With everything you need to get started pretty much included in the box of the SB900, the most popular aftermarket SB-900 accessory items are pretty much limited to choosing batteries and high performance battery packs. There aren’t a plethora of options, but there are a couple of popular options like the Nikon SD-9 and SD-8A for battery packs and also different types of batteries do increase performance quite drastically. Below is a description of the different types of batteries one can use with the Speedlight SB900 flash, and also the Nikon high performance battery packs and a chart of what kind of performance changes one can expect when changing between the options:
Compare Min. Recycle time & Min # of flashes by battery type
| Battery Type: | Min. Recycle Time | Min. # Flashes | Interval from full output & ready light on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkaline-manganese (1.5V) | 4.0 Secs | 110 | 4.0-30 secs |
| Lithium (1.5V) | 4.5 Secs | 230 | 4.5-120 secs |
| Oxyride (1.5V) | 3.0 Secs | 125 | 3.0-30 secs |
| Ni-MH (2600 mAH) (1.2V) | 2.3 Secs | 190 | 2.3-30 secs |
Notes:
See also Nikon SD-9 battery pack & comparing the differences SD9 vs SD8A battery packs
hey hi.. pls help me. i have sb 900. and it says the batteries recommended are 1.5v batteries. if i were to convert that to mAH, what figure would that be? 1600,1800,2000,2600 or etc.. pls help me.. thanks..
I use NI-MH (2700 mah)(1,2V) on my new SB 900 flash , and after a while it overheats .
I have no problem with the same batteries on my SB 600. Can anyone tell me what is wrong ? (I updated the firmware 5.02)
It Overheats because u are using like u said 1.2V and not 1.5V batteries. Thats the reason
Hey George, im havin the same issue.
I was told that you should use reg alkalines or lithiums, as the rechargeables get too hot.
Such an inconvenience for such an expensive flash unit.
hope this helps,
steve
The problem is that rechargeable batteries only deliver 1.2V versus non-rechargeable batteries that deliver 1.5V. 1.2V batteries have to work more to deliver the same power as the 1.5V batteries, thus overheating and passing this heat to the SB-900 circuitry and overheating the SB-900 faster. Try using non-rechargeable batteries and compare the results against 1.2V batteries.
I have had the same thing happen with both my SB900′s… but I was trying both alkaline and NI batteries.. I had to sent them into the company and get the heating element changed in them… They fixed it and the last wedding I did I had no problem with overheating…
No matter how many different batteries I put into my SB 900 I get the symbol that no batteries are in the unit. Batteries have been confirmed as being good as they work fine with my SB 600. Unit is not recognizing any batteries. Any suggestions?
The problem the flash over heats is the software was set at a too low temperature, is can now be fitted with a software update.
The problem the flash over heats is the software was set at a too low temperature, is can now be fixed with a software update.
Nikon has fixed the problem with overheating in the new firmware up date (5.02) I’ve down loaded it and no more problems.