Nikon Hotshoe Flashes >The SB-900

May 7, 2009
The Nikon SB-900 

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.

Best Price Nikon SB-900          Other Hotshoe Flashes

• 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).

Specs for Nikon SB-900

Guide Number	34/111.5 (ISO 100, m/ft), 48/157.5 (ISO 200, m/ft)
Electronic Construction	Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry
Flash Exposure Control	Camera’s sync modes: Slow-sync; Red-eye reduction in Slow-sync; Front-curtain sync; Rear-curtain sync; Rear-curtain Slow-sync Shooting functions: 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° or up to 90° with click-stops at -7°, 0°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°
Bounce Function (Rotate)	Flash head rotates horizontally 180° to the left and right with click-stops at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 150°, 180°
Minumum Recycling Time
4.0 sec. with Alkaline-manganese (1.5V)
4.5 sec. with Lithium (1.5V)
3.0 sec. with OxyrideTM (1.5V)
2.3 sec. with Ni-MH (2600 mAh)
Flash Duration
1/880 sec. at M1/1 (full) output
1/1100 sec. at M1/2 output
1/2550 sec. at M1/4 output
1/5000 sec. at M1/8 output
1/10,000 sec. at M1/16 output
1/20,000 sec. at M1/32 output
1/35,700 sec. at M1/64 output
1/38,500 sec. at M1/128 output
Required Power Source	Use four AA-type batteries of any of the following types:
Alkaline-manganese (1.5V) batteries
Lithium (1.5V) batteries
Ni-MH (1.2V) batteries
Dimensions	Approx. 3.0 × 5.7 × 4.7 in. (78.0 × 146.0 × 118.5 mm)
Weight	Approx. 14.6 oz. (415g)
ISO Range	100 to 6400 ISO
Optional Power Supply
SD-9 High-Performance Battery Pack
SD-8A High-Performance Battery Pack
SK-6 Power Bracket Unit
Ready Light	The SB-900 indicates unit is fully recycled: Rear ready-light lights up and the front light blinks.
Insufficient light for correct exposure (in i-TTL, Auto Aperture flash, Non-TTL Auto flash, or Distance-priority manual flash operations): both rear and front (in remote setting) ready-lights blink.
Minimum Number of Flashes
110 with Alkaline-manganese (1.5V)
230 with Lithium (1.5V)
190 with Ni-MH (2600 mAh)
Note: When firing Speedlight at full output once every 30 seconds (120 seconds with lithium).
Wireless Flash Modes
Off
Master
Master (Repeating)
Remote
SU-4
Wireless Communication Channels	Four Channels
Wireless Groups	Three
Supplied Accessories	AS-21 Speedlight Stand, SW-13H Diffusion Dome, SJ-900 Color Filter Set, SZ-2 Color Filter Holder, SS-900 Soft Case