REVIEW - NISSIN Speedlight Di622

[theveed]

http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=1150

Once in a while, great products come out in the market that not only offers quality but also great value. While most OEM products are well worth their weight in dollars, many camera equipment are beyond the beginner’s limited budget.

With repeated advice in my site to beginners to get a flash before anything else after their first camera kit, it’s about time that we review a low-cost, high-quality flashgun that’s out in the market today.

The Nissin Speedlite Di622 is manufactured by one of Japan’s oldest camera flash manufacturers, Nissin Marketing. The Nissin Di622 (Di622 hereon out) is a mid-level flash model for the Nissin brand and it’s intended to match up against the mid-level offerings of Nikon and Canon (SB-600 and 430EXII, respectively) in terms of output and features.

http://reviews.davidleetong.com/wp-content/gallery/nissin_review/20090706-IMG_7567.jpg

Read the rest of the review here (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=1150)<<<
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First the specs:

[mufutau55]

Thanks for this review, David. I will take some time to read it wholly.
I have been contemplating on gettting either this Nissin Di622 or the Yongnuo 460,
I am still not sure which to get but this is a good start. Thanks.

Mufutau

[40Dude6aedyk]

From the review:
Note that the Di622 will fire via optical or IR signal, but it cannot be used with a standard center-pin radio trigger system as the circuitry is designed differently. It will not work with Flash Waves, Pocket Wizards, Skyports, Cactus, etc.
And it goes on to mention a link on how to modify the flash unit to possibly overcome this problem

From the review:
While it lacks certain OEM features like the Nikon CLS or Canon Wireless ETTL ratio syncronization, no 3rd party flashes offer these OEM features either.
Doesn't the Sigma EF-530 DG Super offer ration synchronization?

[theveed]

I have a Nissin myself, which I use when I'm just strolling around the block with my kid or something, as the 580 and 550 that I have are too heavy.

There is a Di866 coming out, more powerful than the 580exII/SB900 actually, but costs about 290USD according to Adorama http://www.adorama.com/NIDI866N.html

The 866 is pretty neat, color LCD with swivel and all, and radio-trigger ready. Haven't had the chance to review it, though. Only the Nikon unit is available so far. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVtPzbCENAU

[theveed]

From the review:

And it goes on to mention a link on how to modify the flash unit to possibly overcome this problem

I've edited my sentence about the 3rd party flash as well to say "most don't" instead of "no 3rd party" as well.

From the review:

Doesn't the Sigma EF-530 DG Super offer ration synchronization?

40Dude6aedyk: The links show how to mod it to use with RADIO TRIGGERS. There's no need to mod it when using optical or IR.

As for the 530 DG, I'm not too sure about whether a Sigma can still function ETTL wirelessly rather than just optically triggered. I've read this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=424502) about the possible sync between a Canon master and a Sigma slave but not sure if the slaved Sigma works the same with a Canon slave in wireless ETTL.

I checked the Sigma site just now for the 530DG and it says:

Slave Flash

The Designated Slave function allows you use of two or more EF-530 DG SUPER flash units and also flashguns can fire together by using the channel settings. Since the EF-530 DG SUPER is equipped with this function, it can be used with all camera models. It is also possible to use the camera’s built-in flash or another flash unit in Normal Slave mode (Flash Exposure must be adjusted manually).

Seems like it can only do channel ratios if it's between the same brand, otherwise, it'll be like the Nissin where the power has to be adjusted manually.

Please enlighten... Thanks.

BTW, the Sigma costs almost twice as much as the Nissin.

[SwitchBlade]

I have this flash, my first flash unit and TBH I'm not totally au-fait with what I'm meant to be doing with one. That said I'm very happy and it's done everything I've wanted and needed so far with indoor photography (mostly taking pics of my baby daughter without blinding her by firing a flash in her face). Struggled to find a review on it at the time and bought it on the basis of any flash is better than no flash.

[MT Stringer]

After reading the review, it sonds like it would be a good flash for general purpose use on camera. It has all the features for bounce flash, highlight card and the flash head zooms out to 105mm like the Canon models.

But it won't work for me when using it off camera because I use Skyports to fire the remote flash. And if it goes to sleep, and the flash is mounted on a balcony railing...:-(

However, it does sound good for the money.
Mike

[Tony-S]

As for the 530 DG, I'm not too sure about whether a Sigma can still function ETTL wirelessly rather than just optically triggered. I've read this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=424502) about the possible sync between a Canon master and a Sigma slave but not sure if the slaved Sigma works the same with a Canon slave in wireless ETTL.

I have the Sigma EF-500 DG Super and it works just fine with E-TTL ratios using Canon's ST-E2 down to 1/8 ratio. I usually use the 580EX II for main and the Sigma for fill. I suspect this feature was retained in the EF-530 DG Super as well.

[40Dude6aedyk]

...
As for the 530 DG, I'm not too sure about whether a Sigma can still function ETTL wirelessly rather than just optically triggered. I've read this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=424502) about the possible sync between a Canon master and a Sigma slave but not sure if the slaved Sigma works the same with a Canon slave in wireless ETTL.
...
Seems like it can only do channel ratios if it's between the same brand, otherwise, it'll be like the Nissin where the power has to be adjusted manually.
The thread you linked showed that Curtis N was using a Sigma EF-500 and not a Sigma EF-530 DG Super, so it does not completely apply.

My Sigma EF-530 DG Super does ratios in ETTL as far as I can tell. It functions wirelessly as a master and a slave using the Canon system (I have the EOS version of the Sigma) and also does optical triggering. Also I bought for it $220 new, but maybe it is twice the price of the Nissin in Singapore.

As for the text from the Sigma web site, it used the word "also" to denote additional capabilities. So not only does it function as reasonably fully compatible Canon EOS ETTL II master or slave, it also has a couple other modes that the Canon speedlites do not have. Also, I thought some of the Metz models also were fully Canon compatible with ratios as well.

But this was not meant to be a review of the Sigma. It was only meant to correct some misrepresentations in your review of the 622.

Thanks for the review of the 622! There have been alot of questions about it and your review will help answer most of them. :)

[theveed]

After reading the review, it sonds like it would be a good flash for general purpose use on camera. It has all the features for bounce flash, highlight card and the flash head zooms out to 105mm like the Canon models.

But it won't work for me when using it off camera because I use Skyports to fire the remote flash. And if it goes to sleep, and the flash is mounted on a balcony railing...:-(

However, it does sound good for the money.
Mike

Yes, I agree, it's a nuisance that the unit shuts off rather quickly. The Di866 pretty much solves all those issues but cost twice as much.

I have the Sigma EF-500 DG Super and it works just fine with E-TTL ratios using Canon's ST-E2 down to 1/8 ratio. I usually use the 580EX II for main and the Sigma for fill. I suspect this feature was retained in the EF-530 DG Super as well.

Thanks for the clarification. :) I had the 500DG Super for a while before upgrading to a 550 and 580, but wasn't able to even test it once for wireless shooting other than RF because I don't have a master unit available hehe.

The thread you linked showed that Curtis N was using a Sigma EF-500 and not a Sigma EF-530 DG Super, so it does not completely apply.

My Sigma EF-530 DG Super does ratios in ETTL as far as I can tell. It functions wirelessly as a master and a slave using the Canon system (I have the EOS version of the Sigma) and also does optical triggering. Also I bought for it $220 new, but maybe it is twice the price of the Nissin in Singapore.

As for the text from the Sigma web site, it used the word "also" to denote additional capabilities. So not only does it function as reasonably fully compatible Canon EOS ETTL II master or slave, it also has a couple other modes that the Canon speedlites do not have. Also, I thought some of the Metz models also were fully Canon compatible with ratios as well.

But this was not meant to be a review of the Sigma. It was only meant to correct some misrepresentations in your review of the 622.

Thanks for the review of the 622! There have been alot of questions about it and your review will help answer most of them. :)

Thanks a lot for the clarification. Learned something new about the Sigma from you. :)

Edits were made to correct the generalisation on other 3rd party flashes btw. Again, much thanks. I realized also that with the Nikon version, certain Metz can do CLS as well.

Tech is wonderful :D

[moogyboobles]

So if you can't use a normal trigger for Di622 what can you use? Or is it better to sell my Di622 and buy something else more compatible? I only bought it because it was christmas and I needed something for the kids' present opening and it was cheap! Not used it since.

[SwitchBlade]

It has a built in optical trigger. So you can use it as a slave to the onboard flash or another off-board flash. Failing that there's video's online that show how to wire a PC socket to the pilot trigger switch.

[Tony-S]

It has a built in optical trigger. So you can use it as a slave to the onboard flash or another off-board flash.

Can you disable the onboard preflash? It's my understanding this causes havoc with optical slaves.

[SwitchBlade]

The flash apparently detects pre-flash and only flashes on the proper one. Not had any issues with my tests with it.

[Tony-S]

That's an excellent feature; the first flash I've heard of that does that.

[swis]

Hello. I suppose you have heard of Nissin Di622 SpeedLight Flashes... Can you recommend what wireless triggers will work with those units?

[theveed]

FYI: Nissin has already announced that the Di622 Nikon mount can already use standard RF triggers via a USB-firmware update. Canon units aren't as lucky, we'll have to wait until late 09 or early 10 for an update.

[platformnubz]

will this work with my t2i?

[theveed]

FYI, the Mark II version is available and works with any radio transmitter and other forms of optical triggering as well.

Full review of the MKII version on my site is available.. http://reviews.davidleetong.com/reviews/review-nissin-di622-mark-ii-canon-mount-ettl-ii-flash/