Anyone looking for a cheaper alternative to the flagship models from Nikon and Canon, including the Nikon SB910 and Canon 600EX-RT, does not have the greatest choice when it comes to flash units with automatic TTL operation.
Although I love my manual Yongnuo YN-560, because you also can buy two or three times the same piece of it, without it breaks the bank. With some accessories you thus equal to a small but mobile flash unit at the start. But sometimes one needs a reliable flash with automatic adjustment of the required flash output by the camera.
Really serious alternatives in this field are only the flashes from Metz and just the Japanese manufacturer Nissin.
Equipment and processing
I stuff dimensions and weight are Nissin and Nikon SB910 roughly at the same. The weight balances (depending on the battery / battery) even almost exactly to the gram. The delivery is next to a storage bag, a flash bracket for the unfettered use of the flash. The case is well made. Nothing creaks or squeaks. The flash head locks tired and no play. Very nicely solved the battery change because the four AA batteries are inserted in a removable cage and that all in the same direction! The cage there is also nachzukaufen as an accessory and therefore can quickly (höhö!) Replace the batteries.
The hot shoe is made of metal and the zoom reflector has a fold-out diffuser and a white Softbouncer. Overall, I would give the Nissin flash certify a very good quality, although not quite come along with the Nikon-top models. The Nissin Di866 Mark II has one thing in common with the big Metz models: A second Sub-flash can also illuminate directly by bounce shooting toward the ceiling the subject from the front. The flash output of Subblitz who has a guide number of 12, can be adjusted from 1/1 to 1/128 or completely disabled.
The Subblitz is actually on its own already an argument for Nissin, because so that effects can be as darker areas below the nose or eyes which are often created by bounce shooting of people, and avoid the motif looks plastic. In the test images at the end of the post you can see the good.
Instead of many individual knobs and keys are employed at Nissin on a 4-way switch with Set button in the middle, a power switch with LED for standby and sleep mode as well as an LED for the flash status (ready /-charging). All settings and information are clearly displayed on a color display. In contrast to a Nikon SB910 screen, look no further take very clear and it is operated after a very short time without further questions to pose.
Initially, I was shocked how loud the motor zoom reflector. Strangely, however, this was a whisper after a few zooms and remains there since then. The flash head can be 90 degrees to the right and rotate 180 degrees to the left. Unfortunately, he can not be tilted to the usual 7 degrees down, which would provide even more flexibility in very close shots, but is bearable for me.
A mini USB port can be uploaded new firmware, which will allow compatibility with new camera models. In addition, a synchronous connection and Anschlus is for an external battery pack, which is also offered by Nissin.
In practice
The Nissin 866 Mk II comes up trumps with a guide number of 60 at 105mm zoom and 40 at 35mm zoom on. At full flash output then he takes but a good 5 seconds (with Sanyo Eneloop batteries) for recharging time. At lower flash services how to use them usually, but you can work very quickly with the Nissin. With the additional Nissin Power Pack PS-300 (about 90 euros) you can then press the reload time but on a record-breaking 0.7 seconds for a full charge.
The green Auto mode delivered at my test always accurately exposed photos without further intervention. The infrared measuring beam allows the possibility secure focusing in the dark, although the felt when SB910 works a little ragged.
However, my favorite is the blue TTL mode. This allows automatic operation with manual influence on the flash output. So you can adjust in 1/3 increments the flash output to your taste and also take advantage of the practical Subblitz. The manual adjustment of the zoom reflector would be possible. At this point, however, is my criticism of the operating concept of the 866 Mk II: To correct about the performance of Subblitz, you have to hold only 2 seconds, the SET button to enter its respective menu. Here's another key for quick access, particularly for setting the Sublitzes would be highly desirable.
In manual mode, you have the choice between fully individual adjustment of the flash without the help of the camera, or Av mode. The AV mode is actually an automatic mode from the past, when the flash unit is determined by its own light sensor on the front of the right amount of light. The multi-mode provides stroboscope effects with variable luminous intensity (1/8 to 1/128), frequency freeze (up to 90 Hz) and number of flashes from 1 to 90. This can then be at slow shutter speeds movements in sequences.
Of course, the Nissin can be used as wireless Flash work as master or slave and sees itself very well with the Nikon system, and channel and group settings can be made for the operation of multiple wireless flashes. Is about the built-in flash of the Nikon D7000 on master control (CMD) and set the Di866 on wireless R mode with identical channels and group settings, the wireless flash system works like with original Nikon flash units.
My Conclusion
The Nissin Di866 Mark II is a really good and recommendable alternative to the big system flashes the camera manufacturer. The operation goes very quickly in most functions and raises fewer questions than z. B. a Nikon SB910 or even SB800. The processing moves at a high level and details like the removable camera cage are very practical.
The charging speed at full capacity can not keep up with the other producers, which is also the high guide number, but owed. On the other hand, you can dramatically improve the loading and number of trips by a fairly inexpensive external battery pack and is priced so still among the known representatives.
