Yeah, it was weird, and it was brand new batteries as of a week ago for another concert I shot. I think the reason it happened is because I left the strobe in the on position. It goes into sleep, but think it was still trickle-draining the batteries and when they ran out of juice and it was still drawing they probably got hot and burst or just burst for other reasons. Two of the four AA batteries in it were bubbled up on their ends and seemed to have leaked. Won't make that mistake again. I leave my batteries in my SB-600 all the time and have had that strobe for going on 6 or 7 years now. SB-600 is my backup strobe, and it's an awesome strobe to have. Think I'm going to get a 910 to replace my 900... but going to see if I can possibly fix the 900, but my guess it's dead for good. :( Good to know there are other Nikon shooters on Hubski!
Sometimes batteries will have some sort of guarantee about exploding and ruining your electronics. Might be worth checking out. And yea, haven't shot as much lately as I'd like to. But I keep saying I'll get back into it soon. The constant rain and overcast weather in Vancouver doesn't make for super interesting shots.
Yeah, planning on looking into that, and also calling my insurance agent to see if there is any coverage there. I bought the thing when it was brand new and it was almost $700 at the time... so a small deductible might be worth it. I have a specific amended plan under my home insurance policy for my photography gear as I use it for a side photo business. I have some gear I use for my personal shots and walk-around photography (D80/SB600 and some cheaper lenses) that isn't really covered except under my "general" home policy, then I have another set of gear that I really only use for pro/paid gigs and that is the stuff that is all covered under my extended plan just for those specific items. All my pro-grade glass from Nikkor/Sigma, my SB900, my D700/300, etc. But I'm definitely looking at the battery company (Duracell) and I saved the batteries that exploded if they are needed. I think I'll be able to get a check out of my insurance company fairly easily, but I've never had to make a claim under it yet so we'll see. I hear that. I live in Minnesota, so same for me. My walk-around personal stuff has been innactive since last summer. Only thing I've been doing photography-wise is concert gigs, which I don't mind, but I like outdoor stuff and walking around and shooting weddings, and all that stuff is limited to a window of only a few months here.Sometimes batteries will have some sort of guarantee about exploding and ruining your electronics. Might be worth checking out.
The constant rain and overcast weather in Vancouver doesn't make for super interesting shots.