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5stars
187ratings4stars
37ratings3stars
6ratings2stars
0rating1star
5ratings
Easy to use100% agree
Consistent output100% agree
Flash recycles quickly100% agree
228 reviews
Fantastic flash at low cost
The YN56011 is a fantastic flash at great value. I purchased this item for good power output.
The flash unit has fast recycle times, and zoom feature. The unit can connect to power pack for faster recycle times, while keeping the unit cool and ready to continue shooting.
The unit can be used full manual only and cannot be used in TTL mode. The unit cannot sync faster than 250th of a second, preventing it from being able to better handle harsh sunlight.
With any negatives mentioned this unit costs only a fraction of the price of a unit that has better performance.
In full manual mode this product handles just as good as the best cameras on the market.
This is a fantastic buy..Read full review...
Good for its price, but only if you are able to use non-TTL flashes.
The defining factor to choose this flash was its price - a very democratic one for a product with such characteristics. Previously I only used an old Minolta X-30 which had 3 power levels and could rotate 90 degrees clockwise. Compared to that Yongnuo looks like a high-end device, but let me describe it a little bit more closely.
1) Package bundle: soft case, mini-stand, flash, manual. Bundle seems to be fine but what I think is that the case should have a belt loop.
2) Appearance: the device looks and feels strong-made. No backlashes - every part fits well. Plastic doesn't feel like a cheap. The head turns smoothly and clicks in positions just the way it should be.
3) Performance: It's manual - and that's enough to characterize it. 8 power levels with 0,3 step adjustment, 4 modes: M, S1, S2, Strobe. Generally it's enough and the set of options is fine for an amateur photographer who is familiar with flashes operation.
4) Best thing in it is the price. ~75 bucks
5) Yes, I would have bought it once again.Read full review...
Great value for an awesome price! I do love my flash. ♥
I have found getting used to the flash is a little bit difficult as a beginner but overall, it's a great flash once you get used to it.
The battery life isn't very long at all and really does need a way to be plugged into a power source. It chews through 4 AA batteries very fast.
I didn't find the manual very helpful and there isn't much online to help either. I guess it's just all trial and error.
Size and weight is brilliant!
I would have to say that this flash is perfect value for money!Read full review...
Worst Flash you can own. Stay away!
Many eBay sellers advertise this flash unit for a specific camera with different prices. It makes the consumer think it's a dedicated flash unit. It is not. If you look closely at the bottom of the shoe, there is only one contact pin in the middle, which means it can be triggered by any film or digital camera with a flash shoe. That’s about it. Your camera can not communicate with this flash unit to make sure the settings are correct, and vice versa.
Many photographers review this flash unit as if it is to be used for general everyday photography, comparing it with other flash units. It is not, and cannot be used for general everyday photography. Even though this flash unit has many advanced features, the company forgot to put a TTL function, or at least an AUTO function to make it useful for general types of photography required by all photographers. They just copied the outside appearance to make it look like it has all the functions of the more expensive original.
The main purpose of this MANUAL flash unit, with its built-in features, is for a SECONDARY flash. In other words, it's a SLAVE FLASH UNIT. Mount it on a stand, and set it on S1 or S2 slave, and you can fill the background or the main subject...no problem.
As a main flash for everyday use? You and your subject will be very frustrated waiting for you to MANUALLY make power level adjustment, MANUALLY adjusting the zoom head, MANUALLY moving the flash to the correct distance, MANUALLY adjusting your camera aperture and ISO, MANUALLY adjusting your zoom setting, etc, and then making another TEST if the first exposure was off. If you get lucky and obtain the correct exposure the first time, you might still have to adjust your camera shutter speed to compensate or override the ambient light. By that time, the bride and groom walking down the aisle is gone, the giggling facial expression of a child is now pouting, and the baptismal photo in the church which does not allow for retakes because it can only be done once…is finished. You just missed your once in a lifetime photo because you were fiddling with this very clumsy MANUAL flash unit!!!
If you really want a good flash unit with TTL metering, AUTO focus assist, AUTO setting of shutter speed and aperture, and a high guide number of 92 at ¼ the price, then go to Walmart and get a DEDICATED Sunpak DF3000. Then you can concentrate on the event and not worry about setting your flash MANUALLY and missing the shots. Got the picture?Read full review...
Value, features and power in one package and at a price you will like.
If you came from Film photography as I did, you understand Manual Flash units. Few, if any, were capable of any "zoom" functions and you got what you got. You had little capability to even adjust power settings as well.
Now, with the push of a button, you get zoom AND power settings and IF you are shooting professionally, or even as a dedicated amateur, you will appreciate this unit. Shoot it through and umbrella and you have a really powerful flash unit that is right up there with any of the WAY more expensive units out there.
Value to feature- you get a great buy. I own 2 Yongnuo's- the 468 II (A ttl capable unit) and this one. Both have their separate uses and in a need for fast adjustments, the TTL functions work, but 90% of what I do, THIS YN-560II is the powerhouse. I also use the Yongnuo YN603 remotes to trigger them and adding the remote feature to your camera and you can ALSO trigger the camera and flash with a 3rd YN603! ( I own 4 of those and just bought 2 more for the studio.)
I can't wait to get my second one. I also use this in the studio as a hair light with a DYI grid on S1 slave function. I has NEVER failed to fire. You can easily add gels for color correction too.
Dollar for dollar, you can't get a better value and the quality is really quite good. Yes, I DO recommend these great priced and great value Flash units.Read full review...
Can't use as a MASTER, only you can use as a SLAVE for Canon.
Many eBay sellers advertise this flash unit for a specific camera with different prices. It makes the consumer think it's a dedicated flash unit. It is not. If you look closely at the bottom of the shoe, there is only one contact pin in the middle, which means it can be triggered by any film or digital camera with a flash shoe. That’s about it. Your camera can not communicate with this flash unit to make sure the settings are correct, and vice versa.
Many photographers review this flash unit as if it is to be used for general everyday photography, comparing it with other flash units. It is not, and cannot be used for general everyday photography and it is not for CANON XTi. Even though this flash unit has many advanced features, the company forgot to put or don't want to put a TTL function, or at least an AUTO function to make it useful for general types of photography required by all photographers. They just copied the outside appearance to make it look like it has all the functions of the more expensive original.
The main purpose of this MANUAL flash unit, with its built-in features, is for a SECONDARY flash. In other words, it's a SLAVE FLASH UNIT. Mount it on a stand, and set it on S1 or S2 slave, and you can fill the background or the main subject...no problem.
As a main flash for everyday use? You and your subject will be very frustrated waiting for you to MANUALLY make power level adjustment, MANUALLY adjusting the zoom head, MANUALLY moving the flash to the correct distance, MANUALLY adjusting your camera aperture and ISO, MANUALLY adjusting your zoom setting, etc, and then making another TEST if the first exposure was off. If you get lucky and obtain the correct exposure the first time, you might still have to adjust your camera shutter speed to compensate or override the ambient light. By that time, the bride and groom walking down the aisle is gone, the giggling facial expression of a child is now pouting, and the baptismal photo in the church which does not allow for retakes because it can only be done once…is finished. You just missed your once in a lifetime photo because you were fiddling with this very clumsy MANUAL flash unit!!!
Now I am using this as SLAVE in "S2"mode, because I don't want to return.Read full review...
For NEX camera users this is the best of camera flash to get.
I am using NEX 5N, with Sigma A-mount lenses and beside Sony kit flash i have Sony HVL-F20S flash for NEX camera so i will make comparison of YN560II and Sony flashes on my lens-camera setting.
If you are user of NEX camera with lenses that are Sony/Minolta A-mount and filter size 72 mm and greater size only solution for you is YN560II or some other brand of speed-lights, Sony kit flash and Sony HVL-F20S both are useless with this type of lens-camera setting they are creating ugly shadow in bottom of the picture.
compare to these Sony flashes with YN560II you will get:
1. more power - 58GN (Sony kit flash is 7GN and HVL-F20S have 20GN)
2. battery life of your camera will be much longer because it uses own batteries
3. can regulate output power
4. haw 4 modes - master, slave 1, slave 2 and multy, in master mode you can use it on jour camera if you buy hot shoe adapter for NEX, in S1 and S2 you will use it if you use kit or HVL-F20S on camera then it will fire same time as on camera flash fires in my case worked every time, multy will provide you strobe effect.
5.sound signal when ready to fire very useful because you will get best results if using it as of camera flash and than sound signal will tell you when flash is ready with out any need to go and visually check flash status on display.
6. focus motor to set light angle with view angle of your lens.
To use this flash in master mode you will need to get hot-shoe for it and to buy wireless trigger (this will cost you around 50$ on eBay) you can put it in hot-shoe directly on jour camera but i am not sure that this is great idea since holder on camera is so thin and it will probably break at some point with that size flash attached.
When using wires flash triggers on my NEX for everything to work properly shutter speed should be 1/100 and lover but i think this must be convected with wireless triggers.
What i didn't like on this flash is display because if you are not looking at it under 90° degrees most-likely you wont be able to see settings on it.
Value for money ratio for this flash is great for NEX users, i doubt that you can buy anything better for 70$ with all this fictions.Read full review...
Great manual flash for money paid. I wish I have one more.
I bougt it because I need second flash. This one is perfect because it cost cca 75 $ and for this money you get powerfull and reliable flash with a lot of options. Swiveling and rotating head, built-in reflector card, you get hotshoe stand, build quality is great and it is very easy to use it. However - it is important to know - this is NOT TTL flash. If this is not a problem for you - buy it, you won't be disappointed. It have manual mode, 2 slave modes and multi flash support (up to 8 flashes in second, depending on flash power). It have a nice, big display, you can work in total dark with it. Power controls are very precise, you can shoot wit full power or you can lower flash power up to 1/128 plus you can adjust every step with extra fine tuning. My other flash support only 1/16 power and it is even stronger than this one so I have problems when I need just a little flash power. With this flash I can set it as I like. Charging time is great, It takes about 1-2 second. Flash zoom covers focal lenght range from 24 to 105 mm. Control buttons are also very good and precise. It is very strong but for working outside there's never too much power.
What I don't like about it about this flash: It dooesn't have any pre-flash that helps you focus in low light situations. You should have a battery in your pocket to help you focus. I know it is almost identical copy of Canon flash so therefore the size is almost the same, I wish it is a bit smaller but it's just a minor disadvantage.Read full review...
Excellent for a Fill-in Modeling flash but not for primary or main flash
I gave this speedlite 5 star for what it delivers for it's price. Of course it does not come close to Nikon SB700, SB800 or SB900/910 but those cost at least 4 to 5 time as much. I bought this to serves as a modeling, NOT as a primary, flash.
The GOOD: Automatic zoom (24~105mm), GN of 58; vertical 4-position head tilt & swivels 180 left and 90 right; metal hot-shoe mounting (not plastic); optical wireless remote (S1 & S2) that works very well; Socket of the left-side for External power. Relatively good power management (I was able to take 250+ full power shots on a fresh set of 4 Alkaline. Very easy to use power ratio control (1/128) and Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC) control (0.3, 0.5, and 0.7)
The BAD: Zoom ranges much lower than competition on the same price range (18 to 180 mm); The 90 degree head swivel on right too limiting (when used as fill-in modeling; Power actually lower than the 58 specified (more likely 50 to 52); FEC of at least 1.0 to 1.5 would be nice; Not supplied with diffuser which is about $0.25 wholesale. No i-TTL support thus forcing me to manually set either the flash or my camera 80% of the time.
Not fair for me to compare against my other speedlites that cost between 2-1/2 to 4 times this unit. While I mention i-TTL support for Nikon, I do not expect that feature on any flash at this price range. I will neither recommend nor discourage anyone to buy this flash for general use.Read full review...
Potent knock off brand with a ton of potential and good build quality!
While this flash lacks an internal TTL I find that when it comes to run and gun photography and even some small studio work it doesnt really get much better than the YN-560 II.
Easy to use, with all the features you'd expect on a full digital flash. Zoom, Digital power adjustments, full sound reset warning.
I own 4 of these for their price and performance it covers everything I could want for the cost of ONE full pro level flash.
Very smart Slave modes work well in studio conditions and really make your shots much, much better.
I recommend using lithium batteries for the best batter life, as with any flash, this can go through a set fairly quickly if set to full power. I have not had much luck on rechargeables as they seem to drain very fast in these. Otherwise I can get in a two hour set at various power outputs on average.
The best part about these flashes is that they do everything you need and if one were to get damaged, your not going to cry yourself to sleep over it. Unlike a $400+ name brand flash.Read full review...