SB 900

AmberNikol · Feb 22, 2011

So i've had my Sb 900 for awhile now, and everytime I use it it goes through batteries like nothing else. At times when I'm doing a gig I have to wait a moment or two till it will work again. It's getting VERY frustrating. Is there a special battery I should be using or something that I can get that will allow me to continue to use my flash without having to "give it a break"?

Thanks!

rabman · Feb 22, 2011

I had the same problem. I got some high power rechargeable batteries and they're better. I have these.

UltraLast Green - high power rechargeables

OrionsByte · Feb 22, 2011

Are you using alkalines or rechargeables? Find some NiMH rechargeables if you're not using them already. The recycle time is a bit faster than alkalines and should even give you a few more pops per charge.

Also, I don't know what you're shooting, but you'll drain the battery a lot slower if you're not firing on full power the whole time. Opening up your aperture or raising your ISO would help you back it off a bit.

AmberNikol · Feb 22, 2011

Thanks Rabman, I'll try to find where I can get them and give it a try.

AmberNikol · Feb 22, 2011

Thanks Brian. I was using alkalines.

KmH · Feb 22, 2011

Have a look at page F-21 of your SB-900 users manual.

The higher the rating, mAh, of NiMH batteries, the longer they last - per charge.

Also, the higher mAh rated NiMH batteries (2400+ mAh, or so) don't hold their charge for more than a couple of days or so, while the lower power rated NiMH batteries like Eneloops (2000 mAh), are usually a slow-discharge design and will hold a charge for months, but run out of power sooner when in use.

I use the highest rated NiMH batteries I can get, and just make sure they get charged the night before a shoot.

I recommend using a good Maha brand charger and I currently use Powerex 2700 mAh batteries: Maha Powerex 2700mAh AA Rechargeable Batteries

AmberNikol · Feb 22, 2011

Thanks Keith, I'll check into them. Do they have these type at like Best Buy or something? Or can I only get them online?

Oh I must also make note that I can't find my manual for my speed light nor camera...:-( Had to do some cleaning, found them and said to myself I need to put these in a safe place...well don't ya know, i now can not remember where I put them...haha So i'm still searching for both! lol Hopefully i'll find them soon!

OrionsByte · Feb 22, 2011

You can download the manuals from Nikon. Personally, I keep a copy of the manuals for all of my equipment on my iPhone.

AmberNikol · Feb 22, 2011

Oh thanks! I'll have to do that till I can find mine. I'll put it in my dropbox folder so I always have it! ;-)

Patrice · Feb 22, 2011

This is totally different from other suggestions. I use Quantum QB external batteries to power my flashes when I foresee lots of use at high power and fast recycles. They are a bit pricey but dead reliable, very durable (5 years and counting) and when the lead acid battery inside eventually needs replacing it's an easy diy fix or inexpensive at a battery shop. Do a search and you'll also find diy external battery solutions.

KmH · Feb 22, 2011

If you ever find your users manuals again, put them in your camera bag.

To me, the users manual seems even more valuable than the camera itself. Without the manual there will be features, functions, and nuances you'll never discover your camera/speedlight/lens/etc has.

AmberNikol · Feb 22, 2011

^That is VERY true. I will do that, once I find them.

D-B-J · Feb 22, 2011

I have heard great things about the eneloop batteries as well.

Regards,
Jake

Phranquey · Feb 22, 2011

KmH said:
Have a look at page F-21 of your SB-900 users manual.

The higher the rating, mAh, of NiMH batteries, the longer they last - per charge.

Also, the higher mAh rated NiMH batteries (2400+ mAh, or so) don't hold their charge for more than a couple of days or so, while the lower power rated NiMH batteries like Eneloops (2000 mAh), are usually a slow-discharge design and will hold a charge for months, but run out of power sooner when in use.

I use the highest rated NiMH batteries I can get, and just make sure they get charged the night before a shoot.

I recommend using a good Maha brand charger and I currently use Powerex 2700 mAh batteries: Maha Powerex 2700mAh AA Rechargeable Batteries

Bang-on info here. I've got some Duracell 2700mAh's, and they are workhorses when freshly charged, but won't hold a good charge for more than a week.

For being a more generic battery company, Rayovac has come out with a slow-discharge battery, sold as Pre-Charged. I bought a set, ran them through a few cycles, and then charged them & put them in a drawer for about a month... pulled them out, and they work just as well as the Eneloops.