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10/01/2008 06:34:00 AM · #1 |
I know there are a couple folks that have picked up the 900 on here... and plenty with the 800. My question is this: I'm looking to get one of the two soon, and basically here is what I'm wondering: Is the 900 worth the extra money on top of the 800? I've read the menu interface alone is nearly worth it, and also that it's different "distribution patterns" work pretty well. The possibility of more zoom is also appealing to me. One thing that concerned me though is the overheat protection, which, though it's nice to not blow up your flash, I had read is a bit overly sensitive. Pretty much I'm looking for maximum versatility and it's looking like that is what the SB900 brings to the table, but I wanted to make sure. So far I am rather terrible with lighting and want to start improving that area, so versatility is paramount (in my mind) to letting me learn a wide variety of lighting scenarios. Anybody have any pro's/cons for the two side-by-side?
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10/01/2008 07:20:43 AM · #2 |
| I don't have a SB-900, but from what I've seen and read it's not worth the extra cost over the SB-800 IMO. Especially when perfect SB-800's can be easily had off of eBay. |
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10/01/2008 05:09:34 PM · #3 |
The extra cost on the SB-900 was worth it for me for the little switch to go between remote and normal. Seriously. And if you're trying to learn lighting, this may be important for you as well.
And even shooting with continuous flash, I've never even the temp monitor move, so while it's a good feature, it doesn't get in the way. The filter holding system for the 900 is also a lot nicer than the 800. I like my SB-900 considerably more than my old 800 just in terms of operating it. In terms of results, they're identical though. |
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10/03/2008 06:33:21 AM · #4 |
| Any other opinions.... come on... gotta be more than two people |
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10/03/2008 07:19:00 AM · #5 |
| i recently bought a used 800 off of ebay for $203 in mint shape... if you look closely, you will find those deals... at that price, the 800 is a much better option |
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10/03/2008 11:17:37 AM · #6 |
My lighting consists 4 SB-800's, 2-3 are controlled by Quantum Turbox2 batteries. For my last portrait learning I kept rapidly hitting the PocketWizards test-button, to get a "preview of the lighting". Running at 1/128, 1/32, 1/16, they did not burn up. Normal recycling is 1.7 sec at full 1/1 power with the quantum batteries.
I'll have to research burning/overheating more. Hopefully it won't happen, if I give them a break after a burst of flashes.
I've already made my purchase, not planning to upgrade to the SB-900. |
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10/03/2008 02:04:21 PM · #7 |
Thanks  justamistere for your input... this was exactly why I was questioning the "overheat" function of the 900. I hadn't read that the 800s were prone to exploding due to overheat or anything, and thus wondered why they even added in the function (understandably blowing up a $425 flash sucks... but at the price of standard performance being inhibited.... not sure if the threshold should be set so low). Maybe I should clarify though. I understand that the 800 is very, very, capable. What I'm asking is if a first time investment in a nice, dedicated flash should go to the 900 or the 800, given the price and considering I want maximum flexibility. I am wary of ebay and also don't have an account (though I use paypal), but not necessarily afraid of used products. Just have had friends get badly burned on ebay for any number of things, and would rather spend a bit more money for security than risk it. |
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10/03/2008 04:32:17 PM · #8 |
eBay is definitely a buyer beware environment. They do have a buyer "protection" plan, but that too can be iffy. That being said, I have only had one, what I would call really bad experience in 11 years on eBay. Even then I got my money back. (Just got a negative revenge feed back for my trouble.)
The important adage is, like the rest of life, if it is too good to be true, it probably is. Don't deal with new or low feedback people on expensive and popular items. Read their feedback before bidding. Look to see if they normally sell the kind of thing you want to buy. (If the account has previously only bought beanie babies, and now has a Ferrari for sale for $1, then it is likely a hijacked account.) Watch the shipping and handling. High shipping charges don't make it a deal breaker, just factor them into your bid.
Lastly, when they say untested, consider it broken. How poor a business person do you need to be to not plug something in and turn it on? People who sell regularly know that "tested working" will bring you a lot more money. Have you ever bought anything, especially used, that you had for more than a day, that you did not check to see if it even worked? |
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