Trouble with Speed Light
Sep 26, 2013 14:18:42 #
Gal on the Go
Loc: Annapolis, Maryland
I am experiencing trouble with my Nikon SB -900 Speed Light that I use on my Nikon D700. I bought it new three years ago and have not used it excessively. It worked fine until recently when now it seems to overheat about fifteen minutes into a photo shoot. I turn it off for several minutes and it cools down for a few more shots, but then soon heats up again. I certainly don't want to damage the camera. I always use good quality lithium batteries in the Speed Light which last quite a while. This is not a good situation when I am photographing an event or even during a portrait shoot. The manual indicates that thermal cut-out will occur, but this seems to be happening too often. Is this normal? Thanks in advance for the fantastic advice provided on this forum. You guys are awesome.
Sep 26, 2013 14:29:17 #
That doesn't sound good. I have never had that happen to mine even with heavy use. Might need to send it in for a check up.
Sep 26, 2013 15:22:07 #
I've had that happen before.
High output and fast shooting locked it up.
That's one reason they came out with the SB 910.
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/02/14/nikon-sb-910-vs-nikon-sb-900-speedlight-overheat-test-by-cary-jordan.aspx/
High output and fast shooting locked it up.
That's one reason they came out with the SB 910.
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/02/14/nikon-sb-910-vs-nikon-sb-900-speedlight-overheat-test-by-cary-jordan.aspx/
Sep 27, 2013 05:55:09 #
DaveHam
Loc: Reading UK
The SB-900 had a reputation for overheating during constant use, fixed in the SB-910.
The problem is cumulative during a shoot; you start out getting say 30 minutes before it starts, let the flash cool but then you only get 15 minutes before it happens again as the cooling period does not lower the component temperature to ambient unless it is left off for an extended period.
We ended up buying the SB-910 to get round the problem. There are one or two suggestions of fixes on the web and at one point someone was offering an 'upgrade kit' which apparently dealt with it. However this voided warranty so we chose not to try it; so whether it works or not I don't know.
The problem is cumulative during a shoot; you start out getting say 30 minutes before it starts, let the flash cool but then you only get 15 minutes before it happens again as the cooling period does not lower the component temperature to ambient unless it is left off for an extended period.
We ended up buying the SB-910 to get round the problem. There are one or two suggestions of fixes on the web and at one point someone was offering an 'upgrade kit' which apparently dealt with it. However this voided warranty so we chose not to try it; so whether it works or not I don't know.
Sep 27, 2013 08:06:06 #
Wombat
Loc: Michigan
That's the way the SB 900 is, it shuts down to protect the electronics. Either slow down taking shots or get an SB 900
Sep 27, 2013 08:15:05 #
Gal on the Go wrote:
I am experiencing trouble with my Nikon SB -900 Sp... (show quote)
You do not say how you are using the speed light. If you use it at full power constantly, it will heat up, no different than any other speed light. Read your manual.
Sep 27, 2013 08:55:48 #
Gal on the Go wrote:
I am experiencing trouble with my Nikon SB -900 Sp... (show quote)
I've heard this directly from a friend. He was upgrading from the SB-800. He sold me the 800. However, I told him before I offered to purchase it that the 900 had a reputation of over heating. He still sold me the 800 and I told him it was a done deal and no buying it back. He's one of those "have to have to the latest" kind of guys.
Well, sure enough, he was experiencing the same issue you mentioned. After checking, out of curiosity, I found the 800 has the same problem. However, there is no heat sensing circuitry. The 800 will just keep on firing until it melts. The 900 shuts down.
Since I don't put my 800 through the kind of constant shooting some do, I'm quite OK with that feature being left out of the design.
--Bob
Sep 27, 2013 13:28:11 #
You don't say exactly what kind of batteries you are using and I know that some batteries are a contributing factor for overheating. One other thing you can do is alter your style of shooting. Try to keep your flash at 1/4 power or less. You will have a faster recovery time and lower power means less heat. Yes, you will have to shoot in M mode and probably meter your light. You will probably have to place the flash closer to your subjects - which isn't a bad thing since the light is usually softer this way.
Gal on the Go wrote:
I am experiencing trouble with my Nikon SB -900 Sp... (show quote)
Sep 27, 2013 13:50:24 #
You will need to reduce the out put power and do a battery change. Also you could use a power pack. It well reduce the heat in the gun This is a small change, but it will help in the renowned overheating problem with the Speed light 900.
Gal on the Go wrote:
I am experiencing trouble with my Nikon SB -900 Sp... (show quote)
Sep 27, 2013 13:53:03 #
Thats a failsafe feature from the heat problem the SB900 has. Teh 910 is more reliable. You will have to sadly work with overheating of the 900. Be happy it has a fail safe in place to keep you from melting it.
Sep 27, 2013 16:53:39 #
Gal on the Go
Loc: Annapolis, Maryland
Thanks, everyone, for the insight into my SB 900 speed light issue. It was good to hear that I am not alone with the problem and sad to hear that the unit has a bad reputation for over heating. The link to the video of the light test was appreciated. Guess the purchase of an SB910 will be in my future (ugh!). I am hoping that I can still use the SB900, on lower power, on a light stand, as part of my set up when extra lighting would be effective. I have been wanting to expand my lighting possibilities, so this will push me to do it, and the shooting would be slower paced in that type of setting. Thanks!
Sep 27, 2013 16:59:40 #
The SB-910 also has a failsafe it will reduce power out put when the critical system is activated. But the unit will still work at 7/10ths capacity until the unit is cool enough to go too, full power. To prevent the failsafe activation happing on SB-900 is simple. Manage your out put power properly! It will serve you well.
Musket wrote:
Thats a failsafe feature from the heat problem the SB900 has. The 910 is more reliable. You will have to sadly work with overheating of the 900. Be happy it has a fail safe in place to keep you from melting it.
Sep 27, 2013 17:20:28 #
Simple (not perfect) fix: Double the ISO will reduce the flash power in half. If you are using the D700 at ISO 200, just bump it to 400 - with that camera, 400 is still virtually noise-free.
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