SB-900 frustrations

Hello All!
I have an SB-900 that I honestly wish I didn't...:-) It is too smart for me!
When I first started using it out of the box, it was hot, and the light produced was great...Now, I'm assuming I've monkeyed around w/ it, and the light output is terrible. I have tried a "reset", read the manual to death etc. I cannot get good light out of the thing any more...I know I've been vague here...but I honestly don't know what information to include in my post....I really prefer to use it a bit on the automatic side...I shoot many things and really do better w/ a flash that can do the calculating for me....
Any suggestions? I use the heck out of my SB-600 and get great results..I just hate to have a $500 flash sitting in my bag, and not use it...
cheers,
sue

I love the SB 900 ----except the overheating issue :mad2: . I like the interface much better than the SB 600/800 series. So much so that I forget how to set the SB 600 when I need to change things in the field. I haven't had any problems with the output, the rotary dial really kicks tushy.

But the main flaw I have is that I overheat the thing on nearly every shoot -- and it plays it little audio alarm and shuts down for a few minutes. I updated the firmware and it still does it. It could be that I live in Las Vegas and the ambient temperature is higher than less extreme locations -- but sheesh, I've never had any issues with my trusty SB600 flash. I use it in commander mode about as much as by itself -- but I am thinking about getting some radio triggers with better range and flexibility though.

mbb

When I bought my SB800 I looked into the SB900 and just about every review I read mentioned the over heating problem. They did say it was when the flash was at full power and had several shots in a row fired that it had this problem. Maybe if you could avoid one or both of these situations it may not overheat. I know this may not be the ideal answer to the problem, but it is better than missing a shot waiting for it to be ready, Jeff

Post some examples of what worked with the SB600 and what didn't work with the SB900.

When you say it was "hot" when you got it out of the box I assume you mean you were enthusiastic about it, not that the thing was already overheating? You were satisfied with it at first then you did something and now it's not so good?

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Originally Posted by sgriggs2006

Hello All!
I have an SB-900 that I honestly wish I didn't...:-) It is too smart for me!
When I first started using it out of the box, it was hot, and the light produced was great...Now, I'm assuming I've monkeyed around w/ it, and the light output is terrible. I have tried a "reset", read the manual to death etc. I cannot get good light out of the thing any more...I know I've been vague here...but I honestly don't know what information to include in my post....I really prefer to use it a bit on the automatic side...I shoot many things and really do better w/ a flash that can do the calculating for me....
Any suggestions? I use the heck out of my SB-600 and get great results..I just hate to have a $500 flash sitting in my bag, and not use it...
cheers,
sue

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I do not have the SB900 but would suggest looking to see if you have it on full power and also that you DO NOT have it set to fill flash, Jeff

Hello all!
It seems I must clarify my original post...when I said it was "hot" I meant, I really liked it!! NOT that it was overheating.
On THAT thread, when I have used this flash I have never even gotten it close to overheating....and was shooting it a LOT.
I will find or take some pictures that show what I am talking about...I hope I haven't purged all the ones that I have taken.... :-(