Nissin Di866 Flash

[jester]

Hi Guys,

Have found a good alternative to the excellent Nikon SB900. In fact, it's so good that I traded in my SB900 for two Di866! Quite an impromptu decision but it was done after some intensive tests.



The flash claims to have full compatibility with Nikon i-TTL (and E-TTL for the other version), GN60(ISO 100, m) or GN84(ISO 200, m) at 105mm (this are way higher than SB900!), supports Wireless i-TTL in Master & Slave mode.

The colour temperature is biased towards a warmer tone (similar to Metz), and therefore I do not need to dial in a A03, as I would have done for the SB900. It feels like a Metz!

Construction and build quality is top notch, nothing less than the original brands (SB800/900, 580EX). No button is need for swiveling, tilting.

The best part....the LCD is color and orientation sensitive, which means if you hold your camera in portrait position the LCD screen will rotate 90deg, ala iPhone! What a cool feature!

Like Metz 54/58, it comes with a secondary frontal sub-flash which can be used even in i-TTL mode. Power is manual starting from 1/1 to 1/8. In most cases, it works very well, esp. in event based assignments as it helps to negate the shadow case underneath the eye socket and nose.

Usability is straight forward, and no way as complicated as the SB900.

The other plus points are:

1. Batteries are aligned in the same direction in the battery holder, which can be slid out for quick and easy replacement. Another great feature for event work.
2. Much smaller form factor while having greater output flash power compare to SB900.
3. The price!! I got mine from YL Camera, and it retails for RM1,050 only.

These are some quick test shots using Barbie as a model. It was taken in tungsten ambient lighting condition so it gets a little warmer than usual.
The flash is in 90deg upright bounced position with secondary flash turned off.

This is indeed a worthy (and cheaper) alternative to the original flash.

Please feel free to ask me any questions if you are interested in this flash.

MASS ORDER LIST:
1. Jester - 1
2. Mohd Haka - 2
3. Jonming - 1
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~ Wesley ~

[nd_]

can a sb900 trade with two nissin i866? i saw somewhere selling it for rm1000 woo.... good deal bro..!

[nd_]

anyway. congrat on ur new purchase!!

[Ronaldlee007]

Very nice. If this is really good, i might get one. 1k is good price. What is the lowest price you get?

[kenknee]

the slave mode is ala cls or the same as the di622?

[Joshua Yap]

woo....the new Di866 how much is sellin now??

[Ronaldlee007]

Originally Posted by jester Hi Guys, Have found a good alternative to the excellent Nikon SB900. In fact, it's so good that I traded in my SB900 for two Di866! Quite an impromptu decision but it was done after some intensive tests. The flash claims to have full compatibility with Nikon i-TTL (and E-TTL for the other version), GN60(ISO 100, m) or GN84(ISO 200, m) at 105mm (this are way higher than SB900!), supports Wireless i-TTL in Master & Slave mode. The colour temperature is biased towards a warmer tone (similar to Metz), and therefore I do not need to dial in a A03, as I would have done for the SB900. It feels like a Metz! Construction and build quality is top notch, nothing less than the original brands (SB800/900, 580EX). No button is need for swiveling, tilting. The best part....the LCD is color and orientation sensitive, which means if you hold your camera in portrait position the LCD screen will rotate 90deg, ala iPhone! What a cool feature! Like Metz 54/58, it comes with a secondary frontal sub-flash which can be used even in i-TTL mode. Power is manual starting from 1/1 to 1/8. In most cases, it works very well, esp. in event based assignments as it helps to negate the shadow case underneath the eye socket and nose. Usability is straight forward, and no way as complicated as the SB900. The other plus points are: 1. Batteries are aligned in the same direction in the battery holder, which can be slid out for quick and easy replacement. Another great feature for event work. 2. Much smaller form factor while having greater output flash power compare to SB900. 3. The price!! I got mine from YL Camera, and it retails for RM1,050 only. These are some quick test shots using Barbie as a model. It was taken in tungsten ambient lighting condition so it gets a little warmer than usual. The flash is in 90deg upright bounced position with secondary flash turned off. This is indeed a worthy (and cheaper) alternative to the original flash. Please feel free to ask me any questions if you are interested in this flash. ~ Wesley ~

Originally Posted by Joshua Yap woo....the new Di866 how much is sellin now??

See above.

[Joshua Yap]

Originally Posted by Ronaldlee007 See above.

hehe...thanks i google it just now...found the same forum too....
thks....just went to check ylcamera.com for the price...there are sellin..

[jester]

By means of trading up, I had to top up some money to get two units of Di866.

The Master/Slave support is in Wireless i-TTL/CLS mode.

[yytellmey]

the TTL metering accurate? Coz today I went some shop near my house. They only have Nikon Mount, Canon Mount arrival date TBC.....

I like this because is has fill flash in front when u do bounce flash, just like Metz!

[hazril]

nice flash with a sub flash somemore...1st time seeing this type of flash...

[twodoctors]

Glad to see someone on here who's not a sucker to Nikon... well done on your purchase and thanks for the info. I should consider that if my SB600 breaks down.

[kornyken]

Ah, Barbie as Mariposa and Barbie's friend from Diamond Castle!

Anyway, nice short review on the flash. Thought of getting 1 but still has lots to learn from photography without the flash before I confuse myself more with the flash!

[Khoo Chong Han]

Can the work with the Nikon Commander mode for CLS function

[hopaotan]

wat does the sub flash do?? sorry new here.. hehe..

[willkso]

Originally Posted by hopaotan wat does the sub flash do?? sorry new here.. hehe..

I think it should act as fill flash when the main flash is in bounce mode... maybe I'm wrong too..

[shahkz]

Intresting ... does it work with any flash trigger ?

[ontariomark]

Hi Wesley,

Thanks for the review! Do you know anything about the Nissin Power Pack Pro 300 (NiMH exclusive battery cluster) that allows rapid recycling of the flash? Does it come standard with the flash or is it an additional accessory?

The flash also sports a 315V HV socket. Do you know if you can hook up something like a Quantum Turbo to this flash? Haven't had much luck finding any info. if there is even a cord to do this.

Many thanks,
--Mark

[mdshah76]

someone told me the price around rm880 at ampang park ....

[lahlahlah]

wtf 880??
aiya...
damn cheap man...
which shop in ampang park?
can provide detail?
definitely a good price for a powerful spec..
if some1 make me choose between sb900 over this 1,
4 sure i take this one..