View Full Version : Nikon SB-900
puddleduck
01-07-2008, 07:52
Possibly lost in the D700 hubbub?
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0807/08070101nikonsb900.asp
puddleduck
01-07-2008, 08:50
£379.99
puddleduck
01-07-2008, 09:04
Indeed, its about £100 more....
Flash In The Pan
01-07-2008, 09:07
£379.99
:cuckoo: that's three SB-600s :thinking:
puddleduck
01-07-2008, 09:22
Will probably be closer to £300 from HK...
cherryrig
01-07-2008, 14:13
Looks quite nice but the price is way way to high. That could buy all of my lighting set up, three 2nd SB-25/26 flashes and Skyports
Hmm it looks exactly as Canon`s EX580 II, so price tag 360 is quite acceptable ...
Venomator
01-07-2008, 21:42
OK so it has a few more buttons on the back but it's still superficially the same looks as the 800 ... :shrug: ...
:thinking: ... clearly a much bigger, brighter and better bulb though ... :naughty:
:p
barneyrubble
01-07-2008, 21:45
Also covers a much wider zoom range - 17-200mm, and auto detection of FX vs DX so you don't light too much outside of the DX coverage area.
the zoom range doensnt really matter, more of a gimmick which mainly just saves power, by focusing the light where its needed rather than illuminate a massive area.
barneyrubble
01-07-2008, 22:20
Basically it directs the light, there is only so much power, so if it directs it down a narrower field of view then there is more light available to light the subject when it gets there. If that sentance makes any sense at all.
I know what I mean anyway.....:lol::lol::lol::lol:
i know what you mean:lol:
less is more etc.:D
my basic point is to light a subject 10 metres away takes less flash power at 200mm than 18mm, so by setting the flash to 200mm you are using less power, in a concentrated area, therefore reducing recycle time, and increasing battery life.
x+y=1p/(2x/3b) - or summat like that:lol:
puddleduck
02-07-2008, 05:16
x+y=1p/(2x/3b) - or summat like that:lol:
My head just exploded :p
Does make sense though - often I've used a BetterBeamer on my SB-800 which really just re-focuses the light giving a tighter beam so I can shoot with a 300mm lens for example.
icecavern
02-07-2008, 05:44
Based on Joe McNally's comments on the flash, it's a worthy upgrade. In fact the menu system and button changes are probably worth the extra if you use these flashes a lot.
I was on a course yesterday hosted by Oz Kharawala on portrait photography. He helped with some of the testing / reviews pre release and the extra power and more directional lighting are the two big plus points.
He's the chap who won the 'environmental photographer of the year 2007' and only used speedlights for outdoor portraits. All very portable and simple to set up, it was very refreshing to see a working pro prove it's not too technical and it's more about creativity.
barneyrubble
03-07-2008, 08:29
Yeah, I went to one of his Wedding seminars, he does love his speedlights :lol::lol:
Based on Joe McNally's comments on the flash, it's a worthy upgrade. In fact the menu system and button changes are probably worth the extra if you use these flashes a lot.
yeah I gotta say nikon do have a rubbish flash button system, they make such a simple set of commands tricky and looooong to use. Very strange when their cameras menu system is so easy!
Where can I find out about the button system? I wonder if youtube has a review or anything yet? hmm..
How much do you reckon the 800 will be when this is released?
icecavern
03-07-2008, 14:50
The same price it is now I suspect. They might even discontinue the SB800.
The same price it is now I suspect. They might even discontinue the SB800.
Surely not? The SB600 is still going strong and is very similar (main difference being no command mode imo)... SB800 still has a place I think, especially with the SB900 being so pricey.
icecavern
03-07-2008, 15:51
Surely not? The SB600 is still going strong and is very similar (main difference being no command mode imo)... SB800 still has a place I think, especially with the SB900 being so pricey.
Well the SB600 and SB800 are very different features wise, power and commander mode. The 800 and 900 are basically the same thing, but a slightly different interface and a few extra bits that aren't really that different.
They might carry on with the SB800, but I wouldn't be too surprised if it got dropped in favour of the 900 pretty quickly.
SimonTALM
04-07-2008, 12:44
Let's be fair this is not a big improvement (it was difficult for the SB800 to be revolutionarily improved)
Faster recycling times will be good. Anything that makes the flash less fiddly to use will be appreciated by pros who use their speedlights alot so hence the button changes.
As for the price, it will come down, but probably not very fast, flashes and lenses tend not to drop that quickly. I wouldn't imagine that it would be the SB800 that goes, my money is on the SB600 disappearing.
puddleduck
29-07-2008, 17:52
Mr Hogan has reviewed it:
http://www.bythom.com/sb900review.htm
Currently, prices in the UK are cheaper than buying in £ Sterling from Hong Kong :eek: I don't remember that ever happening before!
Microglobe are selling for £329 which is only ( I say 'only') £80 more than the SB800.
Currently, prices in the UK are cheaper than buying in £ Sterling from Hong Kong :eek: I don't remember that ever happening before!
Microglobe are selling for £329 which is only ( I say 'only') £80 more than the SB800.
i've noticed that as well and was rather surprised. my local independent camera shop has a special offer price of £319.99 at the moment, which is also a bit of a surprise as its the lowest i've seen. http://www.yorkcameramart.co.uk/
vBulletin® v3.7.3, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.