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Considering how good the SB-600 is, is there really a need to go to the SB-900 if you already have a body with CLS?

The advantage I can tell so far is that you can control 3 groups with the SB-800 / 900 where as bodies can only control 2 groups.

The SB-900 has more power, controllable flash output (wide, even) more expensive.....

Is it worth it?

yes there are quite a few reasons for getting a SB900

Major advantages SB900 over SB600:

bigger power

SB900 can be used as commander (control 3 groups, rotateable head can means you can trigger remote flashes at different directions, longer remote range and allow the commander to be operated in hi speed sync mode)

Much better user interface (sb600 is horrible)

Bigger head rotation range

Bigger zoom range (SB900 can zoom to 200mm compare to SB600's 85mm)

Optional power pack

Adjustable light pattern

PC Connector

Colour Gel detection and automatic white balance adjustment.


there are a lot other minor differences but the main reason i want to get a SB900 are listed above.

Having said that, the SB600s are still awesome and very good value for money especially if you want to play with multiple flashes setup.

Thanks alot for the reply Yellow15.

Just that with a camera with CLS, I figured that would be a slave and fire SB-600's but I forgot about the head of the SB-900 being able to turn right around to fire backwards.

The SB-600 is quite simple once you list out all the differences.

The sb-600 is still able to turn 180 degrees to fire backwards too. Just only from one direction though.

yeah. sb600 can be turn 180 degrees.
But sometime, you'll want to trigger an external flash that is behind you. If it's indoor, then internal flash probably is okay as light can bounce off the wall. But if it's outdoor, then you'll need a SB800/900 to do that as SB600 can't be used as a commander.

Did you buy one?????

Yes!!! Used it in a maternity photoshot yesterday seems quite good. I will write a review after i got to use it a bit more

(07-19-2009 05:05 PM)yellow15 Wrote: [ -> ]Yes!!! Used it in a maternity photoshot yesterday seems quite good. I will write a review after i got to use it a bit more

YOU !!!!!!!

How is it?? TELL TELLL TELLL.... do tell.....

i believe 2 SB800 will be more useful than a SB900...Sb600 just lacks of the commander mode function.