Best Flash For Nikon D850

Last Updated on February 2, 2023

Are you looking to improve the lighting for your Nikon D850?

QQUICK RECOMMENDATION:
Check out Nikon SB-5000 AF Speedlight for best value
or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews…

I’ve been obsessed with my D850 since getting it and I have used a couple dozen flashes in pursuit of the best lighting and after reading this article you will know what flash to get for your Nikon D850.

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Best TTL Flash For Nikon D850

The top selling Nikon D850 is wildly popular due to its amazing performance and pro image quality. In the few years it has been available it has grown a very loyal following. If you love your D850 and want to get the most out of your camera then investing in a high quality external flash is the easiest way to improve your image quality.

The D850 comes out of the box ready to provide top of the market performance. You get an impressive combination of speed and resolution for one of the most versatile cameras Nikon produces. With an ISO that goes down to 64 for a bigger dynamic range.

And you can accentuate the D850’s high performing continuous shooting, autofocus and metering with a top of the line external flash.

Nikon SB 5000 AF Speedlight Flash

This Nikon flash is an absolute dream to shoot with. It is a true modern external flash that when paired with the D850 creates truly professional image quality. You get Nikon’s radio control system Creative Lighting with Advanced Wireless Lighting. It has a she mounted cooling system built in so you can rapidly shoot off up to one hundred flashes. You also get a powerful guide number of 113′ at ISO 100 and 35mm. It is also smaller and lighter weight than other high end flashes.

• Quick recycle time (1.8-2.6 seconds)
• Flexible illumination pattern (tilts from -7° to 90° and rotates left and right 180°)
• Backward compatibility with the Creative Lighting System
• Works well in high end DSLRs (compatible with Nikon i-TTL)
• Good for flash fill in daylight/afternoon hours (guide number of 113′ at ISO 100 and 35mm, zoom range of 24-200mm)
• Fast recycle time (1.8-2.6 seconds)
• More logical controls (info button for quick access to settings)
• No overheating (cooling system for 100 consecutive shots)
• Long distance capability (radio control advanced wireless lighting)
• Good for events or family gatherings (slow, high-speed, 1st & 2nd curtain sync)
• Works with most lenses (zoom range of 24-200mm, 14mm with panel)
• Compact size (supplied with AS-22 speedlight stand, SW-15H Nikon diffusion dome, SZ-4FL fluorescent filter, SZ-4TN incandescent filter, SS-5000 soft case, accessory pouch, user’s manual, and warranty)

Profoto A1X AirTTL N Studio Light

Here is an on camera or off camera flash that offers pro performance perfect for studio sessions. This is the updated model of the very popular A1 TTL flash and this model gets a power boost. You can get up to four hundred and fifty full power flash bursts with a very fast recycle time. This model comes with twenty wireless channels and an easy to use interface. You can achieve bounce lighting thanks to the head tilt and rotation and there is high speed sync.

• Pro studio flash
• Fast recycling time
• High power output
• Shoot up to 450 full power flashes
• Long battery life

Nikon SB 700 AF Speedlight Flash

The SB-700 is a compact high power flash that offers consistent and flawless performance. It is fully compatible with i-TTL and works with auto light metering. It comes equipped with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System which gives you complete control over how you set your lighting up. Features also include auto zoom with an impressive range of 24-120mm. This top performing flash also costs a bit less than the top two picks.

• Excellent performance
• Fully compatible with Nikon’s i-TTL wireless system
• Bounce lighting with tilt and rotation
• Impressive zoom range of 24-120mm
• Offers commander mode
• Fast recycle time
• Features slow, high speed and 1st and 2nd curtain sync
• Battery powered

Bolt VX 710N TTL Flash

If you are looking for a low cost external flash for your Nikon D850 this and the next flash are for you. This Bolt third party flash provides wireless control with a powerful guide number of 164′ at ISO 100. The head tilt and rotation allows you to get bounce lighting. The zoom range is solid at 24-180mm with a built in diffuser panel for extended coverage. The stepless auto zoom is quiet too. You get rear curtain sync so you can shoot at slow shutter speeds.

• Low cost TTL ideal for the D850
• Powerful guide number of 164′ at ISO 100 and 50mm
• Get bounce lighting with head tilt and rotation
• Offers wireless slave mode
• LCD panel
• Offers a built in diffuser and reflector
• Fast recycle time
• Features AF assist
• 1st and 2nd curtain sync
• Battery powered

Yongnuo YN968N II TTL Speedlight Flash

The Yongnuo YN968N is another exceptional third party flash that comes in at a very reasonable price. You get solid performance and the features you need. The powerful guide number comes in at 197′ at ISO 100 and 105mm. It comes with master and slave modes with a strong 2.4GHz radio system.

• Great performance at a budget friendly price
• Fully compatible with Nikon’s i-TTL system
• Achieve bounce lighting with head tilt and rotation
• Powerful guide number of 197′ at ISO 100 and 105mm
• Master and slave modes
• Fast recycle time
• Battery powered

Top Manual Flash For Nikon D850

Yongnuo YN560 IV Speedlight for Nikon

If you want a manual external flash the Yongnuo is my favorite to pair with my Nikon D850. You get wireless triggering with a very impressive range of up to 328′. It is compatible with RF-602 and RF-603 transmitters. You receive a surprisingly powerful guide number of 190′ at ISO 100 and 105mm. This manual flash offers plenty of versatility and includes a solid zoom range of 24-105mm. You get all this and more at a great low price.

• Great manual flash performance at a low price
• Get bounce lighting with tilt and rotation
• Good zoom range of 24-105mm
• Powerful guide number of 190′ at ISO 100 and 105mm
• Quick recycle time
• Offers multi mode for multiple consecutive flashes
• Features HV power ports and PC sync
• Battery powered

Bolt VD 410 Manual Flash for Nikon

The Bolt VD 410 is not the most powerful flash on the market but it offers solid simple performance at a very low cost. Because of this it is very popular with beginners. It performs well on camera and off camera with wireless triggering available. You can create bounce light as the head tilts and swivels. It has a built in diffuser for wide coverage. At this price it makes a great first time flash or backup to throw in the bag.

• Very low cost
• Bounce lighting with tilt and rotation of the flash head
• Provides instant sync and skip pre-flash slave mode
• Offers a 33′ range optical slave mode
• Fast recycle time
• Guide number of 124.7′ at ISO 100
• Battery powered

Conclusion

The Nikon D850 is a great camera. It performs well under all types of conditions and is one of my favorite cameras that has come out in recent years. I shoot a lot of portrait photography, among other styles, and have been amazed at the image quality I get. The key to getting the most out of your D850 is pairing it with a top rated flash. You will get the best exposure and image quality possible if you go with one of the recommended flashes above.

For more photography guides and tips check out these articles

• TTL Flash vs Manual Flash
• Best flash for Nikon D6
• Best flash for Nikon D5500
• Best flash for Nikon D500
• Best budget TTL flash for Nikon
• Best flash for Nikon Z6 and Z7