For many years, the Nikon SB-800 was the flagship of the Nikon flash line. It was the most powerful flash made by Nikon and was used to control a range of slave flashes through Nikon's Creative Lighting System. Recently, the SB-800 was replaced by the Nikon SB-900. There are some notable differences between the two models.
Size
The newer SB-900 is larger and heavier than the SB-800. The SB-800's dimensions are 2.8-by-5-by-3.5 inches. The SB-900 is 3.0-by-5.7-by-4.7 inches in size. The SB-800 weighs 12.3 oz, while the SB-900 weighs 14.6 oz. One of the advantages of this increase in size is a larger LCD that provides more information.
Zoom Range
The Nikon SB-900 has increased its zoom range over the SB-800. The SB-800 offers a respectable 24mm-to-105mm zoom range. The SB-900 has been optimized for newer super-zooms and supports a range of 17mm to 200mm. This increased zoom range allows the strobe to work well with a wider range of lenses, especially with the added ability to adjust for the correct camera sensor.
Sensor Compatibility
In addition to supporting popular single-lens super-zoom options, the SB-900 senses whether the camera has a DX or an FX sensor. FX sensors are larger and have a wider field of view than DX sensors. This feature, combined with the wider zoom range, allows for a wider usable range for the SB-900.
Recycle Times
One of the selling points on the SB-800 was the quick recycle time. The SB-900 has an improved booster circuit that not only cuts recycle times, but also increases the number of flashes per set of batteries.
Thermal Protection
One important new feature on the SB-900 is thermal protection with a thermal overload sensor. Under heavy use, both the SB-800 and SB-900 can overheat. In a worst-case scenario, an SB-800 can become so hot that it suffers permanent damage. The SB-900 contains sensors that warn the user if the flash is overheating and automatically powers down the strobe to prevent permanent damage.
Tags: zoom range, camera sensor, increased zoom, increased zoom range, Nikon SB-900, permanent damage, range allows