Just Bought The Nikon SB900 Flash – My Thoughts

I’m pretty much a die hard when it comes to adapting to change. I don’t typically run out and by the latest and greatest photographic equipment when it’s new. Once I get use to something, I tend to stick with it (as long as it works) and that’s what I did with my Nikon SB800′s. I mean, these things are work horses and do everything I want them to do that the SB900 does, with the exception of a few things which I can work around.

So, I was in the market for a few more SB800′s (because you can never have enough of them) and came across a good deal on the SB900. I figured I was in the market for a flash, it’s a few bucks more than what I wanted to spend, I might as well dive in and and see what all the hoopla is about. Let me tell you, the first thing I noticed about the SB900 was it’s size. Now, I didn’t get a measuring stick out and measure it, but I did lay it next to an SB800 and let’s just say, the SB900 has a larger flash head (See image to the right where you can see the SB900 in comparison to the SB800 and SB600). I still wasn’t sold. Yes, the fact that it has a 17-200mm zoom while the SB800 can zoom from 24-105mm was a slight advantage, but not so important if you shoot with off-camera flash like myself; I just move the flash closer if I need to.

What really sold me on the SB900 was it’s ease of moving in and out of the different flash modes with just a simple rotation of a switch. That’s right folks, you don’t have to push the select button on the back like you do on an 800 to get from TTL into Remote, Commander, or SU4 mode. This is nice when I’m shooting a fast moving event, like weddings. If you already own the SB800, then you know getting to the commander or remote mode functions takes a few moments and some button pushing; not a big deal if you have time or have gotten use to it, but once you’re introduced to the SB900′s ability to go between modes with the little flick of a dial, then there’s no going back.

As for other features of the SB900, I have read that it has an improved recycle time and rivals the SB800 with it’s 5th battery holder when it comes to battery life. I’m not to sure about that. I noticed with the 900′s four battery compartment, I went through more juice then I would with the 800 and it’s 5th battery holder. It was a slight disappointment, but nothing I couldn’t overcome.

Additionally, the SB900 has the ability to swivel 180° in both directions as well as automatically detect if you are using an FX or DX camera. OK, that may be good if you really need the function.

Overall, the SB900 is a decent flash. However, I think for the most part, I could do what I need to do with my 800′s then switching over or adding more 900s to my lighting arsenal. Personally, the only excitement factor for me was the ability to switch modes on the fly. Yet, I don’t always need to make rapid changes on location shoots. So, if you want to save a few bucks, then I would stick with the Nikon SB800′s for now. Feel free to leave comments with your personal thoughts and experience on the SB900 or Sb800 flash units. I would love to hear them.