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Professional i-TTL Speedlight compatible with Nikon FX and DX format SLRs, and part of the Nikon Creative Lighting System. This powerful Speedlight offers photographers extensive creative opportunities for their flash photography. Three illumination patterns - Center-weighted, Even and Standard - provide total control over flash coverage and it covers a class-leading auto zoom range of 17-200mm in just 1.2 seconds.Advanced features include a booster circuit that enables high-speed recycling using four AA-type batteries and a built-in thermal protection system to warn of excessive heat build up. The SB-900 can automatically detect the presence of a fluorescent or incandescent color filter and transmit this information to the attached camera's white balance setting, and its firmware can be upgraded via the camera body.
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Technical Details
- High-quality flash for standalone use or as part of a comprehensive lighting system
- Commander mode controls up to 3 Speedlight groups or unlimited individual Speedlights
- 4 wireless channel options; prominent master and remote control switch for wireless operation
- Auto power zoom coverage ranges from 17 to 200mm (FX format) to 12 to 200mm (DX format)
- 3 light distribution patterns; measures 3 x 5.7 x 4.7 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 14.6 ounces
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2010-04-06
By Bill B (Indiana)
I have several SB-800s and SB-600 so my primary basis for comparison is against those. Basically this strobe is excellent but some of the whistles and bells are of questionable utility.
The things I really like about the strobe are pretty much the things that make the SB-800 great.
- Remote capability via CLS system
- Su-4 slave mode
- External high voltage battery pack compatibility (plug on front)
- Nice guide numbers for a battery unit.
- Zoom that can be controlled manually or by the camera.
- Selectable beep for when unit has recycled.
- Can be used as a three channel master for Nikon's CLS system
The things this unit does that are improvements compared to the SB600 and SB800 that I like and what motivated me to purchase it are:
- Zoom to 200mm and not just 85 mm (600) or 105 mm (sb800).
- Different beam patterns
- Head rotates a full 180 degrees in both directions (requires a little surgery on an SB800 to fix this stupid problem on them)
- Manual thumb switch for on/off and selecting remote and master modes instead of the slow menu system.
These are what I wanted/liked and why I went for this strobe unit.
The things I don't like or question the value of them:
- I don't like the size. It is bigger than the SB800 some of which admittedly is needed for the zoom optics for the lamp itself but the lower body is bigger too. I can open SB800/600s straight out and stand them upright in a Think Tank camera pack but the 900 has to be folded 90 degrees and/or laid down and it takes up much more space.
- The colored gel thing to automatically set the white balance with the camera is something I don't care for. I suppose some folks that want idiot-proof will like this but it is simply added cost with no benefit for most photographers who know enough to use gels. Much of the time we specifically don't want the camera to change white balance to tungsten if we put a CTO gel on the strobe. And the green gel to match the strobe to fluorescent lights is of little use because most fluorescent lights any more need more than just a green gel on the strobe to obtain an acceptable match. Green alone is ok for old fluorescent lights but most lights now need a green, full CTO and often a bit of yellow as well to make a decent match. So this feature adds cost but no value.
- I have a real grudge against the 900 because it allowed Nikon to discontinue the 800. Bad move. I'll probably buy more 600s since you can get two of those for the price of one 900 and have more light to boot.
- I have mixed reaction to the modeling light. I like that when you push the button it stays on for a couple seconds, kind of handy to let you use both hands for a brief moment to adjust things. However, with the 800 there were dedicated buttons, one to operate the modelling feature (it strobes at a fast rate and lower output so you can see how the light hits your subjects) and one to just trip the flash. The 900 has only one button and you have to select in the setup memu which function it will provide, flash or modelling light. That kinds of sucks.
- The new Radio Poppers Jr Studio verson wireless triggers have a function and accessory (cube) that can provide manual control of the power for many TTL strobes. A thing called a "cube" makes the connection but electrically the 900 is different so it doesn't interface with the Radiopopper Jrs. like the 600 or 800 do. Sure the RadioPopper PX or older P1 system can provide manual control, sort of (its actually provided by the Nikon CLS), but the Jrs are less than half the price. Probably not significant for most photographers, just something a few will miss.
Interestingly, the price of used SB800s are often, and most all old stock new ones are going for more than the new price for an SB900 so clearly the 900s aren't meeting some of the needs for many photographers. That is probably mostly the size thing, but many Nikon photogs have a collection of 800s and there is value in having stuff be the same, expecially with assistants helping you.
2010-03-16
By M. Bojarczak
I bought the SB900 because I needed a reliable flash for weddings as well as for general indoor use. This flash is great! It's powerful, easy to program, and overall is very user friendly. It even communicates with Canon flashes! It has improved features compared to the SB800 and I haven't looked back since buying. I would definetely recommend using an external battery pack. This allows you to take advantage of quicker recycle times, and also avoids the auto-shut off feature if your batteries overheat.
2010-02-17
By Derek Wray (California)
I have spent a great deal of money on great camera gear for my wife,
when I saw she was needing a flash, I knew it had to be powerful and fast ,
and it is. Even shooting using the 70-200 zoom, it not only reachs the subject,
but needs to be adjusted down on occassion.
Bottom line, I am very happy, my wife is happy. It's the right tool for the job.
2010-02-10
By Joseph A. Nowak (Northern California)
I've had no problems with thermal shutdown on this flash. I always have the protection enabled. Perhaps those that have this problem always use bounce flash or use a diffuser box for all their flash shots. These boxes require that the flash more than DOUBLE the power used compared with using no light diffuser or bounce setting (which can more than TRIPLE the power used by the flash!). Also I only use rechargeable eneloop batteries in an outboard battery pack for fast recycling times when shooting wedding receptions. Yes, using rechargables in the flash itself will raise the temperature of the flash head becuase the batteries themselves can get very hot when taking a lot of flash shots in a short periond of time.
Joseph Nowak
2010-02-06
By P. Bentz (Seattle, WA)
I'll start off by saying that the only reason I'm giving this product a 5 star rating is because of the option to turn off the overheating shut down. I've shot probably 25+ weddings with SB-800's and never had a single overheating problem, but had my SB-900 overheat while shooting a reception on the VERY FIRST wedding I ever shot with it. I purchased this flash in January 2010 so obviously the overheating thing is still an issue regardless of what you've read. If I didn't have the option to turn off the safety features, this thing would be going straight back to Amazon.
On the plus side, the controls are a HUGE improvement over the SB-800. They have a spinning dial similar to the dials that the non touch screen ipods use. I'm able to adjust flash on the fly much faster than I could before. I guess this doesn't mean a whole lot to those of you who use TTL ;0) So far this is the most insight I can give since I've only done one wedding. I look forward to being able to zoom to 200mm on portrait sessions & weddings in the near future!
Phil
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