Nikon Speedlight SB-700 review

The Nikon Speedlight SB-700 is a trusty and efficient mid-range option but it’s a bit lacking in some respects

Nikon Speedlight SB-700
(Image: © Matthew Richards)

Digital Camera World Verdict

Nikon’s mid-range Speedlight mostly has a lot going for it. Build quality is impressive, its control interface is very intuitive and a range of useful features includes a 24-120mm zoom head, -7 to 90 degree bounce facility and full 180 degrees of swivel in both directions. However, while it has commander/slave modes for multi-flash setups, this is only via infrared transmission without any RF wireless connectivity built in. Regular TTL mode is hard to get at and recycling speed is a bit pedestrian after a full-power flash.

Pros

  • +

    Good build quality

  • +

    Intuitive controls

  • +

    Useful accessories included

Cons

  • -

    No RF wireless communication

  • -

    TTL flash metering limitations

  • -

    Modest full-power recycling speed

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The Nikon Speedlight SB-700 comes complete with a tabletop/tripod stand for off-camera use, a diffusion dome and color filters for balancing flash with either tungsten or fluorescent lighting. It’s a handy kit of parts, all wrapped up in a nicely tailored soft carrying case. There are some useful features that make for versatile lighting effects but this Speedlight is starting to show its age.

The kit includes a clip-on diffusion dome, color balance filters, a tabletop/tripod stand and a neat soft case. (Image credit: Matthew Richards)

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.