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Nikon SB-300
Speedlight Flash (2013-2019)

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Usage   Recommendations   More

Nikon SB-300

Nikon SB-300 (GN 59'/18m, long 5 second recycling, 4.2 oz./120 g with 2-AAA alkaline or NiMH cells, about $125 used if you know How to Win at eBay.

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Nikon SB-300, rear view

Rear, Nikon SB-300.

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Nikon Flashes Compared

Small Canon & Nikon Flashes Compared

 

Introduction         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Usage   Recommendations   More

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The Nikon SB-300 is a tiny flash for use on any of Nikon's recent cameras that use the i-TTL system, which are all Nikon's SLR cameras that have been announced since 2004, as well as many Coolpix.

It's a tiny little thing, with low power and long recycling times to match.

I don't like it. It uses tiny AAA cells instead of normal AA cells, and these wimpier batteries mean longer recycle times and more changing dead batteries, which mean lost photos.

The SB-300 has no ability to be a TTL commander, it won't work as a slave, it won't work with 35mm cameras other than the F6 (It will work on all DSLRs introduced since 2004) and has no built-in AF illuminator. It doesn't zoom, which doesn't bother me. It bounces, but does not swing from side to side.

I prefer the SB-400, which also bounces, is more powerful, recycles twice as quickly, is smaller, runs on normal AA cells and costs less. I'd forget about this SB-300; the SB-400 is a better flash for less money. The SB-300 is a crummy little flash; you're better off with a used SB-400 (SB-400 review).

The SB-300 has only one control: the chromed plastic rotary ON-OFF switch. ON is really STANDBY; it will turn itself off if not used to save your batteries, and wake up when you tap the shutter again.

Nikon SB-300 on a D600

The tiny SB-300 is dwarfed atop a Nikon D600 with 50/1.4 G.

 

 

Specifications         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Usage   Recommendations   More

 

Power Output

Guide Number 59 feet (18 meters) at ISO 100, rated.

1/1,650 duration at full power.

 

Lens Compatibility

As wide as 28mm (18mm on DX).

 

Autofocus Illuminator

None.

 

Flash Modes

Controlled by camera.

 

Flash Control

i-TTL (Nikon cameras from 2004 - on) and manual only.

 

Bounce

Clicks at 0º, 60º, 75º, 90º and 120º.

 

Nikon SB-300, rear view

Bounces backwards! Who cares?

 

Power

2 AAA cells, Alkaline or Ni-MH. No mention in the manual that lithium are approved.

Rated only 70 full-power flashes at 30s maximum recycling time from alkalines.

Rated only 110 full-power flashes at 30s maximum recycling time from Ni-MH.

 

Quality

Made in China.

All plastic, except for metal foot and locking pin.

 

Size

2.3 × 2.6 × 2.5 inches WHD.

57.4 × 65.4 × 62.3 mm WHD.

 

Weight

4.23 oz. (119.9 g), actual measured with 2-AAA alkaline cells. Ni-MH weigh the same.

Rated 4.2 oz. (120 g) with two AAA alkaline cells.

Rated 3.4 oz. (97 g) empty.

 

Included

Flash and silly sack.

Nikon SB-300, rear view

Included sack SS-DC1, Nikon SB-300.

 

Announced

05 August 2013 at 12:01 AM NYC time.

 

Price, USA

September 2023

About $125 used if you know How to Win at eBay.

 

August 2013 ~ May 2018

$147 at Adorama and at Amazon.

 

August 2013 (Introduction)

$150 list price at introduction.

Nikon SB-300, rear view

Box, Nikon SB-300.

 

Performance         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Usage   Recommendations   More

Performance is poor; no better than your built-in flash. It's worse than the SB-400 which sells for less.

The SB-300 works about as well as the built-in flash you already have, but pokes up further above your camera and makes it more susceptible to damage. The SB-400 rides lower, and works faster. I've never had red-eye with the SB-400.

I measured the SB-300's actual recycle time as 5 to 6 seconds with new alkalines, not 4 seconds as specified. This means many lost pictures. By comparison, the SB-400 recycles in 3.6 seconds with alkalines. With Ni-MH, the SB-300 recycles in 4 seconds, while the SB-400 takes only 2.6 seconds. These figures are for full-power dumps, if the flash needs less than full power for the shot, it recycles much faster. A difference of only a half second in recycling often means losing the next shot you wanted to take in a sequence.

Exposure accuracy is determined by the camera, not the flash.

Since it doesn't have much power, daylight fill flash is often dimmer than I'd like, and since it often has to fire at full power, it takes a long time to recycle after each burst.

 

Nikon SB-300, rear view

Side view, Nikon SB-300.

 

Compared         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Usage   Recommendations   More

See also Nikon Flashes Compared.

See also Small Canon & Nikon Flashes Compared.

 
Built-in flash
Introduced
1947
8/2013
11/2006
9/2010
Rated GN, ISO 100
39'/12m
59'/18m
69'/21m
92'/28m
Batteries
None

2 AAA

2 AA
4 AA

Recycle time, Ni-MH*

Alkaline*

6 sec. typ.

4 sec.

5-6 sec.

2.6 sec.

3.6 sec.

2.5 sec.

 

Rated full-power shots per set of alkaline
70
140
160
Rated full-power shots per set of 2,500 mAh Ni-MH
110
200
250

Widest coverage FX/DX

varies
28/18mm
28/18mm
14/9mm
Bounce tilt
0, 60, 75, 90, 120º
0, 60, 75, 90º
-7, 0, 60, 75, 90º
Bounce swing
none
none
none
YES
AF Illuminator
varies
none
none
YES
Wireless remote control
varies
none
none
YES
Works as Commander?
maybe
no
no
YES
Included case
rarely
crappy drawstring bag
padded nylon
padded nylon, also includes a diffuser, colored filters and a stand
Size
varies

2.3 × 2.6 × 2.5"

57.4 × 65.4 × 62.3mm

2.6 x 2.2 x 3.1"

66 x 56.5 x 80mm

71 x 126 x 104.5mm.
Weight with bttys*

4.2 oz.

120g

6.3 oz.

180g

16.2 oz.

459g

Price, 9/2013
free

* Actual measured values

 

Usage         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Usage   Recommendations   More

Turn on the power switch.

It will go to sleep if not used, and wake right up as you tap your shutter.

If the light is off, it's not ready to fire yet.

If it's on, it's ready.

If the light blinks quickly right after you take a picture, the flash didn't have enough power.

 

Recommendations         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Usage   Recommendations   More

I prefer the Nikon SB-400. It's shorter, more powerful, takes normal AA cells, and costs less.

I see no reason to buy an SB-300, unless you really need it to bend over backwards. The only reason you'd want to bend over 120º is if you had some sort of weird diffuser, but the SB-300 doesn't have enough power to use well with a diffuser anyway.

Just buy an SB-400 instead. You'll be much happier, and will always have AA batteries for it. The SB-300 eats a lot of AAA cells, and good luck finding or borrowing them when you need some in a pinch

 

More Information         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Usage   Recommendations   More

Nikon's SB-300 user guide

 

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20 Sep 2023, 02 May 2018, Sept 2013