mafadecay Loc: Wales UK

Yongnuo rf-603 - Comon Problems and how I got round them

So I got 4 yongnuo rf-603 units with shutter release leads. I am very impressed with the build quiality as I was expecting the worst. They fire my flashes no problem.

Problem one - No Auto focus - Fixed
I plugged the cable in to use one as a wireless remote shutter. I was a bit annoyed that focus would not work. The shutter itself snapped but with no AF.

I thought about the problem a bit and realised that I have now switched to using back button focus and it was worth a try disabling this to test the units again but this time shutter set to focus and snap like they would be by default. It worked. I can now focus with half a press of the remote and then a full press takes the image.

Problem two - no beep when autofocus is achieved - Fixed
Next I thought it would be useful to re-enable the annoying beep that sounds when focus is locked. I checked my menu switched beep to on but still no beep. I then found that because I have centre AF point set as default the beep does not sound. I switched it back to auto selection of all AF points and it now beeps again when one of them locks but I do not have total control over which focus point locks on causing the beep.

So not set up completely how I would like as I prefer no beep the majority of the time and to use centre AF point with back button focus but I thought I would share this info and my findings in case anybody else hits these problems in the future. Tested on a Canon 5D MKII, 430EX and a 430EZ all great on manual settings but with no TTL feedback which I already knew.

Perhaps the following should be considered before purchase
I will just add that these units are well worth the money I paid which probably equates to around $49 for a set of 4. Quality is much better than expected and they work well with a good range and no missfires. Just make sure you order the correct lead fitment for your camera. They do C1 and C3 for Canon and N1 etc for Nikon fit.

Do not get me wrong they are flawed in that the on/off switch gets concealed by a speedlight so they need switching on before mounting and there is no hotshoe lock so beware the risks of a speedlight crashing to the ground if you do not take care.

Check out their reviews for yourself on youtube just type in "yongnuo rf-603 review" into youtube and away you go.

Hopefully this info will be useful to somebody and save them having the troubles I did.

TJ28012 Loc: Belmont, NC

I also have a pair. Everything works as described but I have not figured out to have it wake my Nikon SD-600 from sleep mode. It fires the flash if it is not in sleep mode however. I am happy with my purchase.

mafadecay Loc: Wales UK

I am shocked at this. Does the SD-600 wake normally when directly fitted to the hotshoe? All the wake up feature does is sends a precharge through the middle pin. Not sure with Nikon though. It works great on all flashes I have tested waking them every time even a really cheap old unbranded gun from japan. When I use the shutter cord and one unit as a hand remote it even wakes my camera from sleep.

For you there is a connection there in the middle pin because otherwise it would not fire at all. I wonder if yours are slightly not connecting on the other pins. Have you tried cleaning the contacts with a rubber or some alcahol? Does it make a difference if you engage the hotshoe locking mechanism on the speedlite itself. I once had a cheap none TTL off camera cord which would not wake my 430EX if it was locked but would when the lock was open. Maybe also check batteries have enough power?