Struggling with Yongnuo capabilities

I've been reading and reading, even on the Yongnuo web sight and can't figure out which models are capable of what. I'm looking at the YN-56X series.

a) I want to trigger my 430EX off camera with full E-TTL ability; and/or the ability to adjust the power ratio of the flashes from the on camera master.
Will all the YN56X's do that?
An old 580EX will do that too won't it? I may wind up with a used 580EX (?)

b) With the ST-E2s selling used for around $50, I may get one of them too. Then I can have 2 OCF. Which Yongnuos will read the ST-E2 signal?

c) I'd really like HSS. I think what I read was clear that the YN-568EX II is the only Yongnuo option there. Is it a full functioning master and slave?
Back to the 580EX - HSS and everything else, right?

All this is off a 5D classic if it matters.

Thanks a bunch

tmoore99 wrote in post #16671921
I've been reading and reading, even on the Yongnuo web sight and can't figure out which models are capable of what. I'm looking at the YN-56X series.

Yeah, I really wish whoever was making speedlights.net had continued and kept the site up to date. That was a great resource back when it was current.

No. Only the 568EXII has master capability.

Yes. The 580EX can be used as a wireless TTL master for the 430EX as a slave.

All three: the YN-565EX, the YN-568EX, and the YN-568EXII. However, be aware that an ST-E2 is a more limited master than a 580EX would be: it only understands two groups (A:B) and you can only control the power level via e-TTL ratios. It's pretty similar to using a 550EX as your master unit.

This is incorrect. Both the YN-568EX and YN-568EXII can do HSS.

The YN-568EXII can be either a wireless eTTL master, a wireless eTTL slave, a Nikon CLS slave, or a dumb optical slave that can fire on the first or second burst it "sees". And you can, of course, always add radio triggers if the optical slave systems don't function well for you (i.e., line of sight/range/reliabilit​y will go down if used outside in bright sunlight, and the front panel sensor does need to "see" the master signal).

Yes. But it cannot be controlled via a camera menu. OTOH, your 5D classic doesn't have the flash control menu in it, so that may not be an issue until you upgrade camera bodies.

Fabulous write-up inkista. You get an extra cookie after dinner tonight for sure. Thank you!

Looks like I need a YN-568EX II or a 580EX. I definitely want an on camera flash that will trigger the 430EX; and HSS I'd probably regret neglecting.
Now to decide which. A shiny new YN-568EX II is roughly $50 cheaper that the 580EXs used. I think I'd be more comfortable with the Canon because of familiarity, but the YN is much newer technology. What does it do that a 580EX won't? I don't think there's any reason I'd want/need a 580EX II is there?

tmoore99 wrote in post #16672678
Fabulous write-up inkista. You get an extra cookie after dinner tonight for sure. Thank you!

You're welcome.

It can be used as a Nikon CLS slave, it has built-in dumb optical slave modes, a recycle-done beep, and vs. the MkI 580EX, it also has a PC sync port.

Well... Yongnuos are cheap for a reason. Copy consistency, warranty service, resale value, and forwards and backwards compatibility differ. For example, my 580EXII works perfectly on my old Powershot G9's hotshoe. I can control the power output through the camera menu, just as it's designed to do. If I put my YN-568EX on my G9's hotshoe it won't even sync (fire) correctly, let alone be controlled through the menu.

Like most 3rd parties, Yongnuo reverse-engineers the flash hotshoe electronic signalling protocol. But Canon can change that at any time. And Canon is only obligated to make sure that it works with their own system--not 3rd party gear. So, when you buy a YN flash, the chances are good it'll work for the current hotshoe protocol, but may not be as compatible with older or future versions of it, or variants (as the Powershot G hotshoe is). This is also why 3rd parties like Nissin and Metz, which allow for firmware upgrades, are sometimes preferred, despite the expense.

Whether the YN flash makes more sense and whether you care about compatibility over time is a personal call. For example, not a lot of folks need a flash that will work on both film and digital bodies. Or need the thyristor "Auto" mode of the 580EXII.

I love my YN-568EX, but I also own a 580EXII.

inkista wrote in post #16674075
Like most 3rd parties, Yongnuo reverse-engineers the flash hotshoe electronic signalling protocol. But Canon can change that at any time. And Canon is only obligated to make sure that it works with their own system--not 3rd party gear. So, when you buy a YN flash, the chances are good it'll work for the current hotshoe protocol, but may not be as compatible with older or future versions of it, or variants (as the Powershot G hotshoe is). This is also why 3rd parties like Nissin and Metz, which allow for firmware upgrades, are sometimes preferred, despite the expense.

right, but so far my YN-465 ETTL flash has been working fine for my old XSi and now the 60D - good for a $50 flash