What advantage will i get with purchasing the SB900 over the SB800. I have a D3 and the SC-29 flash cable. Anyone see a huge compelling difference in the two?
No, there are no huge and compelling differences. However, if you're shooting with long glass and using a Better Beamer to focus the flash beam out farther, then the 200mm head zoom function on the SB-900 may be worth it.
Also, the selector controls and other ergs were improved. That might be reason enough for some folks.
Ted has a good point, if the ergo's on 900 are better than 800 its worth it alone to consider. IMHO the "buttonology" (thanks josh) on the sb800 was enough for me to buy a sb600, but that would be less than 1/3 cost of a 900 Doh!!!
The ergonomics, locking switch, speed, 180 degree bounce, menu, all are better, plus it's much quieter than the SB-800. Worth every penny, especially for weddings or events.
......just watch out for the thermal cutoff function....it may decide to lock up right when you need "the shot"...it can be disabled however...other than that it is a superb flash.
blackfeather wrote:
......just watch out for the thermal cutoff function....it may decide to lock up right when you need "the shot"...it can be disabled however...other than that it is a superb flash.
i run my 900 off a HV power pack. and i have not to this date gotten even a first stage warning out of it. you have to realize from the beginning that these are not harold edgertons strobes so beating them unrelentingly is counter productive and just bad photo work.
it warns you in 3 levels via icons that its getting uncomfortable and then only then after the warnings go unheeded does it go into self preservation mode. of course if you are as dumb as a rock you have the option of turning off the cutoff. at 3rd level overtemp it will fire and it will also beep in anguish as you slowly reduce its usable lifespan with each hot shot after another until........
Sep 13, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Andre Labonte Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
sjms wrote:
i run my 900 off a HV power pack. and i have not to this date gotten even a first stage warning out of it. you have to realize from the beginning that these are not harold edgertons strobes so beating them unrelentingly is counter productive and just bad photo work.
it warns you in 3 levels via icons that its getting uncomfortable and then only then after the warnings go unheeded does it go into self preservation mode. of course if you are as dumb as a rock you have the option of turning off the cutoff. at 3rd level overtemp it will fire and it will also beep in anguish as you slowly reduce its usable lifespan with each hot shot after another until........
I have 3 SB 800’s which I am considering replacing with the SB-900’s reason being; the SB-900 seems to focus better in low light. The SB-900 appears to have that near flame thrower focus assist that I enjoyed on the old SB24 used on my Nikon F4. The flame thrower focus assist that I enjoyed on my SB-24 was lost when I went to the SB26 and subsequent SB28’s and SB-800’s. I am not sure but it certainly looks like Nikon resurrected the focus assist from the SB24 which may be the reason the case on the SB900 is larger than the SB800. How many shots does it take in rapid succession to cause the thermal protector kill to employ?
...not quite "dumb as a rock"...30 years professional shooting involved behind my experience..but if you research it...some people are having the 900 lock up with "casual" shooting. It was just a comment for someone to take note of....some of the reply comments really show the "professional" side of people. There are some that think the cut off function is a little too sensitive...people ask for advice on these forums...and certain replies are probably the reason mostly amateurs chime in, and pros don't reply with their experiences. I own 5 sb800's, 1 sb25, 4 sb26's, three Metz shoe flashes (these make up different "kits"), and studio strobes...and have never fried a unit. While I mentioned the 900 was a killer flash...and it is...you just have to be "aware" of the cut off function..especially on a job. If you are shooting squirrels in your back yard, or 3 year old eating pablum, no worries. Don't worry sjms..I don't beat my equipment into submission...but there are surely those that do. My input was just some fyi for those who might give a dog squat.
Well my plan is to get a sb900 first, then a backup sb800 for the d300 just in case... my older flashes i can only use on A mode... that's the sb28dx, sb28, sb27, etc..
i read lots of things here and then i experience the use of the same product and i get a completely different result.
i referred to those who might be tempted to shut it off not directly to anyone else who would otherwise think that there might be a problem. if you are shooting and the flash is doing something like locking up. there is a situation there that deserves some attention other the shutting off the one safety it has right?
yes i too have more then 30 years of shooting too with various brands and types of equipment. i do not understand how these people do what they do to get some of these faults. i use minimal equipment and need to rely on its quality and function. since i have 2 900s that i have already "tested" in battle i have to say they are reliable and robust.
again though the 900 give you plenty of warning before it shuts itself off from overheat.
w2hef....excellent plan....and you will love the interface, usability, and "spread" of light the 900 gives...and the good "color" too. I hope that maybe a firmware update possibly might ease the sensitivity of the cutoff...some are not bothered, but some have had issues with the cutoff happening right in the middle of a shoot...and missed key shots by having to hook up the backup flash....it's just fyi. Moreover the exposures the 900 gives trumps the 800 in most cases...really a nice unit.
turnert wrote:
No, there are no huge and compelling differences. However, if you're shooting with long glass and using a Better Beamer to focus the flash beam out farther, then the 200mm head zoom function on the SB-900 may be worth it.
Also, the selector controls and other ergs were improved. That might be reason enough for some folks.
~Ted
when using a BB with SB-800 you need to set the zoom head to 50mm on to get the best from it (according to the instructions). setting it to 200mm may do just the opposite that you'd suspect.
