Nikon today introduced an update to their popular SB-800 Speedlight. The SB-900 offers a quick recycle time of 4.0 seconds (at full power) with four Alkaline AA batteries which drops to a mere 2.3 seconds (at full power) while using four rechargeable NiMH batteries — about 25 percent faster than the SB-800 with its fifth battery attachment. What caught my eye about this press release was not the new capabilities (though impressive) rather I JUST bought the older model SB-800 last night from Amazon – one for me and one for a friend’s birthday! More details after the jump.
The SB-900 offers unprecedented zoom range coverage from 17 to 200mm,
to increase flexibility in a variety of shooting conditions, while
automatically adapting itself to Nikon’s FX or DX-format cameras.
Additionally, light output has been increased to a maximum guide number of
48/157.5 (ISO 200, meters/feet at 35mm FX-format and Standard).
Photographers can now also select from three light patterns;
“Center-weighted” provides the highest guide number and is suitable for
images such as portraits, where light falloff at the image edges is of less
importance. “Standard” provides a familiar pattern, similar to the SB-800,
and is ideal for general photography and “Even” which delivers the most
consistent edge-to-edge coverage, making it ideal for situations such as
group photography. Additionally, Nikon’s newest flagship Speedlight
provides photographers with advanced wireless i-TTL capabilities allowing
the utilization of multiple Speedlights with ease and confidence on
location or in the studio.
While ease of use has always been a defining hallmark of the Nikon CLS
System, the user interface has been even further refined to simplify
control and offer faster operation. Controls for setting the wireless
Master and Remote have been relocated to the outside of the unit for easier
access and frequently used functions are easily adjusted with a new Rotary
Select Dial. A larger LCD screen is easy to read, even in direct sunlight,
and photographers can assign “My Menu” hotkeys for quicker access to
commonly used functions. A new thermal cut-out protection system monitors
conditions when the flash might overheat due to excessive rapid bursts.
Helpful operating temperature information is provided to the photographer
with an innovative temperature gauge displayed on the LCD screen.
For the first time, Nikon SB-900 Speedlight users will have the ability
to take advantage of future performance advancements, by way of
user-uploadable firmware. The user will be able to download the firmware
onto a flash media card and upload it to the flash unit through select
digital SLR cameras.*
The SB-900 Speedlight is Nikon’s most intelligent Speedlight ever,
created in response to the needs of today’s digital photographic
professionals. When using the included fluorescent or incandescent filters
and adaptor, the flash automatically recognizes what filter is being used
and automatically adjusts white balance accordingly on the latest Nikon
D-SLRs.* Additionally, the SB-900 aids auto focus with a broader AF assist
beam that covers a wide 20-105mm that is matched to all of the D3, D700 and
D300′s 51 focus points. The bounce and swivel capability of the SB-900 has
been expanded to include: tilt up to 90 degrees, down minus 11 degrees, and
a full 180-degree swivel left or right, allowing more creativity for on or
off camera use, or as a remote Speedlight.
Expect the SB-900 to ship in August at a retail price of $499.99.
