Nikon High-performance Battery Packs are an external power source which allows a higher flash capacity and faster recycling times than using supplied batteries. The battery packs house between 4 - 8 AA batteries. The decrease in recycling time and increase in flash capacity will depend on the type of batteries used.
SD-8A
The SD-8A Battery Pack can be used with the SB-11, SB-22, SB-25, SB-26, SB-27, SB-28, SB-28DX, SB-80DX, SB-800 & SB-5000 Speedlights, as well as the SK-6A Power Bracket.
The unit houses six batteries which charge the Speedlight. The Speedlight should be fitted with four batteries as per normal as these will power the Speedlights electronics (LCD, zoom head etc). The SD-8A has two connections, as shown above. The larger "3 pin" connection is the power cable and should be plugged into the front of the Speedlight above the hot shoe. The second cable has a flash PC connection, this should be plugged into the Speedlights sync terminal found under the rubber flap on the side of the flash.
When the Speedlight is triggered a signal is sent to the SD-8A via this cable to instruct it to prepare and start recharging the Speedlight as soon as possible.
The following table is based on the SB-900 using a Nikon SD-8A Battery Pack with 6 AA sized batteries:
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Min recycling time without Battery Pack (seconds)
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Min recycling time with SD-8A (seconds)
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Min Number of flashes without Battery Pack
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Min Number of flashes with SD-8A
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Alkaline Manganese LR-6
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4.0
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2.0
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110 / 4 - 30 sec
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130 /2.0 - 30 sec
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Ni-MH eneloop
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2.3
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1.5
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165 / 2.3 - 30 sec
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250 /1.5 - 30 sec
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Lithium FR-6
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4.5
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2.2
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230 / 4.5 - 120 sec
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550 /2.2 - 120 sec
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SD-9
The Nikon SD-9 can be used with the SB-900, SB-910 and SB-5000 as well as the SK-6A Power Bracket.
The SD-9 can hold up to two sets of four AA sized batteries ensuring a stable power supply for the SB-900, SB-910 and SB-5000, greatly increasing the number of flashes and reducing recycling time. The Speedlight should be fitted with four batteries as per normal as these will power the Speedlights electronics (LCD, zoom head etc). The SD-9 has a single "3 pin" cable which plugs directly into the front of your Speedlight.
The following table is based on the SB-900 using a Nikon High-Performance Battery Pack with 8 AA sized batteries.
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Min recycling time without Battery Pack (seconds)
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Min recycling time with SD-9 (seconds)
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Min Number of flashes without Battery Pack
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Min Number of flashes with SD-9
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Alkaline Manganese LR-6
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4
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1.2
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110 /4.0 - 30 sec
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450 /1.2 - 30 sec
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Ni-MH eneloop
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2.3
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0.8
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165 /2.3 - 30 sec
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520 /0.8 - 30 sec
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Lithium FR-6
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4.5
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1.6
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230 /4.5 - 120 sec
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840 /1.6 - 120 sec
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