Yongnuo 600EX RTs or Canon

Hi all,

I'm struggling on what I should get here - I currently have one canon 580ex II and two Yongnuo's 560s with the triggers. I'm looking that 600 EX (because of the HSS capability and I'm wondering if there is anything else out there?

The struggle is REAL

Thanks,

MTM

I found the YN600 to be junk.. I would go with the Godox 860version II.. I had three YN 600 fail last year and I am selling mine.

Hmm that means I would have to change out my system or just buy new?
Do you like have a dedicated battery?

You can go a couple of ways with the Godox system. The Godox TT685 will use double AA batteries. The Godox 860 has the big single Lithium battery. It is a matter of preference.

It is nice just charging the single battery. Only one to charge and one to change when the power is low. The Menu is Soooooo much better than the YN 600.


Here is s good read:
http://flashhavoc.com …-speedlite-now-available/

I've read that the YN600's have problems overheating and dying if you use HSS too much. Also, I could never get an answer about whether they worked with the 80D.

I went with Godox TT685's and an X1T trigger. Initially, the X1T had problems working with the 80D (hence my inquiry regarding YN), but Godox resolved the problem fairly quickly and I'm happy. I've used them on several occasions now for HSS and no problems at all. Even did some experimenting with stroboscopic effects.

For me, the compelling reason to switch to Godox was availability of higher-powered units such as the AD360/AD360II bare bulb flash and AD600 600Ws strobe. I decided on the TT685 instead of the V860 because I'd rather stick with AA batteries in spite of the slower recycle time.

You could use your existing Canon and Yongnuo flashes with the Godox X1T by adding X1R-C receivers.

I bought my Godox gear from Adorama as their Flashpoint brand.

Forget YN600-RT. It's a junk. Go with either Godox 860ii or Flashpoint Zoom Li-on TTL R2, which is a rebranded Godox.

bumpintheroad wrote in post #18220010
I decided on the TT685 instead of the V860 because I'd rather stick with AA batteries in spite of the slower recycle time.

It's not just the slower recycle time but less power, as well -- LOT less. Here's the power comparison I recently did:

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=18214678

[QUOTE=Mike T.M.;18219864]Hi all,

I'm struggling on what I should get here - I currently have one canon 580ex II and two Yongnuo's 560s with the triggers. I'm looking that 600 EX (because of the HSS capability and I'm wondering if there is anything else out there?

The struggle is REAL

Thanks,

MTM[/QUOTE

Mike.
I bought into the Canon 600 EX-RT, ST-E3 RT system as an early adaptor in the spring of 2012 when first launched. No more third party adoptors, cords or failures to worry about. Just Radio communication that allowed to me adjust the off camera flashes capabilities from my camera. And no failure rate. The only thing I worried about was what to do with my old behind the times 580 EX II and 430.......Trade them in towards a second 600 EX-RT.
Sure there are lesser dollar options out there, but they come at a price.
So for me, it's the Canon 600 EX -RT Sytem. Happily.

Pretty harsh reviews of the Yongnuo's without a lot of detail. I have to disagree. I have three of them that have worked perfectly. And their version transmitter which has focus assist (which I wanted). Never a problem and I have no hesitation recommending.

I have never used a Godox so cannot comment, but could not let two reviews that simple claim its "junk" go by unchallenged.

Now if you think a Honda Civic or Acura is junk, then I woul dput the Yongnuos perhaps inthe same class. But neither product deserves that moniker.

rebop wrote in post #18220195
Pretty harsh reviews of the Yongnuo's without a lot of detail. I have to disagree. I have three of them that have worked perfectly. And their version transmitter which has focus assist (which I wanted). Never a problem and I have no hesitation recommending.

I have never used a Godox so cannot comment, but could not let two reviews that simple claim its "junk" go by unchallenged.

Now if you think a Honda Civic or Acura is junk, then I woul dput the Yongnuos perhaps inthe same class. But neither product deserves that moniker.

I've posted this on several other threads, but to repeat: I was sent 3 YN600-RT flashes for my upcoming battery tests. I've never owned this brand, so I was quite excited to use them. My battery test involved a simple methodology of flash popping 20 times followed by 10 minutes of break in between until the batteries drained. Within the first day of testing, one flash died. And I wasn't even testing batteries all day, either, just an average of testing two battery brands each day, which was all I could devote my time to as I was really busy with other things. The second flash's test button froze on me about 10 times, each time forcing me to turn off the power and turn it back on in order to get going. The third one, I've decided not to put it to any testing in fear that something would go wrong.

When all 3 of these flash units were working properly, I found to my surprise that each of these units yielded wildly different results, meaning that there's no consistency with the power output. For example, I'd place eneloop batteries (all brand new and freshly recharged) into all three YN flashes. You'd expect that, once the test is completed, each of these flashes would yield a similar result. Nope. The difference in the result is astounding 50+ or 50- from one another. That's when I realized that purchasing a YN flash is really a crapshoot. I have absolutely no confidence in this brand.

That's what I meant by "junk."

4 x Yongnuo 560 III s and 1 560 II, plus triggers. All have performed flawlessly.

Should I buy a lottery ticket?

rebop wrote in post #18220195
Pretty harsh reviews of the Yongnuo's without a lot of detail. I have to disagree. I have three of them that have worked perfectly. And their version transmitter which has focus assist (which I wanted). Never a problem and I have no hesitation recommending.

I have never used a Godox so cannot comment, but could not let two reviews that simple claim its "junk" go by unchallenged.

Now if you think a Honda Civic or Acura is junk, then I woul dput the Yongnuos perhaps inthe same class. But neither product deserves that moniker.

Honda and Acura are well engineered and have some of the highest reliability ratings in the world.

Yongnuo flashes are made out of the most affordable (cheap) parts and materials, with the lowest cost labor (thus the lowest prices) and have one of the lowest reliability around.

I would not put Yongnuo in the same class as an Acura. I'd put a Japanese made, brick poop-house, never fails Canon flash in the same class as an Acura.

I am amazed by the Yongnuo line, had an entire kit of the 622 triggers and from a bang fro your buck stand point they could not be beat! That said, despite their intense innovation, part of their market positioning is to be the bottom floor most affordable / option packed balance. This leaves little room for sturdy build and reliability or even QC leaving the factory. When things go wrong, service is continents away. Even many of the forum users that still swear by them, consider them "disposable" and due to the low cost feel it's cost effective to buy more when they die.

With all things, there is going to variation, copies that are going to work as advertised and copies that don't.

The point is that we do see trends.

This is way I love this forum! Everyone here is wonderful and the advice is so appreciative! So here is my dilemma; I don't shoot that much to warrant the extra cost of 600 Ex's, but I do spend the $ to buy the lesser equipment, and buy more of it for replacement. So,e very Winter I tell myself that I'm going to do more in photography: book more weddings, events, sports, but then Spring comes a long and life gets in the way; I still shoot but not a lot. So, my 7D is my primary, and my 20D was my back-up (showing my age) and I was able to sell my 20D along with some other items I don't use and now I'm looking at getting the 5D mrkIII - have told the boss (Wife) that it's needed. However, I would like to replace some of my other equipment and get equipment that I can through in a bag and run.

You can get used 600's for $375-400 quite often. Also look at refurbs. Save a bit of coin.

You've got three flashes. Isn't that enough? What missing features are holding you back?

For the record I have 3 Canon 600s and 1 YN 600. No problems with any of them. But my friend's YNs break down often.