Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack

[naignik]

how about overheating issue for the speedlight?

[superkiwizorro]

@naignik nah, it won't overheat the sb-900 or sb-910. the overheating issue is caused by low current voltage from the batteries. adding more batteries will keep the flash pretty cool. it's no problem with all other flashes.

[DeathStar012]

Is Sd-8A compatible for Nissin Di866?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes, only SD-8A, not the newer SD-9.

[mytlee]

I just bought my SD-8a and have tried to replicate something close to what you were doing in this video.

I have copied what I think is everything you have set on this flash. M1/1, ISO100, 24mm, F5.6, Duracell Coppertops are also used.

The only difference is that I'm using a D300, instead of your D3. So therefore I can only get 8-9 fps.

However, the best that I have been able to get the flash to fire is 5 or 6 frames and the rest have no flash.

Any ideas?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

(copy/paste from video description)

"FYI: The high power continuous flash burst takes place when the batteries are freshly inserted. After few flash shots, it won't happen again as the batteries are beginning to work normally."

[TheDukedoit]

This may have already been asked but I couldn't find it.

Any idea what the PC-Sync Cord is for and if it's necessary for the SB-800?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

We used to have a discussion on this very question but had to delete them because everyone began a flame war. Some said PC sync cord is effective or has no effect on SB-800. Effective: triggers the SD-8A to recycle the SB-800 and/or send signal to the SD-8A's lamp that tell you the flash fired. Ineffective: does nothing but still recycles the SB-800. No straight answer or explanation from the user's manual, either.

[timpzannoyed]

can this pack be used on older flashes like the SB-25?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes.

[AGC828]

So 6 (SD-8A power pack) + 5 on the flash was required? For a total of 11 AA's?

Also, is it possible to get the flash to fire at 6 FPS without the power pack and the 5th battery on the flash?

As well, using this 11 battery setup, if it can deliver the power needed to fire at 11 FPS I'm assuming it can do 6 FPS no problem? Same mode "M 1/1"? Can you get away with "M 1/8"?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes, you need total of 11 AA batteries in order to get the combination to work (when using a SB-800 with recycling pack attached).

Depending on what flash mode and EV or flash power is being used, you might get away with shooting at 6 frames per second. The best option is to increase the ISO sensitivity to cut the flash power.

Yes, it could be easily done with M-1/8 flash power setting.

[AGC828]

@Lilkiwiguy87 Can you give me an example of the settings required to get 6 FPS only using the SB-800 (4 NiMH batteries) alone? I'd have to manually increase the ISO to ____ and set the flash power to _____? I guess you can't do it leaving the flash in TTL+BL mode.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Well, we cannot exactly give you an example because the results will be different, depending on where and when you're shooting.

Here's an example.

You're shooting at 1/125s at F/5.6, ISO 200 in a dark indoors space and your flash is getting exhausted from firing at M-1/2 power. To cut the power, increase the ISO to 400 or 800 then cut the power by one or two stops to M-1/4 (ISO 400) or M-1/8 (ISO 800). You will get balanced exposure doing this way.

[sanjuacharya]

Thats a BEAST!

[dez5]

Good video,

How much voltage is this unit putting out?

considering the capacitors pump-up value.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

9 volts for the SD-8A and 12 volts for the SD-9 / Quantum Turbo 2x2. That's with primary (non-rechargeable) AA batteries only.

[astracha13]

Question: Does this battery pack work in conjunction with the 4 (or 5) batteries in the SB800 unit or does it replace them entirely? Basically, if I were to load fresh batteries in both and shoot like crazy till the SD-8a died, would my batteries in the SB800 still have a charge or also be wiped out?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes, the SD-8A (or SD-9) works with the batteries loaded in the SB- speedlights to cut the recycling time, it does not replace the flash batteries.

If the batteries go dead in the SD-8A / SD-9, the batteries in the flash will be on their own and the slow recycling time will return until you replace the batteries in the SD-8A / SD-9.

[JeFfAiMeEAjBj]

Hi! Is there no any problem or damaging the SB-800 to fire with 11 battery on it? cause on its SB alone consisted of 4 bat's plus 6 on the SD-8A is it ok? mind you to ask cause I am just new in the world of photography and i had SB-800 but im always having a problem with my battery which is I used the energizer 2500. can you suggest a better battery for nikon?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

No problem working with 11 batteries (4 in SB-800, 1 in recycling pack on SB-800, and 6 in SD-8A / SD-9), that way will cut the recycling time much quicker.

We always recommend Duracell Coppertop AA Alkaline batteries (heavy duty / durable and non-rechargeable). Rechargeable batteries do not have enough voltage to keep up the flash running (Duracell uses 15V, which is fast enough, and lasts longer).

Good luck.

[jerrymen007]

@Lilkiwiguy87 gg

[pedalman]

Hello lilkiwiguy, Im thinking of getting a SD9 pack for my SB900.....or a quantum pack. ???? maybe.

What would your comments / recommendations be .

the vids you do are brill', must take a lot of time to put together.

Alan.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

The SD-9 / SD-8A and Quantum Turbo have the same performance in delivering the highest battery voltage to cut the recycling time. You can get either unless you don't mind paying nearly $600 for the Quantum.

[pedalman]

Thanks for that reply , if they are all equal then I take your point about the quantum , here in the uk the SB9 is £175.

My reasoning with the quantum was I have just bought the Nikon MC36 remote release cable ( £140 ) and I was very dissapointed in the quality of the unit it feels cheap and nasty flimsy plastic, I havnt seen a SB9 yet and was hoping it was a bit more substantial and in keeping with Nikons quality feel.

[darkestshow]

this is insane xD

i love this!

[acapmex1]

Hey , I just recieved mine tonight, I tryed it on my D90, but it failed, by the 8 shot the sb-800 weaked its power, my camera shoots only 4.5 frames per second, I can see your d3 is a lot faster and all the flashes were even, also It states that it is not recomended to shoot more than 15 continues shooting, without allowing 10 before using it again, kind a disapointed :(

[AllAmericanGuy01]

Daaaaaamn lol.

That sounds like a taser going off.

I should of saved my money and bought the SB800, I was so anxious to buy one, I ended up with the SB600. UGH! Hopefully the I will be content with the SB800

[bridgeoverwater627]

Hey Joey, two questions.

#1- Am I correct in assuming that this will also work on the SB-900 too?

#2- Is thre an available power pack that doesn't need to have batteries inserted, just plug in to charge, or is this it?

Thanks bro!

[Lilkiwiguy87]

1: Yes.

2: You need batteries to keep it charged, it doesn't fire the flash when there are no batteries in the flash unit.

[Shmithers]

I am buying one of these tomorrow thanks to your vid. Looks like a great product.

[Kinglevel]

Man.. thats fast...!

But you also plugged it into the sync connection, why? Could i still use my radio sync?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

It doesn't do anything if you plug it into the PC sync terminal except sending a signal to the SD-8A to let you know the flash fired. You can just unplug it and put a Pocketwizard in the PC sync terminal while the flash are being connected to SD-8A battery pack, no problem.

[TotalNoize300]

man that guy on top was trying to get smart with you. its funny because most of the time they end up being wrong about with wat they said:P

U showed him up! hahha

anyway i need something like this for me...it would help me out alot. i hate havign switch out dead batteries on a gig. and its cheap!:D

[c11umw]

I can see it maybe being an issue on a D3 at 11fps, but not my D330/700 at 5/6/8 fps. Depends what you shoot I guess

[Lilkiwiguy87]

It's not the camera - it depends on the type of battery you are using and the flash power output (such as shooting at M-1/1, full power). With or without SD-8A Battery Pack, the SB-900 can do full power at 11 frames per second no problem, of course it will drain the batteries pretty fast then acts normally after about 120 fires.

[kaldrich2]

Very nice. Especially if you are using SB-800s as a more cost effective method than buying $1,000+ studio strobes.

One question though.... when recycling that fast to the batteries get pretty hot? I've pulled batteries out of my SB-800 that were really hot when not recycling anywhere near that fast. I'm worried about damage from searing batteries!

[Lilkiwiguy87]

NEVER use rechargeable batteries with any flashes or battery packs. Use Duracell Alkaline Bronze-Top batteries, they last much longer.

[mrclick0024]

Thank you for your help,you are the best......

[mrclick0024]

I enjoy very much your instructions,I own a sb25,I am sure this power pack will work with the sb25....what do you think?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes, it's fully compatible with the SD-8A Battery Pack, should work, no problem.

[justsomekid2]

kinda wish I'd bought the sb-800 instead of the 600

[ghetofridge]

haha first view.. and comment.

your hella awesome