Digital Home Thoughts: Nikon SB900: Flash forward?

The User Interface

Figure Figure 4: The SB900's controls have been totally revamped.

Looking at the back, Nikon has seen fit to revamp the user interface. The LCD is now bigger, and to me is easier to read than the one on the SB800. Gone is the d-pad that had direct control over the flash's zoom and flash power compensation; in its place is a new rotary dial (not unlike Canon's) and a soft button menu system. It works well, but sometimes for quick adjustments pertaining to flash compensation it can be faster with the older flashes to hit a button once or twice instead of having to press a soft menu button followed by twirling the dial.

Figure 5: The SB900 controls up close.

Also new is a manual hardware switch that switches the flash on and off, as well as enabling the wireless flash system Nikon calls Creative Lighting System (CLS). No more digging through custom menus just to enable the wireless modes. A minor complaint on needing to depress the interlock button before being able to slide the switch to the wireless modes: it is a little awkward in practice, as the switch is somewhat flat and does not provide a good grip for a thumb mashed over it.

Another small point: the locking lever is stiffer and not as smooth as those on previous versions. Not a big deal, but it might get in the way if one is in a hurry.