|
Nikon SB-900 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras | 
| Brand: Nikon
Category: Photography
List Price: $570.00
Buy New: $395.99
You Save: $174.01 (31%)
New (18) Used (1) from $414.97
Rating:  14 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Fragile: No
Batteries: 4
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4.3
Dimensions (in): 10.2 x 5.2 x 4.1
MPN: SB-900
Model: SB-900
UPC: 182080480764
EAN: 0182080480764
ASIN: B001BTG3OQ
Release Date: July 26, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Brand new in retail pack, shipping same day with ups.
| |
| Features:
| • | 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 |
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
The SB-900 i-TTL Speedlight leads the Nikon Creative Lighting System by delivering the portability, power, and versatility to support any photographer's creative lighting imagination. The SB-900 works as a wireless standalone flash, or you can use it as a commander or wireless remote light source. In commander mode, the SB-900 controls up to three remote Speedlight groups and an unlimited number of compatible Speedlights, with four wireless channel options helping you manage wireless conflicts in multiple photographer environments. The flash also offers streamlined controls and menus, including a rotary select dial that sets key flash functions quickly, along with a prominent master and remote control switch to simplify wireless operation. Photographers working on zoom photos will appreciate the SB-900's expanded auto power zoom coverage, which ranges from 17 to 200mm in the FX format to 12 to 200mm in the DX format. Photographers also have the choice of three light distribution patterns: standard (for general illumination), center-weighted (for portraits), and even (for groups or interiors). Finally, the SB-900 automatically identifies mounted color gel filters and adjusts the camera's auto white balance setting (available with select Nikon digital SLR cameras). Other details include automatic FX/DX format identification; user-friendly firmware updating; flash tube overheat protection; and a drip-proof mounting foot cover. Technical Specifications
- Guide number: 34 meters/111.5 feet (ISO 100), 48 meters/157.5 feet (ISO 200)
- Electronic construction: Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry
- Flash exposure control: Slow sync; red-eye reduction in slow sync; front curtain sync; rear curtain sync; rear-curtain slow sync; auto FP high-speed sync; FV lock flash
- Lens coverage: 17 to 200mm (FX format, automatic mode); 12 to 200mm (DX format, automatic mode); 12 to 17mm (FX format, automatic mode with built-in wide-angle panel deployed); 8 to 11mm (DX format, automatic mode with built-in wide-angle panel deployed)
- Bounce function (tilt): Flash head tilts down to -7 degrees or up to 90 degrees, with click stops at -7, 0, 45, 60, 75, and 90 degrees
- Bounce function (rotate): Flash head rotates horizontally 180 degrees to the left and right, with click stops at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 degrees
- Minimum recycling time: 4 seconds with alkaline-manganese (1.5 volts); 4.5 seconds with lithium (1.5 volts); 3 seconds with Oxyride (1.5 volts); 2.3 seconds with Ni-MH (2,600 mAh)
- Flash duration: 1/880 second at M1/1 (full) output; 1/1,000 second at M1/2 output; 1/2,550 second at M1/4 output; 1/5,000 second at M1/8 output; 1/10,000 second at M1/16 output; 1/20,000 second at M1/32 output; 1/35,700 second at M1/64 output; 1/38,500 second at M1/128 output
- Required power source: 4 AA-type batteries in the following types: alkaline-manganese (1.5 volts), lithium (1.5 volts), or Ni-MH (1.2 volts)
- ISO range: 100 to 6,400
- Optional power supply: SD-9 high-performance battery pack, SD-8A high-performance battery pack, or SK-6 power bracket unit
- Ready light: Yes
- Minimum number of flashes: 110 with alkaline-manganese (1.5 volts); 230 with lithium (1.5 volts); 190 with Ni-MH (2,600 mAh)
- Wireless flash modes: Off, master, master (repeating), remote, and SU-4
- Wireless communication channels: 4
- Wireless groups: 3
- Dimensions: 3 x 5.7 x 4.7 inches (W x H x D)
- Weight: 14.6 ounces
- Supplied accessories: AS-21 Speedlight stand, SW-13H diffusion dome, SJ-900 color filter set, SZ-2 color filter holder, SS-900 soft case
Product Description
Powerful and versatile SB-900 works as a stand-alone flash, featuring wireless operation as a Commander or wireless remote light source. Expanded Auto Power Zoom Coverage - The SB-900 provides zoom coverage from 17-200mm in the FX-format and 12-200mm coverage in the DX-format. Choose from 3 light distribution patterns - Improve light quality by selecting Standard for general illumination, Center-weighted for portraits, or for groups or interiors. User-friendly firmware updating - Allows uploading of performance enhancement developments to the SB-900 with select Nikon digital SLR cameras. Color gel filter identification - The SB-900 automatically identifies mounted color gel filters and adjusts the camera's auto white-balance setting with select Nikon digital SLR cameras. Flash Tube Overheat Protection - An added measure of safety is provided for sustained high-speed bursts. Drip-proof mounting foot cover (Water Guard) - for enhanced moisture protection (optional). Lens Coverage - 17 to 200mm (FX-format, Automatic mode); 12 to 200mm (DX-format, Automatic mode); 12 to 17mm (FX-format, Automatic mode with built-in wide-angle panel deployed); 8 to 11mm (DX-format, Automatic mode with built-in wide-angle panel deployed) Flash head rotates horizontally 180 to the left and right with click-stops at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 Flash head tilts down to -7 or up to 90 with click-stops at -7, 0, 45, 60, 75, 90 Output per set of batteries - 110 Alkaline-manganese (1.5V); 230 Lithium (1.5V); 190 Ni-MH (2600 mAh)
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 SB 900 - Not ready for Professional Use November 3, 2008
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
I am a wedding photographer. We have 3 Nikon SB 80's and 3-SB 800 units used weekly for the past 4 years. We also have 3 Canon 580 units which have worked flawlessly.
This year, I switched back from Canon to Nikon, and when the SB 900 appeared, I purchased it for my new Nikon D300 and D200 cameras. The first unit was Dead on Arrival. The replacement unit works well and has wonderful program and update capabilities. It is easy to use.
My only concern is the unit overheats very quickly when shooting wedding groups and bouncing the light off ceilings ect... This requires the strobe to do larger power dumps than would the flash if pointing directly at the subject....
My SB 900 shut down in the middle of Group photos, and I quickly pulled out my trusty SB 800 and completed the job.
Outdoors, using fill flash, the SB-900 works well. It does not work well in large halls, darkened receptions etc.
I turned off the Over Temp Shutdown feature, but the unit still squeals at me with every shot after 6-8 shots have been taken. I find myself blowing into the top of the unit, trying to cool it... but, it needs cooling holes or a fan... with the constant overheating problem.
I thought my flash was over -sensitive, until reading other reviews here... Now, I know, sadly, it is just part of this finicky $[...] beast.
Jim Jones
[...]
Thermal Shutdown is for the Birds! October 30, 2008
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Fellow Wedding Photographers! Please listen! The SB-900's thermal shutdown is a very serious problem for us. I received my SB-900 last Thursday and shot a wedding on Saturday. YES! The thermal shutdown Grinch got me! Even after I read the reviews complaining about the problem, I rationalized it by thinking, well I probably don't shoot as fast as they do. WRONG! It got me after just 6 full power exposures!
As background, I've used a SB-800 for a couple of years shooting fairly rapidly and never had a problem with overheating. I likely had overheating, but the SB-800 flash withstood the stress. Not so with the SB-900's thermal shutdown feature. Reluctantly, I'm turning "thermal shutdown" OFF in the setup menu. Why? Because I love the SB-900 otherwise! It's a wonderful step above the 800. But now I may risk warranty repair problems should something happen.
I hate being put into that position by Nikon! I've been loyal to the brand since 1964's Nikon F days. Hopefully Nikon will come up with a cure, especially since the 900 has the ability for it's software/parameters to be remotely updated.
In the meantime, wedding photographers, you're taking a big chance the unit will shut down just when important shots happen, unless you disable the thermal shutdown protection mode.
I'm still rating the SB-900 as 4 stars, since all else seems fantastic. ATTN: NIKON! Please fix this problem!
 Super happy with my decision October 21, 2008
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
I labored over the decision to pull the trigger on the 900 or to go with the "everybody loves" the 800. I never owned an 800 so have nothing to compare it to. Nevertheless, I am super happy with it. I dont know what other people are complaining about unless the guy who had the overheating problems got a bad apple. I shot my first wedding this weekend and took nearly 600 pictures on my Nikon D90, all with flash and had a wonderful experience. I used 4 regular duracell batteries and the thing was very fast and performed flawlessly. My pictures came out phenomenally and the thing never even though about overheating. The heat monitor stayed relatively low the entire wedding and I still had juice in my batteries when it was all over. I am super happy with my decision. It is quite large like people say, but if you are going to have a big flash hanging off the top of your camera, a little extra size is insignificant in my opinion. I think people are just naturally averse to change so it is hard for some long-time 800 users to get used to something new. I love it and think you will too.
My 1st Pro Flash October 15, 2008
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
If you're the type who wants the latest gadgets, who wants it all kind of person then by all means go for it. I was considering the sb-800, but nikon has discontinued it's production therefore the sb-900 is the replacement. no doubt it's the biggest, baddest flash ever by nikon.
OK flash October 13, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
SB-900 overheated during a 25th anniversary shooting, it overheated fairly quickly, and I had to go with my backup the SB-800.
I was very disappointed in how fast it overheated and shut down. Just the day before, I used the SB-900 at a high school football game, took 180 pictures and it worked great. I suppose it did not over heat because of the time between shots. The anniversary was lots of pictures one after another. Never the less Nikon should build their flag ship Flash to with stand more than their second in command the SB-800.
One thing about the SB-900, the multiple flash set up is very easy. I like the way it's built and the features, I just don't like the fact it overheated so fast.
|
|
|
[ powered by full speed ]
| |
