Apr
28

Nissin Di622 the Review

April 28, 2009 · Filed Under DSLR, Gadgets, Technology  · 16,547 views

Remember my review of Filters Exchange? One of the things I ordered is the Nissin Di622 and this is its review.

The Nissin Di622 is a flash unit for the budget conscious, it is often compared to the Nikon SB-600 and if you are looking to convince yourself with both, the simple answer would be: “The SB-600 costs double the price of a Di622, so if you have a Nikon system and you have the budget, get the Nikon SB-600, it has CLS and when you get an SB-900 in the future, the two will go hand in hand as SB-900 can function in commander mode, paired with the SB-600 as slave is already  a basic CLS (Creative Lighting System) setup for Nikon, and guess what? Nikon CLS is effective and the best automated lighting system I know of.”

Nissin Di622

Nissin Di622 vs. Nikon SB-600

Now if you are not convinced, or you still want to get a descent flash while not going broke in the process, then go get the Nissin Di622. It’s a powerful flash, has similar swivel functions as the SB and almost similar aesthetics. What’s on the SB’s that’s not on the Di622? The SB’s have LCD display when controlling, it can work with Nikon CLS, better Locking mechanism of the swivel head and again CLS.

Nissin Di622

Nissin Di622

Having said that, you may ask; “What are the strong points of the Nissin Di622?”

  • It has wireless Slave mode through its photo detector.
  • Also has an assist illuminator at low-light conditions to get the proper exposure levels.
  • Flash light is quite strong.
  • Has swivel head left to right, up and down.
  • Has TTL for both Nikon and Canon
  • Compatible with Nikon and Canon depending on ordered mount requirements.
  • Flash Exposure level can be controlled on camera (depending on type of camera)
  • Plastic built but quite sturdy.
  • Has built in flash bounce and diffuser
  • Can function in Full Manual mode, you can set the Flash strength manually.
  • Comes with a flash stand that can also be mounted via a screw on a tripod or flash brackets.

Weaker points of the Nissin Di622:

  • No jack for flash triggers like wireless Flash Triggers (Can be modified though to function on flash triggers, but slight soldering and dismantling knowledge is required. Comment if you need the link)
  • Weak locking mechanism on the swivel head, especially when adding snoots and diffusers.
  • No LCD and cannot work with the Nikon CLS.
  • Optical Slave mode works in TTL but has problems when other light source or flash is present. (Accidental Triggering).
  • Optical slave mode fails in very sunny weather (can be corrected by adding a dark filter on the optical area).
Nissin Di622

Nissin Di622 Package

If you have other observations on this flash unit, please suggest it by commenting and I will gladly test it and add the notes if confirmed. Official Website of Nissin is at www.nissindigital.com and the Nissin Di622 is posted on their site.

I have an SB-600 and have tried the CLS with a friends all-Nikon setup and nothing beats it when you’re on a Nikon System. But if you are a starter, and you want to master Flash control and you are on a tight budget, Nissin Di622 is a winning bet. If you plan to purchase one through Filters Exchange, let them know you got the info here.

Do you need to know more? Comment below and I’ll try to answer all your questions.

Nissin Di622

Nissin Di622 Front

Nissin Di622

Nissin Di622 Back

Images Courtesy of Modar who was gracious enough to lend us his images.

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Comments

58 Responses to “Nissin Di622 the Review”

  1. Selvino Wilmar Rodrigues on July 24th, 2010 11:23 am

    Another question: you said to Michael that Flash Nissin Di622 will work out of the chamber by triggering ttl in Canon SX20is. You mean it will not work on camera, just off camera is so? Why? It is because the voltage of the shoe? If you put on shoe may burn the flash. Please explain. Sorry about the translation, I am in Brazil. Thanks

  2. Selvino Wilmar Rodrigues on July 24th, 2010 9:00 am

    You know if the Di622 will work with the Canon sx20 IS?

  3. Chris Administrator Gee, Please... on July 21st, 2010 9:27 am

    ADMIN

    Sorry, only authorized technicians can do that, however If you can find the needed cables inside the battery compartment contacts and the firmware pack, then you can update it your self.

  4. Mathieu on July 20th, 2010 2:22 pm

    Thanks for the link Chris… I already contacted them. Btw, if I decide on modifying it by myself, what are the needed materials do I need Chris?
    Thanks for the help once again…

  5. Chris Administrator Gee, Please... on July 15th, 2010 9:56 am

    ADMIN

    @Mathieu: Not too sure what establishments can offer you firmware updates in your area, but checkout Nissin’s Distributor page and they might be available in your area.

    http://www.nissindigital.com/en/distributors.html

    As I can see from there and I can absolutely suggest, Try contacting MINOX USA here: http://www.minox.com, I bet they offer your firmware updates…

  6. Mathieu on July 15th, 2010 7:30 am

    Hi Chris,

    One more thing, Do you have any idea where do you think i can have my Di622 for Canon have its firmware update here in California? i bought this one thru Amazon. I’m from bakersfield, CA.

    Thanks in advance.

    Mathieu

  7. Mathieu on July 15th, 2010 7:04 am

    Thanks Chris for the reply. Now, i have to find the local dealer for the upgrade.

    Thanks a lot.

  8. Chris Administrator Gee, Please... on July 10th, 2010 7:54 pm

    ADMIN

    @dhavan: What do you mean sync it? If you plan to use the D3000 built-in flash then just set it to TTL and the Di622 to wireless mode (blinking strength levels) and when you take a photo via TTL the Nissin will auto-trigger…

  9. Chris Administrator Gee, Please... on July 10th, 2010 7:53 pm

    ADMIN

    @Mathieu

    Hi, maybe you meant my response to Ricky?

    Well, yes you can use any kind of wireless trigger for the Nissin Di622, at least if you have the latest firmware. If you have an older Di622, bring it to a local dealer and have it’s firmware upgraded. They just connect the flash to a usb and then they upgrade, it’s fairly affordable and you can now use your Di622 with any kind of trigger…

  10. dhavan on July 10th, 2010 3:32 pm

    I have a nissan 622i Flash. I wanted to know will it work with nikon D3000 in wireless can let me know how to sync it.

  11. Mathieu on July 9th, 2010 7:22 am

    Hi Chris Gee,

    Regarding your answer for jake’s question, you said that we can use cactus to trigger Di622, is this true for the new Cactus V4 and also my Di622 was purchased last October?

    Thank you…

  12. Chris Administrator Gee, Please... on July 7th, 2010 9:26 am

    ADMIN

    @xijing: I could only suggest you try another unit. Also learn to use the flash in manual mode. In Manual, try and set it to 4 bars and try taking your photo again. If your flash at 4 bars decently exposes your photos, then there is a big possibility that the metering system of your version of flash is a bit off. Also, have you checked your ISO? The flash is best at ISO800. If you are using iso100 or 200, then it would be a bit darker.

  13. xijing on July 6th, 2010 10:25 pm

    i bought an unit of nissin Di622 for my Nikon D3000. However, i am having problem with it. All photos taken with TTL mode were very dark.
    i hereby attach some photos taken in my room with Aperture priority mode.

    http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7583/29021430.jpg
    40mm 1/60s F5.3 Distant=1.41m (Direct Flash)

    http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/2530/76933041.jpg
    18mm 1/60s F5.0 Distant=2.24m (Direct Flash)

    http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/7088/85045237.jpg
    46mm 1/60s F5.6 Distant=0.94m (White card bounce flash)

    i can only correct this by increasing the EV to +4 or +5. Please help.

  14. Chris Administrator Gee, Please... on May 13th, 2010 12:13 pm

    ADMIN

    Hi Kushalas, if I were you I’d still go with the Nissin. Why, is the LCD on the flash important when taking photos? And second are you looking for performance or the look?

    If you want a Flash with an LCD that is still within the budget, albeit around 300less USD, then go for the Nissin Di866. It has all the possible features you need and more. I have and entry in this blog about the Nissin Di866.

    @Everyone, will be back to reviewing and tutorial stuff soon, still sorting through new writers on the roster…

  15. kushalas on May 11th, 2010 8:45 pm

    Hi, I am strongly considering the Di622 for my Canon EOS 1000D but wanted to ask you for models of competitor brands, I dont mean the Canon 430EX but budget models such as one other one I have heard of: Sunpak PZ42X (budget USD150).
    My requirements from a flashgun are:
    -ETTL II
    -Bounce Card & WA diffuser
    -AF assist light
    -Slave mode
    -A relatively good build
    -And if possible a LCD Display (which I know the di622 does not have)

    The reason I am put down by the Sunpak PZ42X is because it has no bounce card and the reason I am put down from the Di622 is its lack of a LCD

    Which flashgun would you recomend between the two?
    Thanks,
    Kushal

  16. Chris Administrator Gee, Please... on March 23rd, 2010 9:59 am

    ADMIN

    @Jake: That’s a good instruction by Neo… For all those still wondering if their camera can trigger the Nissin Di622, all you need to do is see if your camera flash can fire in TTL… Even if you have a point-and-shoot camera, as long as it fires the flash in TTL, the wireless mode of Nissin Di622 will recognize it as a command for wireless flashing…

  17. Neo on March 17th, 2010 1:44 pm

    @Jake: I’ll try to answer as i’m a user of Nissin D-622, although i’m using Nikon, i believe the optical trigger concept is still the same. Set your flash in manual mode, position it where you want, better if you have the optical sensor(the red part) facing your DSLR. set you body’s build in flash to TTL mode (manual won’t do), and shoot. the flash from your DSLR will trigger the Di622 to fire simultaneously.

  18. jake on March 17th, 2010 6:07 am

    can u tell me how i can use the Nissin Di622 wirelessly with my canon 50d thens jake

  19. Chris Administrator Gee, Please... on March 1st, 2010 6:50 pm

    ADMIN

    Hi Ricky, Not unless your Metz Manual flash is set to trigger at TTL, then it won’t optically trigger the Nissin. However your best bet is to get the cactus radio triggers, then use this to trigger your metz as well as the Nissin, since the New Nissin Di622 can now be radio-triggered using cactus…

  20. Ricky on February 16th, 2010 6:46 pm

    Hi, firstly, good job on this informative review. I’m looking for a 2nd slave flash for my Pentax K7/Metz 48 setup and also an on-camera flash for my Canon G11. I plan on getting the canon mount of Di622 and am wondering if my Metz 48(Pentax) can trigger this optically at Manual mode? Many thanks for your help.

  21. Chris Administrator Gee, Please... on February 12th, 2010 10:33 am

    ADMIN

    Hi Sorry for the long wait, as you can see we haven’t updated the site yet, we are still pressed with our staff reviews. Anyway to answer your questions.

    @Migs:

    1) I have a Canon 430EX II, planning to buy Di622 which will serve as my slave. Possible po ba na magfire yung Di622 just using my 430EX II? Or just my built in pop-up flash?

    If 430EX II which supports TTL on your camera as well as your pop-up flash, yes you can definitely use the Di622 as optical slave.

    2) Is it also possible for the 430EX II to fire just using the pop-up flash?

    I don’t think the 430 EX II has a wireless optical capability like the di622, so It won’t be triggered by the pop-up flash…

    @Jack:

    Have you tried increasing the power of the flash, also check your camera sync-speed. It would be that you might have set the sync to rear curtain which would delay the flash fire a bit. Also you can try adjusting your f-stop number to slow down the shutter a bit. Try these few tips to resolve your problem…

  22. Migs on February 10th, 2010 12:27 pm

    Sir! I have two questions.

    1) I have a Canon 430EX II, planning to buy Di622 which will serve as my slave. Possible po ba na magfire yung Di622 just using my 430EX II? Or just my built in pop-up flash?

    2) Is it also possible for the 430EX II to fire just using the pop-up flash?

    THANKS!

  23. Jack on January 26th, 2010 9:37 pm

    Hi,

    I just bought a Nissin Di622. When I try yesterday the unit with my Canon 7d as slave the di622 work but does not seem to be syncronize with the shutter of the camera. I dont see the effect of the flash in the picture.

    Somebody know the problem ?

    thanks

  24. Chris Administrator Gee, Please... on January 26th, 2010 8:51 pm

    ADMIN

    @Michael: It will work off-camera via ttl triggering.

    @Long: The red glass doesn’t really affect your use of the flash, you can just cover it with something similar to the old glass, or you can get some surplus old covers to cover the broken area…

    @benting: TTL means “Through The Lens” that means, the flash will fire depending on it’s gauge of the current metering(measurement) it gets inside the lens which adjust the flash automatically depending on the what the lens “see”. I bet getting two Nissins would be better thank getting one SB-600, but that’s just my personal opinion…

  25. benting on January 26th, 2010 2:01 am

    hello newbie here. which do you think is a best buy? two nissin di622 or 1 nikon sb-600? and i really don’t get the meaning of TTL.. thanks! hope for your reply.

  26. long on December 29th, 2009 10:10 pm

    my red glass have broken and scattered to pieces…do i need to buy a new flashlight or can change the red glass?

  27. Michael on December 12th, 2009 4:51 am

    Does anyone know if the Di622 will work with the Canon sx20 IS?? I’ve been looking for an answer everywhere but to no avail.
    Cheers

  28. Chris Administrator Gee, Please... on November 24th, 2009 4:35 pm

    ADMIN

    What kind of sync? Adding a flash trigger? Check my old comments, there is a link there for the mod.

  29. Kristopher Hammar on November 24th, 2009 4:08 am

    Hey!
    Can I please have the link to the “how to” on the adding of sync modification thing..? Im gonna buy this one and I will try to mod it, I’de like to get an idéa of how difficult it is..

    Please exuse me for my lack of english words, it’s been a while =).
    /Cheers

  30. Chris Administrator Gee, Please... on October 16th, 2009 12:32 pm

    ADMIN

    @Zam: There is one obvious option for you to do this, you can use a flash trigger, that way no light will come from the camera.

    A work around which I do without flash trigger, is to set the built-in flash power to the lowest negative value. On Nikon you can access this with the lightning symbol on your user settings screen. That way the light coming from your camera does not really highly impact the subject.

    The second method I use is to attach a camera flash extension, I attach it to the camera, attach an external flash to the extension and set that flash to ttl and position it to where I would like it to have an effect on my subject. Then arrange the slaves correspondingly. That way I can position the trigger flash anyway I want.

    Let me know if you have further concerns. We will be posting a pseudo-CLS(Creative Lighting System) Using all Nissin Flash line-up in the coming days, we are still working on some of the technical aspects of the site.

  31. Zam on October 15th, 2009 6:19 pm

    I plan to buy Nissin di622 as a slave unit for my nikon d5000, how do I prevent the built in flash that triggers the di622 unit to have any effect on the photo – I want to avoid direct effect of flash straight from camera.

  32. Chris Administrator Gee, Please... on September 28th, 2009 9:43 am

    ADMIN

    Hi Neo, the di622 built-in diffuser is not really useless, but as built-in diffuser goes, it does diffuse light fairly good, however it still creates harsh shadows.

    Id rather use the built-in bounce card for this only that your diffusion distance would be limited. I suggest trying out the Lightsphere or Lightsphere2, I use it personally and I reviewed it here: http://gplz.com/2009/05/gary-fong-lightsphere-2/

  33. Neo on September 27th, 2009 9:10 pm

    my mistake: the built in flash diffuser*

  34. Neo on September 27th, 2009 8:48 pm

    Is it true that the built in flash is not very good?

  35. Chris Gee, Please... on September 23rd, 2009 3:14 pm

    ADMIN

    It will fire but I doubt it will be effective in non-TTL. You can however set your on-board flash to ttl and the Di622 ans SB600 will recognize ttl commands.

    The best way to remedy this is to use a flash trigger…

  36. martin on August 13th, 2009 6:34 pm

    hi,
    i have a question regarding the wireless slave mode. will the nissin flash fire when on-camera flash is set to commander mode?

    i have an sb-600 which i wirelessly fire with on-board flash and i want another flash to be fired at the same time. the sb-600 is in slave mode and power is set manualy in camera (no ttl). will the nissin fire at the same time as the sb-600?

    thank you.

  37. Chris Gee, Please... on July 17th, 2009 12:57 pm

    ADMIN

    Hi Mel, the di622 will work with your sx10, you must use the built-in flash of your sx10 and set it TTL flash mode. Then set the di622 in slave mode, by long-pressing the mode button… When your sx10′s built-in flash fires in TTL, the di622 will recognize the command and fire too…

  38. Mel on July 13th, 2009 11:24 pm

    Hi. I’m using the di622 for my canon sx10 is. I’m enjoying it so far except for the slave function, which isn’t working. Is there a problem? or it simply won’t work with the sx10?

    Thanks!

  39. cadphobia on June 26th, 2009 11:24 am

    Sunpak PZ42XN vs Di622…… anyone?

  40. Chris Gee, Please... on June 10th, 2009 2:52 pm

    ADMIN

    Instead of pics, some guy has already posted a video on you tube. So here are the links to it…

    Part 1
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6EzCU03ymQ&feature=related

    Part 2
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VKEvpTPOis&feature=related

  41. Kevin on June 10th, 2009 2:18 pm

    Hi, can you tell me how to modify the nissin to trigger like the cactus. Any diagrams or pics on the modification? Thanks.

  42. Chris Gee, Please... on June 3rd, 2009 2:43 pm

    ADMIN

    I’m sorry it won’t trigger through the center pin. No mods yet for pentax.

  43. Bjorn on June 2nd, 2009 4:14 am

    I tried to use my di622 flash with my pentax k100d (using tape to isolate all the pins except the middle one) but it didn’t work.

    Does anyone know if it’s possible to make a small mod that will get the di622 to trigger the flash with the middle pin like other flashes do??

  44. Chris Gee, Please... on May 22nd, 2009 5:45 pm

    ADMIN

    I was concerned with the marker because too dark and it will not work at all. I had better success with visors under direct noon sunlight. I use the taping technique on sunny days not at high noon and sometimes under tree shade…

  45. Luigi on May 22nd, 2009 2:02 am

    I used a black marker pen. I fully covered the front element with masking tape(translucent) then shaded it. I was thinking if scotch tape would work too. I will try the visor technique tomorrow.

  46. Chris Gee, Please... on May 21st, 2009 2:06 pm

    ADMIN

    What marker did you use? Another method is to get a cardboard and make a kind of visor on the top area of the optical sensor side, this will definitely work as compared to masking tape if you don’t have some shade films. make sure if you use masking tape when on slave mode to point the optical sensor directly at the Master flash.

  47. Luigi on May 21st, 2009 1:55 pm

    bro, i tried the masking tape technique and tried to shoot during noon but still no luck parin. Any idea?

  48. Chris Gee, Please... on May 21st, 2009 12:28 pm

    ADMIN

    You don’t need to shade it if you hot-shoe mount it, the shading is when you plan to use it off-shoe in optical slave mode under very bright lighting conditions to prevent non-triggering.

    On-shoe, you don’t need shading, the AF-assist is useful under low-light conditions, although I suggest using manual flash settings than depending on the AF-assist, since or if you plan to use AF-assist in normal mode, try and set your ISO at around 400.

    You can check Tay Hua for the sunpak flashes, you can order from them too.

  49. Luigi on May 21st, 2009 12:22 pm

    Thanks man! Got more mod/tips for nissin flashes? I’m just wondering if the AF assist lamp would still be accurate(if hot shoe mounted) if you have the front element shaded? Where can you buy sunpak flashes by the way? The 285HVs are still out of stock.

  50. Chris Gee, Please... on May 20th, 2009 4:25 pm

    ADMIN

    Hi Pamela, if you plan to use the Flash with radio triggers then go for the sunpak, if you want to attach the flash to your camera and don’t really plan to go off-shoe most of the time, then the Nissin is a good choice as well. How do you intend to use your flash?

  51. Pamela on May 20th, 2009 7:00 am

    I’m trying to decide between the Sunpak PZ42XN or the Nissin Di622. which one would you recommend?
    thanks!

  52. Chris Gee, Please... on May 17th, 2009 3:28 pm

    ADMIN

    By TTL I mean, you can use the Di622 on Slave mode(not TTL default mode) and trigger it via an external master flash in TTL mode or built-in flash in TTL mode. To Filter optical sensor without opening, you can use old X-Ray films, I prefer the easier route of using a masking tape with dark-marker pen shaded over it and then taped at the front element (the dark-red glass in front of the flash). Hope this answers your question, don’t hesitate to fire away if you need more tips…

  53. Luigi on May 17th, 2009 10:01 am

    Dude, pipho member(demoboi) here. Can you tell me more on how to dark filter on the optical sensor? I think TTL doesn’t work on slave mode, yes your master flash is on slave mode but the di622 is in manual power. Will have to confirm it though.

  54. Chris Gee, Please... on May 15th, 2009 7:49 pm

    ADMIN

    To all those who contacted me on the contact page regarding the Nissin Di622 being triggered off-cam. Yes it can be triggered optically via TTL, i-TTL or e-TTL. One tip, set your on-cam or built-in flash to TTL and set at negative flash compensation.

    To Trigger it using Radio Trigger or RF triggering systems like cactus, you need to modify the Nissin, it can be modified with minor soldering needed.

  55. Just In: LumoPro 120, Yong Nuo YN460 and Cactus KF36 | Gee Please on May 11th, 2009 3:41 pm

    [...] for the most affordable Flash/Strobe for your strobist setup, you already are familiar with the Nissin Di622 right? Since I already reviewed it here before. I’d like to review a couple more affordable alternatives, but I can’t get my hands on [...]

  56. Gary Fong Lightsphere 2 | Gee Please on May 6th, 2009 4:53 pm

    [...] Most version fits the Nikon and Canon Flashes, so to make it fit a third-party flash like the Nissin Di622 reviewed before, slight modification and cutting required to [...]

  57. Chris Gee, Please... on May 6th, 2009 12:43 pm

    ADMIN

    Yes, it is great for non-studio use, strong range and quite sturdy. Recycle time is around 5seconds, although would reduce to 3-4sec with a good set of batteries. It is comparable to SB-600 or 8oo even and a good starter Flash…

  58. don tran on May 6th, 2009 5:39 am

    Since I just need a flash for non studio use and would not have a need to have it as a slave unit, would this off brand work well for my application?

    I am an amateur photographer at best. Thanks for the review.

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