Yongnuo RF-602 or PW Mini TT1 & Flex TT5

I've seen a lot of posts about the Yongnuo RF-602, i don't know much about them. I've heard good things about the Flex and Mini.

I'm looking to get a second flash (580 EXII)and something to trigger off camera flash. What do you guys recommend? What's better? The Yongnuo RF-602 or the Flex and Mini? How much is the Yongnuo RF-602? The Mini and Flex are just under $500 Canadian.

thanks.

1x trigger + 1x receiver is around $30, and additional receivers are around $20 each (but if you buy them all in a bundle on eBay, you save $)

but then again, i bought mine last year-- not sure if prices dropped slightly or not.

damn that's real cheap.... how does it compare to the flex and mini?

The Flex & Mini do TTL off-camera (badly). The RF-602's will require to set the flash power manually.
The Flex & Mini may (or may not) kill your 580 EX II, the RF-602 seem to not cause much problems.
The Flex & Mini also have RF interference issues with the Canon 580 EX II, the RF-602 do not.

There is no local support for the RF-602, so if it fails, it goes back to China. Also, ordering the RF-602 will take at least a week.

I personally have the RF-602's and really like them.

If you want off-camera TTL, look into the RadioPopper PX system over the Flex & Mini.

PW Flex & Mini allow for ETTL, RF-602's only manual.

PW's firmware is easily updated by the user, via USB cord.

PW's are user configurable, via USB. The only thing you can configure in the RF-602 is the channel.

ecub wrote in post #10722124
PW Flex & Mini allow for ETTL

Except no groups & ratios etc..

Other than bug fixes, did they add any features yet?

The RF-602's are essentially wireless light switches. What would you want to configure in a light switch?

int2str wrote in post #10722133
Except no groups & ratios etc..

Yes, via AC9. Soon to be available

int2str wrote in post #10722133
Other than bug fixes, did they add any features yet?

You can...
- enable/disable the bottom shoe.
- make it a transmitter only, not just a transciever (transmitter & receiver)

There are also tabs that allows you to configure the Channel, Modeling, Exposure, Sync Timing, and Flash. Not sure exactly what all the options do. I never really read manuals until I'm really stuck or something breaks.

int2str wrote in post #10722133
The RF-602's are essentially wireless light switches. What would you want to configure in a light switch?

Some people like dimmer switches.


BTW, I'm not knocking the RF-602's. If you look at my gear list, I use the RF-602's AND PW FlexTT5's. I had the RF-602's first, before recently switching to the FlexTT5.

int2str wrote in post #10722099
The Flex & Mini do TTL off-camera (badly). The RF-602's will require to set the flash power manually.

It doesn't it badly. Heard allot of good reviews about it and it seems like a few pros use it.

int2str wrote in post #10722099
The Flex & Mini may (or may not) kill your 580 EX II, the RF-602 seem to not cause much problems.

This is yet to be determined. If you go to the flicker page, the 580ex isn't really built well. Many have gone back to 430exII's with no issues. I have been one of the fortunate that have no problems using them with my 580exII's.

int2str wrote in post #10722099
The Flex & Mini also have RF interference issues with the Canon 580 EX II, the RF-602 do not.

The RF-602 use 2.4Ghz, which the Flex & Mini's use the same as frequency as what the 580exII's use. I can't remember, but I think PW registered the frequency in EU, which was approved. This frequency isn't used by EU version of the 580exII's, but it is used by 580exII's in NA. I think that's right. Not sure. Actually, the interference only matters if you go beyond a long distance. I forgot exactly how far, but I have no problems using it.

int2str wrote in post #10722099
If you want off-camera TTL, look into the RadioPopper PX system over the Flex & Mini.

If I remember correctly, RP require a flash connected on top of the unit in order to control TTL. That sort of defeats having an off camera flash. If I were going to do that, I might as well just keep my 580exII on the camera as a master and use my other 580exII and 420ex as slaves. It will save me the money of buying an RP.

Radio Poppers, I believe, are more expensive than Flex or Mini's.

int2str wrote in post #10722099
The Flex & Mini do TTL off-camera (badly).

They do it fine if you know what you are doing.

int2str wrote in post #10722099
The Flex & Mini may (or may not) kill your 580 EX II

That's a silly statement. Carrots may (or may not) kill you too.

int2str wrote in post #10722099
The Flex & Mini also have RF interference issues with the Canon 580 EX II

The mini doesn't have issues with the 580ex ii, it's a transponder. The flex does if you don't use rf shield included in the box.

int2str wrote in post #10722099
There is no local support for the RF-602, so if it fails, it goes back to China. Also, ordering the RF-602 will take at least a week.

Pocketwizard offers a 30 day uncoditional money back guarantee.

Oops, forgot. The FlexTT5's allows you to access groups, but just which ones to use. Nothing about TTL. The AC9's can do those.

FlexTT5's also has 2 configurable switches. For example, you can set switch 1 to b transmit only and turn off the bottom shoe. While switch 2 allows you to use the 2nd shutter.

Flex or Mini's lock on to the camera, which the RF-602's just slide on. It may/may not slide and lose contact.

what about the cowboy trigger from Dallas TX cost under $30 i order one it coming

ecub wrote in post #10722372
If I remember correctly, RP require a flash connected on top of the unit in order to control TTL. That sort of defeats having an off camera flash. If I were going to do that, I might as well just keep my 580exII on the camera as a master and use my other 580exII and 420ex as slaves. It will save me the money of buying an RP.

Radio Poppers, I believe, are more expensive than Flex or Mini's.

Lol wut?

The purpose of Radio Poppers is to transfer the infrared signal via radio that is unreliable when using outside or direct sunlight and when you wish to be in a fairly distant range while still keeping ETTL.

Get an ST-E2 to go with it. It's a good combo.

So much issues with PocketWizards. I think PW products are the one that's overpriced.

Cowboy triggers are simple manual radio triggers, like the RF-602s. Cybersyncs also fall in the same line. There are allot of radio triggers on ebay (China made) that are similar to the RF-602.

taxsux wrote in post #10722426
Lol wut?

The purpose of Radio Poppers is to transfer the infrared signal via radio that is unreliable when using outside or direct sunlight and when you wish to be in a fairly distant range while still keeping ETTL.

Get an ST-E2 to go with it. It's a good combo.

So much issues with PocketWizards. I think PW products are the one that's overpriced.

I see, so your putting a $200+ RP on a $250-$450 flash on top of your camera. I never knew that. I would still just buy a $250 ETTL device on top of my camera and use my flash elsewhere.

Are you wanting to shoot indoors or outdoors? If you are looking at just indoors, your 7D has a built-in flash controller. That will likely work for many situations.