SB-900 AF Speedlight

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Key Features

Powerful, Versatile Speedlight Unit
Atop the Nikon Creative Lighting System, the SB-900 is an indispensable portable light source providing effective solutions to lighting challenges.

Nikon’s Precision i-TTL Flash Control
Delivers precise flash exposures and seamless fill-flash performance—even in challenging lighting situations.

Complete Flash Head Positioning Freedom
Bounce 90°up and 7°down with 360° rotation elevates creative lighting freedom.

Hot Shoe and Wireless Operation
Use on-camera, as a wireless Master Commander or as a wireless remote light source.

Renowned Dedicated Wireless Flash Control
Wireless Commander Mode offers wireless control at the master Speedlight position, controlling up to 3 remote Speedlight groups and an unlimited number of compatible Speedlights. Four wireless channel options help manage wireless conflicts in multi-photographer environments.

Expanded Auto Power Zoom Coverage
Smoothly covers lenses as wide as 17mm and up to 200mm in FX-format and as wide as 12mm and up to 200mm in DX-format use.

Choose From 3 Light Distribution Patterns
Optimize light quality by selecting Standard for general illumination, Center-weighted for portraits or Even, for groups or interiors.

Streamlined Controls and Menus
Convenient Rotary Select Dial sets key functions quickly and a prominent Master and Remote control switch simplifies wireless operation.

Color Gel Filter Identification
Automatically identifies mounted color gel filters and adjusts camera white-balance.* *With select Nikon digital SLRs

Flash Tube Overheat Protection
An added measure of safety is provided for sustained high-speed bursts.

Automatic Format Identification
Automatically senses the FX or DX-format camera in use and optimizes light distribution.

Flash Value (FV) Lock
Locks in a specific flash output on the main subject, regardless of aperture, composition or the lens’ zoom position.*
*With select Nikon digital SLRs

Firmware Updating
Allows uploading of performance enhancement developments.*
*With select Nikon digital SLRs

Drip-Proof Mounting Foot Cover (Water Guard)*
Provides enhanced moisture protection.
*Optional

LCD, Video and Photo Gallery images are for illustrative purposes only.

Tech Specs

Guide Number

34 m/111.5 ft. (at ISO 100, 35mm zoom head position, in FX format, standard illumination pattern, 20°C/68°F) to 48 m/157.5 ft. (at ISO 200, 35mm zoom head position, in FX format, standard illumination pattern, 20°C/68°F)
Lens Coverage

8 to 11mm (DX-format, Automatic mode with built-in wide-angle panel deployed)
12 to 17mm (FX-format, Automatic mode with built-in wide-angle panel deployed)
12 to 200mm (DX-format, Automatic mode)
17 to 200mm (FX-format, Automatic mode)
Bounce Function (Tilt)

Flash head tilts down to -7° or up to 90° with click-stops at -7°, 0°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°.
Bounce Function (Rotate)

Flash head rotates horizontally 180° to the left and right with click-stops at 0°, 30°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 120°, 150°, 180°
Approx. Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth)

3 in.
(78 mm)
x 5.7 in.
(146 mm)
x 4.7 in.
(118.5 mm)
Approx. Weight (Without Batteries)

14.6 oz.
(415 g)

Specifications

Commander Function

Yes
Remote Function

Yes
Guide Number

34 m/111.5 ft. (at ISO 100, 35mm zoom head position, in FX format, standard illumination pattern, 20°C/68°F) to 48 m/157.5 ft. (at ISO 200, 35mm zoom head position, in FX format, standard illumination pattern, 20°C/68°F)
Flash Exposure Control

Distance-priority manual flash
i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash with CLS compatible cameras
Manual Flash (with Nikon Creative Lighting System digital and 35mm SLR cameras)
Lens Coverage

8 to 11mm (DX-format, Automatic mode with built-in wide-angle panel deployed)
12 to 17mm (FX-format, Automatic mode with built-in wide-angle panel deployed)
12 to 200mm (DX-format, Automatic mode)
17 to 200mm (FX-format, Automatic mode)
Illumination pattern

The light distribution angle is automatically adjusted to the camera's image area in both FX and DX formats
Standard
Even
Center-weighted
Other Available Functions

Test Firing
Monitor Pre-flashes
AF-assist illuminator
Modeling illuminator
Bounce Function (Tilt)

Flash head tilts down to -7° or up to 90° with click-stops at -7°, 0°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°.
Bounce Function (Rotate)

Flash head rotates horizontally 180° to the left and right with click-stops at 0°, 30°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 120°, 150°, 180°
Flash Duration

1/880 sec. at M 1/1 (full) output
1/1100 sec. at M 1/2 output
1/2550 sec. at M 1/4 output
1/5000 sec. at M 1/8 output
1/10000 sec. at M 1/16 output
1/20000 sec. at M 1/32 output
1/35700 sec. at M 1/64 output
1/38500 sec. at M 1/128 output
Required Power Source

Four 1.2V Ni-MH (AA-size) batteries
Four 1.5V Alkaline-manganese (AA-size) batteries
Four 1.5V Lithium (AA-size) batteries
Optional Power Supply

SK-6 Power Bracket Unit
SD-8A High-Performance Battery Pack
SD-9 High-Performance Battery Pack
Flash-ready Indicator

Rear and Front lights blink: Insufficient light for correct exposure (in i-TTL, Auto Aperture flash, Non-TTL Auto flash, or Distance-priority manual flash operations).
Rear lights up and Front blinks: recycled and ready to fire.
Flash Compensation

–3.0 EV to +3.0 EV in increments of 1/3 steps in i-TTL auto flash, Auto Aperture flash, Non-TTL auto flash and Distance-priority manual flash modes
Custom Setting

AF-Assist Illumination
Modeling Illuminator
Monitor pre-flashes
Test firing
Wireless Flash Modes

Master
Master (RPT)
Off
Remote
SU-4
Other Functions

Firmware update
ISO sensitivity setting
Key lock
Recalling the underexposure value in the TTL auto flash mode
Resetting the settings
Thermal cut-out
Approx. Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth)

3 in.
(78 mm)
x 5.7 in.
(146 mm)
x 4.7 in.
(118.5 mm)
Approx. Weight (Without Batteries)

14.6 oz.
(415 g)

For a full list of the technical specifications please refer to the product manual.

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