“Nikon Speedlights are widely regarded to be the best in the business,” says Robert Cristina, Manager Professional Products and NPS, Nikon Europe. “The new SB-900 propels flash lighting into the future with really exciting creative opportunities available at the touch of a button,” he adds.

The SB-900 is perfectly adapted to both DX and FX formats, and will automatically select the appropriate light distribution pattern according to the sensor format of the camera to which it is attached. The SB-900 also automatically detects the fitting of fluorescent or incandescent colour filters, instructing the camera to switch to the appropriate white balance setting. Designed for today’s high speed digital image capture, the SB-900 handles repeated firing at high power with an improved booster circuit for high-speed recycling and includes a built-in thermal sensing system that protects the unit against overheating. It is fully compatible with the other Speedlights and accessories of the acclaimed Nikon Creative Lighting System and can be easily incorporated into multiple-flash lighting set-ups. Bounce flash capability is provided through a head that can be tilted up by 90º and down by 11º and rotated horizontally through 180º, making the SB-900 an essential accessory that opens up many creative opportunities to the photographer.

• Multi-step auto zoom covers wide 17-200mm zoom range (24-105mm：SB-800)
• Three illumination patterns (standard, center-weighted and even) are available to match each shooting environment
• Automatically detects Nikon FX and Nikon DX formats and selects suitable light distribution
• Improved booster circuit for high-speed recycle time: Recycle time using four AA-size batteries is almost equal to the SB-800 with five AA-size batteries
• New AF-Assist illumination covers a wide 20-105 mm focal range compatible with the new Multi-CAM3500 FX/DX AF sensor
• Firmware update via Nikon D3 and D700 is possible (world’s first*)
• Thermal Cut-out function limits the number of flashes to avoid deterioration of light emitting parts caused by continuous flash firing
• Automatically detects colour filters (fluorescent or incandescent), enabling camera to control colour temperature according to filter information from SB-900
• Improved switch panel for enhanced usability
• Improved GUI using a large-size LCD dot panel
• Bounce capability: tilts up to 90º, down to -7º, rotates horizontally 180º to right and left
• Advanced Wireless Lighting and versatile functions for up to three remote groups of SB-900s or other compatible Speedlights controlled through the master SB-900
• Optional Water Guard WG-AS1 (for D3), WG-AS2 (for D300), and WG-AS3 (for D700) is useful for protecting the camera's hot shoe contact when the SB-900 is mounted on these Nikon digital SLR cameras

*The world’s first flash unit firmware update function via a digital SLR camera as of July 1, 2008 (according to research conducted by NIKON CORPORATION).

Electronic construction
Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry

Guide number (20°C/68°F)
34/111.5 (ISO 100, m/ft), 48/157.5 (ISO 200, m/ft)

Illumination pattern
Three illumination patterns: standard, even and centre-weighted. The light distribution angle is automatically adjusted to the camera’s image area in both FX and DX formats

Flash shooting distance range
0.6 m to 20 m (2 to 66 ft) (varies depending on camera image area setting, illumination pattern, ISO sensitivity, zoom position, and lens aperture)

Flash mode
TTL, Auto Aperture flash, Non-TTL Auto flash, Distance-priority manual flash, Manual flash, Repeating flash

Other functions
Test firing, monitor pre-flashes, AF-assist illuminator, and Modeling illuminator

Multiple flash operation
Advanced Wireless Lighting, SU-4 type wireless multiple flash

Compatible cameras
All cameras compatible with Nikon Creative Lighting System (other cameras can be used but functionality is reduced)

Flash exposure control set on the camera
Camera’s sync modes: Slow-sync, Red-eye reduction in slow-sync, Rear-curtain sync, Rear-curtain slow-sync
Shooting functions: Auto FP High-Speed sync, FV Lock flash

Bounce capability
Flash head tilts down to -7° or up to 90° with click-stops at -7°, 0°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°
Flash head rotates horizontally 180° to the left and right with click-stops at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 150°, 180°

ON/OFF
Press the Power ON-OFF switch to turn the SB-900 on or off
Standby function can be set
Power source/min. recycle time/no. of flashes (at full output)
With fresh batteries (These data may vary depending on battery condition)

Two AA-size penlight batteries (1.5V or lower) of the following types:

Alkaline-manganese (1.5V)
Min. recycle time (approx.) - 4.0 sec.
Min. number of flashes / interval between full flash output and ready light on* - 110/4.0-30 sec.

Lithium (1.5V)
Min. recycle time (approx.) - 4.5 sec.
Min. number of flashes / interval between full flash output and ready light on* - 230/4.5-120 sec.

Oxyride (1.5V)
Min. recycle time (approx.) - 3.0 sec..
Min. number of flashes / interval between full flash output and ready light on* - 125/3.0-30 sec.

Ni-MH (2600 mAh) (rechargeable) (1.2V)
Min. recycle time (approx.) - 2.3 sec.
Min. number of flashes / interval between full flash output and ready light on* - 190/2.3-30 sec.

* When firing the Speedlight at full output once every 30 seconds (120 seconds with lithium batteries.)

Ready light
The SB-900 is fully recycled: Rear ready-light lights up and front light blinks
Insufficient light for correct exposure (in i-TTL, Auto Aperture flash, Non-TTL Auto flash, or Distance-priority manual flash operations): ready-lights and front lights blink after shooting

Flash duration
Approx. 1/880 sec. at full output
Mounting foot lock lever
Provides secure attachment of SB-900 to camera’s accessory shoe using locking plate and mount pin to prevent accidental detachment.

Dimensions (W x H x D)
Approx. 78.0 x146.0 x 118.5 mm (3.0 x 5.7 x 4.7 in.)

Weight (without batteries)
Approx. 415 g (14.6 oz.)

Supplied accessories
Speedlight Stand AS-21, Nikon Diffusion Dome SW-13H, Colour Filter Set SJ-900, Colour Filter Holder SZ-2, Soft Case SS-900

Optional accessories
Colour Filter Set SJ-3, Water Guard WG-AS1/WG-AS2/WG-AS3, High-Performance Battery pack SD-9, Wireless Slave Flash Controller SU-4, TTL Remote Cord SC-28/SC-29