Yongnuo YN-560 III Flash 2.4GHz worth buying or not?

Kenntak · 07-02-2013, 04:46 AM

Thank you. If I used the Cactus V with the Yongnuo 560 III would I need two sets of the Cactus V in order to use the flash off camera and trigger both the off camera flash and the shutter release on the K-30?

Class A · 07-02-2013, 06:00 AM

Originally posted by Kenntak

If I used the Cactus V with the Yongnuo 560 III would I need two sets of the Cactus V in order to use the flash off camera and trigger both the off camera flash and the shutter release on the K-30?

Yes, you would need two Cactus V5 Duo (i.e., four transceiver) plus the shutter trigger cable.

You cannot fire the camera and the flash with the one transceiver, since the flash would fire immediately while the camera has considerable shutter lag.
Hence, you need to trigger the camera which then triggers the transceiver that remote triggers the flash.

Kenntak · 07-02-2013, 06:38 AM

Thank you for explaining that to me. I might start with just the Yongnuo 560 III or another flash and then determine what my needs will be regarding triggers.

obscura · 07-15-2013, 01:25 PM

The YN 560 III is a workhorse, i have 2 and i love them!
you can use the RF 603 N triggers, they work just fine with the k-30 and the k-5.
*if you have the cactus they are a great choice, its just that the YN 560 III has internal rf 602/3 receivers

Alizarine · 07-15-2013, 04:36 PM

Originally posted by obscura

The YN 560 III is a workhorse, i have 2 and i love them!
you can use the RF 603 N triggers, they work just fine with the k-30 and the k-5.
*if you have the cactus they are a great choice, its just that the YN 560 III has internal rf 602/3 receivers

Hmm so the 560 III can work with the RF603 triggers. I see. I tried them before with the 560 Mk1 but it won't fire

Kenntak · 07-15-2013, 05:56 PM

I am confused because I thought I read in this forum that the RF603 doesn't work with the K-30.

obscura · 07-15-2013, 11:27 PM

i tried them myself, the RF 603 N (nikon version) works just fine...
the RF603 C (canon version) doesnt work at all...
the RF602 C also works but not in full sync speed (1/125) but with a simple hack, by putting a rubberband that halfpresses the transmitter button, it works at full sync speed 1/180 without a problem.

obscura · 07-15-2013, 11:47 PM

@Kenntak
i read above that you want to remotely trigger the camera and the flash... the thing with the RF603N is that the release trigger cable that comes with, is for nikon... so you'll need to buy separately a cable thats compatible with pentax... i dont have the cable so i cant say if it works, it should though...

Kenntak · 07-18-2013, 05:18 AM

Originally posted by obscura

@Kenntak
i read above that you want to remotely trigger the camera and the flash... the thing with the RF603N is that the release trigger cable that comes with, is for nikon... so you'll need to buy separately a cable thats compatible with pentax... i dont have the cable so i cant say if it works, it should though...

Thank you obscura, I will have to confirm that.

gryhnd · 07-18-2013, 01:21 PM

In my gear bag are two YN560-II, a Metz 58AF-2, and an old Speedlite 177A. For triggers I use Cowboy Studios NPT-04 (three receivers total). I have an optical trigger as well I can use as backup indoors if needed.

Anyhow, love the YN560-IIs....they get a LOT of use. More than the Metz usually.

Kenntak · 07-29-2013, 05:37 AM

I purchased the Yongnuo 560 III and RF 603 N based on Obscura's advice. They work fine with my K-30, thanks!

I do have one question though. I have the transmitter on my camera and the other one placed on the flash that is set up 10 feet away from the camera. If I want to take one picture without the external flash operating, how do I do that without physically turning the 560 III or RF 603 off?

obscura · 07-29-2013, 05:44 AM

Originally posted by Kenntak

I purchased the Yongnuo 560 III and RF 603 N based on Obscura's advice. They work fine with my K-30, thanks!

I do have one question though. I have the transmitter on my camera and the other one placed on the flash that is set up 10 feet away from the camera. If I want to take one picture without the external flash operating, how do I do that without physically turning the 560 III or RF 603 off?

there are only 3 ways, either turn the flash off, either the 603 off, or set the camera to a faster than 1/180 shutterspeed
also in the the 560III when you set it to wireless, you can press the mode button until it shows -- (cycle through M -> Multi -> -- ) on the power indicator, it is a way to keep the flash on, but without firing...

Kenntak · 07-29-2013, 06:04 AM

Thank you again.

obscura · 07-29-2013, 06:26 AM

no problem kenntak
i wanted to mention that a friend of mine bought 2 560III and wanted the yongnuo triggers, but also wanted to use an on camera flash... i found that the yongnuo triggers are not ideal for him as they do not lock in place on the hotshoe, so i searched and finally got for him the wansen WS-603C (he uses canon) it is a compatible copy of the yongnuo, its is very new, and it seems to solve some of the design problems that the yongnuo have...
i havent tried them yet, as i dont have canon, so i dont know how they perform, or how much compatible they are... but there are some things that i like by looking at them...
1) the on/off switch is on the side so it is easier to switch the trigger when a flash is attached
2) they have a locking mechanism on the hotshoe which is a big deal !
3) the channel switch is on the outside for easier access
4) the sync jack is a minijack instead of the pc-sync which, for someone that uses studio flash, is a much better deal...
ohh also, they are cheaper !!!
i'll test them soon, probably tonight, and i'll get back to you as to how they perform.

you can read an article about them here
http://www.lightingrumours.com/wansen-ws-603-notched-up-knock-off-knocker-of...he-offing-4228

Class A · 07-29-2013, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by Kenntak

If I want to take one picture without the external flash operating, how do I do that without physically turning the 560 III or RF 603 off?

Can you not just change the channel or group on the RF 603?

The Cactus V5 has a dial which you can simply turn to either include a flash in a multi-flash setup or not.

At setting "channel 1" the V5 will fire all flashes set to channels 1-5. At other channel settings, it will only fire the flashes set to this particular channel (which could be none).

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07-02-2013, 04:46 AM	#16
Kenntak Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 198	Thank you. If I used the Cactus V with the Yongnuo 560 III would I need two sets of the Cactus V in order to use the flash off camera and trigger both the off camera flash and the shutter release on the K-30?

07-02-2013, 06:00 AM	#17
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by Kenntak If I used the Cactus V with the Yongnuo 560 III would I need two sets of the Cactus V in order to use the flash off camera and trigger both the off camera flash and the shutter release on the K-30? Yes, you would need two Cactus V5 Duo (i.e., four transceiver) plus the shutter trigger cable. You cannot fire the camera and the flash with the one transceiver, since the flash would fire immediately while the camera has considerable shutter lag. Hence, you need to trigger the camera which then triggers the transceiver that remote triggers the flash.

07-02-2013, 06:38 AM	#18
Kenntak Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 198	Thank you for explaining that to me. I might start with just the Yongnuo 560 III or another flash and then determine what my needs will be regarding triggers.

07-15-2013, 01:25 PM	#19
obscura Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 127	The YN 560 III is a workhorse, i have 2 and i love them! you can use the RF 603 N triggers, they work just fine with the k-30 and the k-5. *if you have the cactus they are a great choice, its just that the YN 560 III has internal rf 602/3 receivers

07-15-2013, 04:36 PM	#20
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	Originally posted by obscura The YN 560 III is a workhorse, i have 2 and i love them! you can use the RF 603 N triggers, they work just fine with the k-30 and the k-5. *if you have the cactus they are a great choice, its just that the YN 560 III has internal rf 602/3 receivers Hmm so the 560 III can work with the RF603 triggers. I see. I tried them before with the 560 Mk1 but it won't fire

07-15-2013, 05:56 PM	#21
Kenntak Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 198	I am confused because I thought I read in this forum that the RF603 doesn't work with the K-30.

07-15-2013, 11:27 PM	#22
obscura Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 127	i tried them myself, the RF 603 N (nikon version) works just fine... the RF603 C (canon version) doesnt work at all... the RF602 C also works but not in full sync speed (1/125) but with a simple hack, by putting a rubberband that halfpresses the transmitter button, it works at full sync speed 1/180 without a problem.

07-15-2013, 11:47 PM	#23
obscura Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 127	@Kenntak i read above that you want to remotely trigger the camera and the flash... the thing with the RF603N is that the release trigger cable that comes with, is for nikon... so you'll need to buy separately a cable thats compatible with pentax... i dont have the cable so i cant say if it works, it should though...

07-18-2013, 05:18 AM	#24
Kenntak Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 198	Originally posted by obscura @Kenntak i read above that you want to remotely trigger the camera and the flash... the thing with the RF603N is that the release trigger cable that comes with, is for nikon... so you'll need to buy separately a cable thats compatible with pentax... i dont have the cable so i cant say if it works, it should though... Thank you obscura, I will have to confirm that.

07-18-2013, 01:21 PM	#25
gryhnd Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Southeastern MA Posts: 240	In my gear bag are two YN560-II, a Metz 58AF-2, and an old Speedlite 177A. For triggers I use Cowboy Studios NPT-04 (three receivers total). I have an optical trigger as well I can use as backup indoors if needed. Anyhow, love the YN560-IIs....they get a LOT of use. More than the Metz usually.

07-29-2013, 05:37 AM	#26
Kenntak Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 198	I purchased the Yongnuo 560 III and RF 603 N based on Obscura's advice. They work fine with my K-30, thanks! I do have one question though. I have the transmitter on my camera and the other one placed on the flash that is set up 10 feet away from the camera. If I want to take one picture without the external flash operating, how do I do that without physically turning the 560 III or RF 603 off?

07-29-2013, 05:44 AM	#27
obscura Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 127	Originally posted by Kenntak I purchased the Yongnuo 560 III and RF 603 N based on Obscura's advice. They work fine with my K-30, thanks! I do have one question though. I have the transmitter on my camera and the other one placed on the flash that is set up 10 feet away from the camera. If I want to take one picture without the external flash operating, how do I do that without physically turning the 560 III or RF 603 off? there are only 3 ways, either turn the flash off, either the 603 off, or set the camera to a faster than 1/180 shutterspeed also in the the 560III when you set it to wireless, you can press the mode button until it shows -- (cycle through M -> Multi -> -- ) on the power indicator, it is a way to keep the flash on, but without firing...

07-29-2013, 06:04 AM	#28
Kenntak Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 198	Thank you again.

07-29-2013, 06:26 AM	#29
obscura Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 127	no problem kenntak i wanted to mention that a friend of mine bought 2 560III and wanted the yongnuo triggers, but also wanted to use an on camera flash... i found that the yongnuo triggers are not ideal for him as they do not lock in place on the hotshoe, so i searched and finally got for him the wansen WS-603C (he uses canon) it is a compatible copy of the yongnuo, its is very new, and it seems to solve some of the design problems that the yongnuo have... i havent tried them yet, as i dont have canon, so i dont know how they perform, or how much compatible they are... but there are some things that i like by looking at them... 1) the on/off switch is on the side so it is easier to switch the trigger when a flash is attached 2) they have a locking mechanism on the hotshoe which is a big deal ! 3) the channel switch is on the outside for easier access 4) the sync jack is a minijack instead of the pc-sync which, for someone that uses studio flash, is a much better deal... ohh also, they are cheaper !!! i'll test them soon, probably tonight, and i'll get back to you as to how they perform. you can read an article about them here http://www.lightingrumours.com/wansen-ws-603-notched-up-knock-off-knocker-of...he-offing-4228

07-29-2013, 08:50 AM	#30
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by Kenntak If I want to take one picture without the external flash operating, how do I do that without physically turning the 560 III or RF 603 off? Can you not just change the channel or group on the RF 603? The Cactus V5 has a dial which you can simply turn to either include a flash in a multi-flash setup or not. At setting "channel 1" the V5 will fire all flashes set to channels 1-5. At other channel settings, it will only fire the flashes set to this particular channel (which could be none).