Nikon SB-900

The Nikon SB-900 is the brand new top-of-the-range Speedlight flash gun. Replacing the SB-800 model, the SB900 incorporates a moving diffuser and light source that can zoom from 17mm to 200mm in just 1.2 seconds while maintaining an even light distribution. The SB 900 automatically detects the fitting of fluorescent or incandescent colour filters, instructing the camera to switch to the appropriate white balance setting. The versatile SB-900 provides a choice of three illumination patterns (centre-weighted/standard/even) that can be selected to suit a particular subject. Firmware update via the Nikon D3 and D700 cameras is possible, the world’s first available flash unit firmware update function via a digital SLR camera. The Nikon SB-900 costs £379.99 / €479.99 / $499.95 and will be available from August 2008.

Nikon UK Press Release

LIGHTING THE WAY: NIKON’S NEW SB-900 SPEEDLIGHT

Introducing Nikon’s flagship Speedlight - the ultimate solution in lighting control

RRP: £349.99 / €479
Sales start date: July 08

Nikon UK today introduces a brand-new flagship Speedlight - the Nikon SB-900 – that offers exceptional high-speed, high-power operation combined with an extended zoom range.

The SB-900 incorporates a moving diffuser and light source that can zoom from 17mm to 200mm in just 1.2 seconds while maintaining an even light distribution. The versatile new flash provides a choice of three illumination patterns (centre-weighted/standard/even) that can be selected to suit a particular subject. 

“Nikon Speedlights are widely regarded to be the best in the business,” says Robert Cristina, Manager Professional Products and NPS, Nikon Europe. “The new SB-900 propels flash lighting into the future with really exciting creative opportunities available at the touch of a button,” he adds.

The SB-900 is perfectly adapted to both DX and FX formats, and will automatically select the appropriate light distribution pattern according to the sensor format of the camera to which it is attached. The SB-900 also automatically detects the fitting of fluorescent or incandescent colour filters, instructing the camera to switch to the appropriate white balance setting. Designed for today’s high speed digital image capture, the SB-900 handles repeated firing at high power with an improved booster circuit for high-speed recycling and includes a built-in thermal sensing system that protects the unit against overheating. It is fully compatible with the other Speedlights and accessories of the acclaimed Nikon Creative Lighting System and can be easily incorporated into multiple-flash lighting set-ups.  Bounce flash capability is provided through a head that can be tilted up by 90º and down by 11º and rotated horizontally through 180º, making the SB-900 an essential accessory that opens up many creative opportunities to the photographer.

Nikon Speedlight SB-900 Major Features

• Multi-step auto zoom covers wide 17-200mm zoom range (24-105mm：SB-800)
• Three illumination patterns (standard, center-weighted and even) are available to match each shooting environment
• Automatically detects Nikon FX and Nikon DX formats and selects suitable light distribution
• Improved booster circuit for high-speed recycle time: Recycle time using four AA-size batteries is almost equal to the SB-800 with five AA-size batteries
• New AF-Assist illumination covers a wide 20-105 mm focal range compatible with the new Multi-CAM3500 FX/DX AF sensor
• Firmware update via Nikon D3 and D700 is possible (world’s first*)
• Thermal Cut-out function limits the number of flashes to avoid deterioration of light emitting parts caused by continuous flash firing
• Automatically detects colour filters (fluorescent or incandescent), enabling camera to control colour temperature according to filter information from SB-900
• Improved switch panel for enhanced usability
• Improved GUI using a large-size LCD dot panel
• Bounce capability: tilts up to 90º, down to -7º, rotates horizontally 180º to right and left
• Advanced Wireless Lighting and versatile functions for up to three remote groups of SB-900s or other compatible Speedlights controlled through the master SB-900
• Optional Water Guard WG-AS1 (for D3), WG-AS2 (for D300), and WG-AS3 (for D700) is useful for protecting the camera’s hot shoe contact when the SB-900 is mounted on these Nikon digital SLR cameras

*The world’s first flash unit firmware update function via a digital SLR camera as of July 1, 2008 (according to research conducted by NIKON CORPORATION).

Speedlight SB-900 Specifications

Electronic construction
Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry
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 centre-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, Colour Filter Set SJ-900, Colour Filter Holder SZ-2, Soft Case SS-900
Optional accessories
Colour 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

These performance specifications are applicable when fresh batteries are used at normal temperature (20°C/68°F).

Published: Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Reader Comments

1. This is a very good article.
   Is the Nikon SB-900 better then the SB-800?

   Alex Sarna at 08:16pm on Tuesday, July 29, 2008