Suggestions for beginner flash gear...

I have the following right now, but I am not sure I like it and have time to return some stuff.

- Canon 430EX iii-RT (returnable at the moment)
- Triggers (2)YN-622C II (returnable at the moment) (I got these so I could control my 430 remotely when in octobox or off camera)
- Neewer 47" Octoganal Speedlight softbox (returnable at the moment--but think I will keep it for its versatility)
- Boom Stand/Light stand (returnable at the moment--but think I will keep it for its versatility)

I also have an older YN-560 ii (keeping this as I have had it for awhile).

I want to take my flash level from on Camera flash to off camera flash. I would like to explore
- off camera flash to simply be on a stand but just not on camera. Allowing me to stand further back, but yet the flash is on a stand just off center, higher up, etc...
- and would like to explore the use of the softbox

I am now thinking to return the 430EX and getting the following for almost the same price to add to my setup for my flash exploration...and learning.
My budget is less than 300.00.

Return the 430EX iii-RT
Buy
- YN685 (ETTL flash replacement of the 430 for much less $$$)
- YN560IV (x2)
- YN560-TX
This amounts to damn near the same cost as 1 430EX iii-RT
This allows me to use my 560's manually in the softbox, controllable via the YN560-TX trigger/controller.
This allows me to use the YN685 on or off camera as an ETTL and if needed, I can use my existing 622C controllers still.

What do you think? Is there any limitations of control or conflict of this gear that I should be aware of?
I also am liking what I see from another member on this forum who has been very gracious with information on his setup and I thought to open this up to a bigger discussion for more input so that I am not bombarding that one person for more and more questions (BTW thanks MalVeauX for all of you help so far )

Also, I am very familiar with my 70D, I shoot mostly in manual mode and when I do have my 430 on my rig, I am often shooting it in manual flash as well. I use ETTL rarely but when I needed it, I was glad I had it! So, I still want to maintain an ETTL flash in my gear bag.

Currently, when using the 430EX iii off camera, I can use the 622C ii controllers to control the 430 flash using the camera flash menu/settings.
Would I be able to fully control the 685 using the same 2 622C ii controllers? Or would I need to get the YN-622N-TX as I would not be able to use the inCamer flash menu/settings with 3rd party in this case?

Heya,

So, I actually think your plan is good. I have that setup (YN685, YN622-TX, YN560-TX & many YN560III's). I use it a lot. It's bulletproof for me.

However, if I were buying it all new today, I would get the Flashpoint R2 (Godox R2) system. It's literally the same thing, but with the R2 communication system so that in the future if you add strobes or other stuff, anything in the R2 world will work with it and not need extra transceivers, or weird protocols that don't talk etc. The reason I bring this up is because the YN685, is excellent, but its 603 protocol or 622 protocol, and it won't mix, so it must be in a group of 603 or a group of 622 to function with a group. The 560's are all of course on the 603 protocol. They all work great. I love my 560-TX with a fleet of 560 III's, and I can add my YN685 to them if I want, using 603 protocol (meaning its a manual flash only at that point). But, if I want it to be ETTL and be in the same group as all those other flashes, that won't work, because it would be on 622 protocol while the rest are on 603 and they won't talk at the same time. So, I use my YN685 by itself, off camera a lot with ETTL and a single 622-TX controller. It's great when I want an ETTL & HSS small source to be off camera and mobile and remote controlled. Mean while if I'm setting up several lights, I don't use ETTL at all, and I meter and set all the lights manually anyways, so this is where I use my 560III's (I have a fleet) and a single 560-TX controller (6 individual groups can be controlled and all mine are labeled), and I set them up, meter them, etc, and I'm set. But again, I cannot mix those two protocols. So I'm always either all manual. Or just the one ETTL capable and no manuals in the group. The R2 system on the other hand lets you do all the above, the same way, but lets the flashes all talk at the same time too, so you don't get stuck in one or the other camp.

So here's what I'd get:

(They're all currently on sale which is really great by the way!)

Flashpoint R2 TTL x 1 (TT685): https://www.adorama.co​m/fplfsmzca.html
Flashpoint R2 Manual x 2 (TT600): https://www.adorama.co​m/fplfsmzm.html
Flashpoint R2 Transmitter x 1 (X1T): https://www.adorama.co​m/fprrr2tc.html
(This can do 5 individual groups, mixing ETTL & manual, or turning them on/off remotely, etc, all controls remotely, etc. That means you can have 5 individual lights individually controlled with a single controller; or any number of lights per group, limited to 5 groups, which is still a ton! But being able to do this and mix ETTL & non-ETTL at the same time is the real benefit.)

Basically the same thing as the YN685 & YN560's, but, from a store here in the States for support purposes, and the R2 system is comprehensive instead of needing two separate communication systems (622 & 603). Cost is basically the same. So I'd go with the Godox/Flashpoint system linked.

Keep your boom & softbox.

Very best,

*** Ninja'd by Malveaux***


If you didnt have the requirement to keep the older 560. I would say return the 480, sell the YN stuff and switch to the godox system.

First of all, you guys are all the best...going with GODOX flashpoints seem to really be best
Same price and avoids the conflicts learned by MalVeauX! And Scoobert!

So, some questions...
1)
Does this mean with the Flashpoint setup, that I can put the controller on my camera, and could possibly
put the TT685 on top of controller...thus allowing me to use the 685 in ETTL and turn off the TT600 group? and vice-versa?
Or have the controller off camera with TT685 in ETTL and TT600 in manual controlling wchih group will fire..thus the allowance of mixing ETTL and Manual on same protocal
just different groups, but all controllable in one slick setup?

2)
Also, I didnt mention this as I have had them awhile, but I do have the YN603C ii triggers.
I like these little things because it gives me the option to have on on camera w/cable connected to Camera.
Then have the other 603 in hand to fire the camera remotely.
Can I put this 603 on top of the Flashpoint X1T that is on my camera...to still trigger my camera shutter while the X1T still does its stuff?
Its not a deal break by any means, but the remote trigger is cool and just like to have "coolness" in my bag of tricks!

3)
It looks like your suggestions to go with Flashpoint OR as I had planned with the YN gear...as it is not only best for me but also saves me some cash because I can
- Return the 430 for 249.00
- Return the 622C II for 71.00 (as I am seeing no reason to keep this anymore if returning the 430)
Total back in pocket $320.00

Buy the Flashpoint suggested setup...cost currently
- TT685 107.00
- TT600 (x2) 118.00
- X1T 44.00
+ shipping/Tax...approx Total of 280.00ish
The limitation I see here is that there seems to be not as favorable of reviews (amazon) when compared to YN...seems that the gear is rather on the new side, where YN is a bit more established???

OR
Buy as I suggested with my original post
- YN685 101.00
- YN560 134.00
- YN560TX 37.00
+ shipping/tax...approx Total of 280.00ish
The only limitation I have with going with YN is that I can't have a flash setup of Groups where the YN685 is in ETTL while the others are in Manual on the 560TX as this uses a protocol that does not allow a mix.

4)
ENELOOPS...any issues using ENELOOPS batteries with Flashpoint or the YN?


5)
Lastly...is GODOX and Flashpoint the same thing except Flashpoint is a relabel for Adorama+support?

6) after all this, I get 40.00 back in my pocket...or I pick up more gear

Gosh...am I missing anything? Guys...thank you!!!

1)

Controller on the camear. 685 doing ETTL or manual, up to you. 600 doing manual. They can be mixed and still fire together. Via the controller you can turn them on/off, change settings, etc, via groups. One slick setup.

2)

The 603's are like $15 a piece and are handy, so keep them. I'm not sure it will work as a passthrough to trip the camera itself. But again, they're cheap, so no loss on those.

3)

Yongnuo is good. Godox (Flashpoint) is good. Yongnuo has no brick & mortar support, so you buy it, and you might as well not have a warranty or any support, and no real return option unless you get lucky with the seller on Amazon. Flashpoint is Godox rebranded by Adorama, and goes through Adorama, so you have warranty & support here in the States. Same cost. Same units basically. The Godox is considered superior in the industry than the Yongnuo. You're safe going with both honestly. But I'd go Godox (Flashpoint) at this point since the support is here. That's a big deal. Same cost. But with support. No brainer.

4)

Eneloops are the way to go on all of them.

5)

Flashpoint is just a rebrand of Godox by Adorama. You get the support locally this way.

You're good to go. Maybe buy a handful of gels if you do any outdoor work.

Very best,

I am looking for more information on Godox...seems there is a lot out there in terms of Canon flash, obviously, followed by the ever popular 3rd party flash Yongnuo. However, I am just not finding a lot on Godox TT685 or TT600 or even when searching Flashpoint, here, google or even on youTube.. Why is that?


Also, most of anything found on youTube on these Godox flashes all are not from US. I feel like it might be too new or not widely used over Yongnuo...which may put me in a bind when troubleshooting...sure I could call Adorama but I like getting information from various sources like we find for Yongnuo

I would go with the Flashpoint R2 V860C II at the link below from Adorama for a Canon camera. This will allow you to expand into a lighting system. I have used just about all of the Canon flashes, and when I switched to Nikon I tried the Yongnuo, but sold them off for the Flashpoint/Godox system with no regrets. You will have support from Adorama, and there is a large user base given the recent popularity of the Godox/Flashpoint lighting gear.

https://www.adorama.co​m/fplfsmzl2ca.html

The TT685C is the equivalent but it uses AA batteries, and it is a bit less expensive.

https://www.adorama.co​m …ca.html?RRref=p​roductPage

kezug wrote in post #18402174
First of all, you guys are all the best...going with GODOX flashpoints seem to really be best
Same price and avoids the conflicts learned by MalVeauX! And Scoobert!

So, some questions...
1)
Does this mean with the Flashpoint setup, that I can put the controller on my camera, and could possibly
put the TT685 on top of controller...thus allowing me to use the 685 in ETTL and turn off the TT600 group? and vice-versa?
Or have the controller off camera with TT685 in ETTL and TT600 in manual controlling wchih group will fire..thus the allowance of mixing ETTL and Manual on same protocal
just different groups, but all controllable in one slick setup?
...

MalVeauX wrote in post #18402197
1)

Controller on the camear. 685 doing ETTL or manual, up to you. 600 doing manual. They can be mixed and still fire together. Via the controller you can turn them on/off, change settings, etc, via groups. One slick setup.

....

You can do the same thing with just the TT685 in the camera hotshoe as master,. no need to stack the controller, unless I am misunderstanding some part of the question/answer.

kezug wrote in post #18402376
I am looking for more information on Godox...seems there is a lot out there in terms of Canon flash, obviously, followed by the ever popular 3rd party flash Yongnuo. However, I am just not finding a lot on Godox TT685 or TT600 or even when searching Flashpoint, here, google or even on youTube.. Why is that?


Also, most of anything found on youTube on these Godox flashes all are not from US. I feel like it might be too new or not widely used over Yongnuo...which may put me in a bind when troubleshooting...sure I could call Adorama but I like getting information from various sources like we find for Yongnuo

If you are going to get new flashes I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND going with the li-ion powered ones. Faster cycling and 1 battery will last well over 1000 pops during regular use. You would have to carry 3 complete sets of AA batteries to do that with a regular flash.

There is a ton of info out there on the godox/cheetah/flashpoi​nt systems. I think it may help if you look for set model numbers.

Here is an overview of the Godox system done by Elv

http://flashhavoc.com/​godox-flash-system-overview/

Youtube for the V860C
https://www.youtube.co​m/results?search_query​=v860x


youtube for the CL-200X , ad200, evolve200
https://www.youtube.co​m/results?search_query​=cl-200x

And probably the greatest flash site on the net, I might be slightly biased on that statement.
http://flashhavoc.com/​?s=godox

There is also many here running that system. I switched from YN flashes/triggers to godox back when YN were have the battery door problem and have been happy I switched ever since. Especially when trying to mix things like the 603/622/canon then add ttl or HSS and it was a fn mess.


If you are worried about support either buy them from Adorama or Cheetahstand http://www.cheetahstan​d.com/category-s/2014.htm where you will have support a phone call away and a US based warranty. Which is equal to or better than you are going to get with anything YN.

Cheetahstand has onsite repair for most things and also has a Facebook user group with over 2500 members. You post up a problem you are having or something you cant figure and there will be MANY people that will try and help you. Edward the owner of Cheetahstand is known for amazing customer support. He has a history of calling people at home when they have a problem with one of his products.
Just this week for a member who had a broken knob on his light stand https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1483551
You are not going to get that with any YN product, or canon, or nikon.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18402432
You can do the same thing with just the TT685 in the camera hotshoe as master,. no need to stack the controller, unless I am misunderstanding some part of the question/answer.

He wants his flashes off camera.

Very best,

Everyone thank you for your thoughts and time responding. I am so close to returning the 430EXiii and 622Cii's and purchasing 2 TT600, 1 TT685 and 1 X1T from Adorama but just doing more researching before I click the buy button!

I have looked into the V860C and I think that is an excellent idea to opt for this model to avoid having to use my eneloop's. The only down side at the moment, for me, is cost as I do have eneloop's already and I have to ensure the V860 battery is fully charged for any session (I am not a pro or anything...so sessions are not really an issue) or I am without this flash once the battery is depleted...likely are rare issue but I do face similar issue if my eneloops are depleted...however I have many of those. So choice, choices, choices....all good though....

I will decide by tonight as the items all mentioned above are on sale at Adorama till tomorrow.

kezug wrote in post #18403232
Everyone thank you for your thoughts and time responding. I am so close to returning the 430EXiii and 622Cii's and purchasing 2 TT600, 1 TT685 and 1 X1T from Adorama but just doing more researching before I click the buy button!

I have looked into the V860C and I think that is an excellent idea to opt for this model to avoid having to use my eneloop's. The only down side at the moment, for me, is cost as I do have eneloop's already and I have to ensure the V860 battery is fully charged for any session (I am not a pro or anything...so sessions are not really an issue) or I am without this flash once the battery is depleted...likely are rare issue but I do face similar issue if my eneloops are depleted...however I have many of those. So choice, choices, choices....all good though....

I will decide by tonight as the items all mentioned above are on sale at Adorama till tomorrow.

Yup, I was in the same exact boat. I have like 16 eneloop AA's, 8 AAA's and a very nice Lacrosse charger definitely something to consider. I feel for you because its not an easy decision.

Now all my remotes in the house run eneloops, the clocks run eneloops, we have eneloops in the flashlights, eneloops in the thermostat and eneloops in my flash triggers. Although I do have spare's batteries for the li-ion flashes they are just for piece of mind. I shot a wedding a couple weeks ago with 1 V860ii on camera as a master, 2 V850ii and a CL-200X all on stands and buried at the edge of a basketball gymnasium. I fired over 1000 shots in Ettl mode and when I took the lights down at the end of the event they all still had over a bar of power left. This would have been 8-12 batteries for EACH of the 3 speedlights. I would have had a real hard time changing them during the event and would have missed many shots while we were down for battery changes.
You have to be no more (and no less) conscious of the battery in the li-ion than you do the eneloops. You are either prepared or your not.

Also like you I am no pro I only shoot weddings for family members to poor to afford a photog (often donating money so they can get a real photog instead) and most all of the other times I shoot rescue animals for local shelters/rescue groups.

Not an easy decision on your part but having shot both for years including a year with yn/canon stuff I have been there myself. If your need any more help with either I (and many others here) would be happy to give our input.

My order has been placed!

I chose the V860C ii over the TT685 as well. Guys thanks for your time....this is fun and thankfully there is this community to be involved with to help each other out.

kezug wrote in post #18403354
My order has been placed!

I chose the V860C ii over the TT685 as well. Guys thanks for your time....this is fun and thankfully there is this community to be involved with to help each other out.

Actualy, my order has NOT been placed! Ugh!

I just realized that the V860ii is the TT600 equivalent but with a Li-on battery.
While the V860Cii is the TT685C equivalent but with a Li-on battery.
These model numbers are difficult to follow!

Do I have the above versions correct?

So now I need to decide if I want to go all Li-on with the Manual and TTL Flashpoints or none at all or a mix, choosing what I think would be my most active...ugh!