The ultimate solution in lighting control
Offering exceptionally fast, powerful and versatile operation, Nikon's outstanding new flagship Speedlight is the future of flash photography.
Standout features include a moving diffuser and light source that can zoom from 17-200mm in just 1.2 seconds. There's also a choice of centre-weighted, standard and even illumination to best suit your subject.
Bounce flash capability is provided with a head that tilts up by 90º and down by 11º, with horizontal rotation through 180º. To further boost your creativity, Advanced Wireless Lighting enables control of up to three remote groups of Speedlights from the master SB900.
The SB900 is perfectly adapted to both FX and DX formats, automatically selecting the appropriate light distribution pattern for the sensor format, and is fully compatible with Nikon Creative Lighting System.
Flash has never been so creative.
Key features
- Extended zoom range of 17-200mm
- Improved booster circuit for high-speed recycling time
- New AF-Assist illumination covers 20-105mm focal range
- Built-in thermal sensor to prevent overheating
- Colour-temperature control via colour filter auto-detection
- World's first flash unit firmware update function from the camera
Specification
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 center-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, Color Filter Set SJ-900, Color Filter Holder SZ-2, Soft Case SS-900
Optional accessories
Color 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 (20ºC/68ºF).
Specifications and design are subject to change without notice.
Oxyride Battery is a registered trademark of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Products and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. July 2008 ©2008 Nikon Corporation
