S. Charlston Reviews the Nikon SB900:
Nikon SB900 Review & Compared vs Speedlite 580EX II
I’ve been thinking about it for a long time and I finally came to the decision that Nikon has come to be the superior brand in the camera world, surpassing my personal choice, Canon. Looking back on what I did it may have been a bit drastic but I sold my Canon EOS 30D with a Canon Speedlite 580EX II and bought a Nikon D3 with a SB 900 Speedlight flash. My only regret is not waiting for a D700 but we’ll see what happens as they become more available. As for the Nikon SB900, the big N seems to be light-years ahead of Canon in the flash game. Not saying the 580EX II wasn’t a well built flash but the features of the Nikon put it to shame. The 580EX is still working in E-TTL II mode while the SB-900 has the newest i-TTL. What I hated about the Canon 580EX II compared vs Nikon’s SB900 is that they took a step backwards not having the master and remote modes on a switch. I’m glad to see that Nikon is taking steps forward adding in a dial to control this since the last Speedlight, the SB-800. They also have added interesting new things like the light pattern changing, very nice for portraits. So overall they are very similar as far as size, power, and recycle time but the SB-900 to me is easier to use and more functional.
I could not agree more… I had a change to play with the 580EX II and I was super disappointed with it… that also goes with the 5D mark II. I bought a D700 and SB-900 and this is what I was expecting in a camera!
I own three of these 900′s. I quite frankly say, they are the best or only the best flashes around period. Flash performance is way too far from the Canon brand.
TTL, Manual, CLS mode awesome in everyway. I own a D300 and these babies controlled by my built-in flash it worksflawlessly.. So keep up Canon…
Sort of new to the hobby and own a Nikon D90 and one SB-900 and one SB-600. To be honest with you, for just casual shooting I prefer the 600 over the 900 simply because it doesn’t feel like I’m lugging a suitcase around my neck whenever I pop the 900 on it. As far as quality nothing I’ve seen beats that SB-900 and I do use it a lot off camera using the CLS.
As far as Canon. I’ve had a chance to handle a few Canon DSLR’s because I encounter the owners all the time and they’re more than willing to let me give their camera a try. I just can’t get over how cheap Canon camera’s feel in my hand even though, to my eye, they produce nice looking pictures. My Nikon D90 is a “prosumer” camera and it feels like a tank in my hands and the only pictures from other cameras that put it to shame seem to be other Nikons. I’m definitely saving my pennies for the D700 and the SB-900 is already here waiting for it’s arrival.