Nikon SB-900: The Basics

This video demonstrates the basic hands-on demonstration on Nikon's new professional-grade speedlight of SB-900.

Note, there's a typo while flash head panning demonstration, it starts from 0º, 45º, 90º, then 180º both ways around.

If you are not so sure about SB-900's "Light Pattern" - SB-900 can throw light in different directions: Above, Even, and Below. Below is useful when you are using the flash on a flash bracket.

The DX and FX feature in the SB-900 allows you to use iTTL, iTTL-BL, iTTL-FP, or iTTL-BL-FP more accurately on FX and DX camera bodies. It will automatically switch to DX if you enter the DX Crop Mode on D3 / D3X / D700. SB-900 will automatically get the signal from the camera body and it will switch to either DX or FX. You can manually override that feature if you wish.

Enjoy.

Music: Man from Two Worlds / Blues Medley by Chico Hamilton

For wireless flash compatibility chart
• D3000 - Built-In Flash
• D40 - Built-In Flash
• D40X - Built-In Flash
• D50 - Built-In Flash
• D60 - Built-In Flash
• D70 - Built-In Flash
• D70s - Built-In Flash
• D80 - Built-In Flash
• D90 - Built-In Flash
• D100 - Built-In Flash
• D200 - Built-In Flash
• D300 - Built-In Flash
• D700 - Built-In Flash
• D1-Series - External Unit
• D2-Series - External Unit
• D3-Series - External Unit

The SB-900 have SU-4 Mode, which allows the flash to be triggered wirelessly using onboard flash alone with non-CLS-Compatible digital SLR's. If one wish to prevent the onboard flash from reaching the subject, buy a $7 Nikon SG-3IR Panel and slide it into the flash hot shoe.

On the another hand, the SB-900 could be triggered wirelessly by having SB-400 and / or SB-600 onboard (SB-900 switched to SU-4 Mode) or having SB-800, SB-900, or SU-800 onboard (SB-800 switched to Remote Mode). The SB-900 could be connected and triggered with Pocketwizards (MultiMAX and / or Plus / Plus II) due to built-in external PC terminal.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Nikon
• SB-900
• Creative
• Lighting
• System
• CLS
• Basics
• Demonstration
• Hands
• On
• Preview
• Review

[DeathStar012]

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

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yup.

[superkiwizorro]

@briefjoy then stop being lazy. problem solved.

[superkiwizorro]

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

user manuals come in handy, you know.

[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?

[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.

[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]

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

[AZNFlipy12]

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

[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.