SB900 - First try

Got two SB900 today. Very impressive, much bigger than the SB800 and does not "shake" on the D3. I set the speedlight to "Even" mode to check this new mode and got excellent results. I also like both other options: Standard and Center-Weight. Here's a sample(images cropped) with the D3+ AF85/1.4 and SB900 fired off the ceiling.

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....excellent light...and gorgeous skin tone!

Please understand that I love Nikon so take this comment with a grain of salt. I have had a total of (3) SB900 in 5 days. All of which have had some behaviorail issues. The first flash had a mind of its own and would without provocation swith modes. The second flash decided to overheat 12x in the time span of an hour. I did not shoot rapidly nor did I come close to the specifications set by Nikon in the owners manual. I recieved my 3rd unit yesterday and decided to turn off the thermal sensor. I would not suggest this if you are having no problems with your flash. I love what I have seen so far but this relationship needs some work. I have 2 SB800 and have yet to have these types of problems in my past. I work for one of the wire services and am somewhat qualified to know what one might expect from a flash of this caliber...

Beautiful model!

Dan Brenner said:

Got two SB900 today. Very impressive, much bigger than the SB800 and
does not "shake" on the D3. I set the speedlight to "Even" mode to
check this new mode and got excellent results. I also like both other
options: Standard and Center-Weight. Here's a sample(images cropped)
with the D3+ AF85/1.4 and SB900 fired off the ceiling.

Click to expand...

Hi,

This is very, very nice...

Thanks for sharing...

Take care
--

Renato

http://www.renato-lopes.com
http://www.renatolopesblog.com

Earl E. Gibson III said:

Please understand that I love Nikon so take this comment with a grain
of salt. I have had a total of (3) SB900 in 5 days. All of which have
had some behaviorail issues. The first flash had a mind of its own
and would without provocation swith modes. The second flash decided
to overheat 12x in the time span of an hour. I did not shoot rapidly
nor did I come close to the specifications set by Nikon in the owners
manual. I recieved my 3rd unit yesterday and decided to turn off the
thermal sensor. I would not suggest this if you are having no
problems with your flash. I love what I have seen so far but this
relationship needs some work. I have 2 SB800 and have yet to have
these types of problems in my past. I work for one of the wire
services and am somewhat qualified to know what one might expect from
a flash of this caliber...

Click to expand...

Interesting...I read similar problems, I'll hold off until next summer on my SB900 purchase my SB800 is serving me well, I just hate the control panel

I think you could have obtained similar results with either the SB 600 or 800 models as well. I would like to see the same shot with both flashes to see if there is a notable difference. The picture is very well captured. Dave
--
Visit my gallery at http://www.poperotzy.smugmug.com
There is a link for saving on your own Smugmug account.

I completely disagree. My 900's (both) stood up to 3500 pics in a day and never overheated once.

Yeah my SB900 is working fine too- no problems

Don't expect a noticeable difference in the picture. How you use it will determine that. The big advantages are the interface, recycle time and other features. I haven't looked at my 800's since I got the new one. Recycle time is so good with 4 sanyo eneloops that I didn't need an external pack anymore.

Exposure was similar if not identical to 800.

CLS performed flawlessly.

Overheating can occur if you push it, but then again, same thing went for the 800, it just wouldn't tell you.

The Canon 580EXII is far more (and I mean far more) of a pain with the overheating prevention feature to the point it cost me shots. The 900 never posed a problem. But when I shoot in conditions where there is a need for non stop shooting, I bump iso up to reduce flash demands as well as keep my aperture / shutter set so my flash only has to provide a stop or 2 of fill. In other words, I don't shoot at f8/ 125th at 200 iso in a dark room and get mad that the flash got hot because it was at full power on every shot. I would shoot at 80-3200 iso, f/2.8 - f/4.0 at whatever shutter I needed. Then the flash looks natural and I could shoot the 3500 pics in a day which averaged out to be about 1 pic every 10 seconds for 12 hours. No overheating. Ahhh, the advantages of the D3. By the way, I use the diffuser, the gel and angle the flash at 60 degrees and no issues.

I think with a little Shadow/Highlight, and a touch of NR, it gives the image a little more pop. BTW very nice capture.

MINE



YOURS

Dan Brenner said:

Click to expand...

Thanks Robert! Well done.

Respectfully disagree- your NR has smeared all the fine detail that that fine 85mm f/1.4 has captured in the first place.

It is what100% of all models prefer, also i left almost 95% of the same detail in the image.
Ask a model if she wants to see every detail in her face!
I agree many are over done, but not this one, and i never do.

This is the look agencies are after, look at any womens cosmetic add, you'll see..
Also it was more about Shadow/Highlights, not NR..

I respect your opinion, but i do what paying customers prefer, after all a portrait should not be a Macro shot.

Matthew Austin said:

Respectfully disagree- your NR has smeared all the fine detail that
that fine 85mm f/1.4 has captured in the first place.

Click to expand...

A good exposure but could you ask your subjects to manage a smile?

Don

Dan Brenner said:

Got two SB900 today. Very impressive, much bigger than the SB800 and
does not "shake" on the D3. I set the speedlight to "Even" mode to
check this new mode and got excellent results. I also like both other
options: Standard and Center-Weight. Here's a sample(images cropped)
with the D3+ AF85/1.4 and SB900 fired off the ceiling.

Click to expand...

Here's anoher version with some different colors and a small amile.

Robert_Kaz said:

It is what100% of all models prefer, also i left almost 95% of the
same detail in the image.

Click to expand...

You're absolutely correct about what most models want, but most of us here are photographers, not models.

Also, I respectfully disagree with your assessment that you left 95% of the detail. Specifically, looking at her forehead and right cheek (our left) the small patch of visible pores on each draws attention to the fact that all other skin detail and texture are lost. I suspect that you could get away with it if you also over-smoothed those two areas.

macdane

Robert_Kaz said:

Matthew Austin said:

Respectfully disagree- your NR has smeared all the fine detail that
that fine 85mm f/1.4 has captured in the first place.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Yes, its clear from advertising and mens magazines like maxim/fhm that this look is currently 'in vogue'.. i wont disagree there. On a personal level i really dislike it- i mean if they want people to look like that it'd be easier to just make up a computer model and render it.. remove the photographer completely!

I am more impressed by the lens every time I see a pro shot with this 85mm in capable hands on a FF sensor.

So what exactly could not be done by the SB800?

I think the 2nd pic has perfect colour and just the right amount of skin detail.Noise reduction has to be used so carefully.But you cant win with women.You think youve taken a good shot and they will always find something to complain about."My nose looks big,my arms look fat"etc etc etc.Thats what you look like my dear.Im a photographer,not a plastic surgeon!