Flash Flash Flash

[I know nothing]

I want to pick up a flash for my DSLR, and I can't decide between the SB600 and SB800.
For starters, would either one of the flashes be ready to use right out of the box off of my camera as a remote flash?
It wouldn't need an adapter would it?
Secondly, I plan on doing quite a few group photo shoots so would that automatically rule out the less powerful SB600?
I'd really like to get the 600 so it would leave me with a little more change to spare on a light sphere diffuser with a chrome dome to add to the flash.
What do you folks think about that?

[jcon]

The SB-600 would be strong enough for your group photos, however it cant be used as an off camera flash like the SB-800. That means you can set the SB-800 somewhere close by your camera and use the built in flash as a "remote" for the SB-800. If you dont ever plan on using the flash off camera then the SB-600 may be best for you.

[achuang]

I have a nikon d70s and an SB600 and I find it has plenty of power for group shots. And depending on your camera, it can be used as a remote flash. The D70S has a built-in commander mode and can control either the SB600 or SB800 remotely. The D50 doesn't have this commander mode built in so if you have that then maybe get the SB800 as I have heard of a way that it can be controlled remotely even without a commander mode.

[wh0128]

And I'm sure you can buy a cable that goes in your hotshoe and connects to your SB800 or SB600 to have it as an off camera flash not to far away.

[tcadwall]

however it cant be used as an off camera flash like the SB-800
What?!?!
From previous posts, I know that the OP has a D80. So you are telling him that his D80 won't control an SB600 off camera, but it will control an SB-800 off camera?

Sorry, plain wrong.

The truth is that some cameras will not do this, but some will. Also, if a camera can control one it can control the other. I think where your confusion lies, is that for instance, a D50 will not control EITHER an SB-600 or an SB-800 off camera (I know - the flashes will fire, but they are not being "controlled" by the camera they are being triggered by the camera's flash). However, if you shoe-mount the SB-800 (or an SU-800 controller), IT will wirelessly control other SB-800s, SB-600s etc. The SB-600 is slave only. It will not control other flashes. So if the OP buys a 600 now, he is fine. I think that the D80 is limited to controlling one group of flashes, so if more complex system is desired, and 800 (SB or SU) would be required - but it would make sense to only add an SB-800 after you already have an SB-600 to control with it.

what!?!?! - simply, if you need a very complex system later, then add an SB-800 and more SB-600s.

just to clarify, if the camera can control one group, that means that however many flashes you want to fire from it, you can, but they all will be firing with the same settings. If you need to add groups that are timed differently, or have different amounts of power - that would be the multi-group complexity that would require the SB-800

To the OP - The SB-800 is more powerful, but you should be very happy with the SB-600 for the shooting you described.

[I know nothing]

Wow, I appreciate everybody's responses.
As tcadwall pointed out, I'm using the D80.
I should have specified that in my post. Sorry for the confusion.
When setting up my flash remotely, say on a lightstand, is there a special mount/adapter I need for it to fit on the lightstand?
Thanks everyone.

[achuang]

Both the SB600 and SB800 speedlights come with a stand that the flash can sit in. On the base of the stand is a tripod mount so can be mounted on any tripod, or just put on a table or floor.