Nice flash, but with quirks
By strobie newbie on
November 12, 2010
Verified Purchase
Review submitted for
Nissin
Speedlite Di 866 Canon EOS digital SLR cameras
(NSND866C)
Pros: Easy To Use, Powerful Output, Versatile
Cons: Slow Recycling
Other Comments: I do not own a Canon master flash, so I can't compare this flash to those. But, this flash does work as a master flash with my 430ex II. It is easy to use with the color screen on the back of the unit. It seems to be fairly accurate for TTL exposure, though I set the custom TTL at -.3. This custom TTL is a nice feature I wish Canon's had. One great feature is the optical slave sensor which works with e-ttl flashes. You can use the unit in manual mode and have it discharge along with another unit, presumably even from the built-in strobe on a DSLR or compact camera. It can be set to work with e-ttl or traditional flashes. The flash also has a fun "mulit-flash" function which strobes at a user-set interval during a relatively long exposure to get a multiple exposure look.Now for the con's:As other reviews have said, the zoom head is very noisy. Not a big concern to me. The recycle time is about 5 seconds, which is a little slow. The unit does make a whining sound when charging; again, not a concern for the cost. However, it also makes a staticy sound constantly after charging up. I thought this might be a faulty unit, but [...]found other units did this, too.It has been reported that Nissin does not have good customer service. Well, the link on their website for email did not work. After manually emailing them, I did get a response after a few days. They confirmed that the noise is normal, but I was not sure if they understood my question. There is an obvious language gap when emailing customer support or reading the manual. Also, the USB update software is quite confusing, and the drivers were not available where they should have been in my download. Neither does the software automatically install or even tell you where the drivers are supposed to be. You have to search the web to find good instructions. Windows does not have their drivers available for download. So, I have never gotten this part to work.The most disappointing thing for me was to find that the Master function did not work when attached to an extra-long e-ttl off-camera cord from Flash-Zebra. The flash will fire in e-ttl mode, but it will not work as a master for my 430ex II. (e-ttl master does work on a short 3-foot cord.)My only option now for having 2 flashes off camera (since I only own 2 flashes) is to have the 430ex II on the cord and set the Nissin to fire in manual mode with it's optical trigger.In the end, I am buying a 550ex from [...]hoping it will master both flashes from the off-camera cord. I will keep the Nissen, however, for it's unique features listed above which are not on the Canon flashes and just to have an inexpensive 3rd flash. (Of course, I could just get another 430 or 550 and buy an optical trigger and come out about the same in cost.)If you are not concerned about using a long off-camera cord, this a great way to get a master flash cheaper that a 580ex, but you would be just as well off buying a used 55oex on [...].
Yes, I recommend this product
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Nissin Di 866 -
By Reddog on
May 15, 2010
Verified Purchase
Review submitted for
Nissin
Speedlite Di 866 Canon EOS digital SLR cameras
(NSND866C)
Pros: Fast Recycling, Easy To Use, Powerful Output, Lightweight
Cons:
Other Comments: Nice Flash! It's so easy to use you don't have to be an expert to make serious improvements to your pictures. I LOVE IT!
Yes, I recommend this product
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Good flash for the money
By casualphoto on
May 03, 2010
Verified Purchase
Review submitted for
Nissin
Speedlite Di 866 Canon EOS digital SLR cameras
(NSND866C)
Pros: Consistent Output, Fast Recycling, Powerful Output, Easy To Use
Cons: Bulky
Other Comments: Using the flash on a Canon T1I. It works well with the Canon except that it doesn't support the red-eye removal with the Canon. I didn't find this out until after I purchased the flash. This was disappointing but other functions seem to work as advertised.
Yes, I recommend this product
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