I have used the SB-900 for several events. I was at a wedding on Dec 31st when it overheated for the first time since I started using it, during the introductions, and Cake Cutting. As luck would have it, I used the Videographer's light for the cake cutting. I usually shoot the reception at ISO 1600. The only reason I can see had a problem is, I used a telephoto lens and I had the flash on camera and shot very rapidly. I usually shoot the SB-900/800 off camera, however, the DJ didn't prompt me, and I wasn't set. Tough wedding, when the DJ just moves on without any cue.

I shoot primarily weddings and always bounce, usually at half or full power. I used to over heat my units all the time. Before the firmware upgrades, I drilled two little holes on the side of the unit, where the diffuser clips in, and then used a baby aspirator to blow air into the unit (if I had the option of dumping the batteries and leaving the door open, I would do that as well).

Just drilling the holes made a noticeable difference. With the aspirator, I could cool a unit to operational temps (pre-firmware) in a matter of minutes. With fresh or iced batteries I could keep shooting for 30 minutes or so.

My advice is to have a backup flash. If that isn't possible switch to normal alkaline batteries leading up to important events. The normal batteries don't have the ability to push so much current and therefor heat into the unit. I have only had one sb900 over heat while using normal alkalines. If you're like me, the cost of the extra batteries is too expensive to justify them so modify your shooting technique.

Shoot at higher ISOs. That lowers the power that your unit has to put out and thus lowers the amount of energy that it needs to take in. At receptions, when I know I'll be shooting a lot, I never shoot lower that 800 iso. Shoot at wider apertures. I can shoot on one set of my rechargeables almost all night at 800 iso and f/2.8 in a room with 10ft ceilings.

It's a great unit. That said, I always carry backup because it fails so often. I will say that it has some 50k fires, mostly near full power and is still going strong. Then again, so does the sb800 and it has never overheated on me.

Funny, I've never once experienced an overheat warning and I keep the thermal shutdown option ON. My Sb-900 is fairly new, but even after 400 or so fast succession shots in the span of about an hour, the unit barely heated up according to the temp gauge. The batteries were pretty hot, but the unit stayed fairly cool. Maybe they made a design change recently? Firmware is V5.02.

I'm really impressed with this unit, honestly. It's a great speedlight, really. Love Nikon's CLS and i-TTL.

Hi,

I took the coward's way out. I have several and during events I have a spare on my person to switch out during failure. It's the 'sure thing.'

My best,

Mike

Mine has only overheated once (burning smell) and I just swapped the batteries for ones in a baggie with an ice pack. Gave about 3 mins and continues shooting... My overheat is disabled. I also seldom shoot at full power but rather use it as fill flash (M not I-TTL)

My SB900 overheated for me repeatedly over this last weekend while the Celebrant was cutting the cake. Now it looks my SB900 have blown out, as I can no longer switch on my SB900. My SB900 is still less than 3 months, since I bought it. I have taken it back to the shop, i bought if from and they are going to send it to NIKON for repair. What can I do now, can I exchange it to a SB800 or ask them to give me another SB900 that has the same problems of over heating?. What can I do in future to avoid SB900 overheating?

Regards
OTIS

Mine actually overheated and shut down after shooting my cousin's wife throwing the bouquet at the reception. I suppose given the circumstances (rapid firing at a dark venue) it'd be quite common to overheat it.

I spoke to the professional photographer and he said his overheated all the time so he just disabled it.

I was only shooting casually so I didn't have the backup flash with me, but it was quite frustrating when it stopped working and all you could do was sit and wait for it to cool.

Mike Gunter said:
Hi Casper,

When it overheats, it stops.

I normally have backups (I have 6 flashes total, so backups aren't a problem), but not this time.

It wasn't critical, nothing but fill flash for outdoor shoots. I just moved the subjects. I hated that I had to do that.

As for turning off warning and cutoff switches, it seems unwise. I don't know anyone who has run into trouble doing it, at least I don't know anyone who has admitted it.

My best,

Mike

thanks Mike.

casperwb said:
Mike.
what did it do, just stopped working until it cooled down?

how long before you could use it again?

Hi Casper,

When it overheats, it stops.

I normally have backups (I have 6 flashes total, so backups aren't a problem), but not this time.

It wasn't critical, nothing but fill flash for outdoor shoots. I just moved the subjects. I hated that I had to do that.

As for turning off warning and cutoff switches, it seems unwise. I don't know anyone who has run into trouble doing it, at least I don't know anyone who has admitted it.

My best,

Mike

Easiest solution I found:

SD-9.

Takes heat draw away from body of flash, and of course gives you better recycling time. . ..a bit overkill, but has worked without flaw for me thus far.

I turned off the warning. I use it all day at weddings. I'm not worried about melting it. If I didn't melt the SB-800, I won't melt the 900.

Mike Gunter said:
Hi,

The SB900 overheated for me repeated for me over the weekend. Fortunately, nothing was critical.

My best,

Mike

Mike.
what did it do, just stopped working until it cooled down?

how long before you could use it again?

Hi,

The SB900 overheated for me repeated for me over the weekend. Fortunately, nothing was critical.

My best,

Mike

Ive never had the issue with my sb900 but I seldom shoot it at full power... I heard that the sb800's overheated too. They just wouldn't warn you and kept/keep on shooting...

Willis said:
Amir:
1. You can turn off the thermal shutoff in the custom settings menu. I've never read about anybody melting their flash unless they were using a battery pack. I've also read that some batteries get hotter than others, with regular Alkali batteries running the coolest (but with a slower refresh time)

I have talked to many who have blown/melted their flash and there has been a few people on here who have had this happen.

A back-up is best but you can overheat both if you are firring non-stop. I use a SB-600 which helps but is not as good as the 900.

sevencrossing said:
My SB 800 did not over heat, but it did not have the power of the 900,

Actually, the 800 has more raw power than the 900. The 900 does a much better job using the power it has due to its awesome adjusting reflector (and the fact everyone thinks the 900 is more powerful is either testament to that or Nikon's PR team), but that awesome reflector only matters when directly lighting. When bouncing from on-camera flash raw guide number is the only true test (unless you are a pool shark), and in that the SB-800 @ 35mm @ISO 100 is 38m vs the 34m of the SB-900.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=t-QpLCtL7gZd2YUq04qwMUw&output=html

Amir do not post the same question in so many threads!

Like every one else, my SB900 overheats if used bounced frequently in a big room

like Mike I have a spare ( in fact I have 2 spares)

My SB 800 did not over heat, but it did not have the power of the 900, and I hated the menu controls

having a bigger head, the 900 seems to produce a softer light than the 800

amir said:
I have nikon SB900 flash and i alway photography with BOUNSE LIGHT and result is
my SB900 shut down after just 30 to 35 pictures,i use ISO 400 and lens i use nikon 18-105
just advise me that can i use NIKON SB700 OR SB600 for wedding events(who alway fast event)
especially when bride and groom wear rings and photographers alway action fast fast and fast(I ALWAY
MY SB900 HEAD UPWARD FOR FULL BOUNCE PURPOSE)
actually someone gave me sb600 in reasonable price so plsssss advise me that can i get this light or
is this light will HAPPY ME FOR BOUNCE PHOTOGRPHY in 15 to 16 ft high roofs of halls
thanks

double post: question asked in another thread

Amir:
1. You can turn off the thermal shutoff in the custom settings menu. I've never read about anybody melting their flash unless they were using a battery pack. I've also read that some batteries get hotter than others, with regular Alkali batteries running the coolest (but with a slower refresh time)

2. Bounce flash doesn't work all that well in a large room, you might explore a different technique. A faster lens will get you better results than a more powerful bounce flash (provided you like the ambient light).

3. All flashes will eventually cut off (or melt), the SB 900 just does it a little sooner than most out of the box. Since I upgraded to the latest firmware, its been less of a problem. If, however, you are going to be shooting rapid fire on full power, you need to keep a backup flash (Even if you don’t, ALWAYS have a backup flash). Bounce flash doesn't require all of the slick CLS & TTL features of the SB series, consider picking up a cheaper alternative

Hi,

My solution is to have backups. I have 2 SB900s and 2 SB800s. Not everyone's answer, but a good fix.

The SB900 overheats with rapid firing at low ISO out doors, dumping all that light output (and heat, apparently) and other conditions that cause it to output energy and heat up.

The cool off times seem longish to me, too. Once it's hot, it get hot quicker if you use at the same event.

Other posters have already noted, the SB800 doesn't suffer any of these issues.

My best,

Mike

I have nikon SB900 flash and i alway photography with BOUNSE LIGHT and result is
my SB900 shut down after just 30 to 35 pictures,i use ISO 400 and lens i use nikon 18-105
just advise me that can i use NIKON SB700 OR SB600 for wedding events(who alway fast event)
especially when bride and groom wear rings and photographers alway action fast fast and fast(I ALWAY
MY SB900 HEAD UPWARD FOR FULL BOUNCE PURPOSE)
actually someone gave me sb600 in reasonable price so plsssss advise me that can i get this light or
is this light will HAPPY ME FOR BOUNCE PHOTOGRPHY in 15 to 16 ft high roofs of halls
thanks

My SB600 flashguns never overheat and works like a charm...

Always always always carry a backup if you're shooting a wedding :) Overheats on me almost every time

not me. . .but I use it went rechargeable Eneloops. . .

I'll usually fire off a sequence of 10-20 shots every few minutes for an evening reception and rarely have hiccups. . .

Firmware 5.02, so it's the latest one. . .