Help me decide on a flash controller

I've noticed a thread for the YN 622 c Tx but what do you think about the YN 560III controller

http://www.ebay.com …c9b811:g:lfEAAO​SwGWNUYccO

ORhttp://www.ebay.com …c110ab:g:K-cAAOSwuAVWz9ek

These may be cheap and they may some part or none of the time and that's great for hobbiest starting out but you really ne to look at pocket wizards as the are the standard for generic radio controlled light controllers. The non ITTL models work for triggering almost any light remotely with or without cables and adapters but they can be setup to trigger a remote camera and flash. The ITTL models work with either Nikon or canon, radio specific , speedlites and controls more than just triggering the light they can change the power level either manually or automatically depending on you setup. You also get a few other tricks and features that I've not mentioned.

I really hate it when a new ocfer asks what to buy and most of the time they are told go the cheaper route and buy the Chinese gear that may or not work. They get it have trouble and give up or eventually buy the good stuff or the stubborn ones stay with it.

Why not buy once and learn the correct way. I know the ITTL radios had a bad rap at first because most users didn't understand how to use them and the interference with the canon speedlites. Which really wasn't pocket wizards fault it was the canon equipment leaking rf signals that interfered with the pocket wizard radios but some models and years were worst than others. I can not remember the full story but some worked better as slaves where others worked better as masters. My self I invested in one 580 exIi and one 580 ex the rest were 550exs which worked like a dream. By this time I had learned the non radio system that canon uses and line of sight was really required I like being able to place a speedlite or two in a Apollo type softbox with a radio or two close it up and shoot next problems. Yeah it takes extra shots everytime you change something so the radio and speed lite can re calibrate for the new require ment.

I use the mini.ittl1 and zone controler on my camera most of the time that allows me to trigger both ITTL and non ITTL radios when they are setup correctly, I have two of each either one for the mounted camera and one for the handheld camera or a backup if needed. I use flexes on my off camera speedlights and plus iiand III s for the non ettl lites except for my quadra setup which I use the Elinchrom radio to configure the power and it has a mode if I'm using ttl that it will work with ignoring the preflash plus it will work great the speedlites in manual mode also then I still use the zone controller to set the power of the speedlites and the sky port radio to configure the quadra lites. Best portable Med power setup I found I tried the quantum qflash but it did work as well as the quadra plus it was more trouble to use with the canon speedlites. You would think that an ettl hot shoe was an ettl hot shoe and if you provided the signal for one brand of flash that all brands of flashes that would work on camera would work with this remote hot shoe sending the same signals but they don't.

My lighting kit consists of the two 580s mentioned 3 or 4 550exs a quadra a lite and a quadra s lite plus two pocket wizard minis, like 7 flexes , two zone controllers, several plus iiand III radios, plus modifiers and other grip that I can't name or remember most of the time.

My biggest regret is not using as much as I would like to do that I would need a helper and model(s) which I have found lately. So most of my stuff now is ambient light wildlife and landscape when I'm in the mood.

I've used a YN622c tx for a long time now, on with my 5DIII and 7D, and with a a variety of YN and Canon flashes.
For me this system has been extremely reliable and versatile.

Recently I discovered that I could even connect a 622 receiver to my Elinchrom stobe via PC port and was shocked how well it works (obviously cant control the power settings though)

As a hobbyist I couldn't justify spending more when it does everything I need.

YN controllers have worked flawlessly for me, and many other folks on the forum. I only do a little OCF with TTL but all my studio and most of my event work is with OCF. Can't ever recall a misfire or a problem getting things set up.

it really just boils down to what you need and expect out of the system. I guess you've decided that speedlights are right for you?

Thanks guys
I am limited in how much I can spend on camera equipment, very limited.
I've had great luck with yongnuo flashes, I have 2 YN 560II and a Yongnuo 565EX, I use 603c II triggers and I've been happy with them, recently bought a octagon 47" softbox umbrella with defuser that I have to take half way off to adjust flash output power, then most of the time the flash is in an angle that makes it hard to read the flash settings.
I know it would make life easier to be able to set the output power and zoom from the camera or hand held remotely.
Is it possible to say use one of the 603 triggers mounted on camera and use another to trigger the camera and flash, and use the 560 tx controller as a remote off camera to set the output power and zoom on the flashes

Thanks to all of you for your help

DigitalDon wrote in post #18123240
Thanks guys
I am limited in how much I can spend on camera equipment, very limited.
I've had great luck with yongnuo flashes, I have 2 YN 560II and a Yongnuo 565EX, I use 603c II triggers and I've been happy with them, recently bought a octagon 47" softbox umbrella with defuser that I have to take half way off to adjust flash output power, then most of the time the flash is in an angle that makes it hard to read the flash settings.
I know it would make life easier to be able to set the output power and zoom from the camera.
Is it possible to say use one of the 603 triggers mounted on camera and use another to trigger the camera and flash, and use the 560 tx controller as a remote off camera to set the output power and zoom on the flashes

Thanks to all of you for your help

i don't see why not. The 560TX does not need to be connected to the camera to control the flashes. As long as all your flashes are able to be triggered by the 603 you should be good.

i have the 603II and the 622C and have used them in all kinds of configurations, including with the Godox/Cheetah controller for my 360.

as an example of silliness, I was doing a kind of selfie the other day and had one 603 plugged into my 6D trigger port and just hanging off the camera. In the hotshoe I had the 622 and then in it I had the FT-16. I was able to control my 580 from the camera menu through the 622 and the 360 was controlled through the FT-16. I of course released the shutter with another handheld 603

I can also set up the camera with the 622 in the hotshoe, the 603 in the 622, and then the FT-16 in the 603, using the single 603 for some old non TTL flashes AND releasing the shutter. It ain't pretty, but it works.

Obviously my set up is a hodgepodge of older gear, so using one controller on camera that doesn't have a hotshoe isn't going to work for me, plus I only have one canon TTL flash anyway.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18123256
i don't see why not. The 560TX does not need to be connected to the camera to control the flashes. As long as all your flashes are able to be triggered by the 603 you should be good.

i have the 603II and the 622C and have used them in all kinds of configurations, including with the Godox/Cheetah controller for my 360.

as an example of silliness, I was doing a kind of selfie the other day and had one 603 plugged into my 6D trigger port and just hanging off the camera. In the hotshoe I had the 622 and then in it I had the FT-16. I was able to control my 580 from the camera menu through the 622 and the 360 was controlled through the FT-16. I of course released the shutter with another handheld 603
I can also set up the camera with the 622 in the hotshoe, the 603 in the 622, and then the FT-16 in the 603, using the single 603 for some old non TTL flashes AND releasing the shutter. It ain't pretty, but it works.

Obviously my set up is a hodgepodge of older gear, so using one controller on camera that doesn't have a hotshoe isn't going to work for me, plus I only have one canon TTL flash anyway.

Thanks Left Handed Brisket
I think I'm going to go with the 560 tx controller and the 560III flash