Nissin have just brought out the i40 Love Mini flash. (DPReview) Its not available here in m4/3 yet, but, being much smaller than the other flashes, it could be the ideal companion for m4/3. Finally something the right size! All others are clumpers! It has Slave, TTL, swivel/zoom, diffusor, video light. HSS. So everything the Metz 44 AF-1 has. Although at 189€ much more expensive at the moment. Compare sizes WxDxH: Nissin i40 ----------: 61 x _85 x _85 (203g) --- GN27 --- 189€ Oly FL 600 ---------: 62 x _98 x 104 (255g) --- GN36 --- 299€ Nissin Di466 -------: 67 x _95 x 105 (230g) --- GN22 --- _74€ Yongnuo YN560 III-: 60 x ___ x ___ (350g) --- GN39 --- _64€ Metz 44 AF-1-------: 73 x 106 x 130 (306g) --- GN27 --- 132€ I'm not connected with Nissin or saying it's any good. I'm just in the market for a flash at the moment. So is this the one?
Hmm... now you have me curious. In the 90s I used Nissin manual and automatic (non-TTL) flashes all the time. They were incredibly cheap and very reliable. Back then there was also a rumour that Nissin was making some of the cheaper flash units for Nikon on contract.
The Micro four thirds version suddenly listed on Amazon now for 199€ but marked as not yet available. I can't wait for the price to reach 139€!
Crap. There's no HSS mode?! I was looking at the i40 as a upgrade to my di466, but the lack of HSS will probably push me over to the FL600r. Very nice size, though. EDIT: Found on Nissin site:
** So it does do HSS? Meaning, apart from it's guide number surely the Nissin i40 is the ultimate m4/3 flash then? And it's price is not bad compared to the others. Such as the Metz 52.AF-1 which also has HSS and all the same features (except video light) about the same price, but double the size.
Last time I read the i40 specs, wireless TTL slave modes were only listed as supported for the other systems - if (m)4/3 is supported, this really is a killer. Well, it probably is one anyway!
All I know, is that I have one backordered in my shop to check out. Saw the specs and size, and thought this is just what m43 needs. Now i use an enormous, old sb80 or whatever, can't wait for something smaller.
The flash is showing on Wex for £189.99: http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-nissin-i40-flashgun-panasonic-olympus/p1550182#details
May be worth moving this to the "lighting" forum... Looks interesting, as I am in "need a flash for my EM-1" mode... Z...
I got this from Nissin Marketing (HK) today Looks good! Killer enough? They also said the i40 Product Compatibility chart will be available when the MFT version comes out in June.
I'm sold! Pity that they reserve the USB port to the higher end models only though, you wouldn't have to send it to the factory. Metz flashes had issues with remote modes with the E-M5 and a s/w upgrade was released you could apply yourself. However the higher end models that have colour screens may actually have native USB while the terminal in the i40 / DI466 is probably serial.
I don't use flash a lot but it is nice to have a good one when needed. The size of this one is very nice indeed. I wish they had made it universal rather than in various versions.
I emailed Nissin yesterday (still no responce) for a m4/3 ETA. I'll post up here is/when I hear something back.
