Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack
- Price: $149.95
- GBP 94.78
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The Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack takes six "AA" alkaline, lithium or NiCad batteries. It can be used with the SB-11, SB-22, SB-25, SB-26, SB-27, SB-28, SB-28DX, SB-80DX, & SB-800 Speedlights, as well as the SK-6A Power Bracket. Total flash capacity per round of batteries is doubled, and flash recycling time will be cut by 60-75%. Batteries must be in place in the flash in order to operate.
Dimensions: 2.7 X 6.2 X 1" (WxHxD)
Weight: 4.9 oz (Excluding Batteries)
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 117 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
99%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Reliable (74)
- Fast charge (61)
- Long-lasting (59)
- Easy to install (43)
- Lightweight (35)
Cons
- Pricey / poor value (6)
Best Uses
- Digital photography (42)
- Photography (34)
- Portrait photography (29)
- Professional cameras (23)
- Travel (20)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-pro photographer (30), Pro photographer (28), Professional (22), Enthusiast (12), Photo enthusiast (11)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (21)
Most Liked Positive Review
Completing the SB800's class act.
It truly adds to the functionality on the venerable SB 800. Yes as a team SD-8A/Sb800, it would make me think twice before jumping to the SB 900. At the risk of...Read complete review
It truly adds to the functionality on the venerable SB 800. Yes as a team SD-8A/Sb800, it would make me think twice before jumping to the SB 900. At the risk of repeating some of what was said by most of the other reviewers, I want to add some more relevance to this seamless match.
Yes in my first full test to see how many shots I could get with it added. I got just under 800 shots at a wedding. I was using 11 fully charged and matched NiMh 2700 Sanyo batteries (five in the SB800). That speaks to the excellent design function of the SD-8A. If we think about it carefully so many shots from the SB800, known to give the least amount of pops per battery change of all the Nikon flashes, then we see why there is no light being used while not shooting. It is saving valuable power. We can't look at the light anyway as it only works while shooting, so the case covering the light is no problem to me .
With regard to recycling it is a big valuable improvement, but not it's strongest feature. It now serves as the quickest Nikon recycler for the money, giving 4 or more continuous shots without light fall-off 80% of the times. Again by design, we SB 800'ers have no overheating problems with the SD-8A which stays cool while shooting, you feel no heat from this small product even if it is against your chest, as it fits in a shirt pocket. I quickly forget it has no traditional straps. Remember it's off when not shooting - so no additional power use and no additional heating retained.
Yes there are faster power systems to beat it, for more that three times the money that will be necessary for fast action sports, but you take the risk of overheating and blowing to SB800.
For Photo Journalism and Weddings this is the best choice. For the price paid and value, I could not remove a star for not keeping up with my D-300 on fast action sporting shots. And I still get far more sports action keepers with the SD-8A than without. I am pleased with this products that adds to my work while protecting my Nikon investments.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Nikon SD 8a
Good performance, except that on the SB 800 it is only able to bring down recycle time to 2sec. Considering that the SB and this unit hold 10 cells vs. 5 of the SB...Read complete review
Good performance, except that on the SB 800 it is only able to bring down recycle time to 2sec. Considering that the SB and this unit hold 10 cells vs. 5 of the SB alone, recycling time reduces 2.7sec to 2sec is not that much different. Also, after every 15 shots at full power, you are supposed to let the flash cool down for like 5 mins. Uhm, what?I think this is a bit of misinfomation/lying (intentionally?) on the part of the manufacturer. The spec should specify these.I have not seen the SD8a's performance on the new SB900 yet, but I think it's quite decent. So if cost does matter (the new SD9 is $220), I'd recommend buying this to use with the 900.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 117 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
Really works well and I like that I can recharge the batteries. Light weight, easy to put in your pocket. Use it with the SB-800 for super fast recyle.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast Recharge
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
Way more affordable and lighter than the alternatives, fast recycling.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast Recharge
- Long-Lasting
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Digital Photography
- Photography
- Portrait Photography
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
I'm glad to have been able to still get a hold of this battery pack. I'm able to use this with my SB-900, SB-800 & SB-80DX. I bought my first SD-8A in 2003, and it still works flawlessly.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
I purchased this battery pack because you can't always have a charged quantum battery pack handy, and you can almost always find AA batteries.
It works fine.
The one thing I don't like is that you have to plug in one of the cords to the SB-800's pc connector.
I don't like this because I like to use pocket wizards when shooting with a remote flash, and my older ones plug into the pc connector also, prohibiting this.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast Recharge
- Long-Lasting
- Reliable
- Solid Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Digital Photography
- Photography
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
I used the Nikon SD-8a to photograph a charity fund raising event and it worked flawlessly. Recycle time on the flash was very fast and I was able to slip the case into my pocket. I would highly recommend the SD-8a for someone looking for a battery pack to augment their flash.
I didn't find anything that I would list as being not so great. You put the batteries into it and plug it in. It works like a charm. I'm very happy with this battery pack.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast Recharge
- Long-Lasting
Cons
Best Uses
- Sports photography
- Wedding
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
I've used this product for an engagement shoot and will use it for the wedding shoot to come. It is a little expensive for what you get, but the results are amazing. I an shoot at 11 frames a second if necessary and never miss a flash. It will allow me to shoot an entire wedding on a single change of batteries and get shots in succession that before were impossible. It would be better if Nikon included the screw to attach it to the bottom of my D-700, but that is sold as an accessory.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Install
- Fast Recharge
- Long-Lasting
- Reliable
- Solid Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Back Up
- Digital Photography
- Photography
- Portrait Photography
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
I bought this to use with my SB 800 speed light. My primary use is to shoot weddings. I put new batteries in both the SB 800 and the SD-8A battery pack, I was able to shoot an entire wedding and reception with out changing batteries. The best part was the fast recycle time. I got every shot, which is so important, as things happen very fast in a wedding. I would definitely recommend this product.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Digital Photography
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
Greatly increases the efficently of my SB-800
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Install
- Fast Recharge
- Long-Lasting
- Reliable
- Solid Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Digital Photography
- Photography
- Portrait Photography
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
I use both the SB-800 and SB-900 flashes with my Nikons for CLS flash and this battery pack fits both Speed Lights.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Install
- Fast Recharge
- Long-Lasting
- Reliable
- Solid Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Digital Photography
- Photography
- Portrait Photography
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
recently used two of these on a wedding and the met my expectation perfectly. using sb-800's I was happy to be able to shoot quickly in fast moving situations without having to wait for long recycle times. Batteries for both units lasted the entire day.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Install
- Long-Lasting
- Reliable
- Solid Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Digital Photography
- Portrait Photography
- Travel
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
I use the battery pack with the SB-28, SB-800 and SB-900 Speed Lights. Does the job both reducing recycle time and battery life. It would be easier to store if cable was detachable and if it had some sort of neck loop to carry it but that is a design problem and not how useful it is. Very please with the pack.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast Recharge
- Long-Lasting
- Reliable
- Solid Construction
Cons
- Expensive
- No strap provided
Best Uses
- Events
- Fast-moving subjects
- Sports
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
This unit provides a very significant increase in charging speed and in endurance. You really only need it when you're shooting an event or other situation when both are needed. In my case, shooting candids of my grandsons qualifies. I miss fewer fleeting moments.
The construction is good, but at least one good carrying option should be provided.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Design
- Flexibility
- Quality
Cons
- None
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
Nikon quality and design. Lightweight, compact and powerful... The perfect cost-effective companion for a street/celebrity shooter like myself who relies heavily on an SB800 flash unit. I have used this battery pack belt mounted, slipped into my shoulder bag and/or my jacket pocket, and hanging off of a light pole. Rapid recycle and reliability. Really pleased with this purchase.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Install
- Long-Lasting
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Back Up
- Digital Photography
- Portrait Photography
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
Add power to your SB800 with this light-weight battery pack--you'll never have enough without it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Install
- Fast Recharge
- Long-Lasting
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Digital Photography
- Portrait Photography
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
with fully charged battery combined with my d2xs n sb800, i took well over 1000 shot that day in my friend's wedding, good to go...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Install
- Solid Construction
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
I use this pack connected to my SB-800 for shooting sports. I bought it after seeing the near instantaneous recycle times shown on some online videos. My experience has been that the flash recycles faster than the 4 or 5 batteries in the flash head but I have not gotten the near instantaneous recycle times some of the videos show. I have used NiMh rechargables and fresh AA's, neither made much difference. I do get slightly faster recycle times than with just the batteries in the flash head and I get enough shots to shoot an entire event without a battery changes (most of my events are 500 flashes or less). If I had to make the purchase again I am not sure I would spend the extra for the Nikon branded unit.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Fast reclycle
- Solid Construction
Cons
- None
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
A very nice way to get additional power for event photogrpahy. Often I shoot in venues with high ceilings using bounce flash. This requires a lot of power from by SB-800 strobe. With the internal batteries, recycling time starts to become a factor afer 100 shots or so. With the SD-8A I can get many more shots with quick reclying.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Install
- Fast Recharge
Cons
Best Uses
- Back Up
- Digital Photography
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
This product works. It provides faster recycling times when you need it. However, it is way too expensive!! I mean really - [$]?? And Nikon does NOT want to repair it when warranty expires. They told me that I'd have to pay almost the price of a new one to fix my old one; meaning... they really want me to buy a new one! It's the old "got ya" trick. Now that you've bought an SB flash, we'll "get ya" with the battery pack. Buy it if you really need it though!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Install
Cons
- Price
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack:
If you are going to be doing a lot of indoor action shots, such as dance competitions or sports where a fast cycle rate for the flash is critical, you need this.
But -- it is a cheap little battery box with some wires that have the unique connections for a Nikon speedlight. You can't make your own copy of this. Nikon should feel ashamed of themselves to charge so much for this accessory.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Batteries & Power
- Price: $13.99
- GBP 8.84
What's in the Box
- Padded Case
- SC-16 Connecting Cord
- 1-Year Warranty
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