Which external flash works best with Nikon DSLR cameras?

Question

I'm shooting my cousins wedding in a few weeks in Chicago and the venue is basically a cave with no windows. My Nikon D7500 is great but I definitely need a real flash to survive the reception. I've narrowed it down to two choices but I keep flip-flopping.

The Nikon SB-700

The Godox V860III

The Nikon is the safe choice I guess but its older and uses AA batteries which seems like a pain. The Godox has that li-ion battery pack and is way cheaper but I'm worried about it overheating or having weird sync issues with my camera body. I've got about $300 to spend and I need to order something by Friday. Which one would you guys trust more for a one-time high pressure event?

Vae44e · Accepted Answer

TL;DR: Get the Godox V860III-N TTL Li-Ion Flash. In my experience, that battery lasts way longer than AAs and you wont miss a shot while fumbling in the dark. Its super reliable.

MacroMancer · Answer

Gonna try this over the weekend. Will report back if it works!

StaticVortex · Answer

tbh sticking with native gear is usually the way to go if you're worried about reliability. I've seen too many third-party units act up right when the cake is being cut. You might want to consider going with a used Nikon flash from a site like KEH or MPB to stay under budget while keeping that peace of mind. Just make sure to keep these things in mind:

third party batteries can sometimes swell if they get too hot

native flashes usually have better autofocus assist beams for dark caves

if you go the AA battery route, just grab some high-quality rechargeables and you'll be fine Honestly, I would suggest just getting any Nikon-branded speedlight that fits your budget. It's way less stress knowing the gear was literally made for your D7500. Be careful with the cheap stuff because once you lose that connection mid-dance, it's a nightmare to troubleshoot in the dark.