately all of his directions cannot overcome Nikon's rather primitive remote flash accessories. Nonetheless, I discovered how to alter the fill flash ratios on my SB-25 by carefully reading this book, which I guess is worth [this much] by itself. Not the most exciting writing on earth, but if you need this book, it will not let you down.

This book provides an excellent "how to" guide for using Nikon Speedlights along with providing an instructional guide on using flash (including fill-in flash). This book, along with the "Nikon Field Guide", provides full coverage of photographic issues for all levels of amateur photographers using Nikon 35mm systems (and perhaps serve as excellent guides for pros).

after reading The Nikon Flash Guide i wonder why i went through college for photography for!!!!
some of the information was technical, but Hogan is a witty writer and i was able to get through it for the most part. info is super helpful

It was some what out of date. It didn't have the latest flash equipment.
I sent it back

I have purchased 4 or 5 Nikon flashes, ranging from the SB-11 to the newest SB80DX because most of my pics are portraits or candid people shots. Have even done a few weddings for friends. I find myself consistently re-reading sections of Hogan's chapter, Flash Techniques before a major picture taking event. Bottom line, I consistently get the best skin tones in my pics by following the author's recommendations, e.g., use standard TTL vice multi-sensor balanced fill flash ("...Nikon's TTL system is dam good...")! No more washed out facial skin tones! Best part of the book is the first 80 or 90 pages; I haven't delved into the remaining pages dealing with specific Nikon flash models. I hope updated versions expand on flash techniques.

Well written. Some nice tips. Covers SB-10's through SB-28's.