Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras USA

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

I just purchased my 2nd Di-866 flash 3 weeks agoand as I said back in 06/2010, you can't beat thisspeedlite. I took it to compare against Canon's580exII & the Di-866 is a millimeter or 2 bigger all the way around. Shooting continuous the flash will fire every 2 to 3fps ! That's a fast recycle.A few reviewers say it over exposes, neither of mine do it ? Some say the sub-flash is not auto itis manual. But all flashes with a sub-flash are manual. The sub-flash has a 5 to 6 F/stop manual adjusting range. The Di-866 has a high speed sync mode from 1/320th to 1/8000. Di-866 has a total of 3 different wireless triggering modes from AVto manual to E-TTL as Master or Slave. AWESOME !!Go to speedlights[@] or lightingrumors[@] to seehow it compares to other flashes. You can also use a Nissin OR Canon external battery power pack.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

This flash had specs similar to the Canon 580EX II but the flash did not provide consistent exposures. The flash typically over exposed my images by 2 full stops. I am using a Canon XTi with Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, so my setup is not the problem, it is the flash. It is almost as if the flash is set to "full blast" no matter what setting you put it on (Auto, TTL, Manual, etc). Also, the secondary fill flash is manual-only. This fill flash was the main reason I bought this particular model, and was highly disappointed in this function.

Now that the bad is out of the way: the flash is very well made, very solid. The screen and buttons on the back made for a nice user experience. The recycle time was unreal. I could typically take 2 shots per second, and the flash would keep up! This is with normal, AA batteries, nothing special.

I was very impressed with the flash unit itself, but I cannot have a flash that will over expose all of my images even when using the TTL mode. I have returned this flash to B&H in exchange for a Canon 430EX II.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

well, this is not canon so don't expect the built quality on small pieces would be outstanding. so far every little piece is holding, but they don't seem so strong in their places. although very popular, i did not like the lcd screen, it's too slow. i would rather prefer a simple display that i'd believe will work for years. very noisy.

sub flash on the other hand, is very handy. without a second flash, you can do a lot of light tricks.

powerful, handsome, practical, i doubt however it will stay like this for a long time.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

Great Flash especially for the money but wireless sync not working at all for me.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

Flash is strong and fast and has lots of features. I haven't worked with all of them yet and the menu is kind of confusing, but the pictures look great.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

I use this as a sub for the brand name over-priced equivalent. I love that it has the secondary controllable sub flash. I've had it for a year now and have yet to have a bad photo with this flash. I also have a 622 as a lesser companion backup, but recently have been using the two in combo via the wireless in a main/slave combination in difficult and different lighting situations with great success. I've not had the issues the others have had, only have had a lot of great pictures.

I do notice, being the cheapskate I am, when starting the flash that the electronics do not appreciate less than full batteries, and it gives a low battery warning when it has not been used in a while. I simply let the caps charge, recycle the power and away I go.

This flash has been a lot of fun for a lot less price than the Canon 580. I just can't justify their price when this is loaded with features.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

Haven't tested it exhaustively yet but have done several shoots and no problems. None of the heat or inconsistency issues that a couple people have mentioned. I'd buy another one - very good deal.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

Easy to use. Works smoothly on or off my Canon cameras.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

I am was very hopeful about this flash when I read the reviews. But to my disappointment the flash has broken twice within the first hour or two of use! The hot shoe broke in the same place both times! This can't happen when you are a professional photographer shooting a wedding!

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

I purchased this based on the recommendation of a colleague whose opinions I respect and for the same reasons as his: frustration with inconsistent E-TTL exposures and tedious menu access to the auto sensor function of the Canon 580EX II. Upon reading the Nissin manual and becoming familiar with its settings, I discovered that the high speed flash sync exposures(1/320th and above) were blown out by about 2 EV. I was somewhat relieved when the Nissin website indicated a firmware update for the Canon 7D and hoped that would solve the problem, but there was no way of downloading the update. I double checked with a B&H sales person who also went to the website and verified my findings. I returned the Nissin to B&H with no problem and decided to purchase the Metz 58 AF-1 instead based on B&H customer reviews and similar features. I will review the Metz after a few weddings.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

I received this flash last week from B and H and my second shooter used it for the first time at a indoors reception. She loved it and loved that it was so easy to use and the control panel screen was GIANT and easy to see. I had to laugh when I saw the user manual was a one page fold out. The Canon flash is a small novel. The flash worked well on TTL and Auto, flash power was consistent and never failed to flash.
The only reason I rated it 4 instead of 5 stars is the color temperature is cooler and the images were bluer than the Canon 580 nEx II flash (images compared side to side). Great deal for the money. Next time we will set the camera white balance on cloudy and see if that makes the flash images match.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

After reading the B&H customer reviews, I thought I would give this "new kid on the block" a try since I was thoroughly aggravated with the inconsistent E-TTL exposures of my 3 year old Canon 580EX-II on both the EOS 1D Mark III and 7D camera bodies. Even in the tedious-to-get-to auto sensor function of the flash, I had to set it to +1 for a proper exposure. The Nissin arrived without an operating manual but with a mini disc for instructions. Whenever I set the camera shutter speed beyond 1/250 of a second, the flash exposure would be overexposed by two stops. When I went to the company website, the Canon 7D was listed as requiring a firmware update, so I figured that might take care of the [...] the company neglected to provide a means of downloading the firmware update. I returned the Nissin, sold the 580EX II and decided to try out the Metz 58 AF-1 for its fill-in flash, easily accessible auto sensor setting and external high voltage battery power capability, and hopefully its more consistent E-TTL exposures.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

I have a 430ex 2 problen is with my 50d no built in master. So I needed a master for wireless. Not wanting to spend it on a st e transmitter or 580 I found the 866. Just got it and love it the menu super easy, more features than my 430 and more output. Same output as 580 Guide #. Worked great easy to use and the buttons are easy to hit not like my 430. I highlty recommnd it

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

I was very hopeful about this flash. It sounded great, but it failed to perform in a big way. I went through two of them, actually. One was DOA and the other quit working in about two weeks of minimal usage. I wasn't even very happy with it when it did work as it was very temperamental. If I could give it zero stars, I would.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

This flash has everything you would ever need from a dedicated speedlite: fast recharging, powerul output, Master/Slave e-TTL wireless, optical slave, E-TTL, Manual...

This is a strong rival to the Canon 580 EX II...

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

I am a retired (print) photojournalist and have used a variety of flash units over the years- Nikon, Canon, Vivitar, Sunpak, etc. I was looking for a new flash and considering the Canon units, the 430exII and the 580exII as well as the Metz 58 AF 1. After comparing these units and the Nissin di866, I decided on the di 866. It does all I need it to do and about 98% of what the 580exII will do. The build quality is quite good. It would be nice to have the metal locking shoe that the Canons have, but the thumbwheel mount is quite robust and I have never broken this type of mount.

I especially like the idea of being able to upgrade the firmware via a USB cable, as digital devices seem to become obsolete very quickly.

The color display is a nice touch and I find the di866 to be very easy and intuitive to use. You can be up and running very quickly.

The Nissin di866 is a full featured, quality, professional level flash unit with the added advantage of much bang for the buck.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

Recently purchased and might consider another. Works well with my 40D and 420EX. Exposure seems consistant and menu is pretty logical. Only disappointment is that it will not work in FP (High Speed synch) mode when used as Wireless Master. Works fine in FP in TTL mode so no problem there. Great potential for fireware updates just need to figure out where to get them (might even fix the FP-Wireless mode issue). If this issue gets fixed I all over buying more but daylight high synch fill is limited and important to me.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

This flash has all the features that 99% of photographers can use. I compared it to my friends Metz 58AF, and when he saw it he wished he had purchased one, but there is not currently a model to fit his Pentax K-7. It has a port for firmware updates when available. and an additional "wink" flash on the front of the unit for fill flash. The menu is simplistic and the color LCD screen has the menu pages and sub-menu pages color coded for easy identification. Compared to the Metz 58AF much faster to navigate. Being much less expensive than the Metz 58AF, with the money saved one could purchase an additional Nissin Di622 flash which is one model below the Di866 and still have ten dollars left over. You now have a two flash system, w/ wireless function between the two at a price that is awesome. Another plus is all the batteries load in the same direction, no fumbling to load "no two up, two down".[...]

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

So far i have no complaints of this flash. The recycle time is great and i love the power of it. It is rather big but with something like this it is to be expected. Only thing i would change is the plastic mount.

Comments about Nissin Di866 Digital Flash For Canon D-SLRs & Powershot Hot Shoe Cameras:

Great flash for the price. I am disappointed in how loud it is but it works great. The menu system is fairly easy but a little slow. The last time I shot a wedding with it I had to switch out the batteries because it overheated. For the price these are easy things to live with.