My brain hurts - Yongnuo flash choices!

Okay, I know there are lots of threads on various flash setups, and I've read a whole bunch of them already.  For some reason, this subject has me totally confused.

I'm looking to add a flash or two to my SL1 kit, and I'm somewhat convinced Yongnuo will give me the most bang for my buck.  What I'm having trouble determining is which Yongnuo products I need!

For starters, since my SL1 does not have wireless flash capability built-in, I'm looking at either the YN-622C II transceivers or the YN-622C-TX controller.  I think I'm correct in saying the correct unit would depend on which flash I purchase.

I'm looking at the YN-568EX II flash, which, I believe would need to be connected to a YN-622c II transceiver on both flash and camera to work wirelessly, correct?

If I go with the YN-600EX-RT, then I could buy the YN-622C-TX (and save a few bucks) - correct?

Is there any benefit to going with one or the other setup?  My ultimate goal is flexibility and ease of use.  Or am I overthinking this?  Help!

Well, I think I may have answered one of my questions - it appears the YN600EX-RT is controllable by the YN-E3-RT and not the 622C-TX, so I'm not sure if I would really gain anything by going this way.  Seems like the better (and more flexible) path is picking up less expensive flashes and the transceivers.

Is it possible to use a 622C transceiver on-camera to control one or more off-camera flashes by itself?  I wish the SL1 had this capability - it'd make my choices easier!

And, finally - did I post this in the wrong forum?  I posted here because it's kind of a Rebel-specific issue.

oppy wrote:

Okay, I know there are lots of threads on various flash setups, and I've read a whole bunch of them already. For some reason, this subject has me totally confused.

I'm looking to add a flash or two to my SL1 kit, and I'm somewhat convinced Yongnuo will give me the most bang for my buck. What I'm having trouble determining is which Yongnuo products I need!

For starters, since my SL1 does not have wireless flash capability built-in, I'm looking at either the YN-622C II transceivers or the YN-622C-TX controller. I think I'm correct in saying the correct unit would depend on which flash I purchase.

I'm looking at the YN-568EX II flash, which, I believe would need to be connected to a YN-622c II transceiver on both flash and camera to work wirelessly, correct?

If I go with the YN-600EX-RT, then I could buy the YN-622C-TX (and save a few bucks) - correct?

Is there any benefit to going with one or the other setup? My ultimate goal is flexibility and ease of use. Or am I overthinking this? Help!

No, the YN-600ex-RT is a copy of the Canon 600EX-RT and is not compatible with the YN-622C system.

For ETTL flash I would get a YN-622C-TX transmitter, a YN-565EX II, and a YN-622C transceiver. Two YN-622C transceivers operate fine by themselves, but if you get one YN-622C-TX transmitter and a YN-622C transceiver, you can make flash setting changes right on the YN-622C-TX instead of going into the camera flash menu.

If you want just Manual flash, there are many other Yongnuo choices as well.

All these Yongnuo flash choices can be overwhelming. I find Flash Havoc is a great resource for sorting through all the choices. http://flashhavoc.com/gear-guides/

msowsun wrote:

No, the YN-600ex-RT is a copy of the Canon 600EX-RT and is not compatible with the YN-622C system.

For ETTL flash I would get a YN-622C-TX transmitter, a YN-565EX II, and a YN-622C transceiver. Two YN-622C transceivers operate fine by themselves, but if you get one YN-622C-TX transmitter and a YN-622C transceiver, you can make flash setting changes right on the YN-622C-TX instead of going into the camera flash menu.

If you want just Manual flash, there are many other Yongnuo choices as well.

All these Yongnuo flash choices can be overwhelming. I find Flash Havoc is a great resource for sorting through all the choices. http://flashhavoc.com/gear-guides/

Thank you so much for the info!  Yes, it can be a little daunting!

oppy wrote:

Okay, I know there are lots of threads on various flash setups, and I've read a whole bunch of them already. For some reason, this subject has me totally confused.

I'm looking to add a flash or two to my SL1 kit, and I'm somewhat convinced Yongnuo will give me the most bang for my buck. What I'm having trouble determining is which Yongnuo products I need!

For starters, since my SL1 does not have wireless flash capability built-in, I'm looking at either the YN-622C II transceivers or the YN-622C-TX controller. I think I'm correct in saying the correct unit would depend on which flash I purchase.

I'm looking at the YN-568EX II flash, which, I believe would need to be connected to a YN-622c II transceiver on both flash and camera to work wirelessly, correct?

If I go with the YN-600EX-RT, then I could buy the YN-622C-TX (and save a few bucks) - correct?

Is there any benefit to going with one or the other setup? My ultimate goal is flexibility and ease of use. Or am I overthinking this? Help!

No, the YN-600ex-RT is a copy of the Canon 600EX-RT and is not compatible with the YN-622C system.

For ETTL flash I would get a YN-622C-TX transmitter, a YN-565EX II, and a YN-622C transceiver. Two YN-622C transceivers operate fine by themselves, but if you get one YN-622C-TX transmitter and a YN-622C transceiver, you can make flash setting changes right on the YN-622C-TX instead of going into the camera flash menu.

If you want just Manual flash, there are many other Yongnuo choices as well.

All these Yongnuo flash choices can be overwhelming. I find Flash Havoc is a great resource for sorting through all the choices. http://flashhavoc.com/gear-guides/

Yongnuo now have the yn685 which has a built in radio receiver. I would recommend that over the the 5xx because you need one less piece of equipment i.e. the 622c.

For the transmitter, I would definitely suggest 622c-tx ii. The lcd and dedicated controls make life so much easier.
--
Safety Warning: Bad taste unmitigated by moderate skill

That's even better - thanks!

oppy wrote:

That's even better - thanks!

He stole my answer. I have a 565ex II, 568 ex II, and the new 685, YN622c triggers, and the tx controller. They work great, the 568 has a battery door issue, cheap to replace but unfortunate. The triggers work well with my 430ex II Canon flash, Aperlite flash, and el cheapo Neewer flash.

You basically have to choose between the RT system and the 622c system. The RT system has the advantage of 5 groups vs 3 for the 622c system. The 622c system works with more flashes from different vendors.

Hello,

I'm currently using a Canon 550EX and 420EX along with my 7DMKII. I either put the 550EX in the hotshoe, setting it to master and the 420EX to slave or put them both to slave and use the on-board flash to trigger.

What I'd like to do; Put a Yongnuo YN-622C-TX controller on the hotshoe and attach YN-622C's to my two existing Canon flashes. Based on all the reading I've done, this should work fine and give me ETTL support without the limited distance and results of my current way of doing it (using pop-up to trigger). I'm also considering adding a YN685 to the mix to give me a three light setup.

Now here is where I'm stuck - since the YN685 has onboard 622C support, I can just add it to the mix and not have to buy a third YN-622C, correct? The two existing Canon units (attached to TN-622C) should play along nicely with the YN-622-TX and the YN685 and I'll be able to take advantage of wireless ETTL triggering along with setting up groups/rations/FEC, right?

Thanks!

David

davidndc wrote:

Hello,

I'm currently using a Canon 550EX and 420EX along with my 7DMKII. I either put the 550EX in the hotshoe, setting it to master and the 420EX to slave or put them both to slave and use the on-board flash to trigger.

The 550ex is listed as partially compatible and the 420ex isn't listed at all. If you have a friend with a 622c pair, I'd test those flashes before committing to the system.

What I'd like to do; Put a Yongnuo YN-622C-TX controller on the hotshoe and attach YN-622C's to my two existing Canon flashes. Based on all the reading I've done, this should work fine and give me ETTL support without the limited distance and results of my current way of doing it (using pop-up to trigger).

Yes, that is precisely what I do, TX on camera, 622c's on flashes, much more reliable than the optical triggers. I used the optical remote trigger setup with my 7D for a while, did a couple of shoots that way, but it would misfire too often. The 622 system works much better and I've shot several events on location (some pretty remote), studio setups, etc with them.

I'm also considering adding a YN685 to the mix to give me a three light setup.

I just did that, the 685 is a bit more powerful and I like the built in trigger, probably going to pick up a 2nd one and relegate my 565 to a backup/background light flash.

Now here is where I'm stuck - since the YN685 has onboard 622C support, I can just add it to the mix and not have to buy a third YN-622C, correct? The two existing Canon units (attached to TN-622C) should play along nicely with the YN-622-TX and the YN685 and I'll be able to take advantage of wireless ETTL triggering along with setting up groups/rations/FEC, right?

Yes, the YN685 acts just like any other flash that would be mounted to a 622c trigger, it just has the trigger built in. So yes, in your situation (assuming your Canon flashes work properly with the triggers) you would buy 2x622c triggers + 1x622c-tx + 1x685 and you'd have 3 flashes that remote triggered with control from the TX. You can use ETTL or M with this setup and control everything from the TX, including flash zooms (again, if your flashes are compatible).

I wanted a couple of 685s because I sometimes use a quite large soft box with a 3x flash mount and don't like the notion of stacking 622c triggers and flashes in a non vertical orientation. Most of my modifiers get used with the Cheetah stand bowens/flash mount, which clamps onto the flash head, works great, but my 50x50 softbox is an umbrella mount.

msowsun wrote:

the YN-600ex-RT is a copy of the Canon 600EX-RT and is not compatible with the YN-622C system.

Just checking... I assume you mean the YN-600ex-RT doesn't have a built-in receiver for the 622C system. You're not saying a YN-600ex-RT would not work if you mounted one on a 622C?

So is the YN685 essentially the same as the YN-600ex-RT with the only difference being the 622 transceiver compatibility vs the RT signal?

I currently have a Canon 430EX II and a pair of 622 transceivers. That's great for one flash, but I've been eyeing the YN-600 as a second. The 685 may be an easier solution for me.

My backup plan was to just mount the YN-600 on another 622, but that basically wastes the RT capability.

WilbaW wrote:

msowsun wrote:

the YN-600ex-RT is a copy of the Canon 600EX-RT and is not compatible with the YN-622C system.

Just checking... I assume you mean the YN-600ex-RT doesn't have a built-in receiver for the 622C system. You're not saying a YN-600ex-RT would not work if you mounted one on a 622C?

That's my understanding, basically you have two radio trigger formats here and they don't work together, but if you use a 600ex-rt with a 622c then you'd only be using one of them.

Scoogs wrote:

So is the YN685 essentially the same as the YN-600ex-RT with the only difference being the 622 transceiver compatibility vs the RT signal?

Yes, except that it additionally includes the non-ttl trigger for the 603 triggers.

I currently have a Canon 430EX II and a pair of 622 transceivers. That's great for one flash, but I've been eyeing the YN-600 as a second. The 685 may be an easier solution for me.

Yes, the 685 would be easier here, the advantage of the 600-rt setup is if you are going to want to control more than 3 groups (max of 5 with the RT stuff) or you want to mix it with existing Canon 600-RT flashes or RT controller.

My backup plan was to just mount the YN-600 on another 622, but that basically wastes the RT capability.

Correct, and unnecessarily requires you to have an additional 622+batteries when compared to the 685

Thank you very much for the detailed information, Keith! Went ahead and ordered the set, can't wait to try it out!

-David

Keith Z Leonard wrote:

davidndc wrote:

Hello,

I'm currently using a Canon 550EX and 420EX along with my 7DMKII. I either put the 550EX in the hotshoe, setting it to master and the 420EX to slave or put them both to slave and use the on-board flash to trigger.

The 550ex is listed as partially compatible and the 420ex isn't listed at all. If you have a friend with a 622c pair, I'd test those flashes before committing to the system.

In playing around with the new toys it would appear that the only issues with using the older 550EX and 420EX with the 622 triggers is I'm unable to switch modes, control zoom or set manual power on the 550EX. The 420EX doesn't offer manual mode anyway so that was expected. Otherwise they work perfectly well in ETTL, including FEC. or if I set change the manual settings on the back of the 550EX.

That said I'm so impressed with this system, I'm now considering selling off my older 550EX and 420EX and picking up several more Yongnuo units.

davidndc wrote:

Keith Z Leonard wrote:

davidndc wrote:

Hello,

I'm currently using a Canon 550EX and 420EX along with my 7DMKII. I either put the 550EX in the hotshoe, setting it to master and the 420EX to slave or put them both to slave and use the on-board flash to trigger.

The 550ex is listed as partially compatible and the 420ex isn't listed at all. If you have a friend with a 622c pair, I'd test those flashes before committing to the system.

In playing around with the new toys it would appear that the only issues with using the older 550EX and 420EX with the 622 triggers is I'm unable to switch modes, control zoom or set manual power on the 550EX. The 420EX doesn't offer manual mode anyway so that was expected. Otherwise they work perfectly well in ETTL, including FEC. or if I set change the manual settings on the back of the 550EX.

That said I'm so impressed with this system, I'm now considering selling off my older 550EX and 420EX and picking up several more Yongnuo units.

I have the 565, 568, and 685 from Yongnuo. The 685 is really impressive! Weather seal on the shoe, quick lock like the 430ex II, good power, built in 622c, for 120$.

oppy wrote:

Okay, I know there are lots of threads on various flash setups, and I've read a whole bunch of them already. For some reason, this subject has me totally confused.

I'm looking to add a flash or two to my SL1 kit, and I'm somewhat convinced Yongnuo will give me the most bang for my buck. What I'm having trouble determining is which Yongnuo products I need!

For starters, since my SL1 does not have wireless flash capability built-in, I'm looking at either the YN-622C II transceivers or the YN-622C-TX controller. I think I'm correct in saying the correct unit would depend on which flash I purchase.

I'm looking at the YN-568EX II flash, which, I believe would need to be connected to a YN-622c II transceiver on both flash and camera to work wirelessly, correct?

If I go with the YN-600EX-RT, then I could buy the YN-622C-TX (and save a few bucks) - correct?

Is there any benefit to going with one or the other setup? My ultimate goal is flexibility and ease of use. Or am I overthinking this? Help!

I use a pair of Yongnuo RF603C II receiver with my YN500EX flash, and I love it. My only complain is you need to carry batteries, because the YN500ex goes through them quickly. However for $115, this setup is great. The flash has E-TTL and HSS, the receivers are easy to use, and they both have either function. The directions on how to use them all together were a little complex, but I quickly realized that I didn't need to put the flash in slave mode to use it off-camera, and I could just leave it in manual. I have enough power, and have gotten some great shots with the setup.

Below is a photo I took without the receivers, just by bouncing off a wall. I'm highly recommend this setup!

Dont go to the Yongnuo website.. Mega spyware.

I sold my 430 EX, got a fully manual YN560-III (current back then) and I am perfectly happy with that decision.  I don't find manual flashing complicated - for a casual shooter there's a surprisingly small number of scenarios to consider.  For a trigger I use RF603.