- This topic is empty.
SB-600 vs SB-900
-
I’m looking into getting two flashes together with pocket wizards, my question is if the SB900 is worth the extra 100£, is it much more powerful than the SB-600?
Thanks for any info.I went with multiple SB600’s rather than 2 or 3 SB800’s at the time, have found the 600’s superb as remotes though they could be tougher. The power goes through the LCD and this isn’t soldered into place, just clamped by the plastic casing so with a few knocks you can get unreliable power on. I’ve modified mine with extra padding to combat this. Out of 5, two are now for parts only and the SB800 seems a bit better in this regard.
For remotes, I would think the power issue would really depend on if you want to use modifiers/gels/umbrellas etc which could make the difference worth paying for, I dont use much in this regard so 600’s are perfect, though using a lastolite Ezybox for 3 or 4 people is no problem with the 600’s (for larger groups I can strap two together).
The big plus of the 900 is the direct control of CLS IR remote with a dedicated switch, which is superflous if you are using pocket wizards instead (do PW’s sync up to 1/320s though?) and the extra control over the beam focusing, plus a little extra power.
I thought the price difference would be greater but if it’s only £100 then there’s some thinking to do!
I thought the price difference would be greater but if it’s only £100 then there’s some thinking to do!
:? Some thinking is taking place all right!
I will probably get 2 diffusers with it as well, great info CianMcLiam thanks a lot!
If you use the flash mainly on manual then get the SB600 if you shot TTL then go for the SB900. The TTL system on SB900 is way more advanced. In terms of power SB900 is bit more powerful then SB600 but that does not justify the 100£ extra. When it comes to speed nothing can compare with SB900. I used it at 11Fps ..WOW.
So..bottom line. If you can spare 100£ get the SB900. At least you will have a device that is upgradable and will still be in top in the next few years. :).
May I ask why do you want to use pocket wizard and not elinchrom skyport??May I ask why do you want to use pocket wizard and not elinchrom skyport??
Well I came across bad reviews so that’s why I stopped looking at them, I was also looking at the range; I have to say that the price of elinchrom is very attractive. I will use them for sport photography (mostly climbing) I have few ideas which I would like to try. Are you using elichrom by any chance, have you got any experience with those?
I did a bit of reading last night about elinchrom skyport triggers and I think I will look more closely at those guys, the price is very good, and I think that range will do for me! SB-900s are very tempting; if I could save on triggers then I can go for SB-900.
Thanks for help guys.Hi Gregor
I am using the skyport and to be honest I cannot fault them. Unless you intend to be at the bottom of the mountain and your flash at the top :) I think the skyport will work fine. I actually did a shot few days ago where the flash was positioned inside a house, behind a very thick wall. The flash triggered without any problems.
I got mine in Barker Photographic.
OHi photOvidiu
Thanks for the info, I’m getting more and more convinced, 2XSB-900 and set of skyports sounds like a plan :)
Thanks for all the info.The SB600 doesn’t have sync port, so you can’t connect it to a PW. You’d need to buy some hot shoe adaptor.
Personally, I think that even if the sb-900 is better, it is too large to havy many of them in your bag. I have two sb-800’s now and I will probably buy a 900 sometime in the distant future to use as a master. You can still find brand new 800’s here and there, and they should cost you less than the 900 and not much more than a 600.
On the other hand, the 600’s are recharging faster than the 800 and give you more shots per charge, too.
I might be mistaken but I think that SB800 is actually bigger then SB900 if you fit the battery pack. Sb900 charges faster then 600 but that is not an issue since Gregor is going to photograph mountain climbers. They usually move quite slow..unless in free fall :)
It looks like sb-900 is the biggest one of all of them, that may change if you attach battery pack to SB-800, I think I can handle space for two SB-900 however it is good point I’ll have a look if I can find SB-800, If it’s going to be minor saving I think I’ll go with SB-900s. I haven’t looked into it yet but I presume you don’t need hot shoe for SB-900 in order to connect them to skyport.
They usually move quite slow..unless in free fall Smile
Hey there are some fast guys there as well :lol:
Gregor
You will need a sync cable or the kaiser hot shoe. I prefer the cable but that is because I am using the stand that came with the speedlight.
SB800 is a serious competitor but I am afraid that the difference in price (in Ireland) between the SB800 and the SB900 makes the 900 a clear winner.
By the way. What camera are you using? I used to climb a lot in my good days and was using SLCD’s or nuts to suport a small (at that time :) ) video camera. I wonder if you can do that with an SLR and have a small tripod hanging off an SLCD and resting agains the wall. You could control that wirelless with Control Pro if you shot with Nikon (are there any other cameras beside Nikon?? :twisted: )Gregor
I know this is going to confuse you even more but why not get the SB28DX or the Vivitar285HV. I am just thinking that you will not need TTL so all you need is a speedlight that is robust and cheap enough to be exposed and left hanging somewhere on a cliff (I presume this is what you intend to do). A Vivitar is around 85$…you cant beat this :)
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
