Traded 565EX for SB910!

Given the amount of probono I've been doing with one of my clients, fact that a 565 got me to where I am right now, him owning and dusting a 910, and I guess throwing in a future bday gift idea I traded with him. He has identical dual-flash setup if he ever wants to try that or a backup; I have a flash that will help me push the envelope of my craft (which he will benefit from as he has been).

Overall, 2 days of playing with it and I'm very impressed. It's so much more powerful it made me play with EV settings to get it to where 565 is normally.

SkvLTD said:

Overall, 2 days of playing with it and I'm very impressed. It's so much more powerful it made me play with EV settings to get it to where 565 is normally.

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I'm glad you're pleased, The Nikon should be more "polished", but I'm skeptical of the power reports. They should be equal FX power, or actually the YN565 very slightly more. My YN565 is very slightly more power than a SB-800 (the slightest amount), which in turn is a little more than a SB-910.

You may be comparing DX mode. The SB-910 can zoom tighter for DX, and my 565 does not. That could account for 1/2 stop increase, but it is about zoom, not power.

Could be. That and since it can read far many more settings off the lens and deliver the power just right. I'm going by using both on 600 w/ 24-85 using TTL and a diffuser. And again, not that 565 was bad or anything, but 910 is much more sophisticated.

SkvLTD said:

Could be. That and since it can read far many more settings off the lens and deliver the power just right. I'm going by using both on 600 w/ 24-85 using TTL and a diffuser. And again, not that 565 was bad or anything, but 910 is much more sophisticated.

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Yeah, for 5x more cost, you'd think the SB-910 ought to do something special.

My Yongnuo YN565EX does have some rough edges...

1. Zooming doesn't shift to DX mode (I could not care less though, DX or not. Neither do my SB-800 flashes, so I'm used to that). SB-910 does.

2. No flashing Ready LED warning when flash power was insufficient for the situation requested (I do miss that). SB-910 does.

3. Dumb red focus assist pattern flashes incessantly every second in the remote slave modes. Disable only works on hot shoe. I do hate that. Could tape it over I guess. SB-910 doesn't do it.

There seems to be menus intending to control all those things, but results are inoperative in my unit.

But, these seem pretty minor things. The big picture is that its basic performance simply works great, and it is fully powered, and fully featured (except HSS and above list). Even works as a remote with a Nikon commander. It simply gets the job done, and incredibly well, and for the $100 price class seems breathtaking to me.

I have offered some observations at Review of the Yongnuo YN565EX Speedlight

It may be more about using the Nikon flash system than an actual review of a flash unit.

Oh most definitely. Why do you think I started with 565ex? Bang for every buck. Easier to use. But a free swap, is a free swap. Haha.

Right, the trade does seem quite exceptional. Ask if he needs another one.

I wouldn't trade my YN565 for ANY Nikon flash! But....that's just me.

fotojack said:

I wouldn't trade my YN565 for ANY Nikon flash! But....that's just me.

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You know, that off-camera, no extra trigger TTL mode is honestly worth the extra bucks. Got to play with that the other day and I like that. Lets me focus on the shot more than flash settings.

SkvLTD said:

You know, that off-camera, no extra trigger TTL mode is honestly worth the extra bucks. Got to play with that the other day and I like that. Lets me focus on the shot more than flash settings.

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Not sure which flash you are preferring, but the Yongnuo YN565EX has that too, and will do anything the SB-700 will do, and more, with more power, for 1/3 the price.

OK, exceptions: No HSS, cannot be a commander, and does not have GN flash mode or DX mode, and no US warranty. But certainly it can do any significant thing. And was the power and price mentioned?

The YN568EX has HSS too, but is closer to 1/2 the price.

Hmmm, must have been too long since I used it, but I don't remember it being able to TTL wirelessly. Also remember that I'm expressing my impressions aiming for the pro perspective, where even a quick on/off switch makes a difference vs long-push button deal.

SkvLTD said:

Hmmm, must have been too long since I used it, but I don't remember it being able to TTL wirelessly. Also remember that I'm expressing my impressions aiming for the pro perspective, where even a quick on/off switch makes a difference vs long-push button deal.

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Yongnuo slave mode SL is controlled by a Commander. Mode is set in commander menu. I think most of the manual only flashes don't offer SL, but the TTL flashes do. Yongnuo can be one group, and a Nikon flash another group. They all work together.
Example : Review of the Yongnuo YN565EX Speedlight