need an "extra" off camera flash: 600 vs 866 II vs 568 II

these threads always help me decide on what to get ... so here goes
my setup, one on camera flash triggering two other speedlites (ETTL).
i already have a 430EX and 580EX II (need one more)

Canon 600
-future proof
-it's canon!

=expensive

Nissin 866 II
-curious about the subflash
-lcd screen+GUI seems easy to use (as compared to the 580EX II)
-can work as master

=doesn't rotate 180degs both ways
=saw a review: doesn't charge as fast as canon? nissin 622 II is faster?

Yong Nuo 568 II
-super cheap, i can buy this and the 866 for the price of the canon 600

=afraid of that battery compartment issue

help me lean towards a particular model

mike cabilangan wrote:
=mike cabilangan;16639797Yong Nuo 658 II
-super cheap, i can buy this and the 866 for the price of the canon 600

=afraid of that battery compartment issue

help me lean towards a particular model

The 568ex II also has a bounce flash issue. Personally, if looking at a 568ex, I'd go with the original instead of the "II"

You already have two good canon flashes, so I guess I'm wondering why not just get another 430ex or 580ex?

I have two 568ex's and love them. But to be honest, if I could afford two 580ex II or two 600ex-rt's, then thats what I'd be running. The 568ex sit right in between the 430 and 580 when it comes to power

I have not used the 866 II but was considering it before as well. Seems like a very well built flash and it more powerful then the 580ex II.

I have one 866 II and two 866s. They are great speedlites.
I got mine to replace 580EX with ControlTL because of the RFI problem.

Now that I have 600EX-RTs they are for sale.

Also sold all my Control TL stuff.

as an extra off cam flash, i'm having a hard time justifying the price of the canon 600 (local prices of the 580EX II are no longer reasonable, and i don't want used speedlites)

the review mentioned the following recharge times:
580EX II 3 seconds
866 II 4.9 seconds
568 II and 430 EX II 3 seconds

If you're just looking for an off camera flash then I'll ask, do you need ETTL?

I see you have an st-e2 so I'm going to assume that you use either that or the 580ex II on camera to fire the flashes.

So I'll go back to my original question. Do you need ETTL? And I'll add to it, what features do you need from a flash? (battery port? HSS?)

If you do not then there are some great manual only flashes out there. The yongnuo 560 series being one of them (there are 3 versions with the "III" being the newest with a built in radio deceiver)

Now if you do need ETTL. Do not plan on trying to use this flash on camera with ETTL, and plan on firing it via canons optical system, then Yongnuo makes a 560ex (note the "ex" at the end). It is technically an ETTL flash but will not offer ETTL on camera due to only having the center pin on the hot shoe foot. It does however offer ETTL off camera when used with the Canon optical system. So basically its an ETTL slave that can be controlled by the ST-E2 or 580ex II.

Then there is the 568ex and 565ex. Both offer on and off camera ETTL. The 565ex offers a battery port (but doesn't have a 180* swivel head) the 568ex offers HSS.


What do you want to spend? If you don't mind spending the extra money on a Di866 II then do it. Its a great flash from a company that has been making flashes for a LONG time. If you'd rather go the least expensive route then get the Yongnuo.

Another option: Mitros for Canon (possibly not the Mitros+).

Currently you are triggering with Canon Wireless. In the future, you may want Radio triggers that preserve Remotely adjusted M as well as ETTL, HSS etc.

Now you have all Canon gear - one brand. When you add RF triggers you will probably add a second brand. Even when your proposed extra (non-Canon) Speedlite is added, optimum compatibility is acheived by keeping to two brands total. If going with Yongnuo triggers, maybe stick with Yn speedlites - personally I went with Phottix, so one of the Mitros for Canon was an obvious choice for me. No regrets so far. Good luck.

i don't know how to use manual settings on the off cam flashes, that's why i use the ETTL thing (am not even sure if that's the correct term).

but basically, i'm full auto on the flashes.

yes, i use the 580EX II on cam to trigger the other flashes. i rarely use the ST-E2 because i only bought it because i thought it could help my previous 5D2 with it's AF assist beams (couldn't)

mike cabilangan wrote in post #16642350
i don't know how to use manual settings on the off cam flashes, that's why i use the ETTL thing (am not even sure if that's the correct term).

but basically, i'm full auto on the flashes.

yes, i use the 580EX II on cam to trigger the other flashes. i rarely use the ST-E2 because i only bought it because i thought it could help my previous 5D2 with it's AF assist beams (couldn't)

For static subjects I love manual. Set the flash to the power you need and no possibility of ETTL wonkiness (though I do find ETTL to be very accurate). Take some time and learn it. ETTL and Manual can both get you to the same result just in different ways. Basically just another photographic tool that is nice to have when needed.

But that has nothing to do with the discussion at hand now does it, so moving on.

With the info given and the flash options you posted I'd say go with the 568ex. It's the cheapest of the options and is a little more powerful then the 430ex. If you want to save even more money and don't need HSS then I'd say go with a 565ex. Just as powerful as the 568ex but about $70 cheaper

discovered that the nissin's subflash is full manual ... will add Nissin 622 II to my options.

will narrow it down to:

Nissin 622 II
cheaper (than YN 568's)
simple controls

YN 568 I
slight price diff to nissin
lcd menu
180 deg both ways

YN 568 II
master flash
? bounce flash issue?

I hope I'm not being presumptuous when I wonder how you can afford a 200mm f/2 IS and can't spend a bit more on a flash to get the Canon. Surely, upgrading to the Canon RT flashes would provide much benefit to you, no?

frugivore wrote in post #16648551
I hope I'm not being presumptuous when I wonder how you can afford a 200mm f/2 IS and can't spend a bit more on a flash to get the Canon. Surely, upgrading to the Canon RT flashes would provide much benefit to you, no?

you could say that lens has left me a pauper

seriously though, i already have a canon 430EX and canon 580EX II which i use to trigger the 430. (this does it for 99% of my usage) it's a once or twice a year need for me this 3rd speedlite: only when i'm taking a large family group picture or the super rare product shot that i do as a favor for a relative.

mike cabilangan wrote in post #16648460
discovered that the nissin's subflash is full manual ... will add Nissin 622 II to my options.

will narrow it down to:

Nissin 622 II
cheaper (than YN 568's)
simple controls

YN 568 I
slight price diff to nissin
lcd menu
180 deg both ways

YN 568 II
master flash
? bounce flash issue?

Nissin 622 II 156usd.
cheaper (than YN 568's)
simple controls

YN 568 I 169usd.
slight price diff to nissin
lcd menu
180 deg both ways

YN 568 II 189usd.
master flash
? bounce flash issue?

Nissin Di700 is now available locally. 233usd

i'd love the Di700, but the price is a bit high as the Di866 II is just 267usd

decided on the Nissin Di866 II. unlike other purchases where i usually get buyer's remorse. i'm actually happy with this one. i've yet to actually use it, but the GUI, LCD and build quality is great.

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