Is this correct?

Erbeman

So, I'm doing research on them both the SB 800 and 900 and it seems the 800 is quite a bit more powerful, but the 900 has the big zoom. I want the 900 because has all the cool new functions but it isn't near as strong if I am interpreting correctly. The guide numbers for the 900 are:

34/111.5 (ISO 100, m/ft), 48/157.5 (ISO 200, m/ft)

The numbers for the 800 are:

38/125 (at 35mm) to 56/184 (at 105mm) (ISO 100, m/ft.)

Am I correct? The 900 can shoot a very narrow strong beam of light 200 mm but the 800 shoots way more light at 105 mm.
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Cygnus Studios

The SB900 far outweighs the 800 in my opinion. 2 Weeks after buying the 900, I sold my 800's. I saw significant gains of power with the 900 with less batteries. The 180 degree turn in both directions is worth the extra dollars for my uses. It recycles faster, goes further, has firmware updates, better button layout and controls, better weather proofing, and the heat protection all added up to a no brainer for me.
That doesn't even include the flash controls like Slow-sync; Red-eye reduction in Slow-sync; Front-curtain sync; Rear-curtain sync; Rear-curtain Slow-sync Shooting functions: Auto FP High-Speed sync; FV Lock flash

The only downside is the extra size and weight.

catspaw

Cygnus Studios wrote:

The SB900 far outweighs the 800 in my opinion. 2 Weeks after buying the 900, I sold my 800's. I saw significant gains of power with the 900 with less batteries. The 180 degree turn in both directions is worth the extra dollars for my uses. It recycles faster, goes further, has firmware updates, better button layout and controls, better weather proofing, and the heat protection all added up to a no brainer for me.
That doesn't even include the flash controls like Slow-sync; Red-eye reduction in Slow-sync; Front-curtain sync; Rear-curtain sync; Rear-curtain Slow-sync Shooting functions: Auto FP High-Speed sync; FV Lock flash

The only downside is the extra size and weight.

Out of curiousity, did you pick up a Quantum battery pack for the SB-900 or do you find it lasts well enough with a store of batteries on hand? Those battery packs are expensive (doubles the price of the flash, ugh!) but if I get into more convention/wedding type of circumstances, I can see needing it more and more.

Cygnus Studios

I use regular rechargeable batteries. If going out to a major event, I pack 16 fully charged batteries. Roughly 600 shots. I haven't felt the need for a pack yet.

catspaw

Cygnus Studios wrote:

I use regular rechargeable batteries. If going out to a major event, I pack 16 fully charged batteries. Roughly 600 shots. I haven't felt the need for a pack yet.

most excellent from my Canon Powershot cameras, I've plenty of AA rechargable batteries around to keep me going.

Erbeman

I just pulled the trigger on a new SB-900.