SB910 Flash Dead

[Stagecoach]

Having cured the intermittent flash battery contacts by careful cleaning a month ago (without any dismantling) and used it successfully a couple of times since, today it will not 'flash' at all.

With both good and new batteries the LCD functionality and ready light come on, there is no sound of charging. On pressing the test fire button the LCD dims very slightly (as you would expect) and there is a very slight 'click' heard when you hold it close but nowt else.

I can't think of any reason other than the tube has gone. It was a used unit purchased a couple of years back and has worked perfectly. The only possible misuse I may have given it was not perfect waterproofing when using it in driving rain

I have a mint SB600 and also a Rollei that is the same power as the 910 but does not perform as well in bounce.

The logical replacement would be the SB5000 unless I go for a non OEM but I want one with equivalent power to the 910 and equally good working in TTL bounce. Any suggestions?

[ST1]

How about one of these Grahame, I have a couple of speed-lights from this brand which; are obviously their clones of the Canon 580 flash. I suspect the Nikon variety will be too.

LINK

[royent]

Does nobody repair flash units ?

Roy

[Stagecoach]

How about one of these Grahame, I have a couple of speed-lights from this brand which; are obviously their clones of the Canon 580 flash. I suspect the Nikon variety will be too.

LINK

I have had a look through at the specs Peter and a 'quick' check suggests it has a GN 160' @ ISO100 @ 105mm compared to the SB-910 GN 197' @ ISO 100 @ 105mm. This from my quick conversions, I really need the power for some work I do.

Have you any experience of it's bounce performance in TTL?

Edit : Checking again, why can't they all use the same parameters for the mathematically challenged

SB-910 GN 173' (feet), ISO 100, 200mm
YN 968N 11 GN 197' (feet), ISO 100, 200mm

[Stagecoach]

Does nobody repair flash units ?

Roy

Yes, my closest service centre is in New Zealand and I have an enquiry in with them. But, they will require it to give a quote.

Risk is that I bought it used, as I found the battery contacts covered in verdigris a while ago and this was some time after I had used it for a few hours in driving rain there's a good chance it may have water/sea air moisture damage inside. With flights very limited at present, the delays this will cause and the cost of postage it may be more prudent to simply replace it.

[odds]

...Risk is that I bought it used

It may still be a good idea to look for another second hand SB-910. A used SB-900 should cost less and still be a good option, a SB-800 too, especially if you get one with the add on battery compartment for a fifth AA battery. (The SB-800 user interface is different though...)
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Odd S.

[xpatUSA]

I have had a look through at the specs Peter and a 'quick' check suggests it has a GN 160' @ ISO100 @ 105mm compared to the SB-910 GN 197' @ ISO 100 @ 105mm. This from my quick conversions, I really need the power for some work I do.

Grahame, is it valid to compare GNs in terms of required exposure, all other things being equal?

Oops, apparently not. The correct comparison is between GN^2, so it requires 0.6EV more exposure that the SB-910.

Pardon the red herring ...

[pendennis]

A quick search on eBay shows several used units from neighboring Australia for around $200 +/-. Might be worth buying a used one. I've owned a used one for around a year, and it's become my "go to" flash. I still have (2) SB-800's and an SB-900. The 800's have around 5K through them without a hitch.

[xpatUSA]

Risk is that I bought it used, as I found the battery contacts covered in verdigris a while ago and this was some time after I had used it for a few hours in driving rain there's a good chance it may have water/sea air moisture damage inside. With flights very limited at present, the delays this will cause and the cost of postage it may be more prudent to simply replace it.

Since it is dead already, you might want to try this if you can get inside:

https://www.hunker.com/13420086/how-to-remove-verdigris

Personally, I'd skip the salt. If successful, I'd apply anti-oxidant spray or grease, e.g. WD40, Hellerman's Phospro, petroleum jelly, etc., na-ni-na ...

[Stagecoach]

It may still be a good idea to look for another second hand SB-910. A used SB-900 should cost less and still be a good option, a SB-800 too, especially if you get one with the add on battery compartment for a fifth AA battery. (The SB-800 user interface is different though...)
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Odd S.

I have no source for used equipment in the country I live and my preferred supplier B&H normally do not ship 'used' gear to my destination. But surprisingly having just looked they have a used SB910 that indicates they will ship, but that's before the checkout procedure.

[Stagecoach]

Oops, apparently not. The correct comparison is between GN^2, so it requires 0.6EV more exposure that the SB-910.

Pardon the red herring ...

Yep, my go to source for unravelling 'flash confusion' agrees

https://www.scantips.com/lights/flashbasics1c2.html

As for whether that difference would bother me (although not now the case) only on rare occasions.

[odds]

I have no source for used equipment in the country

I have never ordered from KEH, but they are supposed to be a good source, see: https://www.keh.com/shop/nikon-speed...ht-223931.html
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Odd S.

[Stagecoach]

Since it is dead already, you might want to try this if you can get inside:

https://www.hunker.com/13420086/how-to-remove-verdigris

Personally, I'd skip the salt. If successful, I'd apply anti-oxidant spray or grease, e.g. WD40, Hellerman's Phospro, petroleum jelly, etc., na-ni-na ...

I had used white vinegar, lots of rubbing and then a slight smear of Vaseline which 'fixed' the surfaces I could reach and that totally solved the intermittent battery problem. But that only dealt with what I could access, the undersides of the contact plates could not be reached and I have no idea of other internal state.

It's possible to buy the replacement tubes for peanuts but how long they would take to arrive from China is unknown. Unfortunately it's another bit of kit that you need to damage rubber parts to disassemble.

[xpatUSA]

I had used white vinegar, lots of rubbing and then a slight smear of Vaseline which 'fixed' the surfaces I could reach and that totally solved the intermittent battery problem. But that only dealt with what I could access, the undersides of the contact plates could not be reached and I have no idea of other internal state.

It's possible to buy the replacement tubes for peanuts but how long they would take to arrive from China is unknown. Unfortunately it's another bit of kit that you need to damage rubber parts to disassemble.

Sad to hear. Good luck with the quest ...

[Stagecoach]

I have never ordered from KEH, but they are supposed to be a good source, see: https://www.keh.com/shop/nikon-speed...ht-223931.html
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Odd S.

A good example Odd of the shipping variations during this Covid period. I used to regularly purchase small items from China but now you often look at an item for $30 that would have shipped for say $10 and shipping is now $100.

SB-910 used is roughly the same price B&H and KEH, $250/270

B&H shipping $35
KEH shipping $117

[pschlute]

I cannot help with your specific problem, but do take extreme care if you go down the route of dismantling the unit. The electrical charge these units store can be lethal.