robertcbyrd Loc: 28754

Here's the thing.

I was rolling happily along with my cheap Altura Flash AP-C1001 on my Canon 70D... until I upgraded to the Canon 80D to discover that the TTL feature on my flash was no longer compatible with the 80D.

Yes, I can keep the old flash and use it manually, but that's not why I bought it.

So my question is, should I splurge on the Speedlite or go cheap on the Yongnuo? It's a big difference in $. While I have the money to buy the Speedlite, the tightwad in me hesitates.

Going cheap, I can probably expect a couple years service from the Yongnuo before it breaks or becomes obsolete. I'm not a pro, but I use my equipment quite a lot.

So...

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

I have used Yongnuo speedlights and their wireless transmitters for a few years with no problems. I haven't used the model you mention here.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Look at the yn685. Same features as the 600 but built in radio support that allows for off-camera HIgh speed sync when you buy the on-camera controller....that was the differentiator for me over the yn560 line of flashes (which I have also)

I cant swear by the reliability over continuous years of use but i have not had 1 of my 9 fail yet in limited use over the years. (Limited = once per month in a 3-4 hr shoot with 3-4 speedlights in a mobile setup)

robertcbyrd Loc: 28754

Is the yn685 compatible with the Canon 80d?

Haydon

I have a pair of Canon 600 EX-RT's with the Youngnuo transmitter. I'm on the verge of buying a 3rd speed light and I'll likely choose the Yongnuo YN600EX-RT II this time around. I will be using it as a secondary light. Yongnuo's aren't as robust as the Canon's but they still are a very good light for "occasional" use. If you're a professional, I wouldn't use the Yongnuo as a primary but they can be a great addition as a secondary or peroidic use. Hint, the dials are not to the same caliber. They are borderline flimsy comparatively. Just need to be a little more careful.

robertcbyrd Loc: 28754

This has turned out to be a more complicated question than I thought.

Is the yn 685 compatible with Canon's ETTL?

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I recently picked up a YN686ex-rt and I really like it. It works with both the Canon and Yongnuo 600ex-rt units. The thing I really like about it is the same thing I dislike about it, the battery. It uses a single proprietary lithium battery that is good for easily 750 flashes per charge, no messing around with AA batteries.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Yes.
The 685 can be controlled with the 70D's menu system on-camera and supports ETTL.

It supports ETTL and exposure comp wirelessly with the yn wireless master trigger that goes in the hotshoe of the camera.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Look at Godox flashes. Not much more than Yongnuo and better recycle times. For about $180 they have GN 197 and uses a Lithium battery.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Godox has generally better radio wireless compatibility. If you only use YN and buy their triggers and lights, they are cheaper.
...and of course Canon will have better reliability but at 3-4x the price...

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

That's interesting but yet another proprietary battery. I have always wondered why canon has not put an LP6 battery or similar into their units. OR why as sophisticated as the 600 is, it has no battery life indicator.

I also wrestled with the Yongnuo question when I was gonna upgrade my flash and decided to get a Canon so I could have at least one good, reliable workhorse. I now own two plus the Canon trigger.
I bought all 3 used, separately and have about $500 invested in the three pieces.
What I like about the Canons is that if I have ANY problems, questions or concerns I can just call Canon!!!

SS

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Brilliant minds think alike, not that I'm brilliant, maybe just a little sharper than the average, but, I to have wondered the same thing. It would be sooooo convenient. There is a low battery indicator on the display, when the batteries are low, but that's not really a level indicator.

The first 600ex-rt I bought turned out to be counterfeit. It looks virtually identical to the real thing and the box and manual were the same as the real thing. I thought it was odd when I was playing around with custom settings, the display didn't match the manual. I later read a notice on Canon's Web site about the fake flashes and how to identify one. Sure enough, it was a counterfeit unit. After a few phone calls and emails, paypal refunded all but $50 of what I paid and I got to keep it. It does work but now I only use it off camera.
The second one I bought was real and I compliment that one with the YN686EX-RT.
I have a couple Yongnuo units but nothing compares to the Canon.

robertcbyrd Loc: 28754

Specifically, will it work with the Canon 80D ETTL?

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Ah. Don't know for sure but I woud be surprised if it didnt.
I have seen reviews where the 80D has worked and seen complaints. (... some complaints actually reference a deficiency or weakness rather
than one that didnt work.)

Also, check out the AF Assist light tech for YN685 vs Canon....there are differences if you shoot single point AF in low light.
Specifically, the YN685 uses a series of weird patterns that dont always hit the AF point you select whereby the Canon has a very blanketing AF assist beam light that will ensure good focus each time.
If this is important to you, then go Canon if you MUST have that shot.

Read the user reviews at BHPhoto. Specifcally, the best and worst reviews for some insight.
Seems some go for the Canon for their "top of camera" run and gun and "has to work" flash and then wireless Yongnuos for off-camera work.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1187134-REG/yongnuo_yn685_wireless_ttl_speedlite.html

I have all YN flashes (9 of them) using both 603 and 622 triggering systems and do not have Canon.
I am considering getting a Canon for "top of camera" if I ever get a gig where "1 or done" is the situation.
All my gigs allow for a chimp and retake and I shoot exclusively manual on both flash and camera to dial-in what I want. (and I do use the AF assist sometimes and have experienced the weird pattern issue but managed to get around it by expanding the AF points...)

YNs are fine for my needs right now and soooooo much cheaper to learn multiflash photography.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

ETTL II has been Canon's Evaluative Thru The Lens flash protocol since 2004. If the flash unit says it's ETTL II compatible, it will work on an 80D, 70D, 60D, 50D, and any other EOS D series camera going back to the 20D and 1D mk II.