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Best Flash for Nikon D5300 [2024 Review]

In: 
Published: 03/04/2023

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The Nikon D5300 offers professional and excellent image quality, and you can optimize it with the right flash for both indoor and outdoor photography. With that remark, I are going to help you select the best flash for Nikon D5300, along with the factors to consider while buying one.

My Top Flash for Nikon D5300 Reviews

Granted, while you can use the built in-flash found in the camera, I think the best flash for Nikon D5300 is an external flash. An external flash provides better illumination of the subject, and it is also flexible to the way you can angle and turn it. With so many options for the best flash for Nikon D5300, I'll go through the top picks and see which ones will help you improve your photography skills.

Godox V1-N Round Head

The Godox V1-N Round Head flash is a versatile camera flash that is capable of giving up to 480 full power flashes from its rechargeable Li-on battery. The flash features a USB Type-C external power source for convenient recharging, making it suitable for long hours of shooting.

With the Nikon-compatible mounting, this flash is versatile, and you can use it with the D5300 APS-C sensor and full-frame sensors. The flash supports Godox’s X system of wireless receivers and flash triggers that allows you to easily control your lighting setup.

With the magnetic mount system, this flash makes it easier and faster to attach and detach, making it ideal for fast-paced shooting sessions. Additionally, the flash offers more flexibility, especially when you want to reposition the flash, as they are not limited by design.

The round head design gives an equal distribution of light, resulting in more natural-looking images compared to rectangular heads. However, the round head design might not be ideal to use in studios because they tend to produce harsh light at the same power and distance, which might affect the quality of the images.

Nikon Bounce Zoom Flash

The Nikon Bounce Zoom Flash is one of the best external flashes you can get, thanks to its compact size and feature set. It's ideal for the Nikon D5300 as well as other smaller DSLRs. It is, without a doubt, one of the most popular Nikon external flashes at the moment.

Compared to previous generations of Nikon models, the flash and control system interface has been significantly improved, making it much faster and easier to use. Switching between the lens, manual, and guide number modes of the camera through the control switch in seconds that you need for your photograph is now simple and fast.

The flash head on the Nikon Bounce Zoom Flash can rotate at a much greater angle. A variety of angle rotation markers have been added to the top of the flash system to help you monitor the flash rotation if necessary. Thankfully, the Nikon Bounce Zoom’s head can make a 270 degree horizontal swivel and a 90 degree vertical bounce.

When the flash overheats, it simply increases the recycling period to allow you to continue using the device as it cools down. If you're a real estate photographer, this can be a huge selling point because you could be clicking away in rapid succession, causing your flash to overheat.

Meike MK430

The Meike MK430 provides good versatility for your photography sessions without breaking the bank. It has a good reputation, making it ideal for an entry-level photographer.

While the flash is placed on your D5300, all of the control buttons are easy to reach and toggle. On the other hand, the keys can be a little rigid when pressed.

The Meike MK430 also supports TTL, M, S1, S2, and MULTI modes. Each of these modes has been tried and tested, and they all perform admirably given the flash unit's low price. One of the key reasons it is used as a slave flash so often in technical studios is the durability of the modes on the flash.

This flash comes with a built-in diffuser and reflector that helps to soften the light illumination and reduce harsh shadows, which makes the flash an ideal choice for macro and portrait photography

However, the camera flash does not have an external power source, which might limit its usage when shooting for extended sessions.

Yongnuo YN968N

Despite the fact that it is not a Nikon-branded flash, the Yongnuo YN968N TTL flash has a lot of valuable features at a reasonable price. The flash has a guide number of 196 feet and a power range of 1/128 to 1/1.

The YN968N's bounce head rotates and tilts, and it has a zoom range of 20-200mm. Despite the fact that it was not developed by Nikon, the flash supports Nikon's i-TTL and has high-speed sync. For video, a continuous LED is included, just like the SB-500. The flash is under a pound in weight and runs on four AA batteries.

The flash also has built-in RF wireless control. Newer camera bodies, such as the SB-5000, do not allow you to monitor the off-camera flash. However, you can add a second YN968N to the camera's top to shoot one (or more) off-camera.

Read more in my article on the best Yongnuo flash for Nikons.

Features to Consider in a Flash for Nikon D5300

Luckily, several flashes are compatible with your Nikon D5300, allowing you to take excellent images without the use of professional lighting. When selecting a flash for your Nikon D5300, there are a few things to keep in mind. Below is a table of the features to consider when choosing a Nikon D5300 flash.

Comparing Nikon D5300 Flashes

FlashRecycle time (secs)Guide NumberWeight (pounds)
Godox V1-N Round Head 1.5921.17
Nikon Bounce Zoom Flash 4.5421.1
Meike MK430 4420.86
Yongnuo YN968N 31970.98

GN Value

The GN, or guide number, is a measurement of the external flash's strength. Often look at the GN value of your flash to get an idea of the power levels your Nikon D5300 will be able to handle. If you choose a flash with a higher GN number, the light that hits your object will be brighter. If you're shooting in a dark setting, this can be useful.

View of Nikon camera flash from lens

Recycle Time

When choosing a flash for your Nikon D5300, it's critical to remember the flash's recycle time. The lag time between a picture taken with your camera is known as the recycle time. To take photos in fast succession when using an external flash, you should aim for low recycle times.

The value of this function is entirely dependent on how you use it. If you're covering live events that necessitate fast shutter speeds, a flash with a quick recycle time can come in handy. Since your subject is static, there isn't much of a need for a super-fast recycle time when it comes to real estate photography.

Adjustable Temperature

External flashes are mostly large and power-hungry machines. This causes them to heat up easily, which is why it's important to look into the flashlight's temperature control specifications.

On the manufacturer's official website, you can easily search for the adjustable temperature. Keep in mind that the hotter the flash, the more difficult it is to maintain while using it with your Nikon D5300. For those who need to take pictures for long periods of time, this can be a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nikon D5300 have TTL?

Yes, it does. The camera and the flash will interact with each other using the TTL Nikon D5300 to determine the best exposure that balances both the subject and the ambient light.

Is the Nikon D5300 Compatible with Wireless Flashes?

Yes, the Nikon D5300 comes with a built-in flash control mode that makes it easy for you to control most of the flashes wirelessly. In addition, most of the third party flashes such as the Yongnuo YN968N come with built-in triggers or infrared sensors for remote control use.

Can I Attach an External Battery Pack to My Nikon D5300 Flash?

Yes, many of the modern flashes allow you to attach external battery packs which helps in increasing the recycle time and prolonging the battery life. However, it is important to use a battery pack designed for the flash to avoid damaging the capacitors.

Conclusion

A camera flash is one of the most important pieces of gear for your Nikon D5300. It aids in the creation of better photographs, especially those taken in low light. Of course, every Nikon digital camera has a built-in flash, but it's only useful in some situations. You'll need to buy a separate flash to meet these requirements if you want to get decent shots all of the time.

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