The SB-600 AF and SB-900 AF are photographic flash units developed by Nikon as part of the company's Speedlight line. Both units use AA batteries as their primary power source and are hot-shoe and wireless-compatible. Though they are similar in design and application, SB-600 and SB-900 differ in terms of size, features, flash duration and recycle times, and available modes. Overall, the SB-900 is the more advanced flash unit.
Size and Power
The SB-600 measures 4.9 inches tall, 2.7 inches wide and 3.5 inches thick at its thickest point. It weighs 10.6 oz. The SB-900 is slightly larger and heavier, measuring 5.7 inches tall, 3 inches wide and 4.7 inches thick at its thickest point. Four AA-size lithium, nickel or alkaline batteries provide on-board power to both the SB-600 and SB-900. The SB-900 is also compatible with three different optional external power sources -- the SK-6 power bracket unit, SD-9 high-performance battery pack and SD-8A battery pack. The SB-600 isn't compatible with external power sources.
Features
Both the SB-600 and the SB-900 have rotating heads and are constructed around what Nikon calls automatic insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry. The SB-600 and SB-900 both have the ability to be used via an on-camera hot shoe or as a wireless external light source. The SB-900 has commander function while the SB-600 doesn't. Both flash units have Nikon's Precision i-TTL flash control and flash exposure controls that include i-TTL balanced fill flash and full manual flash. The SB-900 also has distance-priority manual flash capability.
Durations and Modes
The SB-600 has lens coverage of 24 to 85 mm in automatic and manual modes, and 14 to 85 mm in manual mode with a wide-flash adapter. The SB-900 has broader lens coverage of 17 to 200 mm in FX-format automatic mode, 12 to 200 mm in DX-format automatic mode, 12 to 17 mm and 8 to 11 mm in FX-format and DX-format respectively, with the SB-900's wide-angle panel deployed. The SB-900 also has standard, even and center-weighted illumination pattern presets. Both flash units have integrated test firing, monitor pre-flashes and AF-assist illuminator functions. The SB-900 also has a modelling illuminator function.
Additional Information
The SB-900 has a minimum 2.3-second recycling time when equipped with Ni-MH batteries. The SB-600 has a minimum 2.5-second recycling time when equipped with the same batteries. Minimum recycling times double for both flash units when equipped with slower lithium batteries. The SB-900 has a broader flash duration range of 1/880 of a second to 1/38,500 of a second, compared to a range of 1/900 of a second to 1/25,000 of a second for the SB-600. The SB-900 has front and back ready lights while the SB-600 only has a back ready light. Both devices have plus or minus 3.0 EV of flash compensation available in 1/3 steps. Both have four wireless communication channels and three wireless groups.
Tags: SB-600 SB-900, flash units, SB-900 also, equipped with, when equipped, when equipped with, automatic mode
