YN-568's + YN-622's = FAIL!!!!!

I absolutely LOVED this combo ... until yesterday. I was doing a ski shoot at a local mountain and my lights were mis-firing like crazy. I brought a ton of spare batteries, too, so no - that wasn't the issue. Needless to say, it's true what they say: You get what you pay for and I'm not chinsing out anymore in the future. I'm selling all of my YN gear and buying 600-EX-RT's. No more screwing around trying to save money. This was a shoot that relied heavily on the speedlites and I was so embarrassed to have to pack up early with no real keepers due to gear failing. Bleh...

Now I see what you guys mean. It really isn't worth trying to save a few bucks when you rely on your gear for professional use. Bye bye YN. :/

Aressem wrote in post #16797764
I absolutely LOVED this combo ... until yesterday. I was doing a ski shoot at a local mountain and my lights were mis-firing like crazy. I brought a ton of spare batteries, too, so no - that wasn't the issue. Needless to say, it's true what they say: You get what you pay for and I'm not chinsing out anymore in the future. I'm selling all of my YN gear and buying 600-EX-RT's. No more screwing around trying to save money. This was a shoot that relied heavily on the speedlites and I was so embarrassed to have to pack up early with no real keepers due to gear failing. Bleh...

Now I see what you guys mean. It really isn't worth trying to save a few bucks when you rely on your gear for professional use. Bye bye YN. :/

Was temperature the source of the problem?

^^^ this.

Aressem wrote in post #16797764
I absolutely LOVED this combo ... until yesterday. I was doing a ski shoot at a local mountain and my lights were mis-firing like crazy. I brought a ton of spare batteries, too, so no - that wasn't the issue. Needless to say, it's true what they say: You get what you pay for and I'm not chinsing out anymore in the future. I'm selling all of my YN gear and buying 600-EX-RT's. No more screwing around trying to save money. This was a shoot that relied heavily on the speedlites and I was so embarrassed to have to pack up early with no real keepers due to gear failing. Bleh...

Now I see what you guys mean. It really isn't worth trying to save a few bucks when you rely on your gear for professional use. Bye bye YN. :/

How much $

Adharr wrote in post #16806294
Was temperature the source of the problem?

Not likely. It was on the cusp of snow/rain so about 0 or 1 degree Celsius. Regardless, I expect my gear to work in any/all conditions. Another reason I should have just bought the pocket wizards in the first place. It's actually too bad Paul C. Buff's Cybersync transmitters don't do Hypersync (and more) because the range and reliability on those little babies were BULLET PROOF.

awilson18 wrote in post #16807250
How much $

What do you mean: How much $?

EDIT: Also, I am not selling the YN-568's. I don't think they were the problem. I have a feeling it was the transceivers. I've already sold the set of YN-622c transceivers and purchased Pocket Wizards (Mini + Flex).

It was mentioned to me the other day that the transceivers will missfire in bright light. I just received mine but have had no time to test in bright light to see if thats the case. So I am guessing you are right in getting PWs.

peeaanuut wrote in post #16807566
It was mentioned to me the other day that the transceivers will missfire in bright light. I just received mine but have had no time to test in bright light to see if thats the case. So I am guessing you are right in getting PWs.

Bright light? lol... I wonder how that has anything to do with anything....??? Bizarre. It's a radio signal. Where did you hear that? :P

Aressem wrote in post #16807560
Not likely. It was on the cusp of snow/rain so about 0 or 1 degree Celsius. Regardless, I expect my gear to work in any/all conditions.

Quite likely - it is a known effect with battery-powered devices. It has been reported already that NiMH batteries failed at around 0degrees. Thos batteries are at best just above threshhold for the 622C, and can drop into shutdown territory when that cold. Alkalines suffer the same way, but start from a more adequate voltage.

To meet your expectation, you need to buy military grade cells, not cheapskate corner store ones.

Managing batteries in those conditions is demanding, in my experience.

BTW: The 622Cs do have a high voltage threshhold, so the battery problem is exacerbated. But I have had on-camera flash batteries fail on the ski-field. Fortunately, I had spare sets in inside pockets where body heat kept them warmer. A failed set were fine again, for a while, after 10 minutes close to my body.

peeaanuut wrote in post #16807566
It was mentioned to me the other day that the transceivers will missfire in bright light.

They may misfire when the light is bright, but it will be due to some other circumstance. Certainly not that!

CliveyBoy wrote in post #16807603
Quite likely - it is a known effect with battery-powered devices. It has been reported already that NiMH batteries failed at around 0degrees. Thos batteries are at best just above threshhold for the 622C, and can drop into shutdown territory when that cold. Alkalines suffer the same way, but start from a more adequate voltage.

To meet your expectation, you need to buy military grade cells, not cheapskate corner store ones.

Managing batteries in those conditions is demanding, in my experience.

So strange because I primarily shoot ski/snowboard stuff and have been since 2009. This is the first time I've had an issue with any equipment using AA batteries and I generally shoot in much colder temps (-5C to -15C). I sure hope I didn't sell off my YN-622's for no good reason

Sorry, I edited my post behind your back. The high voltage requirement of the 622C was probably part of the problem. I have already altered the next version of TOYUG to include a warning.

CliveyBoy wrote in post #16807603
Quite likely - it is a known effect with battery-powered devices. It has been reported already that NiMH batteries failed at around 0degrees. Thos batteries are at best just above threshhold for the 622C, and can drop into shutdown territory when that cold. Alkalines suffer the same way, but start from a more adequate voltage.

Alkalines are definitely hurt by temperatures, though not as badly as NiMH rechargeables; most manufacturers only quote operation down to about -10C though they will probably work at reduced voltage in lower temps. non-rechargeable lithiums are best, but very expensive.

Something that a lot of people overlook, though: just because a battery is brand new and fresh out of the box does not mean that its voltage is adequate! Just last week I pulled a set of Duracells out of a new package and stuck them in my YN622 triggers. I had some problems, so after I got home I pulled them and measured open circuit voltage. Several of them measured below 1.4V (normal is about 1.55). I don't have a load tester, but surely the voltage was lower under load. Replacing the suspect batteries definitely improved the reliability. Normally I wouldn't blink at putting new batteries in something, but after this I will be testing them before use on critical electronics.

So the guy is supposed to come tonight to pick up the YN622's. I've already purchased the PW's but these would be handy to keep for my speedlites. What do you think Clivey? Keep em and call the guy now? I feel bad - he's a local PoTN member.

Aressem wrote in post #16807600
Bright light? lol... I wonder how that has anything to do with anything....??? Bizarre. It's a radio signal. Where did you hear that? :P

It was in another thread here on POTN. But I havent had time to verify that for myself yet. I was gonna see if it happens with some mid day test shots this weekend. It didnt make sense to me either which is why I said that I hadnt had time to test it myself.

I asked if temperature was the cause, only because some batteries fail to provide enough voltage in low temperatures. It has happened to me several times. I buy little hand warmer heating packs and wrap my gear in them and that keeps the battery at optimal temperature in cold weather.