With the 56x line Yongnuo has just announced a new line of flash units, positioned above the existing 46x line. It is rumored that the 46x flash units will remain in production, and I hope and believe this holds true (this is confirmed as of early 2011).
Update from November 16, 2011: expected for December release is a new, upgraded YN560-II model with LCD display and other upgrades that will be replacing the current YN-560. Learn more.
The first model in the series is the YN-560 (see here for the in-depth review), which has been reported to be available soon, in early June 2010. Since its design resembles the Canon 580EX II a lot, I have put together here the 2 units specifications next to each other.
Basic specs and strobist information
Some of the data for the new Yongnuo still needs verification, e.g. recycle times and the real guide number.
| Model information | ||
| Brand | Yongnuo | Canon |
| Model | YN560 | 580EX II |
| First introduction | 2010 | 2008 |
| Successor | none yet | none yet |
| Output specs | ||
| Guide Number (m) | 39 | 36 |
| Manual Power Settings | 1/1 – 1/2 – 1/4 – 1/8 – 1/16 – 1/32 – 1/64 – 1/128 | 1/1 – 1/2 – 1/4 – 1/8 – 1/16 – 1/32 – 1/64 – 1/128 |
| Flash duration (full power) | 1/200 | 1/833 |
| Recycle time specified (full power) |
3 sec alkaline | 5.0 sec alkaline |
| Recycle time measured (full power) |
3.4 sec alkaline, 1.6 sec NiMH | 3.8 sec alkaline, 3.0 sec NiMH |
| Flash head features | ||
| Swivel | -180 to +90 degrees | -180 to +180 degrees |
| Tilt | -7 to +90 degrees | -7 to +90 degrees |
| Manual zoom head | (18) 24-105 | (14) 24-105 |
| Motor zoom | no | (14) 24-105 |
| 2nd reflector | no | no |
| LCD display | no | yes |
| Triggering | ||
| Standard flash foot | standard | standard ISO (Canon) |
| PC Synch Port | yes | yes |
| Optical Slave | 2 modes (1 w/ pre-flash suppresion) | no |
| Other trigger | no | wireless TTL slave mode |
| Trigger voltage | 3.25 V (measured) | 4.49 V |
| Standby mode | can be adjusted (30 mins max) | can be deactivated |
| Power supply | ||
| Batteries used | 4 x AA | 4 x AA |
| External power source | Yongnuo SF-18C or SF-17C | Battery Pack CP-E4 |
On-camera features
This second table here now looks at features and functionality you will be able to receive if the flash unit is attached to a camera or supporting wireless TTL mode. The YN-560 will be working in manual mode only: there is no E-TTL or i-TTL support although it will fire with the shutter release.
| Model information | ||
| Brand | Yongnuo | Canon |
| Model | YN560 | 580EX II |
| First introduction | 2010 | 2008 |
| Successor | none yet | none yet |
| Nikon TTL | ||
| D-TTL | no | na |
| i-TTL | no | na |
| CLS wireless slave | no | na |
| CLS wireless master | no | na |
| Canon TTL | ||
| E-TTL | no | yes |
| E-TTL II | no | yes |
| E-TTL(II) wireless slave | no | yes |
| E-TTL(II) wireless master | no | yes |
| Other flash modes | ||
| Stroboscopic mode | no | yes |
| Auto mode | no | yes |
| Camera support | ||
| AF assist light | no | yes (triple beam) |
| Exposure compensation in TTL mode on the flash unit | no | yes |
| Rear curtain synchronization | yes; most probably not working with Canon cameras | yes |
| High speed synchronization | no | yes |
| Sensor size detection (DX, FX, etc) | no | yes |
| Modeling light | no | yes |
| More information | ||
| full review | YN560 | 580EX II |
The price for these units will be around 65 – 70$ on eBay as it seems. It is clear that you can’t expect the same as you get from a 400$ flash unit like th Canon 580EX II – the outside is very similar in design, but the big difference lies in the data exchange with the camera that has been left out.
It also remains to be seen how the build quality compares. Will it be on the same level of the Yongnuo middle class or on a higher level? The battery door does look like a better design.
But Yongnuo have shown with their YN-465 model that they can release a reliable E-TTL and i-TTL flash in both Canon and Nikon versions. It is only a question of time until we will see further 56x series models with TTL support. For the time being, we have a perfect strobist flash if this YN-560 holds what it promises. The only thing I’m not excited about is the size of the unit, as it will likely have the same dimensions as the 580EX II, and this is a lot bigger than the YN-468, for example:
Compared To ..
Read on to learn more about:
- Yongnuo YN-560 review
- Canon 580EX II review
- Yongnuo YN-460 Mark II review
- in-depth reviews of the latest i-TTL models from Yongnuo, the YN-465 and YN-467
- the latest available E-TTL model, the YN-468
Where to buy YN-560
The YN-560 is available in the manufacturer store “hkyongnuophotoequipment” and from other sellers on eBay.
amazon
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I’d love to see a similar side-by-side size comparison with the SB-900. I’ve never seen a 580EXII close up so I’ve no idea how big it really is. I do have an SB-900 and know that it’s at the limit of what I’d want to be carrying around though.
Pete
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I use the YN 460 as a second wireless flash in support of my 580exii. I can’t fault it as a second flash. It cost $65 (AUD), which meant the whole wireless set up (with stand, receiver and hot shoe adaptor) came under $150 (AUD). I used it all day Sunday and it never faltered. The 580 was less consistent (my fault for trying to push it too hard, it could have easily performed all day at a 1/4 power). All this aside, the 580exii is fantastic and I wouldn’t be without it, but as a secondary flash system the YN-460 is reliable (if not a little flimsy) but all over it’s good value for money.
Hi All,
I’m struggling to determine what would be better for an off camera flash – do I go for a Yongnuo 560 or do I get a Canon 580 EZ? They’re both around the same cost…
please help!
Thanks
Matty
The YongNuo 560 is an exceptional off- Camera flash. for the dirt cheap price, this flash compares highly to any and all flashes on the market. The recycle time alone is pretty amazing.
it was a very nice article about yn560.. honestly i just bought one but i kind wonder why everytime i trigerred the yn560 with my cactus v5 on the top of the camera the outcome of the picture is half black out i dont know if theres something related to shutter speed? please help! i dont know if theres something wrong with my transciever or my yn560? thanks! pls help!
Hi sherwin
The black band means the shutter speed is too short for the combination to work. Repeat the test with longer speeds, e.g. 1/200, then 1/160 sec – the band should become smaller than disappear. Now you know what your limit is, and how far you can push it for your shooting. Use your cam in mode “S” (Nikon) or “Tv” (Canon), or in mode “M”, otherwise you don’t have control over the camera shutter settings. Let us know what you find out!
Frank