Which external flash works best with Nikon DSLR cameras for portrait photography?

Question

So I've been really trying to level up my portrait game lately especially since I'm supposed to shoot my cousins engagement photos in Seattle next month and knowing the weather there it's definitely gonna be an indoor or very overcast situation. I'm rocking a Nikon D850 and I've basically hit a wall with the natural light stuff so I need a solid external flash that won't fail me. I've been doing a ton of reading and I'm basically torn between three options right now and my brain is kind of turning to mush from all the specs.

First one is the Nikon SB-700. My logic was that sticking with the same brand as my camera would mean the TTL is super accurate and I wouldnt have to worry about weird sync issues but then I see it's kind of an older model now. On the other hand I'm looking really hard at the Godox V1-N because everyone on YouTube seems to be obsessed with that round head design and the fact that it uses a lithium battery instead of me carrying around a bag of AAs like a crazy person. The third option I thought about was the SB-5000 but honestly that price tag is just painful and I'm trying to stay under $400 because I still need to buy a decent softbox and maybe a stand.

Nikon SB-700 (reliable but old?)

Godox V1-N (cool battery and round head)

Maybe a used SB-5000 if I can find a deal?

I'm leaning towards the Godox just for the value but I'm worried the colors might be off or the build quality wont last through a rainy PNW shoot. If I go with the SB-700 am I sacrificing too much power for portraits? I want that nice soft falloff on faces and I'm not sure if the round head on the Godox actually makes a difference or if its just marketing hype. I've got about three weeks to figure this out before I have to fly out so I'm getting a little anxious about making the wrong call here...

CobaltSpectra · Accepted Answer

Coming in a bit late but figured Id mention the Godox V860III-N TTL Speedlight for Nikon as a practical middle ground. It has the same internal specs as the V1 but uses a traditional square head. Since you are planning to use a softbox, the round head design wont actually provide any noticeable benefit to your light quality. You can save that money and put it toward a high-quality modifier like the Glow EZ Lock Deep Parabolic Softbox 28 inch instead. The lithium battery system is the most important feature here. It eliminates the need for carrying AAs and maintains a fast recycle time throughout the shoot. Just ensure you purchase the Nikon-specific version for full TTL compatibility with your D850. The build is sturdy but isnt weather-sealed, so I would suggest using a simple rain cover or plastic protection if you are shooting outdoors in the mist... Seattle weather can be tricky.

Fortresseox · Answer

Honestly, just grab the Godox V1-N Round Head Flash for Nikon and dont look back. Ive been shooting Nikon bodies for over a decade and used to be a total brand snob about flashes, but the tech in the Godox units is just better for the money right now. The Nikon SB-700 Speedlight is super reliable but it honestly feels like a dinosaur once you experience that lithium-ion battery. You get nearly 500 full-power flashes on one charge vs fumbling with AAs halfway through a shoot... ngl that alone is a life saver when you're stressed. Regarding the round head, its not just marketing hype but its also not magic. It gives a slightly smoother, more graduated falloff compared to the rectangular fresnel on the SB-700, which matters if you are bouncing light off a low ceiling in some Seattle venue. Since youre shooting with a Nikon D850 DSLR Camera, you want something that can keep up with that sensor's resolution. The Godox TTL is surprisingly accurate these days—easily 95% as good as Nikons native system. If you have extra cash leftover under that $400 budget, definitely pick up the Godox XProII-N TTL Wireless Flash Trigger. Getting that flash off the camera on a stand with a Glow EZ Lock 24 inch Beauty Dish is how you actually get those pro-level engagement shots. On-camera flash is basically just an emergency backup imo. The build quality on the V1 is plenty tough for the PNW, just dont leave it out in a literal downpour.

GlideGrid · Answer

Saving this whole thread. So much good info here you guys are awesome.