[Pez]

After being very disappointed with a lot of dark pictures I decided that the D300s built in flash is pretty much garbage. It was time to upgrade.

Example photo with built in flash. Note the darkened background reminiscent of cheaper point and shoot variety cameras.



The SB-900 just throws so much light and it looks so natural. In this second image there is some, but not a lot of natural light, almost the same as the 1st pic, however the photo looks much more vibrant and lacks the hard shadowing as you see in the first image. Not to mention that the background isn't darkened by foreground flash.



This one would have been a lot darker background, but being able to angle the flash backward to bounce off the ceiling and wall really helps brighten up this one.



and last because of the much more diffuse dispersion of light no more shadows bouncing off of foreground objects onto the subject!



again, all of these were taken with the SB-900 flash in various ways whether with the diffuser, bounce card or just angled toward walls and ceilings.

The only complaint I have with this flash is it is a beast! Very very heavy and big. The plethora of options is a bit dizzying and I haven't even begun to scratch the surface. But all of that is worth it as I no longer dread taking photos with a flash.  Thanks to all my niece, daughter, and friends kids for making such cute subjects. 

Anyone else use this flash or one similar?

[thunderbrick]

The SB-800 is great, and while I own two of them (and a couple of monster Metz 60CT-4s) the D300s' tiny pop-up flash does amazing things as fill flash.  All flash characteristics are affected by distance, focal length and ambient light.  The D300s/SB-800 on a 70-200 2.8 sucks indoors at longer distances, as most flashes do on long glass.  Direct, not bounce, that is.

[Pez]

Agreed, I do have some great shots (on my home computer) using natural light and the standard flash, but it is nice to finally have something with a lot more power and flexibility.

The SB-900 is supposed to be great up to 200 mm. I haven't tried it much yet at 200, but we will see.

[low.pfile]

I am a flash newbie.  Now I have a SB800. I've always owned one (film) but it sat in the closet. I am slowly getting it now and a little less intimidated. I learned a lot at this flash demo.

So, now with your SB-900 you can do the cool off-camera flash technique. just set your D300's flash to Commander mode   and the SB-900 to Remote mode and fire away.

[Pez]

Ya I'm a flash newb too. Heck I haven't even figured out how to use the commander mode on the d300. 

Edit: ok I found the buried menu to do it. Pretty darn cool!

[jvc]

I got an SB-900 this past week. I have to learn all over again, how to operate a flash. I'm taking the KelbyTraining online, and just finished last night, one of the lessons on using flash by Joe McNally. He was using SB-800s and doing some amazing stuff. The 900 should be an amazing piece of equipment, once I learn to use it efficiently. Will be taking some of the other lessons too. If interested in checking them out, see here: http://www.kelbytraining.com/
I got the annual membership. I'll learn about Lightroom, dip into CS5, Flash, HDR, and some wedding photography (niece getting married this year).

[Pez]

Great suggestion, I actually want to take a few online training classes to be a better photographer. Learning on your own is fun, but to really take it to the next level you need to turn to education. Sigh.... Also I would like time to take astronomy, and 2 more marital arts. 

[PeteG]

I am a flash newbie.  Now I have a SB800. I've always owned one (film) but it sat in the closet. I am slowly getting it now and a little less intimidated. I learned a lot at this flash demo.

So, now with your SB-900 you can do the cool off-camera flash technique. just set your D300's flash to Commander mode   and the SB-900 to Remote mode and fire away.

I love this feature on my Canon, I can use the pop-up and external flash (usually on the side) at the same time or when using a macro lens I can handhold the flash pretty close to the subject.

[Pez]

Ok here's an example of what this flash can do!

With D300 built in flash:


With the SB-900 flash attachement


nuff said.

[JohnR]

I want a pair of those goggles!!

[WerTicus]

If you think this is awesome, wait till you discover radio triggers.

[Early B.]

If you think this is awesome, wait till you discover radio triggers.

Agreed. Nikon's CLS is great, but has its limitations. Get yourself some cheap ebay triggers, a light stand, and a 24" x 24" softbox for your SB-900. That's when you'll discover the magic of off camera flash. 

[navi]

wait til you go off camera with the flash. get yourself a off camera cable and external battery booster pack. thats where the fun begins......

 i've never been a fan of speed lights. the light always looks 'dirty' as in color temp isn't quite right, flash duration isn't that great. good thing is : it's easy to use and cheaper than a elinchrom or broncolor portable flash kit.