Nikon SB-900: The Basics

[superkiwizorro]

@briefjoy then stop being lazy. problem solved.

[pritulaag]

I have a concern. My SB-900 fires 2 \, sometimes 3 pre-flashes before the main flash fires. I have gone through the custom settings but can't seem to get rid of those 2 pre-flashes. How do you turn it off?

[superkiwizorro]

@pritulaag you looked in the wrong place. it's your camera, turn off red eye reduction.

user manuals come in handy, you know.

[DeathStar012]

I got a question. Can SB-900 be set at manual while having auto zoom feature?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yup.

[AZNFlipy12]

hi its me again but does the sb 900 support af assist for many af points or just the center one.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

All AF points. It depends on what AF area mode and motor drive you use.

[AZNFlipy12]

@Lilkiwiguy87 how about dynamic point af on AF-S mode

[Lilkiwiguy87]

This video will help, watch from 4:24 to 5:43: watch?v=VWBPnGRY95o

[vinesboyseventysix]

top shelf video. perfect info at the right speed. thanks.

Reckon I should look further for a different flash or this would be the best for a nikon D60? shooting night portraits of singles up to 3 or 4 up to around 5meters. Overkill?

thanks again :)

[Lilkiwiguy87]

If you don't plan to use the SB-900 seriously then yes, a little overkill. Not to mention, the SB-900 is a little too heavy for the D60's hot shoe, which means you have to be careful and not bump it onto something solid. If you want a speedlight that is much less than a SB-900, take a look at SB-700 (SB-600's successor).

[vinesboyseventysix]

@Lilkiwiguy87 thanks so much, yes I expected an answer like that. D60 is a very tiny DSLR and the 900 seem huge. Appreciate the reply.

Take care now

[AZNFlipy12]

@Lilkiwiguy87 would the sb 900 be to heavy for a D90s shoe?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

A little.

[AZNFlipy12]

@Lilkiwiguy87 But i'd still be able to manage, right?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yup. If you're, honestly, a klutz like many others, take look at lighter speedlights like SB-600 and SB-800 (only could be bought secondhand today). That way, the lightweight will do less damage to the camera's hotshoe when you bump into something.

[AZNFlipy12]

@Lilkiwiguy87 just bought my 900 just a few hours ago and i dont find it that heavy

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yeah, we know it's not that heavy but to your camera's hot shoe, yes, it is.

[AZNFlipy12]

@Lilkiwiguy87 But ill be fine as long as i don't bump into stuff right? When shooting tall,should I hold my camera by the flash or the lens due to that fact the flash is heavy for the shoe (i know my idea sounds stupid)

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yup.

No that's a bad idea. Hold by the camera, not the lens or flash. Hold the lens if it's bigger than your camera.

[mamaphoto1213]

Yup, I had it on Continuous focus. Duh. Your videos are so great. I am still an idiot with mastering my flash. Any other tutorials you have that you can recommend?

Keep kicking butt.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

• Read your SB-900 user's manual, entirely

• Read your camera user's manual for further information on flash

• If you want, watch How to Use Flash Tutorial (on our channel)

[mamaphoto1213]

Just got my sb900 and I can't figure out why the AF assist light is not illuminating. I have it set to on, but no luck. I'm in a dark room too. Any thoughts?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

• Set camera for Single Servo AF (AF-S)

• Reset or move the AF point back to the center of frame

Voila.

[thugzo]

How do you know if you need to update your software n your SB-900. I also have the Nikon D90

[Lilkiwiguy87]

If your SB-900's firmware is not 5.0.2 then that is when you have to update it.

[streetstaruk]

got my sb900, and i have had no issues with it working with my Nikon d90 on or off camera, pheew. didnt have to do any firmware updates or anything. it works fine :) bless.

[streetstaruk]

hey there. love your tutorials =D. u have probably anwsered this question a million times lol. i have a nikon d90 and i wish to purches a sb900, can u enlighten me on the firmware update, i see many people ask about. would be much appritiated. keep up the great videos. thanks

[Lilkiwiguy87]

1: Download firmware update from Nikon's website onto memory card. 2: Slide SB-900 onto D90's hotshoe then turn on. 3: Insert memory card then turn camera on. 4: Menu button > Setup > Firmware Update 5: Update from old version to new version. 6: Let camera and flash sit as it installs the update. 7: Once done, turn off camera and flash to restart. 8: SEL button (SB-900) > FIrmware Ver. (make sure it is up to date). 9: Format memory card 10: Shoot. It will only takes three minutes.

[streetstaruk]

@Lilkiwiguy87 thanks for your quick reply =D cheers.

[ogscorpion]

Thank you for this video. I do have a soft of an off-topic question here. Beiing a beginner and all, how do you update the firmware on the SB-900 using a D90? I have a new D90 and SB-900 and would like to know how to perform the firmware update.

Any assistance is appreciated.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Please check your email, thanks.

[Randyh9]

Can I use the Nikon SB-900 or 600 with a Casio EX-F1? Or does it only work with Nikon cameras? thanks in advance. -wrh

[Lilkiwiguy87]

We are not 100% sure but if it is possible, then manual mode only. The Nikon speedlights' contacts are designed differently from all other brands except for one large contact that is universal (to fire the flash, nothing else). We would suggest you to rent it out to make sure it works before buying.

[Randyh9]

@Lilkiwiguy87 Thanks!

[nernstrom]

thanks dude

[AZNFlipy12]

hey dude at 0:09 is it actually continuosly lighting or it it just me?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

It's just a reflection from the ARRI lights above.

[kingocarina]

have you experienced the gels melting at all?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes, it's normal according to SB-900 user's manual.

[kingocarina]

@Lilkiwiguy87 Do the gels still work after? Or do they wonk up the light?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

It's still useable. SB-900 comes with a supplied gel filter holder, which will keep the wrinkled gel filter(s) flat when attached onto the SB-900's head. If you lost the gel filter holder attachment, you can just use masking tape to hold the gel filter onto the flash head's window. Either way won't mess up the lighting.

[snakeytron]

Great heLp! thank you very much

[ragenumbers]

Is the Sb900 compatitable with the D3000?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yup.

[daami12]

@ragenumbers Yes of course ! :)

[79582]

stan5088 only buy the sb900 with all the gells (4 in total), stand, filter holder and diffuse dome! If they are offering anything less than this, you are getting ripped off mate!!!!!!

[stan5088]

Thanks lilkiwiguy87 for the advice.

[stan5088]

Hi. im from Malaysia. and i've check with the dealer here and they said the gel filter holder (with ic chip) does not come together when u buy the SB 900. and they have no ideas tat the gel filter holder exist.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Looks like you're about to buy a SB-900 from a scam shop where they take away everything except the SB-900 then make you pay an extra for all the non-Nikon-brand accessories. We suggest you to shop somewhere else.

The SB-900 comes with SJ-900 color filter set and SZ-2 gel filter holder, it does not differ by region, it's universal accessories that is supplied with the SB-900.

[lostinspain]

@Lilkiwiguy87

filters and filter holder comes together with the sb 900

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Uh, yeah, we just said that.

[stan5088]

Does the gel filter holder (with the ic chip) comes together when u purchase the SB 900?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yup.

[popitn2nd]

is the SB-900 compatible on a NIKON F5?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

No. The F5 uses older DTTL technology instead of iTTL. Only SB-28DX, SB-50DX, and SB-80DX are compatible with F5.

[sissyboo]

Is the SB-900 compatible on a D90? The SB-900 looks like a pretty sweet toy ..

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yup.

[CoOokiePL]

Nice vid, but you should correct 90' left and right into 180' and 45'up to 90' :) Thanks for sharing though.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yeah, we left the memo in the video description for nearly two years now.

[CoOokiePL]

@Lilkiwiguy87 My bad - didn't see that :) Thanks again, I think I will buy SB-900 rather than 800.

[mails4lami]

Thanks for your good work, your demonstration of the SB900 is great.

[alvarez1977]

I do alot of dark inside club and concerts settings, what would be the ideal setting for me for speed during a show or to catch people dancing etc...

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Oh, no, you wouldn't want to use a flash at concerts because concerts have beautiful stage lighting; the flash will just kill it.

For good results, try these.

• Fast prime lenses (F/1.4 lenses)

• Crank the ISO up high

• Set the SB-900 for iTTL (iTTL-BL for backlit shots)

• Use the EV Compensation on the SB-900 to balance the exposure.

• Diffuse dome attached

Be sure to read your SB-900 user's manual.

[noslen1968]

A couple quick questions:

Does leaving the 900 in standby drain the batteries much? - I mean for long periods of overnight or more.

Is there a way to tell how much power the 900 just put out in TTL? - as a matter of trivia, I guess.

Thank you for these great vids and help.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

1: Yes, you can leave your SB-900 in Standby Mode for a week without losing the battery power. Left mines on for two weeks by accident and works like charm once turned on.

2: Sorry, no battery life indicator but if the battery are running low, the SB-900 will take longer to recycle the battery (ready lamp blinking for several seconds). It's hit and miss condition.

[GoPlayer1248]

NICE VID

[Kinglevel]

just to have a infrared focus lamp is awsome.

Just bought new gear, the 900 seems nice..

[KatakiUchiha]

I have a D60 and I was wondering how the handling is with this flash on a camera of that size? Would I have to worry about the camera getting really "top heavy" or is it not bad?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Not a problem using the SB-900 on D40, just be careful not to bump the SB-900 onto something hard.

[blackneno]

very helpful!! thanks :)

[jjandayan14]

always very very helpful!!!.. thanks alot..

[Canti0]

Hey, I own a D300 and I was wandering if I could trigger the SB-900 wireless way without my D300 flash up, (without a "pre trigger flash"), or do I have to buy another flash or SU-800 to do it? :/ Thanks!

[Lilkiwiguy87]

If you have $20 in your wallet... Buy Nikon SG-31IR, slide it in then pop up the D300's flash and fire away. It will still trigger the SB-900 without ruining the image with built-in flash going off.

[Light0002]

Ok, thanks.

[eywl7]

so what's the deal with thermal shutdown and overheating? should I be afraid?

Someone said it has to do with the type of battery and said to use sanyo eneloops so you wont have a problem. not sure if it is true

[Lilkiwiguy87]

We had a video that discusses the overheating issue but there are too much flame war going on so we removed it.

The SB-900 overheats due to slow recycling time from low battery energy coming from rechargeable AA batteries.

The SB-900 will not experience overheating if you use more durable batteries such as Duracell Copper Top AA batteries or Energizer MAX AA batteries (both are alkaline batteries).

Absolutely NO firmware update for SB-900 solved the overheating issue, it is an user error.

[unknownchronicles]

Wow, that one complicated yet wonderful flash @-) I have yet to master my sb 600 :))

[sk8rhippie]

is the sb-900 compatible with the d40x? [it's me...the high ISO guy lol]

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes, of course. Simply switch Image Area mode for DX on the SB-900 then fire away.

[Meduzi]

I've just bought a 900.

It's certainly fast! It's talks well with the D90.

[IdiotsGon3Wild]

I love my SB-900 !!!

I'm so glad I bought one.

[joey75220]

very nice vlog, Chief. Can't afford this right now...I will stick w/my SB800. Maybe one day...

[fittestbubble17]

nice video =) i was thinking about getting the sb 800, but now i think im gonna wait a lil bit longer to get the sb 900. thanks again dude.