Nikon SB-900 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Nikon SB-900 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras


Manufacturer: Nikon
The SB-900 i-TTL Speedlight leads the Nikon Creative Lighting System delivering the portability, power and versatility to support any photographer's creative lighting imagination.
- Nikon's Flagship Creative Lighting System Speedlight: Powerful and versatile SB-900 works as a stand-alone flash, featuring wireless operation as a Commander or wireless remote light source.
- Control up to three remote Speedlight groups and an unlimited number of compatible Speedlights: The SB-900's Wireless Commander Mode offers wireless control at the master Speedlight position. Four wireless channel options allow you to manage wireless conflicts in multiple photographer environments.
- Streamlined controls and menus: The Rotary Select Dial sets key flash functions quickly-a prominent Master and Remote control switch simplifies wireless operation.
- FX/DX format identification: Automatic FX/DX switching optimizes light distribution angle.
- 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 Even 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).
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
Lowest Refurbished Price: USD 429.00
Model: B001BTG3OQ
Release Date: 2008-07-26

SB-900 - "Hottest" flash I've owned!
After reading so many great reviews on different websites and apparently learning that the overheating problems with the SB-900 had been solved, I ordered one and it seemed fine after preliminary tests. But when I used it on a job, it quickly overheated and shut off. I let it cool down (per the thermometer icon and by touching the batteries) and then turned the thermal protection setting off (as other reviewers had suggested). After a few shots it overheated again. I then switched to my old, trusty SB-800 and it worked perfectly using identical batteries and under the same shooting conditions. I'm really disappointed since the SB-900's features are outstanding and it performed very well when it worked. Maybe I just got a bad unit, but I decided to return it and will look for an alternative.

This is the flash to own
Nikon fans, this the best flash by Nikon. Was leaning towards sb800 but as this was a newer model and smaller opted for this sb900.
There were lot of reviews which mentioned about the heating problem but I didn't use it to such an extent yet.
Very happy with the performance until now.

If you use CLS, this is AWESOME!!!
Yes, this is a little bigger and clunkier than I like, but otherwise this is an amazing flash that is well worth the extra money compared to an SB-800. My SB-800 is relegated to off-camera CLS slave duty only now due to its cumbersome mode change process. Being able to switch in a second from TTL only, to master or to slave is ESSENTIAL for event photographers with quickly changing real-world situations. I agree with others that Eneloop's do seem to delay the thermal warning significantly, so at least 2 pair is also a must. The menu really is not that hard to figure out and gives you much more control than the SB-800. If you're not that advanced and don't use CLS, then the SB-600 will probably do. Otherwise, this is the most capable flash I have ever used.

Great flash!!!
Very easy to use. Recycle time is fast and quick to start up. It is fully charged and read to go right when I turn the flash on.

Nikon SB900 Flash
Love my sb800 flash, but hate this flash for one reason-it shuts down after a few shots so it doesn't overheat. When I feel the flash, it doesn't feel hot at all. I can only get maybe a dozen shots within about 2 minutes. Then, you have to let it set several minutes before using. Guess what; I'm using my sb800 more than ever. I like the fact that the 900 is a little more powerful, but can't use it much at all at weddings or children where need fast shooting. I'm truly disappointed.
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