Introduced alongside the SB-900 Flash was the SD-9 high performance battery pack. The SD9 Battery pack was designed specifically for use with the speedlight SD900 and works to drastically shorten flash recycling time while also vastly improving flash capacity. It contains a few improvements when compared to the older Nikon SD8A pack, most notably now taking both 4AA or 8AA size batteries in two seperate loads (whereas Nikon SD-8A only took 6 batteries) of the following types:
- 1.5V LR6 (alkaline)
- 1.2V KR-AA (NiCd)
- 1.5V FR6 (lithium)
- 1.2v (Ni-MH)
The Nikon SD-9 power bracket follows up on the popular SD-8A battery pack, and has some considerable improvements, below are some of the differences between the SD9 and SD8A
Compare Nikon SD-9 vs SD-8A battery packs:
Major Difference:
Nikon's SD-9 High performance battery pack
Other Differences:
Most of the other changes revolve around better ease of use and physical design tweaks, such as the SB-9 Casing can now be inserted both cord-end and battery end first, allowing access to battery compartment quickly without need to remove the pack completely from holder. Battery container now slides eliminating possibility of snapping door off. There are many more smaller differences, but the above were the most noticeable, stayed tuned for more differences between the two or ask a question from the comments form below.
Price: The other major difference is the huge price of the Nikon SD-9 Accessory… This thing isn’t cheap and if you are looking to buy it, make sure you really need and can take advantage of it before you drop all that money for it, check out today’s prices to buy the SD9 & SD-8A below:
Check out the following links to learn more about the Nikon SD9 External battery pack and the older Nikon SD8A battery pack, both of which are great accessories and options for photographers looking for a little more life and a little more ‘umph’ from their personal setups.
Hi! can the SD-8A be used on the SB-900? Many thanks
Yes, you can use the SD-8A with the SB900
@jabrane, Yes.
@jabrane,
Yes, Nikon battery pack SD-8A can be used with Nikon flash SB-900.
@jabrane, YES
Yes.
The less expensive SD8A can be supplemental power for the SB900 but, as the review points out, it’s not as powerful as the older model.
But is it worth the $200 street price when the SD8A is $140?
That beauty is left to the eye of the beholder … who’s got to have some extra cash to make that leap, I think.
@jabrane, yes
@jabrane, Absolutely yes!!
The comment under the picture is wrong. There isn’t any picture of the SD-9 here… that’s a SD-8a.
can I use the SD-9 on the SB800???
and can i use the SD-8 on the SB 900???
YES!
Yes, Nikon list the SD-8A as an accessory for the SB-900. The reverse is not true, you cannot use an SD-9 on an SB-800 (or any other flash which isn’t an SB-900).
The Sd9 looks like a better unit than the Sd8a but I don’t like the SB900 flash and have two SB800 units. If I shaved off the extra piece of plastic on the connector cord of the SD9 so it fits into my SB800 flash unit, will it still work?
I have an SB-800 & 600 on a D300.
I was looking to speed things up with my SB800 to keep up with tha camera.
Sporting events in both high contrast daylight and after dark…..?
The connectors appear the same. Will the SD-9 work like or in place of an SD-8 for a SB-800 flash?
I could not find the responce to the above question. “Hi! can the SD-8A be used on the SB-900? Many thanks”
Can anybody answer this question because I will be buying the SB-900 and don’t want to buy another battery pack. It would be great if the answer came from Nikon.
than you
Clark
Has anyone shaved the the plastic off the SD-9 plug to make it compatible with the SB-800??
Esclarecendo… Não se pode usar o SD-9 no flash SB800. O SD-9, apesar de ser um upgrade do SD-8A, não pode ser usado em outro flash, à não ser o SB900. Ok… O SD-9 É EXCLUSIVAMENTE PARA USO NO SB900. Abraços
por favor alguien puede indicarme porque el SD8A, (furntr externa para alimenter flash nikon) salen del mismo cable dos tomas una es cuadrada con tres orificios yo la uso para el SB27 , pero no se para que sirvve la otra, que es redonda como las de sincro?
si alguien me contesta le agradezco.
Clark, is that a joke? I can’t find a response that DIDN’T answer that question.
So is the purpose of the thumb screw to mount it to the bottom of the camera using the tripod socket?
According to NikonUSA site the SD-8A can be used on either SB800 OR SB900, however the SD-9 is ONLY for the SB900.
Also note that the SD-8A has two connectors, both of which must be used – one for power, and the other for flash sync. The SD-9 has only one.
Here is the reference URL from Nikon USA:
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Flash-Brackets/4952/SD-9-High-Performance-Battery-Pack.html
when continue (4fps) shooting with the SB-900 I get no more than 2 will-lit pics. Will that improve (even if only with one shot) with the SD-9 ?
Thanks,
Raoul.
The SD-8A does NOT work with the SB900.
Regardless of what Ebay listings and people may tell you; It does NOT work.
For those who have it and believe it does-test it!
Put some half depleted batteries in the SB900 and load the SD-8A with new ones (I use Eneloop in mine).
Take a shot or two on same apeture/shutter speed with just the SB900 batteries and time the refresh.
Now connect the SD-8A and do the same test. The results will be identical.
It doesn’t make any difference if you use the sync lead or not.
My advice would be to get some 1900mAh Eneloops and you won’t need a battery pack.
Mine are off back to China tomorrow!
Nikon SD 8A can be used for SB 700????
I use the SD-8A units on all my SB-900 and SB-800 off camera speed flashes.
I use the SD-9 exclusively on the SB-900 units.
Both SB-800 and SB-900 units are quicker to recycle with the SD-8A attached, so YES, it speeds recycling and also adds shooting cycles prior to refreshing batteries.
The SB-900 with the SD-9 responds and recycles as quick no matter if partnered with the 9 or 8A…. I reload all batteries fresh between shoots so I never run out of power and therefore can’t attest to the number of full cycles you can get.
I also use the eneloop AA batteries in all of my AA equipment (strobes mostly) and there is a vast difference/improvement with the hi-performance packs connected.
As a side note, I would not alter any connector to fit something it is not designed for… you’re just asking for trouble in my opinion. Use your gear as designed and you’ll suffer far fewer failures.
I am sorry that I can’t address the SB-700 issue… as I don’t currently own that piece of gear. The SB-900 units are powerful and I use them in three sets of three.. my only problem is that they are apt to overheat in a short amount of time… if you shoot 25 fast recycles, expect the SB-900 units to shut down until cool enough to continue.
I hope this helps you all out. Happy Shooting!
Richard you are wrong. There is a link http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Flashes/4807/SB-900-AF-Speedlight.html#tab-ProductDetail.ProductTabs.TechSpecs in Optional Power Supply part you can find that optional power supply can be:
SK-6 Power Bracket Unit
SD-8A High-Performance Battery Pack
SD-9 High-Performance Battery Pack