[Dabhand16]

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 - Centre-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.

Key Features

* Professional i-TTL (intelligent TTL) Speedlight compatible with FX and DX format SLR cameras.
* Compatible with the Nikon Creative Lighting System.
* Centre-weighted, Even and Standard illumination patterns: Centre-weighted mode concentrates illumination to the centre of the frame, useful when using a telephoto lens. Even mode diffuses light evenly across the frame, useful when taking group shots. Standard mode offers a standard balance of power and light distribution.
* 17-200mm auto zoom range: covered in just 1.2 seconds. 14mm zoom range when using built-in diffuser or Speedlight dome.
* Automatic detection of sensor format: automatically recognises FX or DX format cameras.
* High-speed recycling time of 2.2 seconds, using four AA-type batteries.
* Intuitive interface with large LCD screen and 3 all-purpose switches that can be individually configured.
* AF-Assist illumination: compatible with Multi-CAM3500 FX / DX AF sensors.
* Bounce capability: rotates horizontally 180º to right and left, tilts up to 90º and down to 11º.
* Thermal protection system: programmable to warn of excessive heat build up during high intensity firing.
* Automatic filter detection: Speedlight automatically adjusts the attached camera’s white balance settings when a fluorescent or incandescent color filter is used.
* Firmware can be upgraded via the storage media in the attached camera.

Specifications

Guide number (20°C/68°F)
34/111.5 (ISO 100, m/ft), 48/157.5 (ISO 200, m/ft)

Illumination pattern
Three illumination patterns: standard, even and center-weighted
The light distribution angle is automatically adjusted to the camera’s image area in both FX and DX formats

Flash shooting distance range
0.6 m to 20 m (2 to 66 ft) (varies depending on camera image area setting, illumination pattern, ISO sensitivity, zoom position, and lens aperture)

Flash mode
TTL, Auto Aperture flash, Non-TTL auto flash, Distance-priority manual flash, Manual flash, Repeating flash

Other functions
Test firing, monitor pre-flashes, AF-assist illuminator, and Modeling illuminator

Multiple flash operation
Advanced Wireless Lighting, SU-4 type wireless multiple flash

Compatible cameras
All cameras compatible with Nikon Creative Lighting System (other cameras can be used but functionality is reduced)

Flash exposure control set on the camera
Camera’s sync modes: Slow-sync, Red-eye reduction in slow-sync, Rear-curtain sync, Rear-curtain slow-sync
Shooting functions: Auto FP High-Speed sync, FV Lock flash

Bounce capability
Flash head tilts down to -7° or up to 90° with click-stops at -7°, 0°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°
Flash head rotates horizontally 180° to the left and right with click-stops at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 150°, 180°

ON/OFF
Press the Power ON-OFF switch to turn the SB-900 on or off
Standby function can be set

Power source/min. recycle time/no. of flashes (at full output)
With fresh batteries (These data may vary depending on battery condition)
Two AA-size penlight batteries (1.5V or lower) of the following types (Batteries : Min. recycle time (approx.) / Min number of flashes / interval between full flash output and ready light on *) :

- Alkaline-manganese (1.5V) : 4.0 sec. / 110 / 4.0-30 sec.
- Lithium (1.5V) : 4.5 sec. / 230 / 4.5-120 sec.
- Oxyride (1.5V) : 3.0 sec. / 125 / 3.0-30 sec.
- Ni-MH (2600 mAh) (rechargeable) (1.2V) : 2.3 sec. / 190 / 2.3-30 sec.

* When firing the Speedlight at full output once every 30 seconds (120 seconds with lithium batteries.)


Ready light
The SB-900 is fully recycled: Rear ready-light lights up and front light blinks
Insufficient light for correct exposure (in i-TTL, Auto Aperture flash, Non-TTL Auto flash, or Distance-priority manual flash operations): ready-lights and front lights blink after shooting

Flash duration
Approx. 1/880 sec. at full output

Mounting foot lock lever
Provides secure attachment of SB-900 to camera’s accessory shoe using locking plate and mount pin to prevent accidental detachment.

Dimensions (W x H x D)
Approx. 78.0 x146.0 x 118.5 mm (3.0 x 5.7 x 4.7 in.)

Weight (without batteries)
Approx. 415 g (14.6 oz.)

Supplied accessories
Speedlight Stand AS-21, Nikon Diffusion Dome SW-13H, Color Filter Set SJ-900, Color Filter Holder SZ-2, Soft Case SS-900

Optional accessories
Color Filter Set SJ-3, Water Guard WG-AS1/WG-AS2/WG-AS3, High-Performance Battery Pack SD-9, Wireless Slave Flash Controller SU-4, TTL Remote Cord SC-28/SC-29

Nikon

[LJR69]

Interestingly, isn't the GN for the SB-800 56m/ISO 100? So it seems the 900 is less powerful than the 800 and marginally more powerful than the 600.

[Dabhand16]

I think I read somewhere that the 900 was not as powerful as the 800.

I've not compared the specs, but maybe this enables a faster recycle time.

[Sonsey]

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

I think I read somewhere that the 900 was not as powerful as the 800.

I've not compared the specs, but maybe this enables a faster recycle time.

Robbing Peter to pay Paul?

[LJR69]

Just having a quick look suggests you are correct. The 800 appears to have a full power recycle time of 4 seconds, while the 900 is 2.2. Interestingly though the 600 has a recycle time of 2.5 and is only very slightly less powerful than the 900, but I guess you get a commander mode flash that auto detects DX/FX sensors with that small performance improvement.

[VinnyP]

It's also a good deal heavier and bulkier than the SB800 and has a longer duration. The SB800 with the fifth battery recycles in 2.7 seconds. The new features are nice
but not enough for me to spend more money on a heavier bulkier less powerful flash gun.

[Charlotte]

Nikon have been busy!