The biggest shortcoming of the SB-900 is and was, in my view: the temperature problem. (You can read on the SB-900, where I go into the exact differences with the previous SB-800 and working in practice with the SB-900 in my review).
This temperature problem with the result that the SB-900 is - just like the SB-910 or SB-700 - off, is when a certain operating temperature limit is reached or exceeded. When SB-910's has lasted a little longer than the SB-900, but permanent continuous fire lightning is just as little possible with the 910er, as with the 900, and it is much more possible than it was with the 900 of the case, but reached a roundabout way, but more on that later.
But one should bear in mind that this is not necessarily so a huge drawback. Sure - there is little Ärgerlichereres, as if at the decisive moment, the flash unit left the service, because it has become too hot. On the other hand, you can disable this overheating protection. The word "protection" but says at the same time from what it is. If you deactivate the overheating protection, can the SB-910 demand from so much as the power supply will bear - the same as the SB-800th
The only difference is that the SB-800 has apparently developed much less heat than the SB-900 / SB-910, although it has a higher guide number. Without an external battery pack to the SB-800 is difficult to go on forever. Powerful batteries, provided an external battery pack and overheat protection disabled, you can burn the SB-900 / SB-910. One then has a molten diffuser and the repair is not cheap.
My solution is that I have two SB-900 and SB-800. But I ask you to bear in mind that even with activated overheating protection and some flash shooting in a row with the SB-900 / SB-910 has no problem, so do not necessarily require multiple flash units. When SB-910 Nikon has rectified or cheated - depending on how you want to interpret it.
The SB-910 still has the same problem temperature, such as the SB-900! The only major difference is that the 910er from reaching a certain temperature threshold, the flash recycling time is extended, the device ie a split second longer to cool has, as is the case with the 900.
The temperature problem was thus treated, but not resolved. However, this extension of the recycling time precipitates bearable and it takes longer to change definitely the flash when the maximum of one second to wait for the new flash will operate.
Why I go into much detail on this point, is to be explained by the fact that the exact temperature of the problem has been most serious, in my view, but already only lack the SB-900.
The SB-910 is identical to the SB-900th Here only facelift was operated. The dimensions are identical except for a few millimeters, as well as the weight.
Solely on the flash back to something drastically did: Instead of the "Zoom" button, there is now the "Menu" button. Provides for me now no advantage as you hit the 900 button simply hit the "OK" and then was on the menu. The purpose of this reassignment is withheld from me, is for me but neither an advantage nor a shortcoming represents.
Practical and actual improvement as I feel the fact that you have the filter color film now replaced with hard plastic attachments. The "fumbling" thus comes to an end. Of course, these plastic attachments need turn a little more space than the films, nevertheless, in my view, a plus.
When sometimes bekrittelten operating noise, nothing has done. It is very quiet, you can hear the lightning still softly whimpering, not disturbing for me.
In sum cost me the SB-910 but still too much and the not inconsiderable additional cost for 900 is determined solely by the - unjustified facelift - albeit meaningful. In addition, it would of course have been desirable if one of the heat issue would have been adopted by the SB-900. Achievements of the SB-910 approximately the current price level of the SB-900, I will give him the advantage.
For new buyers is to consider how they want to use the flash. If someone does not necessarily demand from the flash unit, the last and would like to make in rapid succession over a few minutes away flash shooting, you could still relatively low purchase an SB-900.
As experience shows that the price at launch of a product, even if it is "only" Modellplflege, is higher than the previous model, but usually for a short time then decreases later and the SB-910 with described facelift has no real shortage, there's the full 5 stars. One thing you must not forget namely: It is a compact flash unit and no studio flash, thus certain advantages are so obviously well connected, as certain disadvantages.
In this sense, a Merry Christmas and a lot of fun while shooting,
HP :)