This is a review of the Neewer Speedlite 750II for Nikon cameras.
This is a $50 flash from Amazon with an incredible list of features.
The main reason I purchased this flash is due to the cost, power, iTTL functions, and the bounce features.
The key to taking good photo’s is getting your light source off angle from your subject.
The power and bounce ability of this flash can do exactly that without all the extra features I really don’t care about (like built in wireless controls).
Speedlite prices range from $20 to well over $1000 and the reason is simple.
Photography is the capturing of light and speedlites are critical in creating proper light when natural light falls short.
For years I just used either the built-in flash on my Nikon D-50 or my Nikon SB-400 with pretty poor results. While checking out all the reviews on Amazon on speedlites, I found this well rated Neewer Speedlite 750II for around $50.
For $50, it was worth a shot but I was expecting to return it because I could not believe such a low cost flash would be able to work well at all.
I was shocked with the results and I really pushed this flash to its limits.
First real test was taking pictures of my daughter at her basketball game.
I was sitting in the stands like any good parent shooting from over 100 ft away.
Camera in both manual and automatic mode (manual mode worked much better) and flash in iTTL mode.
I played with 2 lens (18-210 F4-6.3 and a prime 35 F1.8).
I was able to do a pretty OK job at freezing the action but none of the pictures were great mainly due to the slower speed lens I was using.
In the past with the SB-400, I would have dark blurs to show for this effort so things are improving and within my budget too.
People who buy flashes are big at reviewing the specs for the flash so here are the specs as listed on the Amazon website. I noted the important ones for me with a *.
Neewer Speedlite 750II Features
- High GN: 58*
- Wireless trigger sensor
- Electrical socket outlet
- PC synchronous interface
- Recycle time 3 second (with 4 pcs AA alkaline cell)
- Support Multi-flash lighting Application (S1/S2 mode)
- Power saving mode
- Accurate brightness control
- LCD display
- Metal hot shoe
- Support front curtain synchronous
- Temperature detection Automatically (overheating protection)
- Memory function
- SUITABLE FOR NIKON D5000, D3000, D3100, D3200, P7100, D7000, D700, P7000 Series, D300, D200, D90, D600, D80, D70 Series, D60, D50, D41 Series etc.
Specifications
- Flash mode: TTL, M, MULTI *
- Wireless triggering distance：20–25m indoor, 10–15m outdoor
- Dimensions: 60*190*78mm
- Vertical rotation angle：0-90 degrees *
- Horizontal rotation angle：0-270 degrees *
- Power supply：4XAA size batteries(Alkaline or Ni-MH are usable)
- Additional features: Sound indicator, PC port, Power saving mode and over heating protection
- Color temperature：5600k
My Impression of the Neewer Speedlite 750II
One other important thing that is not mentioned in the specs above is the build quality.
I am very impressed with the quality of this flash and it should last me many years to come with regular use.
The flash has been dropped more then once and it has not even suffered a scratch.
I am not saying this is built better then the Nikon SB flashes (its not) but it is not the cheap plastic material typically coming out of China these days.
One things I am missing is a quality case that the more expensive flashes come with.
I like to pack my equipment in individual cases so I can put together a bag depending on the type of shooting I plan to do.
Having each camera component protected makes my packing job easier.
I also wish it had a locking lever to secure the flash to the camera or stand like my SB flashes have.
The twist lock is not bad but I really prefer the lock switch.
Here are some of the questions I had when I was researching this flash.
It appears it is a copy of the Voking VK750ii speedlite or in some way related to this flash.
These 2 flashes look identical and I concluded they are the same. Reviews and specs are interchangeable between the two.
There is not a release button on the flash head to move or adjust the light direction. Possible earlier releases must have used this but this version does not.
I am still looking to find a diffuser that can fit over top of the head to soften the light just a bit.
Given the number of other light modifiers I have been testing, I will not likely revert back to direct diffusing anymore.
(Edited, I found a diffuser and use it as my default flash modifier simply because it is easy. This one from Amazon fits perfectly).
The last question I struggled with was in the difference between S1 and S2 mode. Some reviews didn’t clearly cover these options.
Slave mode is when your flash is triggered when it detects another flash going off at the same time.
The 2 modes available on this flash are S1 (used for manual power controls) and S2 (used for TTL power controls).
If you are using other TTL flashes, you set it for S2.
If you are mixing this flash with other manual flashes, then you put it in S1 mode.
Pretty simple.
I personally don’t like slave mode flashes preferring to use wireless triggers.
One last note, this flash works fine with manual mode flash triggers.
Conclusion
That’s it. I am planning to buy another one of these flashes because I want more options when I use them with my Yongnuo TTL flash triggers. I currently own 3 of each.
I am currently using Yongnuo YN-622n-TX and YN-622n triggers and love them both and recently did a review on them (Review of the Yongnuo YN-622 Flash Trigger).
Pretty soon I will expand my current options with several VK750ii speedlite and more of the YN-622n triggers.
If you own this flash or thinking about getting one, please tell me what you think in the comment section below and I will try and answer your questions if I can.
If you are looking for more opinions, checkout the reviews on Amazon and see what other people have said about this flash. One day I will borrow a friends SB-800 and do a side by side comparison and share the results with everyone.
