Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)There are many reasons for owning a external power source for your strobe(s). Advanced amateurs or pros alike will be very pleased with this unit, or the SD-9 (both are high performance battery packs).
I'm a professional photographer, travel extensively and find myself in remote locations from time to time. First, let me say that I only load these packs with eneloop AA batteries (fastest recycle times, longest shelf life) rechargeable.
I have several SD-8A packs... why? Well for example, I set up off camera strobe units (SD-800 & SD-900).... I put the strobe on a tripod and attach the SD-8a with a velcro strap on one of the legs.
The off camera strobes now have extended battery life and will shoot hundreds of full power cycles without hesitation. There is lots of buzz regarding the SD-900 overheating and turning off at the worst possible time as it cools down. The external batteries do not effect the strobe heat sensor and therefore does not trigger the high-temp cutout.
If you load the SD-800 or 900 and then use the modeling light function, this will draw from the strobe batteries only, not the external pack, so don't think that these packs will extend the modeling light function...
These packs fit perfectly into my front pocket, or suit jacket breast pocket just fine, with only the wires leading to your camera (if used with the hot shoe). The power cord is also long enough to reach the camera from a belt without too much restriction. If you wear a photography vest, then the battery pack sits nice and high for maximum movement freedom and this is the preferred location in my opinion... plus if you set your gear down, just leave it connected and park the vest with the camera.
After a FULL POWER discharge from the SB-900, expect a recycle time of 1.5 seconds.... so that's the longest you'll wait, assuming you have "eneloops in the system".
On average, you will have, based on my experience, about 300 fast recycle shots and then you'll notice plenty of slowing in the recycle until it just doesn't recover (load fresh rechargeable batteries). This is a lot of shooting and if you use a lower power setting, then expect up to 500 shots with a single load with little lag time.
I like the SD-9 (another external battery pack) because you can have fresh batteries loaded on a cartridge and ready to swap out in a pinch.
Sports photographers will find this handy. But this SD-8A must be loaded singly and you can't pre-load a cartridge.
When you load your SB-800 with 5 AA batteries (using the extra battery holder) and the additional 6 in th e 8A, you now have 11 AA batteries to draw upon. NICE!
So, in summary, I love it, it's the only external portable power source I would buy. They do not let me down and I have had zero technical problems or failures.. and trust me.. I abuse my equipment! The padded pouch it comes in, does a nice job of causing enough friction inside a pocket that it won't fall out when you are leaning over for that shot you just have to have. Also, should you drop it, the padded pouch also does a neat job of protecting it from moderate impact.
For off camera strobe setups, I find it indispensable to bring power where and when I need it.
Perfectly priced in my opinion. Easy to use, quick connect times... up and ready as soon as you turn your flash on.
Get one and enjoy extended shooting... in winter, it will warm your pocket after a burst.
Frederick Dunn (free lance photographer) Using Nikon gear exclusively
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