Canon/Pocketwizard or Yongnuo? Suggestions?

Hey everybody,

I've recently started to dabble in flash photography and want to expand from my current on-camera set-up. I've been doing bounce and fill-flash but would like to start getting off camera and eventually adding another flash or two, softboxes, umbrelllas, etc... With Christmas coming up I'm looking into getting some equipment since I've been a good boy this year My question is, before I start down that rabbit hole which way should I go?

I currently have a Canon 580EXII and was looking at going the PocketWizard route to get it off camera via the Mini TT1, Flex TT5 and AC3 controller (i.e. the expensive route). I'd also probably add another 580EXII or 430EX later on as a secondary flash. I like the idea of being able to utilize ETTL with that method. Although I'm currently reading and watching as much info as I can on flash and lighting so in the future I may just do manual. I'm also thinking of picking up a Sekonic L358 or L478DR as some point also if that makes a difference.

Should I go that route or possibly start looking into the cheaper Yongnuo YN-560II and YN-560TX options? I'd consider myself a serious hobbyist and don't mind spending a little money (I buy mostly used) but I'd like to get the most bang for my buck and the ability to expand the set-up in the future if need be. I currently have no room to set up a studio of any sorts but could probably get enough room to mess around with some portrait shoots if the situation arises. I would also like to be able to use these in outdoor settings as well.

I'd just like to hear other's opinions or experience with either set-up (or totally different set-up for that matter) and do you have regrets for going that route? I just don't know what I don't know and since I'm just starting out with this venture I want to try to avoid the..."I wish I had done this instead..." scenario. Thanks.

I use YN-622C triggers and have had an excellent experience with them. They work well with either TTL or manual.

I currently have a YN-565 and a YN-568 flash. They're essentially identical except the 568 has HSS (which I find that I rarely use). I've had bad luck with the YN-568. I had one with the well known battery door problem and managed to break it while attempting a fix (Yongnuo doesn't have any sort of warranty). I replaced it with a new YN-568II which has the battery door problem resolved, only to find that this one has issues with metering for bounced flash and the solution is to set the metering mode in my camera to "averaging". The YN-565 has been solid, no issues at all with it.

SO.... some of the Yongnuo products are great, some have issues which you may just have to live with because Yongnuo has no type of warranty. I'd say the the YN-622 triggers are pretty much bulletproof and haven't heard of any problems with them. Anything else form them I'd say to thoroughly research first and see if you can live with whatever issues they may have (I suppose that's the tradeoff of such a low price).

If you want to retsin ETTL with canon or 3rd party speedlites wirelessly the YN622c are a much more affordable system than thd PW system. The YN triggers have not had the inconsistency issues reprted by some PW, and they cost a lot less.

I'll take a look at the YN622 triggers thanks. The only question I have with those is in order to change the FEC from the camera I'd have to scroll through the entire flash menu on the camera every time in order to get to FEC to change it correct? Also a Sekonic wouldn't be able to trigger them either would it?

kv968 wrote in post #17316012
I'll take a look at the YN622 triggers thanks. The only question I have with those is in order to change the FEC from the camera I'd have to scroll through the entire flash menu on the camera every time in order to get to FEC to change it correct? Also a Sekonic wouldn't be able to trigger them either would it?

You can get the 622tx which gives you a full menu on top of the camera. If you set your quick menu on your camera its right there though.

You understand that the sekonic meter is useless for ETTL flash work? The preflash will not allow the meter to work and if it did you would be aiming at a moving target as each shot is metered and powered independently. It would work in manual mode but you dont have to fire the flash through the meter for it to work. The meter can work by seeing the next flash triggered by ehatever means.

As a hobbyist myself I had a difficult time justifying PocketWizard and with some trepidation picked up a pair of YN-622C, which have worked perfectly. They may not be as flashy but are well built. There may be technical limitations that I haven't found yet but for my purposes they're perfect. I'm picking up another pair soon.

Another option, mainly for convenience is a Canon Speedlite 90EX or equivalent that can trigger a remote flash. The 7D has this capability built-in with its popup flash, so I picked up a 90EX for about $50 to provide the same on 6D.

Good luck.

Thanks Gonzo. I checked out the 622tx real quick and it looks good. I'll have to check into it a little further but it looks like it might work.

I registered "Flash Control" on my quick menu but even when using that I still have to scroll down to AEB and enter through there. I know, picky, picky, picky but I rather have access to the controls without having to deal with the menu options.

I didn't think about the meter not working with ETTL but at that point I wouldn't mind being in manual but thanks for the heads-up. Still the Sekonic wouldn't be able to trigger the 622's right? Can you take the 622tx off camera to trigger the flashes? The situation I'm thinking of is holding the meter next to the model while firing the flashes to get a reading.

kv968 wrote in post #17316089
Thanks Gonzo. I checked out the 622tx real quick and it looks good. I'll have to check into it a little further but it looks like it might work.

I registered "Flash Control" on my quick menu but even when using that I still have to scroll down to AEB and enter through there. I know, picky, picky, picky but I rather have access to the controls without having to deal with the menu options.

I didn't think about the meter not working with ETTL but at that point I wouldn't mind being in manual but thanks for the heads-up. Still the Sekonic wouldn't be able to trigger the 622's right? Can you take the 622tx off camera to trigger the flashes? The situation I'm thinking of is holding the meter next to the model while firing the flashes to get a reading.

Unless you are shooting on a tripod just trigger the flashes from the transmitter o top of the camera. I dont yet have the tx but its my undertsanding that it can trigger manual flashes off the camera. For manual work I use alien bees and cybersync triggers so my 622s get little work in manual mode.

Thanks Nethawked. I think I'm going to pick up a pair with the 622TX and see how they work out.

Thanks again Gonzo. Sorry for all the questions but I'm just trying to figure this all out with what I need or what I might need. I'll give the YN's a shot.

I have Pw flex tt5's. You want to buy them???? You'll absolutely HATE them :O

I'm keeping at them for the most expensive dummy triggers and so that I can use the tt5 and ac3 to control my powerMC2 reciever for my Paul C buff Einsteins. Otherwise for canon speedlite application they are extremely unreliable for me even at close proximity. Even using the RF socks provided they are still horrible. You know something is wrong when pocket wizard provides you a bandaid material "sock" to cover the flash. Dont even waste your energy even considering such a horribly built expensive trigger. I bought 4 new tt5's and I'd feel bad to even sell it to anyone...seriously!!

I was recommended to use alkaline's to power the PW flex's and it made no difference in reliability. The misfires were just as bad...maybe wishful thinking possibly better..... They misfire regardless of manual or ettl settings. I'll admit though the ac3 is a great tactile physical knob to adjust power when it works.

For manual flash and adjustable power levels I've been really liking the cactus v6 transceivers. Extremely quick adjustable power settings with 3 zones and knob for adjustment. No misfires!! Shoe ontop of the transceiver so you can shoot with fill and remote.

Another option would be to look at Yongnuo's YN600 system. Flashes and transmitter compatible with Canon's 600RT system. Right now the flashes are in short supply but that should free up soon.

Don't hold back Alan, tell us how you really feel Well you helped talk me off of the PW ledge. I ended up ordering a set of the Yongnuo's so I'll see how they work out. I did take a look at the V6's and they look tempting as well. I particularly like how easy they are to turn groups on and off. Again, I'm just getting into this so I'm not sure what it is I actually need or want but after messing around with it for awhile I'll get a feel for it and then decide where to go from there. I figure for less than $100 I can try out those Yongnuos and start getting accustomed to using triggers. Thanks for the help.

The 622s with the TX can turn groups (limited to three) on and off also. A spare 622 in hand can be used to trigger the remotes leaving the TX on the camera. Just be sure to initialize it from the TX (half-shutter press) before metering the flashes. If the 622 had been an on camera controller in E-TTL and then asked to test fire manual remotes without being initialized, the remote flashes will flip to E-TTL.

The spare 622 can be set up to test fire individual (or any combination of ) groups for metering purposes.

Thanks OVF. I was thinking about that after I ordered just one 622 and the TX.

So if I was at the model with the camera on a tripod would I be able to take the TX off the camera and test fire the speedlight that's on the 622 to meter? Or would I have to get another 622 to trigger and leave the TX on camera?