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is the Nissin Di866 flash for canon recommendable?

  • 11-05-2010 08:18PM
    #1
    zerohamster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,792 ✭✭✭


    Ive been looking at external flashes for a few weeks now for creative purposes and for more power and flexibility then the inbuild flash on my 500D.
    I am on a budget and I can buy it for just over half the price of the 580EX II, it has some great features and a better GN then the canon so for the price it seems like a bargain.
    I was just wondering do any of you have this flash and is it reliable etc...

    thanks :)
    Tagged:


Comments

  • #2
    swingking
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,260 ✭✭✭swingking


    I use that flashes little brother as a secondary external flash to my 580ex and it's brillant.

    I wouldn't dismiss the Nissin flashes one bit. I've seen some great results with mine


  • #3
    hbr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 760 ✭✭✭hbr


    zerohamster wrote: »
    I was just wondering do any of you have this flash and is it reliable etc...

    thanks :)

    I will watch this thread with great interest because I have been looking around for a suitable flash for my 500D too. The options in my price range are the Canon 270ex, the various models from YongNuo like the YN-467, YN-468 and possibly a Metz 48 AF-1 (around €200). One nice feature of the Metz is a USB port which can be used to update the firmware so that it should work with your new Canon 60D or whatever you buy next.

    Before you buy a Nissin or Sigma, make sure it has up-to-date firmware which
    has full support for auto-focus assist and TTL metering on the 500D and newer
    models. I notice that a lot of adverts for Nissin flashes only mention older
    Canon models like the 1000D, 450D, 40D etc... I see lots of reports of Sigma
    flashes not working with the 500D, even though they work fine on the 450D.
    I know this can be fixed with a firmware upgrade, but for most flashes, this
    involves a trip back to the factory.


  • #4
    gman2k
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,075 ✭✭✭gman2k


    zerohamster wrote: »
    Ive been looking at external flashes for a few weeks now for creative purposes and for more power and flexibility then the inbuild flash on my 500D.
    I am on a budget and I can buy it for just over half the price of the 580EX II, it has some great features and a better GN then the canon so for the price it seems like a bargain.
    I was just wondering do any of you have this flash and is it reliable etc...

    thanks :)

    I'm in the exact same position as you, and the best price I can get for the Nissin is £180 and £315 for the Canon.
    Reviews online say that the Nissin is just as good as the Canon, but the Canon is a much better made product.


  • #5
    gman2k
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,075 ✭✭✭gman2k


    hbr wrote: »
    I know this can be fixed with a firmware upgrade, but for most flashes, this
    involves a trip back to the factory.

    The Nissin's firmware is updateable via USB.


  • #6
    hbr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 760 ✭✭✭hbr


    gman2k wrote: »
    The Nissin's firmware is updateable via USB.

    Thanks. I hadn't spotted that feature on the Di866. I can put it back on my list of candidates.


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  • #7
    stcstc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,262 ✭✭✭stcstc


    ne thing to be aware of with the nissin flashes

    they done use the centre pin for firing, so trying to use them with ebay triggers requires a modification to the flashgun

    i have 2 of the 622 versions and they are great, got a few features missing compared to the 580 but i only use them as slaves and they are good for that


  • #8
    zerohamster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,792 ✭✭✭zerohamster


    hbr wrote: »
    I will watch this thread with great interest because I have been looking around for a suitable flash for my 500D too. The options in my price range are the Canon 270ex, the various models from YongNuo like the YN-467, YN-468 and possibly a Metz 48 AF-1 (around €200). One nice feature of the Metz is a USB port which can be used to update the firmware so that it should work with your new Canon 60D or whatever you buy next.

    Before you buy a Nissin or Sigma, make sure it has up-to-date firmware which
    has full support for auto-focus assist and TTL metering on the 500D and newer
    models. I notice that a lot of adverts for Nissin flashes only mention older
    Canon models like the 1000D, 450D, 40D etc... I see lots of reports of Sigma
    flashes not working with the 500D, even though they work fine on the 450D.
    I know this can be fixed with a firmware upgrade, but for most flashes, this
    involves a trip back to the factory.

    Thanks for the heads up :D
    A month or two ago i was about to get the Sigma ef 530 dg (£109) but i heard about the problems with the older models that didnt support E-TTL II and would not work correctly with the 500D and i believe the 50D aswel so i steered clear but i since got some cash together and heard good things about the Nissin.

    Thanks for the help :D


  • #9
    zerohamster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,792 ✭✭✭zerohamster


    gman2k wrote: »
    I'm in the exact same position as you, and the best price I can get for the Nissin is £180 and £315 for the Canon.
    Reviews online say that the Nissin is just as good as the Canon, but the Canon is a much better made product.
    Thats great news, where did you see the Nissin for £180? cheapest i saw it was on amazon for £196+postage so it would be great to save that extra cash as im on budget :)
    Thats great news about the USB firmware update aswell as i was slightly weary of the flash being fully compatible with E-TTL II.

    thanks :)


  • #10
    smokie2008
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 656 ✭✭✭smokie2008


    Anyone any advice on buying a yonguno YN-468 Flash for a 450d??

    I'm new to photography and need a flash and was thinking about getting this one.

    OP did you end up getting one of these or what did you get?


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