SB-900: Do you have issues with your unit(s)? Kindly summarize and share. Thanks!

Being a newbie to the world of the D700, and doing much reading about the SB-900/800/600, I finally decided to opt for the SB-900...until finally reading the various "problems" threads vis-a-vis the SB-900. I like the feature set of the SB-900. The many issues reported thus far are something else...

May I kindly ask the owners of the SB-900 to share with us your experience with it? Thanks very much!

(1) Overall, are you happy with your SB-900?

(2) If not entirely pleased, kindly summarize the problem(s). Overheating? Roughly how many shots in how much time triggered the problem (i.e. 60 shots in 10 minutes? Or, 60 shots in 30 minutes?)? Please include your particular set up, i.e. using the standard built-in 4AA batteries, or, using alternate power sources?

(3) Resolution: Have you found a workaround?

i.e. (a) using 1.5v alkalines rather than the 1.2v NiMH (virtually all AA NiMH cells are 1.2v), (b) in-flash Exposure Compensation to -0.3, etc., to reduce power output, and thus, heat generation.

N.B.: Page F-5 of the Manual indicates 15 or less flashes at a continuous firing rate of 6 frames/second:



Based on the 15 firings at 6 frames/sec, wouldn't it stand to reason to extrapolate that at a rate of 2 frames per second, the SB-900 should be able to sustain 40+ firings before thermal cut off occurs?

hello,

I own the Sb-900 and Sb-600 and overall I am very pleased with both. First I would like to mention that I am not a pro and rather new to flash photography in general. I have been using the Sb-900 as my main flash since it was first available and I have never had it malfunction yet. When its on I use it a lot - typically a few hundred shots over a few hours. It has never overheated with me but it might be because of the way I shoot - in that it rest while I compose.

In basic use I dont really find much difference between the 900 and the 600 but the controls of the 900 make it much easier to use and with more features its a little easier to be more creative with it.

Haven't had that issue yet. But then again, I don't usually do full power flash shots since it often drowns out the other colors (and can lead to odd color shifts). I use just enough flash power to balance against the ambient lighting or for fill.

Often, I'll put it in M (on the flash) and set to 1/32 power or some suitable setting, depending on the situation (and taking distance to subject into consideration).

I also don't tend to do continous shooting with flash -- most of my shots are in single-servo mode. I do, however, use the NiMH batteries for the fastest recycle time.

sjidkov said:

hello,

I own the Sb-900 and Sb-600 and overall I am very pleased with both.
First I would like to mention that I am not a pro and rather new to
flash photography in general. I have been using the Sb-900 as my
main flash since it was first available and I have never had it
malfunction yet. When its on I use it a lot - typically a few
hundred shots over a few hours. It has never overheated with me but
it might be because of the way I shoot - in that it rest while I
compose.

In basic use I dont really find much difference between the 900 and
the 600 but the controls of the 900 make it much easier to use and
with more features its a little easier to be more creative with it.

Click to expand...

--
sjidkov: thanks for your reply.

may i ask what your pace/rate of shooting is? that is, your "few hundred shots over a few hours", is that 20 shots a minute, and then compose/think, and 5 minutes later, another 20 shots in a minute? or is it very evenly paced, like 2 pictures a minute but sustained over a couple of hours?

i think one big difference in the user experience can well be due to whether or not people use "bounce" flash or direct firing into the subject. Bounce would likely require a great deal more output, and thus, 50 pictures taken using bounce is not going to result in the same amount of heat generated as 50 pictures taken with the flash head aimed directly at the subject.

DO NOT USE THIS UNIT ON YOUR CAMERA TO TAKE FLASH PICTURES. IT IS ONLY MEANT TO LOOK REAL KOOL. LIKE HEY, DO YOU LIKE MY GREAT BIG FLASH GUN?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A40qojKE-3Q

I use Sanyo Eneloop batteries, no overheat problem, last a long long time on a single charge. When I shot that video, it was with the original firmware. I've since updated to 5.02 and still working just fine.

I wish the head can rotate like the Sony F68AM so the flash head can be on top in portrait mode without using flash bracket:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&XID=O:hvl-f58am:dg_ggldf&productId=8198552921665462455

I have 2 sb800's and 2 900's and generally shoot at -2/3 to -1 FEC usually at iso 800-1600 on the D3. I use powerex 2500 and 2700 nimh cells and greatly prefer the 900's over the 800's for the interface, as well as the gel holder which I use often. I have the upgraded firmware and just this weekend shooting an awards dinner, people were being called up to receive an award so each time I would shoot two frames and each time there was probably about a minute in between and one of the 900's shut down on me. I had a heart attack. Luckily, my other one was on hand and I switched quickly to a cold one. But I was honestly surprised. I have shot much harder than this in the past with this flash without this happening. But apparently I must have been pushing it as I usually shoot at f/2.8 and these awards were shot at f/5.6.

Just thought Id pass this on. I almost disabled the thermal cutoff. Maybe if it happens again. I have had both since they came out and this is the first time with the new firmware. But its not the flashes fault. Its just a protection...

Tested - was able to do 20 full-power flashes in 30 seconds.... I'd never put out that much light, so I figured it was good enough.

For weddings, I still do the perfect 'work around' - turned off the thermal cut-off feature - just in case.

That having been said, in use, I've never been able to get the thing to overheat.

--
jOE FEDERER
Websites: Most recent:
http://www.willowlakefarmwedding.com

i guess its like 15 or so pics in couple of minutes every ten or so minutes sometimes for нours on end.

I have had this flash cut out at weddings. My SB800's have been far more reliable than the SB900.

Have the latest firmware etc.

Cheers

Ron

RJSPhotography said:

I have had this flash cut out at weddings.

Click to expand...

With the termal cutoff switch disabled? That's new to me... I always assumed that, even though testing shows I'd be okay anyway, turning off the thermal shutdown protection made me doubley-safe..
--
jOE FEDERER
Websites: Most recent:
http://www.willowlakefarmwedding.com

I shoot weddings and use the flash with the diffuser on all the time, so the unit has to work very hard. On my SB800's I have never had a problem working fast and continuosly, but the SB900 cuts out quickly due to overheating. Switching the thermal sensor off in software only buys a little more time as a hardware thermal cutout then stops all action a few shots later. Local Nikon agents say that Nikon is aware of the problem (especially for the fast working pros) and is looking to find a solution. I find the fact that it is a problem really strange as the SB800's have never had a problem and are actually a bit more powerfull.

I am using it (from time to time) and loving it. In all fairness I haven't been doing much heavey flash shooting though.

--



Cheers,
FletchUK / Fletch147
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30649408@N00/

I own the 900. It definitely has an overheating issue. I'm not sure the number is 15 for iTTL, but there is some threshold. Many times, after multiple bursts the camera (D700/D3 in my case) just does not respond. You are pressing the shutter button and... nothing. Camera works in a rate of about 1-2 shots in 15sec.

But I usually get to this situation after about at least 30min of work in bursts in the "Cl" or "Ch" mode (of course, in Ch you get it faster than in Cl). Never had this problem in the "S". I guess there is enough time between shots in "S" mode.
I also believe it depends on weather or room temperature.

1. 2min of your test is not enough
2. Due to memory buffer overflow, your flash works in low rate

If you work longer time with real bursts, you get the problem.

As I said in other response below, I get it after about a half hour. Usually in CH mode (with both D700 and dD3), using different SB900 units.

I also believe it depends on weather or room temperature.

mateo goodman said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A40qojKE-3Q

I use Sanyo Eneloop batteries, no overheat problem, last a long long
time on a single charge. When I shot that video, it was with the
original firmware. I've since updated to 5.02 and still working just
fine.

I wish the head can rotate like the Sony F68AM so the flash head can
be on top in portrait mode without using flash bracket:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&XID=O:hvl-f58am:dg_ggldf&productId=8198552921665462455

Click to expand...

We have been using a mix of SB900's and 800's for about 5 months. We tend to shoot a lot of Asian wedding photography where there are a lot of large group shots and you have to work fast. The 900's are configured with the latest firmware and have thermal cutoff turned off but they still cut out.

I don't have any stats on the number of images / min needed to do this but it is a pain, but the interface on the flash head is much better and I prefer to work with the 900's if at all possible. I have a couple of work arounds.

1) Use non re-chargeable batteries, these do not seem to heat up as much and I have have not had any problems.

2) keep several sets of batteries and rotate them when you can. This allows them and the unit to cool down.

3) Buy an external power supply for the flash, taking the main heat source away from the unit (have not tried this yet)
--
Wedding Photography by Pixcellence http://www.pixcellence.co.uk/

Worked with an SB900 one time only, at a wedding this past summer. Horrible. Thermal shutdowns out the wazoo. I returned the unit for a refund and I'm sticking with my three SB-800s -- real workhorses that never seem to give up or give out no matter how hard I make them perform. One of my SB-800 units is five years old, still going strong.

dc

RJSPhotography said:

I have had this flash cut out at weddings. My SB800's have been far
more reliable than the SB900.

Have the latest firmware etc.

Cheers

Ron

Click to expand...

Yes I have disabled the thermostat - but believe me it still shuts down even using my SD9 battery pack.

Nikon should develope a new flash without this bad problem and offer all purchasers of the SB900 a new unit!

Cheers

Ron

Michael Probert said:

We have been using a mix of SB900's and 800's for about 5 months. We
tend to shoot a lot of Asian wedding photography where there are a
lot of large group shots and you have to work fast. The 900's are
configured with the latest firmware and have thermal cutoff turned
off but they still cut out.

I don't have any stats on the number of images / min needed to do
this but it is a pain, but the interface on the flash head is much
better and I prefer to work with the 900's if at all possible. I have
a couple of work arounds.

1) Use non re-chargeable batteries, these do not seem to heat up as
much and I have have not had any problems.

Click to expand...

Interesting idea, however I don't understand how it can solve the problem. Overheating is caused by the lamp and not by batteries... Am I wrong?

Michael Probert said:

2) keep several sets of batteries and rotate them when you can. This
allows them and the unit to cool down.
3) Buy an external power supply for the flash, taking the main heat
source away from the unit (have not tried this yet)
--
Wedding Photography by Pixcellence http://www.pixcellence.co.uk/

Click to expand...