Nikon SB-910 - Speedlights have a new King

[CCJ]

Introduction


Three Generations of Flagships. Left to right: SB-800, SB-900, SB-910

Nikon has announced an evolutionary update to the venerable SB-900, the new SB-910. Addressing some of the issues experienced by users of the SB-900, as well as adding some new features, the SB-910 is designed to replace the SB-900 as the flagship speedlight in Nikon's lineup.

Specifications

Specification	SB-910	SB-900
Commander Function	Yes	Yes
Remote Function	Yes	Yes
Guide Number	34m at ISO100, 35mm	34m at ISO100, 35mm
Electronic Construction	Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry	Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry
Flash Exposure Control	Distance-priority manual flash i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash with CLS compatible cameras Manual Flash (with Nikon CLS digital and 35mm SLR cameras)	Distance-priority manual flash i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash with CLS compatible cameras Manual Flash (with Nikon CLS digital and 35mm SLR cameras)
Lens Coverage	8-11mm (DX, Automatic mode with built-in wide angle panel deployed) 12-17mm (FX, Automatic mode with built-in wide angle panel deployed) 12-200mm (DX, Automatic mode) 17-200mm (FX, Automatic mode)	8-11mm (DX, Automatic mode with built-in wide angle panel deployed) 12-17mm (FX, Automatic mode with built-in wide angle panel deployed) 12-200mm (DX, Automatic mode) 17-200mm (FX, Automatic mode)
Illumination Pattern	Standard Even Center-weighted Automatically adjusted according to DX or FX formats	Standard Even Center-weighted Automatically adjusted according to DX or FX formats
Other Functions	Test Firing Monitor Pre-flashes AF-assist illumination for multi-point AF Modeling illuminator	Test Firing Monitor Pre-flashes AF-assist illumination for multi-point AF Modeling illuminator
Bounce Function (Tilt)	Flash head tilts down to -7deg or up to 90deg with click-stops at -7, 0, 45, 60, 75, and 90deg	Flash head tilts down to -7deg or up to 90deg with click-stops at -7, 0, 45, 60, 75, and 90deg
Bounce Function (Rotate)	Flash head rotates horizontally 180deg to the left and right with clock stops at 0, 30, 60, 75, 90, 120, 150, and 180deg	Flash head rotates horizontally 180deg to the left and right with clock stops at 0, 30, 60, 75, 90, 120, 150, and 180deg
Minimum Recycling Time	Approx 2.3sec with Ni-MH (2600mAh) batteries Approx. 3.0sec with Oxyride (1.5V) batteries Approx. 4.0sec with Alkaline-manganese (1.5V) batteries Approx. 4.5sec with Lithium (1.5V) batteries	Approx 2.3sec with Ni-MH (2600mAh) batteries Approx. 3.0sec with Oxyride (1.5V) batteries Approx. 4.0sec with Alkaline-manganese (1.5V) batteries Approx. 4.5sec with Lithium (1.5V) batteries
Flash Duration	1/880 at 1/1 1/1100 at 1/2 1/2550 at 1/4 1/5000 at 1/8 1/10000 at 1/16 1/20000 at 1/32 1/35700 at 1/64 1/38500 at 1/128	1/880 at 1/1 1/1100 at 1/2 1/2550 at 1/4 1/5000 at 1/8 1/10000 at 1/16 1/20000 at 1/32 1/35700 at 1/64 1/38500 at 1/128
Required Power Source	Four AA-size batteries	Four AA-size batteries
Optional Power Supply	SK-6 Power Pracket Unit SD-9 High-Performance Battery Pack SD-8A High-Performance Battery Pack	SK-6 Power Pracket Unit SD-9 High-Performance Battery Pack SD-8A High-Performance Battery Pack
Flash-Ready Indicator	Rear and front lights blink: insufficient light for correct exposure Rear lights up and front blinks: recycled and ready to fire	Rear and front lights blink: insufficient light for correct exposure Rear lights up and front blinks: recycled and ready to fire
Flash Compensation	-3.0 to +3.0EV in 1/3 step increments	-3.0 to +3.0EV in 1/3 step increments
Custom Setting	AF-Assist Illumination Modeling Illuminator Monitor Pre-Flashes Test Firing	AF-Assist Illumination Modeling Illuminator Monitor Pre-Flashes Test Firing
Minimum Number of Flashes/Recycling Time	110/4.0-30sec (1.5V Alkaline-manganese) 165/2.3-30sec (Ni-MH) 190/2.3-30sec (2600mAh Ni-MH) 230/4.5-120sec (1.5V Lithium)	110/4.0-30sec (1.5V Alkaline-manganese) 165/2.3-30sec (Ni-MH) 190/2.3-30sec (2600mAh Ni-MH) 230/4.5-120sec (1.5V Lithium)
Wireless Flash Modes	Master Master (RPT) Off Remote SU-4	Master Master (RPT) Off Remote SU-4
Wireless Communication Channels	1, 2, 3, 4	1, 2, 3, 4
Wireless Groups	A, B, C	A, B, C
Other Functions	Firemware update ISO sensitivity setting Key lock Recalling the underexposure value in the TTL auto flash mode Resetting the settings Improved Thermal Cut-out	Firemware update ISO sensitivity setting Key lock Recalling the underexposure value in the TTL auto flash mode Resetting the settings Improved Thermal Cut-out
Dimensions	78.5 x 145 x 113mm	78.0 x 146.0 x 118.5mm
Weight (w/o batteries)	420g	415g
Supplied Accessories	AS-21 Speedlight Stand SW-13H Nikon Diffusion Dome SZ-2FL Flourescent Filter SZ-2TN Incandescent Filter SS-910 Soft Case	AS-21 Speedlight Stand SW-13H Diffusion Dome SJ-900 Colour Filter Set SZ-2 Colour Filter Holder SS-900 Soft Case

Build Quality and Handling

The SB-910 is Nikon's newest flagship, and as befitting its status is built like a tank. Everything screams 'well-built', from the hotshoe lock lever to the buttons to the bounce head. Nothing creaks, and all doors and port covers feel like they'll last forever. There is absolutely no doubt that this is a Professional product. Anyone familiar with the SB-900 will feel right at home with the SB-910.


The SB-910 has a new lock mechanism on the battery door. SB-910 on right.

The only real build difference between the SB-910 and the SB-900 is the inclusion of a lock mechanism on the SB-910's battery door, as can be seen in the photo above. All other details of the SB-910 feel as well built as its predecessor.

Key Features



As evidenced by its naming conventions, the SB-910 is an evolutionary upgrade to the SB-900, and not a complete redesign of the Nikon speedlight flagship. For most users and uses, the SB-910 will function in the same manner as the SB-900. However, the SB-910 is not without its upgrades:

Updates to Body and Button Layout


The SB-910 borrows heavily from the Speedlight SB-700 in terms of button design and interface. The transparent buttons of the SB-900 are gone, replaced by solid ones on the SB-910 that, in our opinion, 'click' a lot better than the old ones.



The interface has been updated as well, with more information being shown in a clearer manner than the SB-900. Users upgrading from the SB-700 will immediately recognise the interface and menu layout, while long-time users of the SB-900 will appreciate the copious amount of information on display.

Clip-on Filters



While the SB-900 shipped with coloured filters, the SB-910 takes it a step further by making the included filters out of hard plastic. The result? Infinitely more durable colour filters for the majority of most colour-correction needs. As an added bonus, clipping either coloured filter to the SB-910 triggers an automatic adjustment of white-balance on-camera, ensuring that an appropriate white balance setting for the scene that you're shooting.

Better Thermal Protection

The SB-910 boasts improved thermal protection over its predecessor the SB-900. Instead of shutting the flash unit off when reaching critical heat levels, the SB-910 slows the flash's recycle rate, ensuring that it stays within operational limits. What this means for the end-user is that instead of the flash suddenly cutting out during shooting, one can continue to take photos, albeit at a slower rate. This could make the difference between getting the shot and missing it. As an added benefit, it also means that you're less likely to damage your flash.

Conclusion



The SB-910 is an incremental upgrade to an already well-reputed flash used by professionals the world over. With the exact same flash specifications (guide number, zoom range, etc.) as its predecessor, one might argue that there is no compelling reason to upgrade at all. Yet, features such as the hard plastic clip-on filters and improved thermal protection are sure to be be appreciated by users shooting in fast-paced and demanding environments. Existing users of the SB-900 may not find it worthwhile to add the SB-910 to their lineup, but Nikonians in ther market for a high-powered, full-featured flash will do well to consider the SB-910 in their purchase decision.