Yongnuo YN-500EX or YN-568EX II?

[Freeman-Jo]

I already have a Canon 580EX II already which I use primary as a main flash. I'm trying to get into off-camera flash and also multi-flash. I also brought the YN-622c to start with, this way I can already do 1 light off camera. So, even if I buy the YN-568EX II, it will be use mainly as slave. I read that YN-500EX has guide number 53 which the YN-568EX II has 58. The true is, I have no idea exactly what that mean in the real world nor do I trust the claim. So, how big is the different between YN-500EX vs YN-568EX II in the real world? Obviously I pick these two because they support HSS which I may use very often.

 

[mbloof]

While the slight GN difference won't add up to much the 500EX is slightly smaller(lighter?) and for ~$25 more the 568EXII can be a Canon ETTL2 IR master (and therefore a aftermarket 580EXII replacement).

If your already using the YN622C's then Canon's IR wireless master ability might not be something you want+need.

 

[Sailor Blue]

The Yongnuo YN-560EX is less a less expensive TTL slave flash with a guide number of 58.

Amazon.com - Yongnuo YN-560 II Speedlight Flash for Canon and Nikon

 

[Freeman-Jo]

Sailor Blue wrote:

The Yongnuo YN-560EX is less a less expensive TTL slave flash with a guide number of 58.

Amazon.com - Yongnuo YN-560 II Speedlight Flash for Canon and Nikon

--
Living and loving it in Bangkok, Thailand. Canon 7D - See the gear list for the rest.

From what I understand YN-560EX is a TTL slave but it doesn't support HSS.

On the other hand YN-560 II and YN-560 III are basically manual flash since it doesn't support TTL.

BTW, how is Thailand, I haven't been back there for a few years now.

--
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If picture worth a thousand words, how many megapixel is it?
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[Sailor Blue]

Freeman-Jo wrote:

Sailor Blue wrote:

The Yongnuo YN-560EX is less a less expensive TTL slave flash with a guide number of 58.

Amazon.com - Yongnuo YN-560 II Speedlight Flash for Canon and Nikon

 

[David Carrico]

Sailor Blue wrote:

Freeman-Jo wrote:

Sailor Blue wrote:

The Yongnuo YN-560EX is less a less expensive TTL slave flash with a guide number of 58.

Amazon.com - Yongnuo YN-560 II Speedlight Flash for Canon and Nikon

 

[garyhgaryh]

David Carrico wrote:

The Yongnuo YN-568EX II was just announced at the end of April and improves upon the 568EX by adding HSS. You can read about it here: http://www.hkyongnuo.com/e-detail.php?ID=323

I am a Nikon shooter and considering buying because they are compatible with both Nikon and Canon systems (although I think it is just as a remote on Nikon but full Master and Remote on Canon).

Hope that helps...

Correct me if I am wrong, but the 568ex and the 568ex ii both have HSS so that's not the improvement. The 568ex II can be used as a master.

I'm thinking of purchasing one for my d800e. I bought a 565ex which works on the d5100, but not on the d800e (strobes continuously on the d800e).

Gary

 

[Crey23]

garyhgaryh wrote:

Correct me if I am wrong, but the 568ex and the 568ex ii both have HSS so that's not the improvement. The 568ex II can be used as a master.

I'm thinking of purchasing one for my d800e. I bought a 565ex which works on the d5100, but not on the d800e (strobes continuously on the d800e).

Gary

You are correct Gary....the 568EX did HSS,and 568EXII does function as a Master.

 

[Freeman-Jo]

Crey23 wrote:

garyhgaryh wrote:

Correct me if I am wrong, but the 568ex and the 568ex ii both have HSS so that's not the improvement. The 568ex II can be used as a master.

I'm thinking of purchasing one for my d800e. I bought a 565ex which works on the d5100, but not on the d800e (strobes continuously on the d800e).

Gary

You are correct Gary....the 568EX did HSS,and 568EXII does function as a Master.

considering the price difference between the first and second version, why bother get the first one? I asked mainly because there is still a margin of price gap compared to 500ex. If say you wanna build an array of remote flash for on location it may be ideal to maybe have 2 that can serve as master just in case one fail while having many smaller slave-only units. to do what you need?

I'm now a day concern about wireless ttl consistency and on camera control functionality and also persistent HSS.

The other day I was shooting with three 622c, one master and the other two connect to Canon 580ex ii and Sigma ef500. Obviously Canon one works perfectly. But the Sigma give me some problem.

1. ETTL is inconsistant

2. I can't make adjustment via on camera menu.

3. HSS isn't persistent. Meaning if you set it to HSS and shoot at 1/200 or slower, it knock off the HSS and has to manually re-enable it. On the other hand canon omly temporary tuem off HSS when shutte. speed can be achieved and then turn on again when shutter speed is higher.

Anypne can have good experience with the YN speedlight dealing with those 3 problems I encountered with Sigma?

 

[mbloof]

Back in 2008/2009 I bought what was Sigma's 'top of the line' (DG500 'super'??) hot shoe flash. It was > $100 less expensive then a Canon 380EX2.

I used it with my then new 400D. I owned it for ~3 days before returning it because of miss fires, no fires and inconsistent functioning. The 380EX2 I replaced it with has served me well over the years.

I regularly use a YN622C on camera (no flash) with two YN622C+580EX2's as remotes with out any issues.

After that short experience I'd buy just about any other brand over a Sigma flash unit.

 

[Freeman-Jo]

mbloof wrote:

Back in 2008/2009 I bought what was Sigma's 'top of the line' (DG500 'super'??) hot shoe flash. It was > $100 less expensive then a Canon 380EX2.

I used it with my then new 400D. I owned it for ~3 days before returning it because of miss fires, no fires and inconsistent functioning. The 380EX2 I replaced it with has served me well over the years.

I regularly use a YN622C on camera (no flash) with two YN622C+580EX2's as remotes with out any issues.

After that short experience I'd buy just about any other brand over a Sigma flash unit.

 

[MickMass]

The YN500EX does not work on a D7100.
I tried the 568EX II as well - NO Auto FP.

Otherwise, everything else works fine with both models.

 

[MickMass]

Clarification: both models work with Nikon D7100, EXCEPT for Auto FP (aka HSS) feature.

That is advertised as a feature, but it only applies to Canon camera models.

 

[Kasra A]

I already have a Canon 580EX II already which I use primary as a main flash. I'm trying to get into off-camera flash and also multi-flash. I also brought the YN-622c to start with, this way I can already do 1 light off camera. So, even if I buy the YN-568EX II, it will be use mainly as slave. I read that YN-500EX has guide number 53 which the YN-568EX II has 58. The true is, I have no idea exactly what that mean in the real world nor do I trust the claim. So, how big is the different between YN-500EX vs YN-568EX II in the real world? Obviously I pick these two because they support HSS which I may use very often.

--
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
If picture worth a thousand words, how many megapixel is it?
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

I know it's a little late, but I hope it helps.

(I don't have either of these flashes, but I'm on the same path as you are. I already have a 580EX II and a 430EX II, and thinking about adding another a flash, or two, to my arsenal.)

The difference in price aside, YN-500 is still about 2oz (50g) lighter and compacter than 568EX. It looks to me that it has about the same size and weight of 430EX. It may not seem a lot if you're a professional photographer who has to move a ton of gears around. But if you're like me, every inch of space in your bag, and every ounce of weight off your back, is a miracle.

Besides, if 0.5EV less power is your only concern, you can always compensate that by a couple of tricks and techniques. Having said that, I personally rarely reach the 58GN limit of my 580EX II (i.e. shooting through an umbrella in a bright sunny day while trying to under expose the background).

Well of course, you need to know which one works for you for your particular purpose at that moment but here are a couple of tricks I can think of:

1. Switch flashes. If you already have a 580EX II use it in the most power demanding position. Use the YN-500 for less demanding lights and angles.

2. Get it closer! Getting your light a few inches closer can easily compensate 0.5EV.

4. Compensate it with ISO, F stop, or Shutter speed or a combination of them. I can hardly think of a situation in which I absolutely can't play with any of these three and have to entirely rely on my speedlight.

4. Get help from a fill light. (either a reflector, ambient light, or any kind of available light, even a an iphone led!)

6. Remove\minimize light modifiers.

7. ZOOM it! The GN increases when you zoom your light. If your shooting outside with a 85mm lens, there's barely any advantage in having wide zoom on your flash. I'd go even further and say try 105mm. Because A) you'r subject is not filling the frame. B) At times, you'll end up a with a nice vignette.

8. Add some Exposure in post processing. People do much more drastic changes than 0.5EV compensation and that you won't be ever able to notice.

The bottom line is, the difference in power between YN-568 and YN-500EX is most probably not going to hold you back. Unless you're absolutely sure that you're going to need that extra power, go with the YN-500EX and enjoy the compact size of it, and save up a couple of dollars for your next ventures.