I got a copy of the YN-565EX for a quick review.I must say that I don’t have any YN flashes till now, as I still have plenty of Canon flashes, “collecting” them during the pre YN era. I’ll say that for my kind of flash use I don’t need any thing more complex than a flash with manual settings ,decent power and recycle times and that’s all. If I had to buy a set for strobist photography today, there is no doubt that the set will be mostly based on those Chinese strobes.
I must say that I don’t understand Canon’s legal department, how can they let YN COPY thier flash bit bit?! The YN565EX looks exactly like the 580EXII (minor differences) with 430EXI digital back, as if someone made a joke of Canon’s stuff…
But lets move on and see some specs about this new flash:
- TTL Flash with very powerful guide number GN58 @ ISO100, 105mm, support TTL, M, Multi mode
- Auto and manual zoom functions 24-105mm focal length
- Full support TTL Functions FEC, FEB, Rear-curtain sync, FE lock, Modeling Light, Menu Access of Canon camera
- Charging Socket for External Flash Pack
The YN565 is actually is their version for the Canon 580EXII.
When you look for Canon brand flash for under 200$, you’ll only find the Canon 270EX who is a light one, but very low power. The amateur flash will be the 320EX (220$) or the 430EXII (+250$), those ain’t cheap.
Here is my review for the YN565EX:
PROS:
- High power- GN58 is what canon offers with their 580EXII.
- Low weight – it weights less than the Canon 580EXII, although same size.
- Build quality – I must say that it looks very solid and I’m one that is used for Canon flash (no Vivitar and other 3rd party brands).
- Accuracy – This is the most important flash feature, I tested it for couple 100′s clicks and it looks very solid.
- Sound – It makes a beep while charging and ready sound (some my like it and some won’t).
- Slave modes – Has the S1 and S2 like their other flashes, but the big news are about their wireless control! It can be a wireless slave to the master Canon580EXII (I didn’t checked it yet with the 550EX , but I think it will work too).Being able to get an ETTL wireless ability from a 3rd party flash is a surprising feature, you could get thi one to work in groups and channels.
Cons:
- The big bummer with the YN565EX is the fact that he can’t sync fast (FP), so if your camera syncs 1/200th sec like my 5DMKII, thats the fastest shutter speed you can get here.
- I must say that I found some flaws in the YN565, but mostly because I’m used to my 580s.
- The YN565 has a hot-shoe lock like the 580EX – a rotation ring, not a lock gask like the 580EXII.
- Yongnuo copied well the buttons in the swivel head, but its not a lock button like in the other Canon flashes.
- The worst manual ever seen for any device on earth!!! But there is some funny sides to that – they actually used the same ducks diagrams for the wireless section as in Canon’s manual… There are pages there that you’d think that my 3 years old boy can write better. Guys, you decided to play the pro background – put some more minutes in the manual…
- Reputation.
Bottom line:
This flash is packed with features- high power, recycles fairly fast, has all the strobist features you’ll need (even a pc sync),ETTL and a very good price (about 160$) you could buy 2.5 YN565s at the price of one 580EXII…For normal use=home use and personal (not wedding photographer that flashes about 2000 per night) this unit is a very good option, especially if you consider Canon unit…
Personal thoughts:
I must say that I was sure that with the wireless control that puts this flash in a very apprising status, there will be also high speed sync, but no!!! This is my only disappointment from that flash. It costs less than the Nissin and Sigma who are the leading 3rd party “pro” flashes out there, but has the same and more features. This isn’t just a strobist flash but also a useful flash for 160$ bucks.
Recommended!!!
YN565EX provides a charging socket for an external power pack and a PC port for more connections.
I heard some times about other YN models that there are some problems with the battery doors, not with this one, feel EXACTLY like Canon's!
The YN565EX has a new LCD back display very similar to Canon's 580EXII, big +
Front view YN565EX
If you have any questions about the YN565EX please feel free to comment here, you’ll get fast personal answer!
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15 Comments
Hi,
Funny review, I like your style.
I think that you over killed the flash,
The fact that the YN565 doesn’t has high speed sync isn’t
making him a good flash and a bargain.
You have to compare it to its real rivals, Nissin, Sigma, Pentax and more (not to mention Vivitar), they all don’t have high spped sync, while the YN has tops them in ant other aspect offering a high power strobist flash with big TTL and wireless sensor.Only those two plus the price makes it better than the other.
Roy , you are welcomed for your comment here!
I must say, as I mentioned in the review that the fact that it doesn’t has high speed surprised me very much.
When the (YN) make a flash that look identical to the 580EXII you get probably some more expectations…
But I actually compare it with the 430EX (I and II) cause I want to put him somewhere in his price league and the 430 DO HAS high speed sync…
Never the less as you said, in its price range he is the best value for the money ,by far.
That was fast!
I do see what you mean.
Keep in mind that most people that consider 3rd party units already do some comprimising just by choosing it, so most of them when the flash is on camera will use the camera on auto mode and then most of the times you won’t pass that 1/200th sec limit most of cameras offer (Nikon and some Canon models are 1/250th).
Yep
You are right about that. This flash is going to my fathers place, he will enjoy it for sure!
I just got one of these flashes a couple of weeks ago. It nicely complements my 580EX II – so that I can shoot more complex scenes using multiple strobes. Lack of high-speed synch isn’t a problem for me (yet) – and the YN565EX is had to beat on price.
… one issue though, which may send me back to buying Canon. On my flash I seem unable to change the flash group or channel. I can get it into Slave mode okay – but on pressing the ZOOM button again (even quickly), the menu just goes back into mode selection. The group/channel selection options as described in the manual (and as function on my 580EX II) simply don’t appear.
I don’t know if this is just a defect with my particular unit – or if I misread the manual (I agree that it’s pretty bad, but I was willing to accept that on the basis that menus are supposedly the same as Canon’s). I’ve sent an enquiry email to both Yongnuo and the Hong Kong dealer that I purchased from. No reply as yet though.
Hi Andrew, thanks for your detailed comment.
I mus say that I don’t work Master/Slave in groups, I use my flashes only in manual mode.
I see what you talk about, in my oppinion groups would have been usefull if I could control the groups in manual
(as far as I know that only in TTL modes, right?).
I’ll check tommorow the unit that I have to see if I can solve your issue.
I think I read somewhere , that there is a mistake in the manual YES A MISTAKE IN THE MANUAL with some of the Master/Slave
description.
Thanks Andy, hope to see you more here.
Wow – thanks for your quick reply. After putting the flash aside for a few hours, then coming back, I was able to get the group/channel selection working. Essentially it works as advertised – I may simply have been holding the ZOOM button down a faction too long.
With that problem solved, I’m now more than happy with my YN565EX.
I’ll see how things go when I start using the flash for real stuff, but so far so good.
Yep, I’m quick!!!
I’m happy to see that it worked just fine.
I really think this one is a bargain and I hope for YN that they broke out of the circle of but Chienise stigma with this one, as it realy aims high, so I belive they did it well…
Hope to hear what you think of it after some working time.
TNX!
PS
You can now upload images to your comments, so interesting images or problems will be wecomed!
THNX!
I bought the yn 460 and had a few problems that i learnt to live with I then bought the yn565ex flash this seems to have a life of its own most of the time it does not fire or there is a long delay. I have it attached to the hotshoe of my nikon d70. there is normally a flash icon in the view finder but this is not the case with the yn attached any ideas what i may be doing wrong( batteries are fine in both camera and flash and hotshoe is clean
i think you might consider returning it to the dealer if that’s how bad your copy is. I don’t know Nikon cameras to well to tell about the icons and stuff, but the YN565EX suppose to be a “little” better than the manual strobist guns like the 460 and the 560 , so write a mail to the dealer and ask for some refund Q. The YN565EX that I had worked perfect and is about to return from a tourist trip to Barcelona, there we’ll have another opinion about it.
THNX for sharing your experience with it!
quick update there is a delay of about 2 seconds between the time i make a selection and the action is carried out
Didn’t understood what you mean?
The Yongnuo YN-565EX works very well with Canon EOS-1D X as well as ATG Canon EOS-1D Mark IV IR,1D Mark IV and 7D IR.
I had two mod cameras, ATG Canon EOS-1D Mark IV IR & 7D IR using the ATG AK1 Un-Tethered Systems Kim VIII – darn this work great!
If you don’t have the ATG AK1 Un-Tethered Systems Kim VIII, you can try & shoot tethered with 565EX on your camera. Just load up the Canon EOS Utility software for your computer.
You can adjust most settings on your camera or pc with 565EX and all settings with 580EX II.
Hi Samuel M.
Have you tried using the YN565EX as a slave to the Canon 550EX?
If so, how was it?
Would like to hear/read your thoughts on it.
Thanks.
Hi, TNX for visiting.
Yes I tried the 565EX as a slave, but tested it with the 580EXII not the 550EX/
With the 580EXII if worked flawless.
I don’t see any difference between the 550 and the 580 as master triggering the 565, so it has to work the same with your 550EX.
Feel free to ask anything.
TNX !