Nikon SB-910 Speedlight Flash Review
| February 15, 2012 | Posted by admin under Camera Lighting |
The top-of-the-range Nikon flashgun has been updated with a new, more powerful model.
Contents
It’s been around for quite some time, so an overhaul of Nikon’s flagship flashgun was somewhat overdue. Inside the box you get a soft case to keep it in, a diffusion dome, incandescent and fluorescent filters and a stand. There are additional accessories available that add water guards for the hotshoe, color gel filters and a color filter holder too.
That’s the first difference from the old model, which used a gel and filter setup that basically took up too much time. Now, the incandescent and fluorescent filters are molded plastic and simply snap on and off.They’re tougher as well, while the filter holder system is still usable if you want that. The next change is that the display of the LCD monitor on the back of the flashgun is noticeably brighter, making it much easier to read. As well as this, useful functions like how the flash shoots, which were hidden in submenus, are now available with just a couple of button presses.
The actual power of the SB-910 is identical to that of the SB-900 with a guide number of 34, which is lots of power for a flashgun anyway. The improvement comes in recycling time- increasing between 10 and 20 per cent depending on what type of batteries you use. The other area where Nikon has made changes is in the thermal protection. It’s all well and good having your line-leading flashgun being able to recycle and fire quickly, but this is lost when it overheats and automatically shuts down.
The issue with the SB-900 was that it would do this well before the SB-700, so that the cheaper flashgun would keep on firing long after the SB-900 had stopped. Now that the same type of thermal protection has been employed, when the SB-910 starts to get near the cut-off point, it slows the recycle time down as much as necessary so it can keep on shooting. It makes a big difference.
Pros
- 17-200 mm zooming head
- Built-in 14-mm wide panel
- Better thermal protection
- Can be used as wireless commander
- 2.5 s recycling with NiMH batteries
- 3 lighting pattern options
- Optional water guard
- Optional SJ-4 Color Filter set
Cons
- Large size
- Heavy / Bulky
- Pricey
- Battery drainer
- Does not come with external power or sync cord
Bottom Line
An enhanced user interface, much better heat control, faster recycling and better filters all add up to make the SB-910 an evolution of the venerable SB-900, rather than a revolution. The heat control makes the most impact on busy shoots. The SB-910 now functions how a top of the range flashgun should, delivering speed and power and is therefore highly recommended for pro/semi-pro Nikon users.
Video Review
Hands On Review
Great Improvement Over the 900
Physically, you can’t tell the two apart unless you look closely. The color correction gels on the 910 are also hard and better built. Internally, the 910 takes much longer to overheat and when it does, it slows down the flash rate (not sure about power) instead of just shutting down.
- Improved user interface
- Improved Thermal Cut-out protection
- New Hard Type Color Filters
- New Soft case
- Expanded Auto power zoom from 17-200mm
Specifications
| Mount | Shoe |
| Guide No. | 111.5′ (33.99 m) ISO100 at 35 mm position |
| Exposure Control | Manual/TTL |
| Angle of Coverage | 104° – 12° Wide-Angle Adapter: 122° – 104° |
| Vari-Power | 1/1 – 1/128 |
| TTL Dedication | Yes |
| Bounce Head | Yes, -7° to +90° |
| Swivel Head | Yes, 360° |
| Coverage | 17 mm – 200 mm (Full frame) |
| Zoom Head | Full frame: 17 mm – 200 mm |
| Off Camera Terminal | Proprietary |
| Recycle Time | Approximately 2.3 seconds – 4.5 seconds |
| Flash-ready Indicator | Yes |
| Compensation | -3 EV to +3 EV (in 0.33 EV steps) |
| Wireless Communication Channels | 4 Channels |
| Wireless Groups | 3 Groups |
| Power Source | 4x AA Alkaline, Lithium, Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 3.1 x 5.7 x 4.4″ / 7.87 x 14.48 x 11.18 cm |
| Weight | 14.8 oz / 420 g |
Meet the Rival…
Metz 58 AF-2 MZ
Even an award-winner can be made better. The “best flash unit in Europe 2007/2008 has received a little more fine tuning. A high quality metal base has been added which can be attached to the camera’s flash shoe in one easy movement. The innovative high performance unit boasts a USB interface through which the firmware can be updated via computer.
The Metz 58 AF-2 digital offers high performance energy management, multiple zone AF flash metering and a fully pivoting reflector system.
- For Nikon DSLR Cameras
- GN of 58 for ISO 100
- Update via USB Port
- Secondary Reflector W/3 Output Ratios
- 1st & 2nd Curtain Synchronization
- Full TTL Mode
- Evaluative Pre-Flash
- Autozoom Head: 24 to 105mm
- W/A Diffuser for 12mm Illumination
- Metal Base With Quick Lock
Similar Flashes from Nikon
Nikon SB-900 AF
The SB-900 i-TTL Speedlight leads the Nikon Creative Lighting System by delivering the portability, power, and versatility to support any photographer’s creative lighting imagination. The SB-900 works as a wireless standalone flash, or you can use it as a commander or wireless remote light source. In commander mode, the SB-900 controls up to three remote Speedlight groups and an unlimited number of compatible Speedlights, with four wireless channel options helping you manage wireless conflicts in multiple photographer environments. The flash also offers streamlined controls and menus, including a rotary select dial that sets key flash functions quickly, along with a prominent master and remote control switch to simplify wireless operation.
- High-quality flash for standalone use or as part of a comprehensive lighting system
- Commander mode controls up to 3 Speedlight groups or unlimited individual Speedlights
- 4 wireless channel options; prominent master and remote control switch for wireless operation
- Auto power zoom coverage ranges from 17 to 200mm (FX format) to 12 to 200mm (DX format)
- 3 light distribution patterns; measures 3 x 5.7 x 4.7 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 14.6 ounces
Nikon SB-700 AF
A high-performance portable flash with a host of new features designed to make flash photography simple, accurate and creative. The SB-700 is for photographers looking for an on-camera Speedlight offering more power for greater depth-of-field control than the built-in flash or for users looking for a compact Speedlight that can be set up as a Commander or a Remote in wireless flash set-ups as well as those who want to upgrade from their existing or older Nikon Speedlight.
- Portable, Versatile Speedlight Unit
- Nikon’s Precision i-TTL Flash Control
- Complete Flash Head Positioning Freedom
- Hot Shoe and Wireless Operation
- Wireless Flash Control
Nikon SB-400 AF
With its powerful guide number of 21, the SB-400 is an ideal flash unit for beginners in digital SLR photography, but it is also useful for hobbyists and professionals looking for a handy i-TTL flash unit offering an effortless bounce flash function.
The SB-400 has been specifically developed to provide photographers with an entry-level external flash unit which is compatible with i-TTL flash operation. When combined with cameras that are compatible with the Nikon Creative Lighting System, the SB-400 is controlled in i-TTL and D40′s M (manual) mode.
- Compact, lightweight Speedlight unit
- 18mm angle of coverage with Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras
- Bounce capabilities in 4 steps up to 90 degrees; flash shooting distance range from 2 and up to 66 feet
- Approximate guide number of 98.4 feet at ISO 200 (at 18mm zoom head setting)
- Operates on two AA-size (1.5V) batteries; fast 2.5 second recycling time
Sample Photo
From the Manufacturer
Engineered for both FX and DX-format D-SLRs, the SB-910 offers unparalleled lighting performance in the field and in the studio. Featuring Nikon’s versatile i-TTL (intelligent through-the-lens) metering for on camera or wireless flash control, the SB-910 can operate as a hot shoe mounted Speedlight, remote unit or wireless Commander. And with refined operability including illuminated buttons for use in low light and improved thermal cut out protection, the SB-910 is the perfect partner to your Nikon camera.
Unparalleled lighting performance Seamless integration with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System
The SB-910 Speedlight operates as a hot shoe mounted Speedlight, remote unit or wireless Commander (with up to four channel options) capable of controlling as many as three remote groups (A,B and C) and an unlimited number of SB-910, SB-900, SB-700 or SB-R200 units. With a host of pro flash features, including precision i-TTL flash control, Manual with Power Ratio, three illumination patterns for specific shooting environments, wide zoom range from 17–200mm and streamlined controls and menus, it’s no wonder that Nikon is the overwhelming choice when it comes to flash photography.
At the heart of the SB-910 is Nikon’s i-TTL flash control which enables Nikon Speedlights to share critical exposure information with CLS compatible D-SLRs. All of the complex lighting calculations are computed for you instantly with consistently accurate results in just about any lighting situation. Using the SB-910 as a Commander or in concert with the SU-800 Commander or D-SLR with built-in Commander operating as the Master controller you can wirelessly manage and fire up to three groups of remotely positioned SB-910, SB-900, SB-700 and SB-R200 Speedlights. Additionally, each group can contain any number of Speedlights and any mix of these Speedlights. SB-910 can also be set as a Remote Speedlight for complete system integration and control.
Versatile flash for enthusiasts and professionals
SB-910 offers an improved interface adding a dedicated Menu button and illuminated buttons for control in low light. Additionally, hard type color correction filters are now used, providing durability and convenience when used with a camera set for Auto white balance. And when taking pictures in certain situations such as in rapid sequence, to prevent the flash tube from overheating an improved thermal cut out protection has been adopted that slows recycling instead of cutting off the flash.
- flash nikon sb 910 preço