Sunday, September 13, 2009

NIssin Di466 Off camera flash test

I have published a review on this flash here and I finally got my chance to test out the slave mode of this flash. Before I go into details, here are some fact on using this flash as slave mode.

1. To remote trigger this flash, the camera built-in flash needs to be pop up - The Nissin flash has a built-in detector which required camere build-in to fire in order to trigger the slave mode. Some photographer may find this annoying as they don't want to use the camera built-in flash for their shot.
2. The remote trigger may not be working under bright sunlight - As stated in the manual.
3. The flash will position it's focal length on 35mm when in slave mode - This means that the GN number will be different compared to the full flash power GN number. (35mm, ISO100, GN=22 meters/72 feets)

Based on the fact, this flash on slave mode is best used for indoor as main light source, with camera built-in flash as fill light.

Camera setting (Nikon D40)
Manual Mode (to fix the exposure) on tripod, 1/2 second shutter, 5.6f, ISO 200, Focal Length 55mm, Auto White Balance. One Nissin flash Di466 set to slave mode 1.

Subject
Hedgehog tissue box on tripod, 1 meter away from white wall.

Test result

No flash

Camera built-in direct flash. Shadow fall behind subject.

>Slave flash positioned at lower back of the subject at 1/16 power. Slight shadow fall behind subject.

Built-in flash set to -3.0 flash compensation. Slave flash at camera right. No more shadow.

Built-in flash -3.0 comp. Slave flash at camera left.

Built-in flash -3.0 comp. Slave flash 1/8 power at subject right.

Built-in flash -3.0 comp. Slave flash 1/8 power at subject left.

Built-in flash -3.0 comp. Slave flash on full power, points towards ceiling, at camera top.

Built-in flash -3.0 comp. Slave flash at 1/8 power at lower front subject.

In conclusion, the Nissin Di466 slave mode really worked well for indoor off camera flash photography. I believe above photos can be improved by configure the flash properly plus some accessories (reflector, light meter, umbrella, etc). Nevertheless, this article has proved what the flash can do and now it leaves to your creativity on how you can do better.

6 comments:

TH said...

Which will be your choice of preference?

Personally, I like last second photo.

_Ivan said...

I like the "Built-in flash -3.0 comp. Slave flash 1/8 power at subject left." 3rd photo from last picture.

It gives me the feel of something coming/happening from left.

TH said...

If you are taking for a model, which will be your choice?

_Ivan said...

For a more general purpose portrait, the "flash points toward ceiling" is my preferred choice because the result much more well lighted.

Anonymous said...

can you post pictures of the nissin di466 attached to the d40? thanks

_Ivan said...

I have uploaded those pictures to my Nissin Di466 review article.