Review of the Nikon Speedlight SB-900 flash

Interface, range of functions, flawless performance

Complicated, expensive, quite large

Flash performance is flawless - powerful, fast and unerringly accurate, with fine control over every aspect of its operation. The wireless operation is also impressive (once you figure out how to set it up). Its complexity, however, is also its ...

With the F36AM flashgun now discontinued, Sony Alpha users have a current choice of two: the top-end F56AM and this, the F42AM...

Display, good illumination

Occasional underexposure

Overall, a capable and good-looking option for the Alpha user.

Upon first inspection, the Sigma EF-530 DG ST flash looks like a no-nonsense piece of kit.....

Reasonably priced, easy functionality

No LCD screen, limited manual selection

All in all, it does what it says on the tin, and at a reasonable price, too.

Samsung's entry to the mid-level flashgun market is a well-made and reasonably small unit offering full TTL operation with the company.s DSLRs.....

Advanced features, build, power usage

Slight corner fall-off

A good, solid unit with a reasonable light quality, at a price that's more than acceptable.

The Metz Mecablitz 45 CL-4 Digital hammerhead flash is a tough, no-nonsense flash that offers plenty of creative options.

Power, off axis, TTL and manual control, batteries

Size, narrow coverage

This is a tough, no-nonsense flash unit that provides plenty of creative options. Its bulk and advanced features are not for everyone and some might be better off with a standard on-camera flash. For those who use flash a lot though, the Metz is one ...

This is a comparatively large unit that offers full tilt and bounce functions.......

Features, price, ease of use

Slightly uneven illumination

Full marks go to the Sigma for power and features, but the image quality lets it down slightly. It's not bad for the price though.

This pocket-sized model may not be the biggest or most powerful, but it has a decent amount of features while keeping things simple......

Price, ease of use, size

Sometimes underexposes, limited features, fall-off at wideangle

For the price this is a handy, well made and attractive little unit.

The FL-20 is small and dedicated only to the Olympus E-system cameras....

Small, lightweight, good colour, even illumination

Limited features, not the most powerful, some fall off at wideangle, price

Overall this is a useful and compact unit that matches well with Olympus cameras. It's expensive compared with similar units for other manufacturers, but Olympus fans should be more than satisfied.

Sunpak has long been a professional favourite and this fairly small model has a decent GN of 30m@ISO100, with a 90° tilting head...

Features, ease of use, build

Some fall-off at wideangle, exposure issues

Overall a solid performer with nice features and at a reasonable price.

Launched at the same time as the Nikon D40, the SB-400 is the 'baby' of Nikon's conventional Speedlight flash family....

Lightweight, creative options, tilting reflector

Lack of swivel action

For the first timer looking for a bit more power and the versatility of bounce flash compared to their built-in flash, the SB-400 fits the bill, but it also makes a great lightweight alternative to the more cumbersome SB-600 and SB-800 for the pro ...