Starter Flash Kit

The more I read about flash, the more confused I get. I'm looking to get started with off camera flash, and was looking at using a Yongnuo flash at first. My question is which one will require the fewest parts to get up and running. I'm more of a hands on learner, so the quicker I get stuff, the quicker I'll understand it.

Using my Canon SL1, which Yongnuo flash would I need that will allow ETTL on and off camera, and would I need any triggers, etc with it, or can I use the pop up flash on the camera to trigger it?

You could do optical but I would suggest going radio. You can get the YN600EX-RT from B&H for less than $120.

I think you can even fire it optically until your ready to spring for the radio transmitter but will have to confirm.

crbinson wrote in post #17784166
You could do optical but I would suggest going radio. You can get the YN600EX-RT from B&H for less than $120.

I think you can even fire it optically until your ready to spring for the radio transmitter but will have to confirm.

Which transmitter would that require?

Thanks for the input

It looks like the the SL1 built-in flash does not have the ability to act as a master so you will need a trigger or an external flash with master capability regardless of optical or radio trigger method.

You need a YN-E3-RT to trigger a YN600EX-RT remotely via radio. Or you get two YN600EX-RT and have one on the camera as a master and trigger the off-camera via optical transmission. That kinda of defeats the purpose of having the radio functionality but you can always add that later when you are ready for it.

tfd wrote in post #17784148
The more I read about flash, the more confused I get. I'm looking to get started with off camera flash, and was looking at using a Yongnuo flash at first. My question is which one will require the fewest parts to get up and running. I'm more of a hands on learner, so the quicker I get stuff, the quicker I'll understand it.

Using my Canon SL1, which Yongnuo flash would I need that will allow ETTL on and off camera, and would I need any triggers, etc with it, or can I use the pop up flash on the camera to trigger it?

Heya,

Yongnuo 685 flash is your friend here. Built in receivers. No need to get more transceivers at all. They're built in. Saves parts and money and batteries and bulk. Full feature flash, with ETTL and HSS capability. It has a built-in YN622 transceiver in it. Get as many 685's as you want.

The only transceiver you need is a single YN622 or a TX-622 to control all flashes from one single transceiver.

Literally as simple as it can possibly get right now with speedlites.

Very best,

Been checking these out. Kind of confused with Amazon's site. One of the models apparently has GN60 as part of the name of item. I know that stands for Guide Number, but not sure what the 60 means. There are other items for YONGNUO YN685 that come up without the GN60 designation. Any clue as to what that is?

MalVeauX wrote in post #17784192
Heya,

Yongnuo 685 flash is your friend here. Built in receivers. No need to get more transceivers at all. They're built in. Saves parts and money and batteries and bulk. Full feature flash, with ETTL and HSS capability. It has a built-in YN622 transceiver in it. Get as many 685's as you want.

The only transceiver you need is a single YN622 or a TX-622 to control all flashes from one single transceiver.

Literally as simple as it can possibly get right now with speedlites.

Very best,

Excellent. So I would need 1 YN622 and that would control the flash when it is used off camera, correct?

tfd wrote in post #17785399
Excellent. So I would need 1 YN622 and that would control the flash when it is used off camera, correct?

Heya,

Correct. The single YN622 would command/control all YN685's when off the camera, with full ETTL & HSS capabilities.

Very best,

One of the Masters of Flash made a starter kit post here
http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …-101-traveling-light.html

maverick75 wrote in post #17785401
One of the Masters of Flash made a starter kit post here
http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …-101-traveling-light.html

That's a manual flash. I've seen that kit and while it would be helpful, it doesn't do what I would like it to.

I'm interested in knowing what, if anything, would be the difference between a system of YN-E3-RT + YN600ex-rt + YN-E3-RX, and a system that is YN-622C-TX + YN685 + YN-622C.

As I understand it, the first setup communicates via Canon wireless protocol, so it can freely integrate with Canon 600ex-rt and 430exiii-rt speedlites, whereas the second system uses Yongnuo's own RF protocol that would require additional YN-622C transceivers to add Canon speedlites or YN600ex-rt units to the setup.

Does the Yongnuo 622-based system extend E-TTL or HSS functionality to more legacy speedlites and bodies, is that why it is a popular option? If not, what does it offer than makes it worth considering for Canon shooters?

I know that both the YN-622C and YN-E3-RX can work as receivers that allow adding monolights to a speedlite setup (via PC cord), which is what I use my YN-E3-RXs for, but is the functionality any different between them?

absplastic wrote in post #17786884
I'm interested in knowing what, if anything, would be the difference between a system of YN-E3-RT + YN600ex-rt + YN-E3-RX, and a system that is YN-622C-TX + YN685 + YN-622C.

As I understand it, the first setup communicates via Canon wireless protocol, so it can freely integrate with Canon 600ex-rt and 430exiii-rt speedlites, whereas the second system uses Yongnuo's own RF protocol that would require additional YN-622C transceivers to add Canon speedlites or YN600ex-rt units to the setup.

Does the Yongnuo 622-based system extend E-TTL or HSS functionality to more legacy speedlites and bodies, is that why it is a popular option? If not, what does it offer than makes it worth considering for Canon shooters?

I know that both the YN-622C and YN-E3-RX can work as receivers that allow adding monolights to a speedlite setup (via PC cord), which is what I use my YN-E3-RXs for, but is the functionality any different between them?

I had the same question since I'm looking at getting the RT system.

crbinson wrote in post #17784190
It looks like the the SL1 built-in flash does not have the ability to act as a master so you will need a trigger or an external flash with master capability regardless of optical or radio trigger method.

You need a YN-E3-RT to trigger a YN600EX-RT remotely via radio. Or you get two YN600EX-RT and have one on the camera as a master and trigger the off-camera via optical transmission. That kinda of defeats the purpose of having the radio functionality but you can always add that later when you are ready for it.

Um...the YN600EX-RT is capable of acting as a master via radio.

absplastic wrote in post #17786884
I'm interested in knowing what, if anything, would be the difference between a system of YN-E3-RT + YN600ex-rt + YN-E3-RX, and a system that is YN-622C-TX + YN685 + YN-622C.

As far as I know, the radio protocol is the only difference

absplastic wrote in post #17786884
Does the Yongnuo 622-based system extend E-TTL or HSS functionality to more legacy speedlites and bodies, is that why it is a popular option?

The 622 needs a camera body that has the external flash menu built into the camera (the 622 has no controls on it other than channel and group selections). The 622 will work with a wider variety of eTTL compatible flashes, not just legacy flashes like the yn-e3-rx.

absplastic wrote in post #17786884
If not, what does it offer than makes it worth considering for Canon shooters?

I think the 622 system is popular because it came before the RT system, and for those not invested in the RT system...it's a inexpensive, simple way to trigger compatible eTTL flashes.

absplastic wrote in post #17786884
I know that both the YN-622C and YN-E3-RX can work as receivers that allow adding monolights to a speedlite setup (via PC cord), which is what I use my YN-E3-RXs for, but is the functionality any different between them?

The 622 can be used as a transmitter as well, but that's the only difference I'm aware of.


How well does the yn-e3-rx work with your monolights? I'm considering adding a monolight to my aresnal, and would like to use the yn-e3-rx to trigger it. I'm assuming it just triggers, but all setting have to be put in manually?

agrandexpression wrote in post #17787109
How well does the yn-e3-rx work with your monolights? I'm considering adding a monolight to my aresnal, and would like to use the yn-e3-rx to trigger it. I'm assuming it just triggers, but all setting have to be put in manually?

So far, I've used it in two studios, with an Alien Bees unit (B400 or B800, I don't remember which it was) and with a Rovelight 600. I worked perfectly in both cases, and yes with studio lights all you get is simple trigger functionality, so I was setting power of those lights directly on the lights--not as sexy as a fully-integrate system like using all native RT speedlites, or Elinchrom's skyport setup, but it's really nice to be able to add extra lights of any brand. I'm looking now at picking up a Rovelight of my own for location shooting, it integrated so well.

The YN-E3-RX also works with my older 320ex flash, letting it join the 600ex's in an E-TTL setup. Prior to getting this receiver, my 320ex was basically useless, since the 600ex-rt can't simultaneously sync remote units by radio and optical. Now I can use it as a hair or fill light.