Need to learn how to use SB-900

manbou

I just got an SB-900 as a gift (yes, I know, lucky me! ).

It's my first off-camera flash and I have no clue how to use it correctly. I read the instruction manual and the sample photos booklet, but I would like a really basic, easy-to-follow guide on how to get the most out of it. Any recommendations? :ear

catspaw

Nikon has some EXCELLENT dvds, the most recent of which is:

Nikon School presents A Hands-on Guide to Creative Lighting
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-School-presents-Creative-Lighting/dp/B001KJ91V4/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1237805369&sr=8-1

I've only done the first one and am absorbing it then will watch the 2nd (method was recommended elsewhere in these forums )

There's also the Speed of Light dvd which I picked up but have not yet watched:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Speed-Light-Instructional-DVD/dp/B000NCYK4C/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1237805693&sr=8-1

There's also books specific to the Nikon speedlight system, but no idea how good those are. I'm using the dvd's to master the SB-900 and then various other books to get into the finer art of lighting.

Hope that helps some!

jrmyrnsm

Well I'm not sure what all you are trying to photograph but here is a site that is extremely helpful for learning how to use your hotshoe flash.

http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/

The SB900 is an awesome flash and very versatile. You can learn a lot by just playing with it and seeing how things turn out with the flash head pointed different ways and bounced off different surfaces. Depending on what camera you have you probably have Nikon's CLS(creative lighting system) built in which will allow you to place the flash off the camera and trigger it with your pop up flash in commander mode. This is also a lot of fun to play with because you can use your flash on to the side or behind your subject for more natural or impactful lighting. Heres a site with some more info on how to use CLS on a D200 and SB800 but most of it should be similar for you:

http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/d200_and_cls/d200_and_cls_5.html

I would would also recommend eventually getting some sort of flash modifier or diffuser such as a Demb Flip-it, Fong Lightsphere, Better Bounce Card, etc. to help soften your light and keep your flash from looking harsh or unnatural. Good luck with your new flash and if you end up not liking it you can alway send it to me!

catspaw

jrmyrnsm wrote:

Depending on what camera you have you probably have Nikon's CLS(creative lighting system) built in which will allow you to place the flash off the camera and trigger it with your pop up flash in commander mode.

Unless you have the D3. *grumble grumble* glad I got that D300/200 (depending which one Nikon is fixing ...) for Commander Mode!

Not sure about the D700 that the OP has.

jrmyrnsm

Yeah well I suppose thats the one disadvantage of the D3... But yes if you have a D700 it will fully support CLS and its a ton of fun once you start moving your flash off the camera.