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The Nikon D5000 series has been one of the best options for real estate photographers who wanted highly featured, compact, and capable cameras. With that in mind, we'll show you how to choose the best flash for your Nikon D5500, as well as the factors to remember when doing so.
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The flash is one of the most important accessories for any photographer, particularly those who specialize in real estate
The Nikon SB-5000 is the top-ranking flash for the Nikon D5500 camera with revolutionary radio control thanks to its Creative Lighting System. This feature upgraded the rather popular SB-910 to the present SB-5000 Advanced Wireless System.
The flash fits right on the hot shoe of your camera as expected and is specifically compatible with the Nikon I-TTL format. It allows the user to control the light with standard optical control or the more updated radio control- the latter allowing you to pair SB-5000 for a more immersive remote lighting solution.
It covers a zoom span of 24-200mm and tilts from -7 degrees to 90 degrees giving off great versatility. The most exciting function of the SB-5000 system is the cooling system which is the first hot shoe-mounted system in the market as of now. It allows you to take up to 100 shots successively.
Since the SB-5000 weighs just 420 grams, it's ideal for photographers who rely on portable lighting. Zoom head spot, flash mode, and flash compensation value are all accessed more quickly thanks to the smaller blueprint. It has an information button that gives you quick access to commonly used settings. The radio control menu on the camera allows for fluid setting adjustments.
When using compatible cameras, the SB-5000 can also be used as a master flash control for up to three groups of other remote cameras in four channels. It's ideal to use as a wireless off-camera remote flash that's primarily powered by your camera's inbuilt flash, the SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander, or another Speedlight.
The Nikon SB-5000 flash has a one-of-a-kind user interface that has been dubbed "complicated" by others. However, since its launch, more prosperous menu systems have emerged, complete with additional buttons that provide more precise operational benefits. It has an On, Off, and Remote switch, so you don't have to keep adjusting the switch location to switch between units.
TTL is the default mode on the SB-5000 Flash. Its Balanced Light alternative is an excellent choice for balancing ambient light to the greatest extent possible. There is a setting in the menu settings that allow for High-Speed Sync, which isn't always a simple job.
To navigate through High-Speed sync on the Nikon D5500, you must select a sync speed that ends in FP (focal plane). When you select this option, the camera enters TTL mode with balanced light and High Sync Mode as soon as you turn it on.
The Yongnuo YN560 IV is the best flash for those looking for a relatively affordable flash with desirable features. Those photographers who still prefer the propriety of flash technology are guaranteed wider compatibility, basic functionality, and affordable prices.
The flash is compact and lightweight, has a built-in wireless trigger that allows you to use it as a flash controller transmitter and a flash speed-light. It has a zoom range of 24-105mm and a powerful guide number of 190 at ISO 100 and 105m. The built-in angle diffuser allows for adjusting the output from 1/1 to 1/28 power in 1/3 and 1/2 EV steps.
The flash can be optically triggered with skip flash options or instant sync for more direct off-camera firing. Its swivel lighting and total bounce are possible thanks to the 270 degrees rotation ability. It has a built-in personal computer sync port that enhances its stroboscopic lighting capabilities.
The Yongnuo YN560IV is a manual flash controlled by Yongnuo's 2.4GHz wireless system. This flash boasts a wireless control (for both 2.4GHz radio and optical), an excellent power output of GN58, making it highly flexible, and is the perfect tool for a portable lighting option.
The wireless master function supported by Yongnuo YN560 IV enables the flash to achieve the flash output, flash mode, and focal length you need. It also supports an electronic zooming function that can be altered between 24-105mm through the ZOOM button.
Its fast recycling system coupled with its high guide number of 105mm supports an external power supply. Equipped with a big LCD screen that supports LED lighting, is energy efficient, and can support small and low profile sizes.
The flash head tilts down at -7 degrees to 90 degrees up, rotates on 270 degrees angle with a locking flash head. The flash supports more straightforward off-camera firing by optically triggering skip pre-flash options or instant sync. The Multi-mode allows for stroboscopic lighting effects while the sync port enhances the flash's connectivity.
The Yongnuo YN560-IV supports both a 2.4GHz wireless radio transmitter and receiver. It has a manual flash with RF-602 and RF- 603wireless transmitters capable of initiating other flashes from longer distances away.
The Neewer TT560 is the best affordable option for your Nikon D5500 as its features are top-tier with just a reasonable price tag. It is the best example of a flash that outperforms its price range. It is compatible with Nikon D5500 coming with a wide-angled diffuser and an in-built bounce card.
It rotates 270 degrees and tilts 90 degrees, with basic controls that are simple to use. The best feature of this flash, particularly given its price, is the slave mode, which allows you to fire automatically when it detects light from another flash. Many low-cost flashes lack this element, and for many photographers, this is the deciding factor.
The Neewer TT560 can be directly placed onto the camera's hot shoe to trigger a flash in manual mode. The light output can be adjusted by pressing one of the camera shutter buttons. Its built-in quality is solid, certainly plastic but is perfectly adequate. Its design is functional and straightforward, with only one switch and four buttons.
Functionality is Neewer TT560 middle name. It has a button that shifts between optical 1, optical 2, and manual, indicated by an LED light. It also has an 8-manual power setting charged with - and + buttons.
The Neewer TT560 does not support TTL modes or High-Speed Sync meaning it does not automatically determine or balance light levels unless used parallel to master flashes. The High-Speed Sync allows one to use high shutter speeds and supports successive shots.
It supports S1 and S2 modes. The S1 mode allows the flash to fire when it detects light from the master unit, while the S2 mode fires when it detects a subsequent flash from the first one. This is primarily used when the master flash is in the TTL mode utilizing a pre-flash to gather information about the scene before firing the main flash.
You don't have to invest in a full-frame camera, especially if you are planning to use telephoto lenses to shoot in low light. Simply pair the lens with the Nikon D5500, and the APS-C sensor cropping effect can help to further boost the maximum focal length.
Then use the following features to choose a flash that can help boost its limitation when shooting in low lighting. If you are a beginner and unfamiliar with flashes, you can check the following table for a quick grasp on what to check for in a flash.
| Flashes | Recycle Time (Seconds) | Guide Number | Dimension (Inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon SB-5000 | 1.8-2.6 | 113’ at ISO 100 and 35mm | 2.87 x 5.39 x 4.07 |
| Yongnuo YN560 IV | 3 | 190’ at ISO 100 and 105mm | 8.23 x 3.86 x 3.27 |
| Neewer TT560 | 0.1-5 | 38 (ISO 100) | 4 x 8.7 x 3.15 |
Before investing in a camera flash, the first step is to make sure the flash will be compatible with your Nikon D5500. Generally, camera flashes are like lenses, and you can find third-party manufacturers designing versatile flashes that are supported by a wide range of cameras, including the Nikon D5500.
In most cases, this wide support makes it challenging for the manufacturer to indicate all the supported models in the manual. If you are a beginner and you can't find the name of the Nikon D5500, it doesn't mean the flash can't support it.
However, you can avoid this risk by getting a flash made by Nikon for Nikon cameras, such as the Nikon SB-5000. In most cases, setting up such a flash is also straightforward compared to setting up a flash from a third-party manufacturer.
Technology has advanced, and you don't have to get the flash to be physically connected to the camera for it to work. A flash that comes with wireless trigger capability, such as the Yongnuo YN560 IV, gives you more flexibility as you can use it as a Speedlite or flash controller.
Light doesn't bend, and the direction the flash faces so goes the light. This makes the flash a little rigid to set up, especially when you want to bounce off light from the ceiling or the wall. You can avoid this hassle by getting a flash with a tiltable head, such as the Yongnuo YN560 IV.
Generally, the Nikon D5500 is an entry-level DSLR camera that comes with a touchscreen LCD. It has a minor upgrade to its predecessor D5300 as the major difference is the expanded native ISO range and the touchscreen LCD.
The Nikon D5500 is an average camera when it comes to portrait photography. However, you can make the camera perform excellently in a portrait by setting the ISO to around 400 and widening the lens aperture to around f/2.8. This allows you to take photos with a shallow depth of field.
Yes, the Nikon D5500 comes with face-detection features. Normally, there are four different autofocus modes that include Subject Tracking, Normal Area, Wide Area, and Face Detection. However, the Face Detection Mode is the slowest, especially when you are shooting in Live View mode.
Pointing out the best flash solely depends on the features present, compatibility to other cameras, and the budget, of course. A camera flash is one of the most important pieces of equipment for taking great pictures with your Nikon D5500.
