Yongnou Upgrading Questions

I am currently using 602 (x3) and 603 (x4) + 560 (x2) + 430exII (x1) + 580exII (x1) and thinking of going to play with ettl, so are 622s + 568EXs my best bet?

I plan to keep 430exII and 580exII and replace 602 (x3) and 603 (x4) + 560 (x2) with 622s (x4) + 568EXs (x2). Is this a good move or there is another better option? Please advice. Thanks!

I would suggest playing with ETTL via canon's wireless system with your current gear before you make the leap. ETTL is a mixed bag and it can be useful, but since you can try it for free (with the limitations of the optical system) why not try it before you drop the cash on upgrades.

i'm just picking up on all this new fangled stuff, but it seems ETTL would work better in single and maybe two flash situations unless you can get into defining multiple groups and setting +/- stops on each group.

well maybe i didn't say that exactly right, but how in the world can you be both creative and dial in specific ratios with an automatic system?

i have enjoyed it in single on camera flash set ups with my 580

Tigerkn wrote in post #15960539
I am currently using 602 (x3) and 603 (x4) + 560 (x2) + 430exII (x1) + 580exII (x1) and thinking of going to play with ettl, so are 622s + 568EXs my best bet?

I plan to keep 430exII and 580exII and replace 602 (x3) and 603 (x4) + 560 (x2) with 622s (x4) + 568EXs (x2). Is this a good move or there is another better option? Please advice. Thanks!

Yes this is a good move, you can still go all manual, but have the added bonus of having remote manual supported in groups with the 622's as well as having ettl and groups with different FEC, or doing a mix mode of both.

YN-622's are better than canons (older) remote system, more reliable, and support 2nd curtain and HSS.

I'd do that in a heartbeat.

However, I personally won't ditch my 603's anytime soon.. put one on top of the camera yn622 when shooting at x sync or lower and you can have background lights on those triggers.. expanding out to 6 flashes if you have the need.

(currently have 4 622's and 8 603's.. could have 10 going, if I had that many--- hmmm if I add in the strobes, I might... )

gonzogolf wrote in post #15960556
I would suggest playing with ETTL via canon's wireless system with your current gear before you make the leap. ETTL is a mixed bag and it can be useful, but since you can try it for free (with the limitations of the optical system) why not try it before you drop the cash on upgrades.

My go to setup is 580 on body as fill in ettl, 430 sit in the bag as backup and 560 (x2) as OCF in manual. It would be hard to play around with ettl without 622. I know I will upgrade sooner or later so I rather learn it once. Thanks for your advice Gonzogolf.

ksbal wrote in post #15960751
Yes this is a good move, you can still go all manual, but have the added bonus of having remote manual supported in groups with the 622's as well as having ettl and groups with different FEC, or doing a mix mode of both.

YN-622's are better than canons (older) remote system, more reliable, and support 2nd curtain and HSS.

I'd do that in a heartbeat.

However, I personally won't ditch my 603's anytime soon.. put one on top of the camera yn622 when shooting at x sync or lower and you can have background lights on those triggers.. expanding out to 6 flashes if you have the need.

(currently have 4 622's and 8 603's.. could have 10 going, if I had that many--- hmmm if I add in the strobes, I might... )

Are you saying that 622 can control 603 (manual or ettl)?

No, I'm saying the 622's hot shoe will send the 'fire' signal to the 603, and in turn can still fire flashes set to a remote power (or even fire an old sunpak auto thyristor and have sudo ettl)

yn622's can't control the 603s.

ksbal wrote in post #15960835
No, I'm saying the 622's hot shoe will send the 'fire' signal to the 603, and in turn can still fire flashes set to a remote power (or even fire an old sunpak auto thyristor and have sudo ettl)

yn622's can't control the 603s.

Huh? Pseudo ETTL? How so?

That's way above my head with OCF knowledge . I will just keep it simple with 1 model/set. The most I would play with is 4 flashes not 10 so I will just run them all by 622.

Tigerkn wrote in post #15960860
That's way above my head with OCF knowledge .

the Sunpac 322d i've had for, uh, a very long time, meters the light output and cuts itself of based on how you set the the switches on the back of the flash.

: oldschool

i did a little threadjack here to learn a little more than i could from my mom, who i "stole" the flash from in the 80's

https://photography-on-the.net …86670&highlight​=thyristor

Have to read up on the old auto auto thyristor type flashes, sunpak, vivitar, metz all made them.

if you set the camera to aperture priority, and then know your flash to subject distance, it will get you in the exposure ball park, and then the flash itself meters the returning light and quenches it when it thinks it hits the proper exposure.

It isn't something you can use inside a brolly, for example, the auto auto thyristor sensor must be unobstructed so it sees the correct light back to meter it.

I've played with them, and I need to mess with mine more.

Any one know where is the best place to order 622s & 568EXs?

Amazon, or if you don't mind waiting for shipping from China, thephotogadget.com has a good reputation.

gonzogolf wrote in post #15960846
Huh? Pseudo ETTL? How so?

In addition to ksbal's explanation, the equivalent would be manual external metering with the 580EX II (EM mode). It works pretty well with the old auto flashes but not so well with the 580. It gets kinda-sorta close if you set ISO 100 on the flash and shoot at ISO 400 with the camera.

580EX II EM mode fired off-camera with simple trigger:

oldvultureface wrote in post #15961277
It gets kinda-sorta close if you set ISO 100 on the flash and shoot at ISO 400 with the camera.

yup. before i bought my 580 i would use the non ettl sb 28 in auto mode by setting the ISO lower or higher than i thought i might need it. it was never more than one stop though.

ksbal wrote in post #15960930
It isn't something you can use inside a brolly, for example, the auto auto thyristor sensor must be unobstructed so it sees the correct light back to meter it.

I've played with them, and I need to mess with mine more.

good point.

the old flashes i have (except the sb28) are either full or 1/8 in manual. messing around is fun, but wiht the low cost of off brand speedlights it can be a little counter productive.

still fun, and you'll definitely learn something.

Tigerkn wrote in post #15960966
Any one know where is the best place to order 622s & 568EXs?

The YN-568EX are $187 with Amazon Fulfillment right now. Which is hard to beat with fast local shipping (and quick simple return if there is an issue).

The same seller has the YN-622C at $85, which is the current lowest Amazon Fulfilled price going as well.
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