Reviewed: Nissin Di700

Verdict: This flashgun has an extensive feature-set including a max Guide Number of 54 and intuitive and easy handling. It covers a large range and it’s fully adjustable. This flashgun is only available for a limited selection of brands but otherwise this model from Nissin can’t be faulted.

The first thing that sets the Di700 apart from its competition is its intuitive handling. With a colour rear display and responsive selection dial, its interface is a joy to navigate. While a few features like the flashgun’s zoom still have to be set in-camera, we found most of the settings we needed close to hand and quick to adjust. Talking of its zoom, with a range of 24-200mm, and a built-in adapter for 16mm, it covers a much larger range then most of its rivals.

With a maximum Guide Number of 54 (when set to 200mm), the Di700 is also pretty powerful, providing more than enough output for the enthusiast shooter. This power can be adjusted in manual mode from Full to 1/128 in full-stop levels. Other available modes include Auto, TTL (with flash compensation), and three wireless slave options including a slave TTL. Fully adjustable, the head of this flashgun can be tilted upwards by 90°, down by 7°, and both left and right by 180°. Combined with the built-in bounce card, this means that no matter your location you should always be able to use the Di700’s light indirectly. Thanks to an AF assist beam with an effective range of 0.7-6m, focusing in testing conditions is also made easier.

Alongside its metal hotshoe, this flashgun has inputs for PC sync, a 3.5mm jack and an external power source, the latter enabling use with the brand’s optional power pack. A quick-loading battery magazine takes four AAs, with the flashgun recycling in 4 seconds when powered with alkaline batteries. Available in Canon, Nikon and Sony fits, this stylish unit provides plenty of advanced features not found on the cheaper models.

Spec

Zoom: 24-200mm

Guide Number: 54 at 200mm

Batteries: 4x AA

Compatibility: Canon, Nikon and Sony