Nissin Di866 Problem?

[gkw12345]

Hey guys,
I own the flash I stated above. I'm not to sure if it is an actual problem or if it is something I'm doing wrong,
but the image is never properly exposed when using TTL or Auto mode. ( Note that the distance is definitely not the problem ) The settings were Av Mode, and 1/250s fixed.
Another problem is that the recharging is VERY inconsistent. It may take 20++ seconds for it to charge when
I'm pretty sure it shouldn't be drained yet, then when I take out the batt and fiddle with it, before putting it back, it will take only 5 seconds ++ ( The time it is supposed to take ) to charge.
Once again, is that my fault, or is there an actual problem? Either ways, please point it out so that I can correct it!
Thanks In Advance!

 

[brapodam]

I'm not sure about it but some third party lenses may report the wrong distance info to the flash, resulting in inconsistent flash exposure. Also, if you focus and recompose, the flash doesn't compensate for that. Flashes take the TTL reading at where you place your AF point, I believe.

Recharge time could be also due to your batteries, but I'm not sure about that too. Also, different batteries work differently with flashes, some are just not good and will cause your flash to take forever to recharge.

 

[oel33]

Exposure issue - Your "AV mode 1/250 fixed" setting is probably the culprit; it is almost like "manual" flash setting. While your flash is lighting up the foreground subject, your background is not sufficiently exposed with your Av settings (since you constraint the shutter speed to 1/250 only under any circumstances!!!). You either change flash setting to "Auto" and let camera do the flash exposure metering for you or you have to read up and understand the flash exposure theory yourself to make it work. There is a lot more background knowledge that you need to have to fiddle around in "manual flash" mode. Check with Youtube, there are plenty of threads explaining this.

Recharge Time - I have the same flash and no such problem. First check your battery; next inspect your battery contacts. The contacts can be rusty or corroded. When all else fail, bring your unit to agent for service.

Hope it helps.

 

[gkw12345]

I'm not sure about it but some third party lenses may report the wrong distance info to the flash, resulting in inconsistent flash exposure. Also, if you focus and recompose, the flash doesn't compensate for that. Flashes take the TTL reading at where you place your AF point, I believe.

Recharge time could be also due to your batteries, but I'm not sure about that too. Also, different batteries work differently with flashes, some are just not good and will cause your flash to take forever to recharge.

Firstly, sorry for the absolutely late reply!
My batteries are 2800mAh rechargables... They shouldn't be a problem, right?

Exposure issue - Your "AV mode 1/250 fixed" setting is probably the culprit; it is almost like "manual" flash setting. While your flash is lighting up the foreground subject, your background is not sufficiently exposed with your Av settings (since you constraint the shutter speed to 1/250 only under any circumstances!!!). You either change flash setting to "Auto" and let camera do the flash exposure metering for you or you have to read up and understand the flash exposure theory yourself to make it work. There is a lot more background knowledge that you need to have to fiddle around in "manual flash" mode. Check with Youtube, there are plenty of threads explaining this.

Recharge Time - I have the same flash and no such problem. First check your battery; next inspect your battery contacts. The contacts can be rusty or corroded. When all else fail, bring your unit to agent for service.

Hope it helps.

Hey, As I mentioned to the guy above, sorry for the late reply!
I know that my background will be very dark if I use a bright flash with fast shutter speed and such, but my problem is that the subject, or in fact, nothing in the picture is properly exposed!
Hmmm... maybe it's time I changed my batt? But I didn't think they'd die so quickly...

 

[farbird]

do u use the FEL button ? the "*" button on the camera? [ flash exposure lock ]

For AV mode, aim using the centre focus point at the subject, hit the * button, the nissin will fire a flash and TTL metering will be locked. On the viewfinder, a * key will appear, u then recompose/refocus and take the shot..

see if this works..

 

[T-xoris]

same happens to me, gkw12345. I own the same flash and seems that combined with my EOS450d and any of my lenses, photograps are underexposed when using AUTO or TTL modes of the flash. And I have absolutely no idea what the reason can be. I've even tried e-mailing the company but the answer had no cohesion.
Same problm with batteries as well.

 

[farbird]

maybe organize a get together to test our 866 ?

to see if its really that inconsistent...

 

[gkw12345]

do u use the FEL button ? the "*" button on the camera? [ flash exposure lock ]

For AV mode, aim using the centre focus point at the subject, hit the * button, the nissin will fire a flash and TTL metering will be locked. On the viewfinder, a * key will appear, u then recompose/refocus and take the shot..

see if this works..

Hmm... never knew about that... Will try it out soon. Thanks!

same happens to me, gkw12345. I own the same flash and seems that combined with my EOS450d and any of my lenses, photograps are underexposed when using AUTO or TTL modes of the flash. And I have absolutely no idea what the reason can be. I've even tried e-mailing the company but the answer had no cohesion.
Same problm with batteries as well.

Glad to know I'm not to only one...
Maybe we kenna the lousy set?
Or we are just noob xD
For the batteries, though, I think it may have something to do with the connection of my batteries...
But then again, if you hv the same problem as well, it may be a flaw...
Any experts can give suggestions if this is a flaw? Thanks!

 

[Kenneth67C]

It is quite difficult to exactly analyse what is the problem without a picture and the exact settings on both the camera and flash.
Can you post a pic which you have a problem with together with the EXIF data and the flash settings?

For the batteries, I would only recommend and use Eneloop.

 

[oel33]

Hey, As I mentioned to the guy above, sorry for the late reply!
I know that my background will be very dark if I use a bright flash with fast shutter speed and such, but my problem is that the subject, or in fact, nothing in the picture is properly exposed!
Hmmm... maybe it's time I changed my batt? But I didn't think they'd die so quickly...

Nissin Di866 had a firmware update a while ago when it had an incompatibility issue with Canon 7D. I notice you have an even newer Canon 60D. This is a new camera; not sure about its compatibility status. You might want to do a check online about this.
For a start, do test shots yourself with camera's built-in flash and separately on Nissin flash on same scenes and same camera settings. That would straight away eliminate some possibilities on where the fault might be.

 

[gkw12345]

It is quite difficult to exactly analyse what is the problem without a picture and the exact settings on both the camera and flash.
Can you post a pic which you have a problem with together with the EXIF data and the flash settings?

For the batteries, I would only recommend and use Eneloop.

I will do so soon...
Regarding the batteries, may I know if it is a personal preference, or is it because Eneloop is generally regarded as a recommended brand? Thanks!

Nissin Di866 had a firmware update a while ago when it had an incompatibility issue with Canon 7D. I notice you have an even newer Canon 60D. This is a new camera; not sure about its compatibility status. You might want to do a check online about this.
For a start, do test shots yourself with camera's built-in flash and separately on Nissin flash on same scenes and same camera settings. That would straight away eliminate some possibilities on where the fault might be.

Hmm... but another guy above stated that he had the exact same issues as well, and his cam is a 450D, so it shouldn't be a compatibility issue, IMO.
More ever, I've checked the Nissin website and it states that the flash is compatible with the 60D.
I haven't done a specific near-identical condition test comparing the 2 flashes yet, but in general use, the built-in flash has never given me problems, while the Nissin has Always given me problems...

 

[Kenneth67C]

I will do so soon...
Regarding the batteries, may I know if it is a personal preference, or is it because Eneloop is generally regarded as a recommended brand? Thanks!

Eneloops are reliable, you end up with less issues and problems like what you are describing now.
Well at least you can eliminate that(batteries) from the list of possible problems.

The 866 also has a couple of features to save power: like powering down the screen and shutting down after x mins. You could try those.

 

[gkw12345]

Eneloops are reliable, you end up with less issues and problems like what you are describing now.
Well at least you can eliminate that(batteries) from the list of possible problems.

The 866 also has a couple of features to save power: like powering down the screen and shutting down after x mins. You could try those.

Oh I see...
Hmm... maybe I should switch to Eneloop? :\
But regarding the saving power functions you stated, that isn't really my problem, cos at full charge and the first time I insert into flash, it already takes approx 20 seconds to charge.
They said it would take approx 5.5 seconds at full power...

 

[JJLoke]

Oh I see...
Hmm... maybe I should switch to Eneloop? :\
But regarding the saving power functions you stated, that isn't really my problem, cos at full charge and the first time I insert into flash, it already takes approx 20 seconds to charge.
They said it would take approx 5.5 seconds at full power...

Which battery brand are u using? how old are the batteries?

I use the same flash too, but never had such problem, before and after the firmware update

If the batteries are old, they may lose the ability to hold the charge properly

Have u tried new batteries?

I would charge up my eneloop batteries after every use and store it in the dry box.

 

[gkw12345]

I'm using GP batteries...
They are rather new; I'm pretty sure I haven't charged them for more than 10 times...
The batteries were ok for like the first 5 charges ( Recycle Time ) but then the problem occured..

 

[CowboyX]

Just blew my Di866. Was taking test pix with hi speed sync at 1/2000. Snap snap suddenly pop. Aiyah. Btw, personal experience my GP2100 batteries can only take 100++ pics before it's drain. My enelope gives double.