Xit XTDF260N Elite Series Digital SLR Auto-Focus Power Zoom E-TTL Flash with LCD Display, Bounce/Swivel for Nikon DSLR (Black)

I purchased this Xit XTDF260N flash for my Nikon d5300 based on the other reviews and price. I feel like I owe it to others and the distributor to provide some feedback as it is such a good bargain. It is a shame the description is somewhat lacking and the manual almost no help.The Xit 260N flash has:-Auto Focus Assist Lamp (large red covering in front)-Light trigger sensor (IR?) for slave mode (any other flash can be a commander) but not what I would call a 'wireless' trigger sensor.-PC Sync Port (which my d5300 does not have)-External power socket (not reported in description)-Nice LCD display which displays most settings most of the time-Nice feeling controls with obvious functions-Built in Wide Angle Diffuser and Reflector Panel (use separately or together..work nicely, too)-Separate dome diffuser that works great-Five modes: TTL, Manual, S1, S2, and Strobe-270 degree rotating and 90 degree tilting head-Surprisingly well made, heavy duty, and useful case that holds the flash, dome diffuser, extra batteries, manual (HA!), with extra strap on back.-Auto zoomUse of the Xit 260N flash:-TTL mode may only work 'well enough'. The TTL may not be controlling the output with changes in ISO, aperature, direction, diffusion, etc as the more expensive units may. This is my first TTL flash. However, the +/- 1/3eV steps from -3eV to +3eV in TTL, adjustable from the flash buttons or using my camera's exposure (not flash) compensation make affecting compensation so easy and quick.-S1, and S2 modes work (S2 mode ignores red eye preflash) I set my d5300 to manual flash at the lowest setting (1/32?) and it fired the Xit as a slave. NOTE: This feature is either line-of-sight or intensity-of-triggering-flash dependent.-Manual mode has these levels: 1/1 (FULL), 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, and 1/128 with +/- 1/3eV steps, between 1/1 and 1/128. LOTS of fine tuning in this flash in manual mode! There is a distance scale on the LCD display but I consider it pretty useless. The distance scale does NOT change dynamically when I adjust the ISO, though it does when I change the aperature, so how can I trust it? Take a picture, review the result, and quickly adjust accordingly.NOTE: TTL with +3eV seems to be equivalent to 1/1 in manual mode, the maximum flash possible. That is the good thing about manual control; you know for sure when you are using the flash's maximum output.-Strobe mode is the means of cheating the x-sync speed of some cameras by providing a very fast strobe but at reduced powers. Unfortunately, my d5300 does not have Auto FP mode which is required on a camera to exceed the 1/200 limit with flash. So, I cannot comment on the effectiveness of this mode.-The auto zoom of the focal length seems to work fine, up to a point. It correctly, automatically adjusts for my 18-140mm lens from 18mm to about 110mm but not on out to 140mm. However, I can easily and quickly manually adjust the flash's zoom setting up to 180mm. NOTE: When you are using the built in wide angel diffuser panel, the auto zoom and manual zoom adjust are disabled!!! I thought my unit had failed already until I realized the panel was in place. As soon as I retracted the wide angle diffuser panel, the auto and manual zoom controls worked perfectly! It had me going for a moment!!!-The manual mode is a real pleasure to use. Being able to adjust fill flash so granularly is great!-The ISO, aperature, flocal length (zoom) values, distance, and compensation settings all display on the flash's LCD in both TTL and manual mode dynamically except, no aperature value displays in manual mode and changing the ISO value does not change the distance reading. Can't trust the distance value!-The description lists front curtain sync but this is the default for cameras and flash units. However, it is also rear curtain sync friendly, too. I have been using it.In a nutshell...-I had purchased an entry level Sunpak flash for $60 that was a joke compared to this Xit unit. The Xit is light years (pun intended) ahead of the Sunpak for a few dollars more! (Kudos to Best Buy for the no questions 15 day return policy. I have even used it for lenses. Unfortunatey, Best Buy does not sell anything comparable to this Xit for the price)-Dynamically displayed flash and compensation values, with great range and granular control, alone make this a real bargain.-Adjusting the flash, under TTL, with the camera's exposure compensation is really nice, especially now that I have transceivers for off camera flash!-I emailed the distributor with a question and received a very quick response. Follow up emails were answered so quickly it almost felt like chatting.CON:-Distance scale does not reflect changing ISO values so distance bar is almost useless. (The only values I really need displayed, realtime, are the current flash level, flash compensation, and zoom and it has them.) It would be awesome if it gave easy to read and reliable distances for correct exposure based on ISO and aperature but I know this function can be purchased in a $300+ flash if I really need it. For now, I might have to shot a few tests to zero in on the correct distance but I think I will get faster at this with more experience with the flash.TIP: Once I learned that flash exposure is not dependent on the shutter speed of the camera since all the flash occurs much faster than the x-sync speed (1/200) (only dependent on aperture and ISO), I can manipulate the shutter speed (up to x-sync speed, of course) to affect the ambient light exposure without affecting the flash exposure for effects. Combining independent shutter speed control with rear curtain sync allows even more flexibility. Fun times!Need I say more?((BTW, I believe that E-TTL is Canon's terminlology whereas Nikon uses i-TTL. This flash is for Nikon cameras!)))

What first intrigued me about this item was its appearance. It appeared to be very similar to the Nikon SB 910 in construction and size. Having two SB 800's that needed to be sent in to Nikon for repair, I was willing to risk the $80.00 spent on this flash. I used it on a shoot atop of A D600 body. It worked very well, good color balance, fast recycle times with a set of AA Sanyo Eneloop batteries. I try to avoid direct flash whenever possible. Using a variety of bounce positions shooting in TTL and Manual power setting, I achieved about 400 flashes, in a large dimly lite ballroom. The diffusion dome that comes with the flash fit firmly. What also influenced my decision to try this flash was that it had a zoom range from 18MM to 185MM and variable power settings from full down to 128th power in 1/3 stop increments. It also has two Slave modes and worked fine when tested as a remote unit. My only complaint about the flash so far is that when its used on a vertical position with the flash head swiveled, the flash head had a tendency to sometimes move out of position, it is heavy. I had no problems when using the flash horizontally. The case that the XTDF260N comes with is also quite impressive and probably would sell for $ 20.00 if sold separately in a camera store. UNIMPRESSIVE was the instruction manual that comes with the unit. It had to be written by some Chinese individual with a fourth grade education with no concept of the English language. Spelling and grammar errors on every page! What a joke! How does a manufacturer not give a dame about having someone to proof read the context before sending the item off for distribution to a foreign market.So bottom line here! I used it once on a paid gig. I was very pleased with its overall performance in fact I went an ordered a second unit. Time will tell how good this flash really is, how durable it will be. If I encounter problems down the road I will provide additional feedback. So with the exception of the joke of an owners manual, based on first time use and its features, I have to give the Xit XTDF260N 4 stars.Well my flash friends, 16 months have gone by. It was good while it lasted. While shooting a fashion show fairly rapidly at a low 16th power setting, the capacitor must have had a stroke. My Xit unit which I really liked is a flash no more. It supposedly has a 5 yr warranty. Lets see if it gets fixed. I will let you know.

I operate a small photography business with my wife. It is a side business and hobby but something we enjoy and enjoy the extra income. I recently had a massive flash failure while shooting an awards ceremony from my vivitar flash. I needed a new flash and needed it fast without having to spend several hundred dollars. The event I was shooting was for a college and I was not being paid so there was no profit to help offset the expense of new equipment. I read the reviews and pulled the trigger on two of these. I love them! They work better than the vivitar, bower, and other flashes I own. With fresh batteries the recycle rate is very fast. With my old flashes I would see the exposure getting darker with each shot taken in rapid succession, but not with this one. It presents equal brightness for each image taken. The case is a huge plus with its spare battery storage, diffuser holder, and belt or camera bag mountability. I sometimes shoot while wearing a vest with molle attachment points and this fits perfectly on the loops. No more sticking the flash in a cargo pocket on my pants or shorts ( had a flash unit destroyed this way while shooting a wedding. ) I have not played with the off camera triggering options yet but hope to soon. Unlike my previous auto zoom flash, this unit will auto zoom and ttl meter at different angles. The xit flash will automatically enter a sleep mode if not used for a few seconds but it is easily awakened with a half press of the shutter release. The value and quality to cost ratio here makes this an easy decision on whether to purchase one or not. I use mine on a nikon d90 and d80 body and it works flawlessly on both. If you need a darn good flash without spending the serious money on a nikon branded option, look no further and order away.