The SB-900 i-TTL Speedlight leads the Nikon Creative Lighting System delivering the portability, power and versatility to support any photographer’s creative lighting imagination.
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.
Complete Flash Head Positioning Freedom
Bounce 90°up and 7°down with 360° rotation elevates creative lighting freedom.
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.
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.
Color Gel Filter Identification
Automatically identifies mounted color gel filters and adjusts camera white-balance.* *With select Nikon digital SLRs
Automatic Format Identification
Automatically senses the FX or DX-format camera in use and optimizes light distribution.
Firmware Updating
Allows uploading of performance enhancement developments.*
*With select Nikon digital SLRs
Nikon’s Precision i-TTL Flash Control
Delivers precise flash exposures and seamless fill-flash performance—even in challenging lighting situations.
Hot Shoe and Wireless Operation
Use on-camera, as a wireless Master Commander or as a wireless remote light source.
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.
Streamlined Controls and Menus
Convenient Rotary Select Dial sets key functions quickly and a prominent Master and Remote control switch simplifies wireless operation.
Flash Tube Overheat Protection
An added measure of safety is provided for sustained high-speed bursts.
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
Drip-Proof Mounting Foot Cover (Water Guard)*
Provides enhanced moisture protection.
*Optional
Specifications
Commander Function
Yes
Remote Function
Yes
Guide Number
34m/111.5ft. (at ISO 100, 35mm zoom head position, in FX format, standard illumination pattern, 20°C/68°F) to 48m/157.5ft. (at ISO 200, 35mm zoom head position, in FX format, standard illumination pattern, 20°C/68°F)
Electronic Construction
Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry
Flash Exposure Control
i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash with CLS compatible cameras
Manual Flash (with Nikon Creative Lighting System digital and 35mm SLR cameras)
Distance-priority manual flash
Lens Coverage
17 to 200mm (FX-format, Automatic mode)
12 to 200mm (DX-format, Automatic mode)
12 to 17mm (FX-format, Automatic mode with built-in wide-angle panel deployed)
8 to 11mm (DX-format, Automatic mode with built-in wide-angle panel deployed)
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
Minimum Recycling Time
2.3 sec. (approx.) with Ni-MH (2600 mAh) batteries
3.0 sec. (approx.) with Oxyride™ (1.5V) batteries
4.0 sec. (approx.) with Alkaline-manganese (1.5V) batteries
4.5 sec. (approx.) with Lithium (1.5V) batteries
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
Power ON/OFF
Rotate the Power ON/OFF switch to turn the SB-900 on or off.
Required Power Source
Four 1.5V Alkaline-manganese (AA-size) batteries
Four 1.5V Lithium (AA-size) batteries
Four 1.2V Ni-MH (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.
Ready Light
Front
Back
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
Test firing
Modeling Illuminator
Monitor pre-flashes
Minimum Number of Flashes / Recycling Time
110/4.0 – 30 sec. (1.5V Alkaline-manganese)
190/2.3–30 sec. (2600mAh Ni-MH)
165/2.3–30 sec. (Ni-MH (eneloop))
125/3.0 –30 sec. (1.5V Oxyride™)
230/4.5–120 sec. (1.5V Lithium)
Wireless Flash Modes
Off
Master
Master (RPT)
Remote
SU-4
Wireless Communication Channels
Four: 1, 2, 3 and 4Channels
Wireless Groups
Three: A, B and C
Other Functions
Thermal cut-out
Firmware update
Recalling the underexposure value in the TTL auto flash mode
Resetting the settings
Key lock
ISO sensitivity setting
Dimensions
3.0 x 5.7 x 4.7 in. (78.0 x 146.0 x 118.5mm) (Approx.)
Weight (Approx. without batteries)
14.6 oz. (415g)
Supplied Accessories
AS-21 Speedlight Stand
SW-13H Diffusion Dome
SJ-900 Color Filter Set
SZ-2 Color Filter Holder
SS-900 Soft Case
