When the Nikon SB-910 Speedlight was announced, it brought-forth the promise of fixing the Nikon SB-900's one serious flaw: Overheating issues. The SB-900 is a great flashgun, but for some photographers in the event and wedding photography genres, the SB-900 just couldn't keep up with a fast-paced shooting environment, without overheating. Enter the SB-910 Speedlight: Nikon promised the overheating issues of the SB-900 are gone in this new iteration, but is it really a thing of the past?

Hit the link to watch the video comparison of the SB-900 against its predecessor, the SB-910. Which one will overheat first at full-power?

Conclusions: The Nikon SB-910 lowers power once it reaches high operating temps. This keeps the speedlight from overheating, but slightly affects overall performance. The SB-900 shuts-down instead of lowering power once it reaches high operating temps. This renders the SB-900 useless until it cools. Using an external battery pack greatly reduces operating temps in the SB-900. The user can also disable over-heat protection in the SB-900, but at the risk of damaging the flashgun.

• Each flashgun was set on manual mode 1/1 (full-power), ISO-100, ƒ/5.6, 24mm, identical flash pattern
• Fully-charged Rayovac Platinum 2100mAh NiMH rechargeable AA batteries were used in both flashguns
• Each flashgun was triggered manually, at the same exact time
• Video was filmed on a NIkon D7000 (1080/24p)

Related posts:

1. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight announced in Canada
2. New TTL flash gun trigger for Nikon
3. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash now shipping in Europe

The Nikon SB-910 flash is now in stock at B&H.

Related posts:

1. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash now shipping in Europe
2. Nikon SB-900 speedlight listed as “deleted” at BestBuy
3. Nikon SB-900 vs. SB-910 Speedlight comparison

The new Nikon SB-910 flash is already available in Europe. The new Speedlight is now shipping to dealers in the US. Expect delivery to customers to start by the end of this week.

Check also this specs comparison between the SB-900 and SB-910.

Related posts:

1. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash now shipping in Europe
2. Nikon D4 en route to some dealers in Europe
3. Nikon D4 may start shipping at the end of January 2012!

The Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash is already shipping in Europe - the picture above was taken at Foto Hans Keuzekamp in the Netherlands. Expect the US shipments to start next week.

Related posts:

1. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash now available for pre-order
2. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash officially announced
3. Nikon SB-910 vs. Nikon SB-900: Speedlight overheat test by Cary Jordan

A quick comparison between the Nikon SB-900 and the new SB-910 Speedlight flashes. First the specs differences:

On the back of the SB-910 a new menu button replaces the previous zoom button. In the press release Nikon mentioned only two SB-910 improvements over the SB-900:

• the SB-910 provides more efficient battery usage as well as an enhanced Thermal Cut-Out function
• the SB-910 uses new hard-type color compensation filters for fluorescent and incandescent color temperature balancing

Here is a list of the specs that are 100% identical in both SB-900 and SB-910 (based on the specs published on Nikon's website):

• Guide Number
• Lens Coverage
• Bounce Function (Tilt)
• Bounce Function (Rotate)
• Commander Function
• Remote Function
• Electronic Construction
• Flash Exposure Control
• Illumination pattern
• Minimum Recycling Time
• Flash Duration
• Required Power Source
• Optional Power Supply
• Flash-ready Indicator
• Flash Compensation
• Custom Setting
• Minimum Number of Flashes / Recycling Time
• Wireless Flash Modes
• Wireless Communication Channels
• Wireless Groups

Related posts:

1. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight announced in Canada
2. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash officially announced
3. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash now shipping in Europe

The new Nikon SB-910 flash is now available for pre-order at:

• Amazon ($549)
• Adorama ($549.95)
• B&H ($549.95)

• Amazon Germany (€509)
• Amazon Japan (￥54,600)
• Jessops UK (£449.95)

Related posts:

1. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash officially announced
2. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash now shipping in Europe
3. Nikon SB-600 speedlight flash may be discontinued soon

The Nikon SB-910 flash is now officially announced:

• Nikon SB-910 at Nikon Imaging
• Nikon SB-910 at Nikon USA (incl. samples by Joe McNally)
• Nikon SB-910 at Nikon.com
• Price: $549.95
• Availability: mid-December 2011
• Product Number: 4809

Pre-order options:

• Amazon ($549)
• Adorama ($549.95)
• B&H ($549.95)

• Amazon Germany (€509)
• Amazon Japan (￥54,600)
• Jessops UK (£449.95)

THE NEW NIKON SB-910 SPEEDLIGHT HARNESSES POWERFUL FLEXIBILITY AND CONTROL FOR THE REVOLUTIONARY CREATIVE LIGHTING SYSTEM

MELVILLE, N.Y. (November 29, 2011) – Today, Nikon Inc. announced the addition of a new flagship speedlight, the powerful and capable SB-910 speedlight. Building on the versatility of Nikon’s Creative Lighting System (CLS), the SB-910 incorporates an enhanced intuitive operating system and graphic user interface (GUI). The SB-910 speedlight comes equipped with a wide zoom range covering the most popular focal lengths as well as FX/DX-format identification that optimizes zoom settings based on the camera body. This new speedlight also provides more efficient battery usage as well as an enhanced Thermal Cut-Out function.

“As Nikon’s new flagship speedlight, the SB-910 provides exceptional high performance and versatility that users have come to value in Nikon’s Creative Lighting System,” said Lisa Osorio, general manager of marketing at Nikon Inc. “By addressing the needs of photographers that work in challenging lighting scenarios, the SB-910 delivers a new level of portable lighting functionality, with performance and intelligent features that adapt to a wide range of lighting challenges.”

The SB-910 speedlight is designed to provide easy operation and menu navigation, with its enhanced operating system featuring illuminated function buttons, a dedicated Menu button with quick access to custom settings and an improved LCD screen graphic user interface. Whether the unit is used as an on-camera flash, wireless commander or remote, the SB-910 speedlight will provide dependable and consistent flash exposure. Engineered to address the creative lighting challenges faced by today’s photographers, the SB-910 speedlight includes quick on-demand performance and the ability to adapt seamlessly to nearly any possible lighting scenario.

Additionally, the new SB-910 incorporates a new Thermal Cut-Out function, which offers protection against damage to the flash panel and body from overheating during continuous flash use. Now, the flash recycling time is automatically delayed if a significant rise in temperature is detected, rather than ceasing operation to protect the unit. For additional durability, heat-resistance and ease-of-use, the SB-910 uses new hard-type color compensation filters for fluorescent and incandescent color temperature balancing. When using these filters, the flash automatically recognizes which filter is being used and adjusts white balance accordingly on the connected Nikon D-SLR camera. Additionally, the AF-assist illuminator of the SB-910 is compatible with the complete line of AF systems used in Nikon D-SLR cameras.

The SB-910 speedlight features three illumination patterns (standard, center-weighted and even) which are designed to match almost any shooting situation when utilizing the speedlight. The “standard” pattern will cover all conventional, standard flash coverage. The “center-weighted” pattern provides larger guide numbers than other light distribution types at the same focal lengths. This illumination pattern is ideal for subjects such as portraits, in which the light falloff at the image edges can be disregarded. When “even” is selected, the light from the flash will cover a subject from the center to the edges without light falloff. This pattern is applicable for shooting group photographs indoors. For coverage with a variety of lenses, the SB-910 speedlight incorporates a multi-step power zoom range that covers a wide 17-200mm angle of view, and can automatically detect Nikon FX and Nikon DX formats to help select suitable light distribution.

The SB-910 speedlight includes support for Nikon’s advanced wireless TTL operation and can function as a wireless commander with control over three separate groups of speedlights or as a remote speedlight triggered by other SB-910 speedlights, SB-700 speedlights, SU-800 Wireless Commander or the built-in speedlight set to Commander Mode on compatible Nikon D-SLR cameras. The SB-910 incorporates a high-speed recycling time of approximately 2.5 seconds for full power with NiMH batteries, and approximately 3.0 seconds with AA Alkaline batteries.

Optional water guards will be available for select cameras to protect the connection between the flash and camera, allowing users to utilize the flash when weather conditions are less than ideal. The SJ-4 Color Filter set provides a Warming, Red, Yellow or Blue filter for adding color to the background, foreground or just to accent the scene. The SB-910 will come equipped with the AS-21 Speedlight Stand, SW-13H Diffusion Dome, SZ-2FL and SZ-2TN hard type Color Compensation Filters and SS-910 soft case.

Price and Availability
Nikon’s new flagship speedlight, the SB-910, will be available in mid-December 2011 for a SRP*of $549.95. For more information, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

*SRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

Related posts:

1. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight announced in Canada
2. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash now shipping in Europe
3. Only the Nikon SB-910 flash will be announced this week

Nikon Australia just posted a quick recap of the new SB-910 flash features and functions:

SB-910 Primary Features:

• A refined user interface for smoother operation

• Users can now quickly access custom settings using the new MENU button. In addition, the graphical user interface (GUI) has been improved to offer simpler application of settings for all operations.

• Three illumination patterns for use according to the scene

• The SB-910 offers selection from three illumination patterns (Standard, Even, Center-weighted), allowing users to choose the pattern most appropriate for the scene. Illumination precision has also been increased.

• Automatic detection of hard colour filters attached to the front of the flash head

• The SB-910 supports hard colour filters because they are more durable, stand up better to the heat generated by the flash head and are easier to use than the gel colour filters supported by its predecessor. One incandescent filter and one fluorescent filter are supplied with the SB-910.

Additional SB-910 Features and Functions:

• Guide number of 34/111.5 (at ISO 100, m/ft., 35-mm zoom head position, in FX format, standard illumination pattern) for high flash output volume

• Fully compatible with the Nikon Creative Lighting System

• Power zoom function with which the SB-910 automatically adjusts the zoom head position to match lens focal length
  • FX format, Standard illumination pattern: 17–200 mm (14 mm with the built-in wide panel in place)
  • DX format, Standard illumination pattern: 12–200 mm (10 mm with the built-in wide panel in place)

• Automatic switching of zoom head position with detection of the camera’s image area setting—FX or DX format—for optimal angle of flash coverage

Related posts:

1. Nikon SB900 – official announcement in Europe
2. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight announced in Canada
3. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash officially announced

I just saw the Canadian press release for the Nikon SB-910 on Photoxels (page is now removed). The new SB-910 will have a new thermal cut-out feature, hard-type color compensation filters, three illumination patterns, a dedicated menu button, improved user interface, etc. The price is CAD 579.95. The SB-910 is supposed to be available at authorized Nikon Canada dealers in November, which is impossible. This was probably the press release from the October announcement that never happened and they forgot to update it. Here is the full press release:

New Nikon SB-910 Speedlight Harnesses Powerful Flexibility and Control for the Revolutionary Creative Lighting System

New Nikon SB-910 offers advanced flash technology and intelligent features

Mississauga, ON, November 29, 2011 – Today, Nikon Canada announced the addition of a new flagship Speedlight, the powerful and capable SB-910. Building on the versatility of Nikon’s Creative Lighting System (CLS), the SB-910 incorporates an enhanced intuitive operating system and graphic user interface (GUI). The SB-910 Speedlight comes equipped with a wide zoom range covering the most popular focal lengths as well as FX/DX-format identification that optimizes zoom settings based on the camera body. This new Speedlight also provides a more efficient flash coverage and use of batteries as well as an enhanced Thermal Cut-Out function.

“Nikon’s new flagship Speedlight, the SB-910, provides exceptional high performance and creative versatility, which is exactly what users expect from Nikon’s Creative Lighting System,” said Gregory Flasch, National Advertising and Communications Manager at Nikon Canada. “The SB-910 delivers a new level of portable lighting functionality, with performance and intelligent features that adapt to a wide range of lighting challenges.”

With its enhanced operating system featuring illuminated function buttons, a dedicated Menu button with quick access to custom settings and an improved LCD screen graphic user interface, the SB-910 Speedlight is designed to provide easy operation and menu navigation. Whether the unit is used as an on-camera flash, wireless commander, or remote, the SB-910 Speedlight will provide dependable and consistent flash exposure. Engineered to address the creative lighting challenges faced by today’s photographers, the SB-910 Speedlight includes quick on-demand performance and the ability to adapt seamlessly to nearly any possible lighting scenario.

Additionally, the new SB-910 incorporates a new Thermal Cut-out function, which offers protection against damage to the flash panel and body that can be caused by overheating during continuous flash use. Now, rather than ceasing operation to protect the unit, the flash recycling time is automatically delayed if a significant rise in temperature is detected. For additional durability, heat resistance and ease-of-use, the SB-910 uses new hard-type colour compensation filters for fluorescent and incandescent colour temperature balancing. When using these filters, the flash automatically recognizes which filter is being used and adjusts white balance accordingly on the connected Nikon digital SLR camera. Additionally, the AF-assist illuminator of the SB-910 is compatible with the complete line of AF systems used in Nikon digital SLR cameras.

The SB-910 Speedlight features three illumination patterns (standard, centre-weighted and even), which are designed to match almost any shooting situation when utilizing the Speedlight. The “standard” pattern will cover all conventional, standard flash coverage. The centre-weighted pattern provides larger guide numbers than other light distribution types at the same focal lengths. This illumination pattern is ideal for shooting still subjects such as portraits, in which the light falloff at the image edges can be disregarded. When “even” is selected, the light from the flash will cover a subject from centre to edges without light falloff. This pattern is applicable for shooting group photographs indoors. For coverage with a variety of lenses, the SB-910 Speedlight incorporates a multi-step power zoom range that covers a wide 17-200mm angle of view, and can automatically detect Nikon FX and Nikon DX formats to help select suitable light distribution.

The SB-910 Speedlight includes support for Nikon’s advanced wireless TTL operation and can function as a wireless commander with control over three separate groups of Speedlights or as a remote Speedlight triggered by other SB-910 Speedlights, SB-700 Speedlights, SU-800 Wireless Commander or the built-in Speedlight set to Commander Mode on compatible Nikon digital SLR cameras. The SB-910 incorporates a high-speed recycling time of approximately 2.5 seconds for full power with NiMH batteries, and approximately 3.0 seconds with AA Alkaline batteries.

Optional water guards will be available for select cameras to protect the connection between the flash and camera, allowing users to utilize the flash when weather conditions are less than ideal. The SJ-4 Colour Filter set provides a Warming, Red, Yellow or Blue filter for adding colour to the background, foreground or just to accent the scene. The SB-910 comes equipped with the AS-21 Speedlight Stand, SW-13H Diffusion Dome, SZ-2FL and SZ-2TN hard-type Colour Compensation Filters and SS-910 soft case.

Price and Availability
The Nikon SB-910 Speedlight is scheduled to be available at Authorized Nikon Canada Dealers in November at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $579.95.

Related posts:

1. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash officially announced
2. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash now shipping in Europe
3. Nikon SB-900 speedlight has reached end of life?

Cameratools already listed the Nikon SB-910 flash on their website. The official announcement will be in few hours. Stay tuned!

Related posts:

1. New Nikon Coolpix S2600 camera listed on Imaging website
2. 24 hours
3. Nikon SB-900 speedlight listed as “deleted” at BestBuy

There is already an empty spot for the SB-910 on Nikon's website

Based on the latest information from today, we will probably have only one product announcement this Wednesday (November 30th) - the new Nikon SB-910 speedlight unit. This is how the new flash unit was described to me:

"The SB-910 differs from SB-900 in refined ergonomics (also 1% lighter, 1% smaller), redesigned menus, improved overheating control and ... that's it. No "bulb mode" or anything similar. And yes, it's supposed to be introduced on October 26th, but was delayed."

This explains why Nikon did not schedule any press events for November 30th - this is not a major product announcement. The rest of the expected products will probably be revealed in 2012. If there will be a surprise this Wednesday, it will be a lens (or two) but not the Nikon D800. I will have a live coverage starting tomorrow - for US readers the announcement will happen around midnight EST tomorrow (Tuesday).

Just to remind you that I still expect the D800 to have 36MP and not 18MP like several websites have suggested in the past few days. I am still standing behind the rumors form early October and as you will see in the next few days they will slowly start to come true.

Related posts:

1. Nikon SB-910 and a new lens to be announced on November 30th, 2011
2. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash officially announced
3. Nikon announcement next week?

Nikon will have a new product announcement next week, on Wednesday, November 30, 2011. The announcement will be for one or more of the products listed here - the SB-910 flash and one lens is probably the most likely scenario.

I am still trying to confirm whether the Nikon D800 will be one of the products announced next week.

Related posts:

1. Top 10 posts for November 2011
2. A possible scenario for the “other three products” expected to be announced with the Nikon D800
3. Only the Nikon SB-910 flash will be announced this week

An update to my post about the upcoming Nikon products:

• Nikon SB-910: samples of the new flash are already distributed in several different countries, announcement is imminent.
• DX lens: - two options here, either a new 18-300mm lens (see patent) or a 16-85mm lens (it may even be a fixed f/4 aperture).
• FX lens: "will be an update to one of the current AF-D prime lenses and probably will not be wide angle". The latest info points to a new AF-S 85mm f/1.8 lens.
• Nikon D800: several people confirmed that the D800 camera on the leaked images is the real deal.

Next week is pretty much the last chance for Nikon to announce something new for 2011. There were already several Nikon events scheduled for next weekend.

Nikon may or may not announce all four products at the same time, but I feel pretty confident that this is what's coming next from Nikon.

Related posts:

1. Upcoming Nikon products – all you need to know (recap)
2. More rumors on the two upcoming Nikon lenses
3. A possible scenario for the “other three products” expected to be announced with the Nikon D800

In addition to my initial report from October, I received new tips form several other countries that the Nikon SB-900 speedlight ($479) is no longer available for sale to dealers. Some countries have not received shipments for a while and do not expect any new SB-900 units any time soon.

A new Nikon SB-910 flash has been on my list of products expected to be announced together with the Nikon D800. I will not be surprised if the new speedlight will include some kind of video LED lighting, similar to the Polaroid PL160DN that was announced at the PDN show last month (see coverage here and here). There are also several old flash related Nikon patents listed in this post.

Related posts:

1. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash now shipping in Europe
2. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash now available for pre-order
3. Nikon SB-910 now shipping to dealers in the US

This easy bounce pop-up flash diffuser for Nikon DSLR cameras is available on eBay for $29.95:

eBay via Fotoactualidad

Related posts:

1. Nikon patents update (half-mirror, flash with built-in bounce system)
2. New type of build-in flash in the next entry level Nikon DSLR?
3. New TTL flash gun trigger for Nikon

Here is a possible scenario for the other three products that are expected to be announced alongside the D800, probably on October 26th.

• Nikon SB-910 speedlight, the replacement of the SB-900 (see this and this related posts)

• DX lens - probably a consumer lens. One tipster actually mentioned a new wide angle DX lens, which would be great for all DX users. Another source mentioned just an update of an existing lens. The DX lens may be announced separately from the remaining products.

• FX lens - no idea about the FX lens, most probably will be an update of an existing lens. My personal guess would be for a new 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6, 300mm f/4 or a 70-200mm f/4 (just my guess people, don't quote me on that)

I would rate the above rumors at 60% probability.

Also, I received a confirmation that the D800 will have a SD and CF card slots (as it was mentioned in the initial set of specs).

On Friday Sept. 30 Nikon reportedly shot a commercial in Toronto, Canada, not clear for what product. Anyone knows anything about that?

Related posts:

1. No other Nikon products expected to be released for Photokina, except…
2. Nikon D400 will not be announced before the D800/D4
3. 4 upcoming Nikon products

More on the Nikon SB-900 speedlight being discontinued story: in BestBuy's internal inventory system the Nikon SB-900 flash is already listed as "deleted" which usually means this product will no longer be available for sale:

The Nikon SB-900 is still available for sale on BestBuy website.

Here are some previously discussed Nikon flash patents:

• New flash design with video illumination and a way to cool off the flash efficiently by adding a “heat radiating member” (picture above)
• Flash with built-in cooling fan
• Flash unit with a built-in bounce system
• LED based flash

Related posts:

1. Nikon D90 listed as “New!” at BestBuy
2. Nikon D700 for $2267.99 at BestBuy right now
3. Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G gone also from BestBuy

I received separate emails from retailers in two different European countries that the Nikon SB 900 speedlight has reached end of life and can no longer be ordered. This is a rather unusual development since the SB-900 was announced in 2008. The previous SB-800 model was announced in 2003. Maybe this is just a glitch in Nikon's ordering system.

Related posts:

1. Nikon SB-900 speedlight listed as “deleted” at BestBuy
2. Nikon SB-910 Speedlight announced in Canada
3. New Nikon patent for remaining battery life

It's Friday - time for another Nikon patents update. First, a new patent application for a 10mm f/2 wide angle lens with a 155° angle of view:

Next patent application 20110080659 is for a 18mm f/2.8 DX format (28mm equivalent). This lens is not designed for F-mount (back focus is 19mm) and is compact (58mm from image plane to front element) - probably for Nikon's upcoming mirrorless system:

Japanese patent application 2010-283422 is for a sensor in the camera that will keep track if the camera was dropped or mishandled:

... a user cannot easily confirm the carefulness of the way of handling a digital camera corresponding to the history of the way of handling the digital camera.

Solution: Based on the number of times of determining that a pressure applied to a camera body 2, which is detected by a pressure sensor 32 exceeds a first threshold ...

Multiple patents (2010-276744 - 2010-276747) were filed again in Japan for the 80-400mm lens:

Japanese patent application 2010-271418 describes Nikon's mirrorless mount:

"To provide an optical unit, a camera body, a coupling structure of camera body and optical unit, and a camera, preventing looseness of the optical unit to the camera body even when the optical unit detachably mounted to the camera body is heavy."

Nikon patent application 20070248345 is for a camera/system hat detecting faces in an image wherein it uses the detected face locations/areas to determine which phase-detection AF point to use (that is, instead of using gruelingly slow contrast AF to focus the faces it will detect the face then use the nearest phase-detection AF point).

Related posts:

1. Nikon patents update
2. New Nikon patents (US update)
3. Update on the latest Nikon patents filed in Japan

I follow only Nikon related patents and when I saw this patent from a company called Lab Partners Associates, I immediately ignored it.

But then I got curious - who is that company that dares to patent a new wireless radio flash trigger for Nikon. Well, Lab Partners Associates Inc. is actually Pocketwizard and the inventor of this patent James E. Clark is one of the brains behind LPA.

Now back to the patent:

"A method for controlling one or more remote photographic flash devices from a camera body, the method comprising:

• electrically receiving a flash synchronization signal internal to the camera body;
• using the flash synchronization signal to generate within the camera body an RF signal;
• communicating the RF signal via a wired connection to an antenna external to the camera body; and
• wirelessly communicating the RF signal from the external antenna to the one or more remote photographic flash devices.

The patent describes the installation of the wireless communication module inside the camera and even mentions "in a camera such as a Nikon" (see images after the break):

"The wireless communication module of the present invention adds wireless control functionality to existing devices, for example cameras. The module is inserted in a device that was originally designed without, or with different, remote control functionality. A device including the module can remotely operate other devices using the existing controls of the device. The module enables a user to remotely operate external devices without any cables running back to the device. It also allows a user to remotely operate other devices that include the wireless communication module."

I guess you will have to send in your camera for this type of modification. Will this void the warranty? I wonder if Nikon is somehow involved in the development of this product.

Related posts:

1. Nikon patents that could be related to the upcoming mirrorless camera
2. New TTL flash gun trigger for Nikon
3. The latest Nikon patents