YongNuo YN685 and Nikon Z6ii

[runningboffin]

I have a YongNuo YN685N flash and a YongNuo YN622N-TX trigger. They both have the latest firmware versions installed.

With my Nikon D750 the flash works correctly both when mounted directly on the hot-shoe and when via the trigger. This applies to all flash modes, including manual and i-TTL.

However with my Nikon Z6 ii the flash does not fire when mounted directly on the hot-shoe and using the i-TTL flash mode. It will fire when mounted directly on the hotshoe and using the manual flash mode. It will fire when I mount the trigger on the hot-shoe and fire the flash through that. All of the other functions such as zoom control seem to work fine, it just doesn't fire when mounted directly using i-TTL.

Has anybody encountered a case like this and were you able to resolve it, and if so, how?

 

[pjog]

Yes, exactly the same experience with a Yongnuo 968. When I tried to update the firmware, I just got an error message about a file type that wasn't recognised (Windows 10). Fortunately I only use it as a manual remote flash, when it is easy to control the level from the on-camera 622 controller. It's very good for this limited type of use.

 

[runningboffin]

That saves me buying a newer Yongnuo speedlight for on-camera flash use then.Thanks for that!

 

[Ernie Misner]

I have a YongNuo YN685N flash and a YongNuo YN622N-TX trigger. They both have the latest firmware versions installed.

With my Nikon D750 the flash works correctly both when mounted directly on the hot-shoe and when via the trigger. This applies to all flash modes, including manual and i-TTL.

However with my Nikon Z6 ii the flash does not fire when mounted directly on the hot-shoe and using the i-TTL flash mode. It will fire when mounted directly on the hotshoe and using the manual flash mode. It will fire when I mount the trigger on the hot-shoe and fire the flash through that. All of the other functions such as zoom control seem to work fine, it just doesn't fire when mounted directly using i-TTL.

Has anybody encountered a case like this and were you able to resolve it, and if so, how?

Well darn, I wonder what and why Nikon changed the flash parameters with the newer bodies. There have been a few threads like this lately and a search might give you more information.

 

[runningboffin]

Strangely the 622 trigger still works just fine it is only the speedlights themselves that don't work on the hot shoe. It would be nice is YongNuo themselves actually took the initiative and updated their speedlight firmware to suit whatever protocol changes have happened in the Z series, obviously the firmware for the trigger seems to be able to deal with them.

 

[JohnDavidM]

I'm having the same issues with my two YN685 speedlites and my Nikon Z5.

I updated the firmware on my camera / YN622N-TX / YN685.

TTL when flash is on the hot shoe doesn't work. They're communicating though because when I change the zoom on my lens, the flash changes too. But try and take a photo and the flash doesn't fire. Fires fine when flash is in manual mode.

I saw somewhere that someone fiddled with how far the flash was pushed in to the hot shoe and got it to work but no such luck for me.

 

[sirhawkeye64]

I have a YongNuo YN685N flash and a YongNuo YN622N-TX trigger. They both have the latest firmware versions installed.

With my Nikon D750 the flash works correctly both when mounted directly on the hot-shoe and when via the trigger. This applies to all flash modes, including manual and i-TTL.

However with my Nikon Z6 ii the flash does not fire when mounted directly on the hot-shoe and using the i-TTL flash mode. It will fire when mounted directly on the hotshoe and using the manual flash mode. It will fire when I mount the trigger on the hot-shoe and fire the flash through that. All of the other functions such as zoom control seem to work fine, it just doesn't fire when mounted directly using i-TTL.

Has anybody encountered a case like this and were you able to resolve it, and if so, how?

If you're going to use TTL mode, I would use a Nikon flash. I think (and I could be wrong) Nikon changed the flash protocols a little with the Z cameras. They are backwards compatible (for TTL use) with previous Nikon flashes, but not necessarily third party flashes. Someone else posted a similar post about a Neewer i-TTL flash and a Z5.

It will work in manual mode because it's only using the center pin on the hotshoe, which is basically just signaling to the flash to fire, so that should obviously work, and really, if you can, I would recommend that if you're going to use a third party flash system. I tried TTL mode with my Z camreas with my Godox system, (either on camera or with a wireless trigger that supports TTL) and sometimes it would act wonky and not fire for some unknown reason, but works fine in manual mode.

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(NOTE: If I don't reply to a direct comment in the forums, it's likely I unsubscribed from the thread.)

 

[michaeladawson]

Common issue with 3rd party flashes. Godox flashes had the same issue. Fortunately, Godox released firmware updates to make the flashes compatible again.

 

[jjlad]

I was considering upgrading from D800 and D7200 to the Z system, but the incompatibilities with my old equipment, including lenses and lighting, are preventing this.

I happen to like the several old D lenses I have with their screw drive auto focus system.

I happen to like the 8 speedlight flash units I own which all work perfectly via CLS. Included are 3 YN968n units and a YN622n trigger.

Using that trigger and the YN622n receiver with manual Studio Flash, high speed sync works right down to 1/8000sec. I only need the receiver on one, and the others work fine via their optical sensors.

Z obsoletes it all.

Nikon has also managed to devalue all our used non-z equipment so the cost to 'update' would be well over $10,000 Cdn in my case. Consequently, until an avenue opens up to update with compatibility, Nikon won't get another cent from me.

 

[LTheWafflePWN]

If you ever wish to switch to Z mount, I can tell you my old Godox equipment all works just fine. Godox, unlike YongNuo, actually seem to keep most of their products functional via firmware updates when businesses release new products.

Looks like there is a potential firmware update from YongNuo for the 622 though, have you applied this and tested it out before posting? https://www.hkyongnuo.com/xzyzc





As for your other comments, I don't really think their pertinent to this 2+ year old thread...

 

[j_photo]

I was considering upgrading from D800 and D7200 to the Z system, but the incompatibilities with my old equipment, including lenses and lighting, are preventing this.

I happen to like the several old D lenses I have with their screw drive auto focus system.

I happen to like the 8 speedlight flash units I own which all work perfectly via CLS. Included are 3 YN968n units and a YN622n trigger.

Using that trigger and the YN622n receiver with manual Studio Flash, high speed sync works right down to 1/8000sec. I only need the receiver on one, and the others work fine via their optical sensors.

Z obsoletes it all.

Nikon has also managed to devalue all our used non-z equipment so the cost to 'update' would be well over $10,000 Cdn in my case. Consequently, until an avenue opens up to update with compatibility, Nikon won't get another cent from me.

You have a lot of older gear that is gradually losing compatibility with current technology. Nikon wants you to buy new stuff!

It's something we all face. I have sold most of my f-mount lenses, though I just did pick up an f-mount 14-24/2.8 at a bargain price--I can't justify the cost of the z-mount version. I also moved on from YN speedlights quite a few years ago--they were inexpensive but not all that reliable in my experience. Maybe you should be writing to YN and complaining to them about their issues with compatibility?

I now use Godox, a much better system in my opinion. I hope they remain compatible in the future, but I know there is the risk of future issues. Alternatively I could pay more for lights from Nikon or from one of the few manufacturers that Nikon says they partner with. In any case, technology evolves.

 

[jjlad]

Thanks for replying. I did write YN and their response was that they cannot update their equipment because the changes Nikon made are hardware based so software updates won't help.

I had tried the Sony A7iv in January of 2023. That would have necessitated a complete update of all my equipment as well, but I wanted to see what these new cameras could do. At high ISO it was better of course, but at normal ISO I could not see enough difference between that and what I was getting, even from my D7200, so I returned it.

I'll live with what I have. No problem. Now that software can do dependably improve images, the 'deliverables' can easily be improved in post, and really it is primarily tight crops of sports shots etc. that need much.

Cheers

 

[j_photo]

Thanks for replying. I did write YN and their response was that they cannot update their equipment because the changes Nikon made are hardware based so software updates won't help.

That's too bad. I wonder how other 3rd party vendors are managing it.

I had tried the Sony A7iv in January of 2023. That would have necessitated a complete update of all my equipment as well, but I wanted to see what these new cameras could do. At high ISO it was better of course, but at normal ISO I could not see enough difference between that and what I was getting, even from my D7200, so I returned it.

I'll live with what I have. No problem. Now that software can do dependably improve images, the 'deliverables' can easily be improved in post, and really it is primarily tight crops of sports shots etc. that need much.

Cheers

Well the transition to mirrorless has been costly, though I did it gradually over time and sold most of my f-mount gear while resale prices were still pretty decent. It's been a good change for me, but it's a different equation for each.