Nikon SB900 worries

T

testbloke

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,451
Name
Kevin
Edit My Images
Yes
I have just bought new Nikon system was previously Pentax
Part of this is SB900 flash. I have big event yo shoot at the weekend, approximately 10 hours on dimly lit room and nightclub. As we are going to be very mobile, it is not possible to have lots of spare kit at hand. I never had an issue with the Pentax flash but the web is plagued with reports of the SB900 overheating after minutes, not hours. I normally use lithium (non rechargeable)batteries. Any experience on here or tips how to overcome this issue ?
 
There isn't an over heating issue with the SB900. What Nikon have done, basically they've put in a system shut-down when temperature gets a bit too high. You can opt to switch this feature off. The downside to doing that is that you may fry the flash unit should it get too hot while you keep on shooting.

I've used SB900 happily in various photoshoots where ambient temperature was over 50C; I just had to work my way around the default protection ... basically, just pace your self at a slower shooting rate.
 
Wail said:
There isn't an over heating issue with the SB900. What Nikon have done, basically they've put in a system shut-down when temperature gets a bit too high. You can opt to switch this feature off. The downside to doing that is that you may fry the flash unit should it get too hot while you keep on shooting.

I've used SB900 happily in various photoshoots where ambient temperature was over 50C; I just had to work my way around the default protection ... basically, just pace your self at a slower shooting rate.
Click to expand...

having just returned from Dubai, I take that post with utmost respect. That is one tough environment for a camera :-)
 
I have 2 SB900's. Used regularly and often for bursts with a powerpack. Never had them overheat once.
 
PsiFox said:
I have 2 SB900's. Used regularly and often for bursts with a powerpack. Never had them overheat once.
Click to expand...

thanks for that. Got worried when people were reporting thermal cut out after ten flashes within fifteen minutes. Things do tend to get exagerated on the web
 
testbloke said:
...Got worried when people were reporting thermal cut out after ten flashes within fifteen minutes. Things do tend to get exagerated on the web
Click to expand...

There was a recent thread on this and I expressed disbelief after never having managed it and I'm pretty much of the opinion now, taking poor batteries and high ambient temps out of it and without being too disengenuous that most of the people with these issues are just machine gunning with the flash at full power and hoping for the best;)

I'm sure you'll be fine- unless you're the machine gunning type:lol::exit:
 
I forgot to mention, when I was using the SB900, I was using high-speed-sync. (HSS); basically that means the flash shoots off a series of flashes in ultra-quick repetition to give the desired amount of light. This does have two downsides, 1) it drains the batteries faster and 2) it heats the SB900 quicker.

Noting the ambient temperature and the use of HSS it was inevitable that I'd hit the cut-off threshold; and if anything I'm thankful that it's there, otherwise I'd have fried a few good SBs ... not something I would have been happy with.

As I've said earlier, all I did was pace my shootings so that I allow the SBs to cool between each shot.
 
Yes I have sb-900s also & have never has them overheat, I usually use them on fairly low power, but they have been used fairly heavily at this with no problems! I'm sure you will be fine.:thumbs:
 
I had never experienced any overheating with my sb900's but yesterday I did. I was at a motorcross event and taking shots of riders buzzing past me on the corners. Shooting in manual at lowest power setting just to give some fill flash, and my flash overheated twice.

Saying that, that was possibly 40+ shots in under 3 minutes..
 
SB-900 user here too... one thing that was mentioned already. The flash does not overheat.. it protects itself BEFORE overheating :) yes, it takes a few minutes to cool down but if you do a burst of shots and then a minute nothing because you need to walk somewhere etc. I would not worry about it. I have managed to get my SB-900to "protect itself" only twice so far and it was a pretty hot day as well that day.
That being said, I don't know.. but I like the feature. Yes it might be a nuisance while shooting but your flash lasts longer. Also use good batteries. I bought a stack of Eneloop X and Eneloop 2000 batteries and they work extremely well with the flash.
 
Had it happen to me once so far during a shoot. Fortunately i carry one on each body so just swapped over. Can be a pain but rather that than a fried flash.
 
I set it to manual at full power then held the test button so it would fire as soon as charged, 40 shots without issue. That gives me peace of mind, definately not as bad as some are reporting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top