Nikon SB700 vs Yongnuo YN-565EX speedlight: For an "advanced" beginner with a D5100, w/ Nikon 18-55mm & a 55-300mm lens: will I be missing something down the road with the YN-565 EX...

jglazener Loc: Richmond, TX

For an "advanced" beginner with a D5100, w/ Nikon 18-55mm & a 55-300mm lens: will I be missing something down the road with the YN-565 EX ($150) instead of the SB700 ($326)???
I've read some great stuff about the new Yongnuo and frankly I don't know enough to make an intelligent decision.

And it's really not all about the money (but I can use the extra 175 for something else). I can afford the Nikon, but I don't have to buy name brand...it's not about prestige for me. Any help would be appreciated....especially experience with either or both.
Thanks in advance, Jerry

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I own a Nikon SB-600 (precursor to the 700), which works to my utmost expectations, and I am looking to purchase another, or equivalent. I have researched similar speedlights, and the Yongnuo YN-565EX may very well be my next purchase.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Even though Nikonian72 is one of the most knowledgeable Nikon Guru's I know,.. and I trust his opinion, I went the SB700 route when I had my D3100. The SB700 still serves me well as I have upgraded to FF bodies. Nikon works great with Nikon. Amazing!
I also HAVE NO experience with the Yongnuo so I can't bad-mouth it. All I can say is how much I like the SB700.

jglazener Loc: Richmond, TX

Nikonian72 wrote:

I own a Nikon SB-600 (precursor to the 700), which works to my utmost expectations, and I am looking to purchase another, or equivalent. I have researched similar speedlights, and the Yongnuo YN-565EX may very well be my next purchase.

Thanks 72 for the quick reply. If I'm not a pro, will the YN still "read" everything correctly and do what the SB will? I know that Nikon can issue upgrades (or whatever they're called) which would not affect the YN....but is that important? Also, I watch the Nikonguy do a youtube video on the 700 vs 900 and the 900 shut down after about 22 flashes and the 700 just kept on going due to the overheat protection. The YN has something, but not sure if its the same or if that makes a difference.

rcirr Loc: Gilbert, Arizona

jglazener wrote:

For an "advanced" beginner with a D5100,... (show quote)

Ok...I am also a beginner...with a D50 and a D5100. I have an SB-600. It has always performed well for me but I am no expert. I have also recently purchased 3 Yongnuo 560II. I bought them specifically for studio shooting. They have no TTL. I have to manually set them. I am just starting to get to know them but what I have noticed so far is that they are more powerful than my SB-600 and recycle much faster. Since they can be triggered optically, I didn't even need wireless triggers. The build quality seems very substantial and the controls work well. I assume the YN-565EX would be even more capable. You might want to describe what type of shooting you want to use the flash for, then let some of the pros here make suggestions.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

jglazener wrote:

Thanks 72 for the quick reply. If I'm not a pro, ... (show quote)

As the 700 replaced the 600, the SB-910 replaced the 900. To my understanding, the overheating problem has been resolved.

Nikon updated are to internal camera software only. Speedlights have no software to update.

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

I own the SB700 and several 'manual only' YN-xxx speedlights. If you buy the YN-565ex instead of the SB700 you give up the ability to use High Speed Sync, and the YN-565ex will not function in Nikon CLS as a Commander unit. I've read it only works as a CLS remote unit. The 565ex has a higher guide number rating than the Sb700. If you want to use the 565ex off camera in TTL mode I believe you will need a "Commander" capable Nikon flash on the camera, or something like the, soon to be available for Nikon, Yongnuo YN-622 trigger. I don't believe the 5100 on-board flash will work as a Commander.

I also would consider the YN565ex as my next flash when the Nikon version of the YN-622 trigger is available and the pair have been reviewed together. Having said that, most people tend to recommend that your 'first' flash should be the same brand as your camera. With the competition closing the gap in features, I don't know if that will always be the case.

If you haven't already done so, you might read this.

http://speedlights.net/2011/08/28/yongnuo-yn-565-ex-flash-review/

or view this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTUuFGTHskY

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

Some speedlights do have software updates and one is the SB-910 which I have, you can find it's update here http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16174/~/sb-900-5.02-firmware-update .

Nikonian72 wrote:

As the 700 replaced the 600, the SB-910 replaced the 900. To my understanding, the overheating problem has been resolved.

Nikon updated are to internal camera software only. Speedlights have no software to update.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Nikonian72 wrote:

Nikon updated are to internal camera software only. Speedlights have no software to update.

Actually, some Metz models have that capability:

http://www.metz.de/en/flash-units/firmware-download-flash-units/mecablitz-58-af-1-digital.html

Metz makes the best 3rd party speedlights on the market, in my opinion.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Metz+mecablitz+58+AF-2+nikon&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nikonian72 wrote:

I own a Nikon SB-600 (precursor to the 700), which works to my utmost expectations, and I am looking to purchase another, or equivalent. I have researched similar speedlights, and the Yongnuo YN-565EX may very well be my next purchase.

Have you given any thought to Nissen? That seems to be a popular alternative to Nikon and Canon.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

jerryc41 wrote:

Have you given any thought to Nissen? That seems to be a popular alternative to Nikon and Canon.

Yes, Nissin! Another player in the 3rd party game!

Sold by Calumet & B&H.
They probably don't want to sell crap.

http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/product/nissin_di622_mark_ii_flash_for_nikon_dslrs_with_international_charger_and_four_aa_batteries/nn23001k

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/738255-REG/Nissin_ND622MKII_N_Di622_Mark_II_Digital.html

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Brucej67 wrote:

Some speedlights do have software updates and one is the SB-910 which I have, you can find it's update here http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16174/~/sb-900-5.02-firmware-update .

I think you will find that update is for the SB900, not the SB910.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

They both share the same software control.

MT Shooter wrote:

I think you will find that update is for the SB900, not the SB910.

Sirpixxalot Loc: NNJ

ii

jglazener wrote:

For an "advanced" beginner with a D5100,... (show quote)

Yongnuo is a good unit I have used other model in the past and they stand up to the performance. As a professional photographer I have SB-600, SB-700, SB900 & SB-910 they all work well I was in a market to buy a speedlite to add my to arsenal and was very interested in Yongnuo YN-565EX till I found out that this speedlite is designed for Canon not for Nikon, they originally manufactured this speedlite for Canon and changed the hot to capture both consumers. In my business I need instant charge to the speedlite, therefore I use Nikon external battery pack to speed up the recharge process on my 900 & 910, YN-565 does not support Nikon version of battery pack connector it supports Canon battery pack connector. If you are ever going to use external battery pack you need to buy a Canon battery pack. This is only draw back on this unit other then this it is a nice unit and stand up to the performance.

These are my 2 cents :)

gviprasath Loc: INDIA

Have a look at NISSIN Di 866 MARK II which is equivalent to SB900/910 with a very affordable price tag which I have for my D5100.You can also download their catalogue from their site for more details.