Is a new Nissin Di866 Worth $100

[mknittle]

I have a line on a new in box Nissin Di866 For $100. it is the one just before the MKII.
Just wondering if it is worth it?

[ashcroft]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._II_Flash.html


I have a Mark I. The main differences between that and the MarkII are in this review, specifically...

The Mark II has been upgraded from the previous model, with a re-designed zoom head that's "whisper quiet", a metal foot for the mount, and a flash tube with increased heat tolerance. The fill-in subflash power ratio range has been increased, now offering a range from 1/1 to 1/128, and the range of the wireless sensor has been improved.

I find mine to be very good. It has plenty of power at GN60, which is as good as the top Canon and Nikon units. I've never worried about the plastic hot-shoe mount. The MKII one is metal.

$100 is a very good price. As you can see, B&H are listing the MKII at $319.

[mknittle]

Thanks Rob

[JR1]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._II_Flash.html


I have a Mark I. The main differences between that and the MarkII are in this review, specifically...



I find mine to be very good. It has plenty of power at GN60, which is as good as the top Canon and Nikon units. I've never worried about the plastic hot-shoe mount. The MKII one is metal.

$100 is a very good price. As you can see, B&H are listing the MKII at $319.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

In fact if you look at reviews by independant magazines the GN is no where near Canon or Nikon flashguns, don't believe what the manufacturer tells you the GN is way down on the pro flashes

As for $100 then you really can not complain at that price, you can also not compare a £80 gun with a Nikon 910 (top gun) just on GN as the better guns offer things way beyond just GN

[ashcroft]

As for $100 then you really can not complain at that price, you can also not compare a £80 gun with a Nikon 910 (top gun) just on GN as the better guns offer things way beyond just GN

The Di866 (MK1) does strobe effect (for multiple exposure shots) and High Speed Synch (HSS). It has a flash synch port for cable use and you can directly download new firmware to the gun. It has a rotating colour screen. You can buy spare battery cases.

I have to admit though that it may be better to get a gun of the same make as the camera. My Nissin doesn't do off-camera HSS via my Pocket Wizards, and I ended up getting a used Canon 430EXII to get it to work. There shouldn't be any compatibility issues with the same make.

[JR1]

The Di866 (MK1) does strobe effect (for multiple exposure shots) and High Speed Synch (HSS). It has a flash synch port for cable use and you can directly download new firmware to the gun. It has a rotating colour screen. You can buy spare battery cases.

I have to admit though that it may be better to get a gun of the same make as the camera. My Nissin doesn't do off-camera HSS via my Pocket Wizards, and I ended up getting a used Canon 430EXII to get it to work. There shouldn't be any compatibility issues with the same make.

When any of my three 910s goes down I guarantee it is back the same week, also the build quality is proportionate and for extended pro use, commander mode is essential to me, I power them with Quantum packs,

I am NOT saying the i866 is a bad gun in fact it received a GREAT review in photo plus, what I am saying is that to compare it to a top of the range pro unit is wrong as there are things that it can not be expected to do.

Remember this extract was taken from a test on UNDER £200 guns so the better Nikons/Canons were NOT included

[HaseebM]

Its a great flash, had it and it worked great for the price. I especially liked the LCD screen. I sold it to upgrade to 600 rt ex later.

[mknittle]

I am thinking for the price it is a good deal. A$600 speedlight should outperform a $350 speedlight. But a $350 speedlight for $100 could be well worth it. especially since I don't have a flash gun yet and can't afford the top of the line units.

[ashcroft]

I am thinking for the price it is a good deal. A$600 speedlight should outperform a $350 speedlight. But a $350 speedlight for $100 could be well worth it. especially since I don't have a flash gun yet and can't afford the top of the line units.

If this is your first flash, and it's only $100, I think it sounds good. Later, you may want to get a second one and perhaps then you can get a top-level one (they will both work together)

There are also the Yongnuo units, which have good reviews and are very competitive on price. I have the very cheapest one (cost £35) which is manual mode only, but the quality is pretty good. They do the YN568 model which looks quite good, for $124. That has a GN of 60 (supposedly). This is the Canon one http://www.amazon.com/YONGNUO-YN568-...=yongnuo+flash


Pity that Canon/Nikon units are not a bit cheaper.

[Manfred M]

Just a quick comment:

The OEM units are generally the most expensive and you do likely pay a bit more for them. On the other hand, they you can be sure that they will work properly with your camera bodies and OEM lenses.

The second tier suppliers from a quality / price standpoint are Nissen and Metz. Both are long time players in the speedlight market and were making flashes long before Canon or Nikon. I had a Metz flash with my film cameras over 30 years ago and they were really top of the line. I can't comment on Nissen, but understand they make a quality product as well.

The third tier are the Chinese products that are generally found through web stores. I have no personal experience with them, but brands like Phottix and Yongnuo have their fans and detractors. I certainly would not have a problem trying their units either, if I were in the market for an additional flash.

[JR1]

Just a quick comment:

The OEM units are generally the most expensive and you do likely pay a bit more for them. On the other hand, they you can be sure that they will work properly with your camera bodies and OEM lenses.

The second tier suppliers from a quality / price standpoint are Nissen and Metz. Both are long time players in the speedlight market and were making flashes long before Canon or Nikon. I had a Metz flash with my film cameras over 30 years ago and they were really top of the line. I can't comment on Nissen, but understand they make a quality product as well.

The third tier are the Chinese products that are generally found through web stores. I have no personal experience with them, but brands like Phottix and Yongnuo have their fans and detractors. I certainly would not have a problem trying their units either, if I were in the market for an additional flash.

+1

[mknittle]

Thanks for the advice. sadly I missed the Di866 but I picked up a Metz 52 for $150.after a rebate. So for $25 over the Chinese unit I got a German one.

[JR1]

I have used Metz for 20 years recently I owned two 45 cl4 digitals, I would rate Metz 9/10

[Loose Canon]

Mark I wouldn’t normally advocate this purchase for several reasons. Not that anyone particularly cares what I would or wouldn’t advocate!

But in this case if it boils down to the choice between a new first flash or nothing due to the cost factor I’d say go for it, learn how to use it, use the snot out of it, and have some fun!

I wouldn’t consider building a system on this brand. But I admire your desire to add a flash to your quiver!

If you ask me (and again no one did) any photographer that wants to call themselves a photographer, needs to know how a flash is used and why. Then, if you never use one again fine. But this is a huge part of the photographic experience.

You’ll get your $100 worth with just the educational experience!

Let us know how you decide Mark!

[mknittle]

Mark I wouldn’t normally advocate this purchase for several reasons. Not that anyone particularly cares what I would or wouldn’t advocate!

But in this case if it boils down to the choice between a new first flash or nothing due to the cost factor I’d say go for it, learn how to use it, use the snot out of it, and have some fun!

I wouldn’t consider building a system on this brand. But I admire your desire to add a flash to your quiver!

If you ask me (and again no one did) any photographer that wants to call themselves a photographer, needs to know how a flash is used and why. Then, if you never use one again fine. But this is a huge part of the photographic experience.

You’ll get your $100 worth with just the educational experience!

Let us know how you decide Mark!

Thanks Terry, Lately I find myself Doing more images that would benefit from a more controllable flash. So like you say the learning factor will be worth it. and the Metz 52 is on the way.

I was worried about the Chinese flashes that are all over the place. The problem being once the smoke escapes from the camera it is hard to get it back in.

[Loose Canon]

Thanks Terry, Lately I find myself Doing more images that would benefit from a more controllable flash. So like you say the learning factor will be worth it. and the Metz 52 is on the way.

I was worried about the Chinese flashes that are all over the place. The problem being once the smoke escapes from the camera it is hard to get it back in.

Awesome Mark!

Had a peek at your choice. It has pretty much all the stuff one should have in a flash.

This should git' r’ done buddy!

The road you are about to head down is a very cool one and I'm happy for you man!

Can’t wait to see it in action!

[Manfred M]

I was worried about the Chinese flashes that are all over the place. The problem being once the smoke escapes from the camera it is hard to get it back in.

Nissin is Japanese, not Chinese.

[mknittle]

Nissin is Japanese, not Chinese.

I was referring to the Youngneo I would have bought the Nissin but a guy bought all 6 before I got the chance. I am happy with the deal I got on the Metz.

[mknittle]

Awesome Mark!

Had a peek at your choice. It has pretty much all the stuff one should have in a flash.

This should git' r’ done buddy!

The road you are about to head down is a very cool one and I'm happy for you man!

Can’t wait to see it in action!

Thanks Terry, Funny thing is the one I ended up buying was the one I was looking at before I found the Nissin but was just a little out of my price range. When I missed the Nissin I looked around and found that the price on the Metz had dropped enough that I could barely afford it( thanks to my very understanding wife) Christmas prices helped too.

[rpcrowe]

I looked up completed listings for new Nissan Di866 units on USA eBay. All sold for considerably more money than the $100 you mentioned...