Nikon SB900 Ownbers...? - DPChallenge Forums

05/15/2010 10:33:47 AM · #1

I have an SB600...that I never use because I can't stand it. I push buttons according to the manual and nothing happens...I mean nothing. Like I press MODE and there's no change of screen...Zoom with the + - ...zilch...on the other hand tomorrow the same buttons might yield some reaction.

SO, I need an SB900...I think, for an event because I can't play any games this week with the 600. Are there any users out there? What do you think...is it easier to use than the SB600 or 800? I have a week to get it together with no room to spare. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance - S

Message edited by author 2010-05-15 10:35:33.

Citadel

Nikon D7500

05/15/2010 11:02:53 AM · #2

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Not sure about the other buttons but one thing I found out (the hard way unfortunately) is that zoom doesn't work with the diffuser screen down. In fact it has to be up and pushed right back into the flash head. Otherwise it stays at the wide end. In retrospect that makes sense I guess. Other than that I haven't had a lot of problems with mine. If its off camera I hit mode to get to M for manual then I adjust the power with the plus/minus. If its on camera (well, on a flash bracket anyways) I leave it in TTL mode. If I need to adjust the output I do it on the camera in that case.

Unfortunately, I haven't got any experience with the 800 or the 900 so I can't comment on that part of your question.

05/15/2010 11:14:18 AM · #3

No....I'm done with the SB600. It's quirky...and basically doesn't work. Everytime I use it, I get different results with the controls. Tomorrow if I try it things will be perfect the next day...I have no idea.

I'm hoping the SB900 isn't hard to learn, like the SB800 because if I had trouble understanding the SB600 which is easy by comparison...I'm screwed. I avoided the SB800 because I heard it was complex and I only had a day or so to figure out the system and now I'm in the same situation.

Message edited by author 2010-05-15 11:21:21.

kenskid

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

05/15/2010 12:03:38 PM · #4

I have the 800 and it was not had to master. I use it on and off camera. 900 is likely to have the same learning curve.

How long have you had the 600? Ive heard it was pretty good. Yours is broke or batteries need a change.

nutzito

Nikon D3s

05/15/2010 12:57:46 PM · #5

Never had a SB600, but I have used the SB800 and SB900...I like the SB900 better.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

05/15/2010 01:37:50 PM · #6

Maybe it's defective? Is it still under warranty?

I have three SB600's. They all work fine, though I will agree the controls are confusing! Actually, one of mine doesn't work fine, it needs a new flash tube after being dropped 6 feet from a stand.

They are great remotes, though they are limited in that you can't use one on camera as a commander.

Does yours work in remote commander mode--I may be interested in buying it.

caba

Nikon D800

05/15/2010 01:51:41 PM · #7

SB900 is much easier then SB800, simple controls.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

05/15/2010 02:46:08 PM · #8

//www.amazon.com/Nikon-Creative-Lighting-System-Flashes/dp/1933952415/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273948412&sr=8-9

sorry, can't do the link properly from iPhone...

Whichever unit you get, this book is great! Summary chart of menu "flow" which differs for each model. I keep this in my bag, since I use both 600s & 800s and it can get confusing.

I agree with others, though: 600 should not be that inconsistent so either it needs a fix or infrequent use may mean you (like me) don't have the control flow down -- it could be you (and me) not doing the same things repeatably! Hence, the book :-)

spiritualspatula

05/15/2010 03:25:27 PM · #9

I've got two 900's and they're awesome. Controls are super easy. Very little push all buttons simultaneously for 14.5 seconds before your desired effect happens.
The manual is a bit insane, though (I had no issue reading my D300 manual cover to cover and understanding it but that flash manual seemed difficult). It's easy enough to understand how the flash WORKS though, from the manual. I just recall that there was a ton of stuff in addition to "this button does this" that didn't make sense to me. Maybe it would make more sense now. Who knows, because the 900 is easy enough to use that you don't really need it once you know what the menus mean.

PS:
Here's

chromeydome's link:
CLS book

Message edited by author 2010-05-15 15:26:48.

hanserik

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

05/15/2010 04:24:46 PM · #10

Just tested with my sb-600, and something should definately happen when you press mode. Unless ofcourse the key lock is on (Mode and - ) I don't think Zoom and + have any functionality, but Zoom and - do. If you can get the sb-600 into remote mode, it's a great second light to your sb-900!

The SB-900 is easier to use with it's menu system, but keep the manual close by as it will take you some time to learn all settings.

05/16/2010 09:08:02 AM · #11

Originally posted by hanserik:

Unless ofcourse the key lock is on (Mode and - ) I don't think Zoom and + have any functionality, but Zoom and - do. If you can get the sb-600 into remote mode, it's a great second light to your sb-900!

The unlock helped a little but still not really doing it's thing. So, I'm going to walk over to B&H and trade it in to help cut the cost of the SB900 by a few dollars.

Thanks for the help everyone - S

Issus

Nikon AF Nikkor 28mm f/2.8D

05/16/2010 11:11:10 AM · #12

I have the 900 and 600, and love them both. 900 is a hell of a lot more powerful and the menu system lets you fine tune things that dont need fine tuning (but are fun to play with anyway) You won't be disappointed with a 900.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

05/16/2010 01:29:49 PM · #13

Got it! This thing rocks and I'm already a big fan...

I shot Remote at 1/1250 sec. with a Lumiquest 80/20 and the diffuser. Yowsahhhh!

eta:B&H gave me a $75 trade-in for the SB600...not bad.

Message edited by author 2010-05-16 13:33:29.

nutzito

Nikon D3s

05/16/2010 02:16:45 PM · #14

Originally posted by pawdrix:

I shot Remote at 1/1250 sec. with a Lumiquest 80/20 and the diffuser. Yowsahhhh!

eta:B&H gave me a $75 trade-in for the SB600...not bad.

about Remote ..what did you use to trigger it?

you probably meant 1/250 (you wrote 1/1250)

Lumiquest 80/20..how does that look like?

diffuser...do you mean the flip over or the snap on or both?