Yongnuo flash and trigger system

I am starting from scratch with a new speedlight system mainly for outdoor portraits. I am a hobbyist and manual flash is fine for me. I may consider getting a ettl model for indoor events at a later date. Wanting to keep this set up more reasonable in cost and invest more in strobe set up later.

What do you think of the following list? Have you used this exact set up? Is there another flash and trigger system that works better or is more useable/flexible?

3x-Yongnuo 560 iii to be used off camera
1x-560 tx to be held in hand to control flashes and test fire flashes for exposure with meter
1x-603 ii to be mounted on camera hot shoe to trigger flashes

the 603s come in pairs if I'm not mistaken but that sounds good. If I had to do it all over again I would start with the Yongnuos and the kit you described instead of messing around with lower priced Canon speedlights.

silvermesa1 wrote in post #17289257
What do you think of the following list?

I think you don't need the 603II if you have the 560-tx. Put the tx on your camera and use it to fire and adjust (something the 603's can't do) the 560 III's. The 560-tx does the same thing as the 603 (tigger the flashes) but also does SO much more.

If you need hss then the 568ex and 622c trigges will be your go to in the yongnuo line-up.

Gremlin 75 thank you for your reply.

I was thinking I would like to keep the 560 tx "in hand" so I could test fire the flashes easily to set exposure with flash meter. The 603 ii maybe could stay on the camera hot shoe to avoid having to take the 560 tx on and off the hot shoe during the shoot to test different exposures. What do you think?

silvermesa1 wrote in post #17289338
Gremlin 75 thank you for your reply.

I was thinking I would like to keep the 560 tx "in hand" so I could test fire the flashes easily to set exposure with flash meter. The 603 ii maybe could stay on the camera hot shoe to avoid having to take the 560 tx on and off the hot shoe during the shoot to test different exposures. What do you think?

Id still cut the 603 out of the equation. For me I always have my camera with me on a sling. So I'd keep the 560-tx mounted on the camera, meter, reach down (the camera is at my side which means so is the mounted flash trigger) and adjust the flashes as needed. Even if you don't use a sling like me you're still talking about carrying extra equipment while metering so why not just keep the 560-tx mounted and carry your camera?

Even if you did want leave your camera some place else while metering you'd still have to go back to it to shoot. At that point you could just remount the 560-tx (takes about 3 seconds)

Don't get me wrong, if you want to buy more equipment then go for it. Your money, use it how you'd like. I personally would not buy the 603's if I was buying a 560-tx.

Actually, having a "spare" 560-TX is a good idea. One in 4 remotes failing is no great problem, but your sole transmitter is! You can then use it on the camera using the same radio channel.

Im confused. Why do you want to use the 560-tx in hand and then use 603's on camera? That is just adding an un-necessary piece into the system. Just buy the 560 III's and a 560-tx and use that. The 560-tx works nice, although it is a little larger than I thought it was going to be.

The way I see it you have two options.

1) 560 III with a 560-tx (manual with no ETTL or HSS)
2) 568II with 622c's and a 622-tx to control power (Now you have ETTL and HSS)

I just went through this dilemma and decided to go with option 1, although my decision was based on using flash for outdoor portraits wide open.

You can keep the TX on the camera and trigger the flash with a 603 in your hand and take your meter reading at the subject.

I understand the need to keep costs low to start but if you are thinking you may upgrade to an ETTL system later, you're least expensive (long term) route would be to go ahead and get that system now and just use it in manual. For that, I would suggest 3 (or 4) YN568 II flashes with YN622C triggers for each flash and the YN622C-TX for you camera. I think this would be one of the most cost effective (long term) systems.

Second choice would be the new YN600 flash units with transmitter when the supplies loosen up.