YONGNUO Speedlite YN560 IV Flash Review

According provided by Flash YONGNUO Speedlite YN560 IV many thanks GearBest.

1. In short
2. Difference from YN560 III
3. All Yongnuo Speedlite Flash
4. Main Specifications
5. Assembly
6. TX mode
7. RX mode
8. S1 and S2 modes
9. Multi mode
10. Custom settings
11. My experience
12. Price
13. Results
14. User Comments
15. Add your review or question on the lens

'YONGNUO Speedlite YN560 IV' will be abbreviated as 'YN560 IV' in this review.

In short

YN560 IV - popular budget external flash. The logical continuation of the previous model YN560III. It attracts with its low cost, built-in radio synchro for working in slave or master modes.

Mostly manual flash is used by amateur photographers as a very cheap alternative to original TTL automatic flashes, as well as by experienced users as remote flashes.

Important 1: This is a manual flash. Flash power must be set manually. Power is set as a fraction of the total power. So 1/1 means full / maximum flash power, and, for example, 1/32 means that only one thirty-second of the maximum power will be used.

Important 2: focal length (zoom) must be set manually. This can be a little embarrassing when shooting with a zoom lens. With a fixed lens, there are no particular problems with this inconvenience.

Important 3: this flash is not designed for any one system like Nikon or Canon. The YN560 IV can be used on all cameras that have a standard hot shoe with a center sync terminal.

Difference from YN560 III

The main difference between the YN560 IV and the previous model YN560III Now you can control other compatible flashes over the air.

Using compatible flash / radio sync flash YN560III could only be controlled remotely. This behavior of the flash is called slave mode, on flashes YN560III / YN560 IV is abbreviated RX ie Receiver - receiver (receiver) mode. FROMama on my own YN560III could not work as a master / control flash. This flash behavior is called master flash or MASTER flash and is abbreviated on the YN560 IV. TX ie Transmitter - transmitter (transmitter) mode.

As a result, the YN560 IV has a built-in radio transmitter that can work both as a receiver and as a transmitter.

YN560 IV can now partially replace the transmitter YN560-TX. The YN560 IV flash can only control up to three groups of remote flash units, while YN560-TX can control up to six led groups.

Also, the YN560 IV has slightly changed the control, instead of the 'GR' (group selection) function, the YN560 IV uses the 'ACT' (flash activation) function.

Initially, the YN560 III comes without a 'activation' band. But the YN560 IV from the box is already activated, i.e. in RX mode it already has a certain group set. To activate the YN560 III group (in RX mode) using the YN560 IV, you need to simultaneously press the buttons on the YN560 IV in TX mode located on the sides of the 'ACT' inscription and wait for synchronization between the YN560 IV and YN560 III. When the display of the YN560 III shows 'abracadabra', hold down the central button of the YN1 III joystick for 2-560 seconds, after which the YN560 III will be activated and included in the 'A' group. To work the YN560 III with synchronizers such as Yongnuo RF-602, RF-603, group activation is not required.

Well, it’s just a trifle: the modification number for the YN560 IV is painted on the body of the flash in blue and without a dash, and for the YN560 III - in black and with a dash.

UPDATE: in 2018, an update was released for the YN560 IV version, which received a USB port for updating the firmware.

All Yongnuo Speedlite Flash

Yongnuo has a huge, huge number of different flashes. Flashes differ in a set of functions. Conditionally, I divided them into automatic (with TTL support) and manual.

Yongnuo manual flashes (without TTL)

A distinctive feature of all these outbreaks is the presence of only one central sync contactallowing them to be used with any cameras that have the same center sync terminal for activating an external flash on their hot shoe. The hot shoe is where the external flash is attached to the camera.

1. Yongnuo yn420, powerful portable studio flash with battery
2. Yongnuo yn460, introduced in autumn 2009. First outbreak from Yongnuo
3. Yongnuo yn462, the simplest manual flash from Yongnuo. Unlike YN460, it lacks S1 / S2 modes and diode power indicators. Swivel angle increased
   
4. Yongnuo yn460-II, two subversions: with a metal or plastic foot, depending on the year of production. Guide number increased, PC connector removed, battery cover changed
5. Yongnuo yn460-RXcomes with a radio synchronizer YN-460TX. Can work in TTL but only as a slave mode (when the flash is controlled remotely)
6. Yongnuo yn560, a zoom from 24 to 105 mm appeared, a PC-connector and an additional power connector were added, a sound notification appeared, a head lock button
   
7. Yongnuo yn560 IILCD display added
   
8. Yongnuo yn510 EX, added TTL mode, but only for slave mode (when the flash is controlled remotely using light commands)
9. Yongnuo yn560 EXadded TTL radio mode, but only for slave mode (when the flash is controlled remotely by radio)
10. Yongnuo yn560III, added slave flash function over the air
    
11. Yongnuo yn560IV, added the function of the leading flash over the air
    
12. Yongnuo yn560LI, two lithium batteries instead of 4 AA batteries
13. Yongnuo yn560 IV_2018, added the function of updating the firmware via USB, the rest is like YN560IV
14. Yongnuo yn660, the number of groups for controlling other flashes has increased, the zoom has expanded to 200 mm, the controls and interface have been redesigned (similar to YN-685), the angle of rotation of the head is expanded
15. Yongnuo yn860LIstarted using the Yongnuo YN-B1800 battery instead of two batteries (as in YN560LI), the function of updating the firmware via USB was added, the port for the external power supply was removed
16. Yongnuo yn720started using a large battery Yongnuo YN-B2000

Usually manual flashes from Yongnuo end with a zero in their name-number (with the exception of YN500EX и YN462 ).

TTL flash Yongnuo (automatic)

Auto modes supported depending on model Canon E-TTL / E-TTL II, Nikon i-TTL, Sony TTL и Pentax P-TTL.

1. Yongnuo yn320EX (Sony), TTL flash for Sony (multi-shoe), under 2 AA
2. Yongnuo yn465 (Nikon / Canon), the first TTL flash
3. Yongnuo yn467 (Nikon / Canon)
4. Yongnuo yn467 II (Nikon)
5. Yongnuo yn468 (Canon), two versions: with a metal or plastic foot depending on the year of production
6. Yongnuo yn468 II (Nikon / Canon), improved battery compartment, added PC port
7. Yongnuo yn500EX (Nikon / Canon), FP / HSS, CLS / Remote eTTL. Looks like YN568EX
8. Yongnuo yn565EX (Nikon / Canon), no FP / HSS, CLS / remote eTTL
9. Yongnuo yn565EXII (Canon)
10. Yongnuo yn565EXIII (Nikon / Canon)
    
11. Yongnuo yn568EX (Canon), FP / HSS, CLS / Remote eTTL
12. Yongnuo yn568EXII (Nikon / Canon), added master flash mode for eTTL
    
13. Yongnuo yn568EXIII (Nikon / Canon), added USB port for firmware
14. Yongnuo yn585EX (Pentax), TTL without HSS
15. Yongnuo yn600EXRT (Canon)
16. Yongnuo yn600EX RT II (Canon), added master flash mode for eTTL
17. Yongnuo yn650EX RF (Canon), with built-in radio syncronizer and constant LED light
18. Yongnuo yn680EXRT (Canon), with built-in radio syncronizer compatible with Canon RT
    
19. Yongnuo yn685 (Nikon / Canon), with built-in radio synchronizer, without optical traps
20. Yongnuo yn685 II (Canon), with built-in radio syncronizer
21. Yongnuo yn686EXRT (Nikon / Canon), uses a rechargeable battery, otherwise similar to YN600EX RTII
22. yongnuo YN862C (Canon) uses a battery
23. Yongnuo yn968EXRT (Canon)
    
24. Yongnuo yn968N (Nikon), with built-in radio trigger, LED video light, Nikon CLS only as a slave
    
25. yongnuo YN968NII (Nikon), with built-in radio syncronizer
26. Yongnuo yn968C (Canon)
    
27. Yongnuo Macro Flash YN14EX, ring flash for macro photography
    
28. Yongnuo Macro Flash YN14EXII, ring flash for macro photography
29. Yongnuo Macro Flash YN24EX, ring flash for macro photography

I will be glad to comment on the model range of these outbreaks, or separately on any of them.

Main technical characteristics of YONGNUO Speedlite YN560 IV

Review Instance Name	YONGNUO DIGITAL Speedlite YN560 IV
Basic properties	The flash is suitable for all cameras with a standard hot shoe with central sync. Only manual control of flash output and zoom position Integrated Reflector Card Built-in wide-angle diffuser TX - master flash mode by means of a built-in radio synchronizer RX - slave flash mode via built-in radio synchronizer S1, S2 - slave flash modes by means of a light trap Multi - multiple flash (strobe mode) PC sync - connector for cable sync with other studio equipment Customizable Sound Alert Front indicator light Large backlit display Important: a flash from a third-party manufacturer, which imposes some restrictions on its practical use
Leading number	58 (at ISO 100 and 105 mm)
Zoom	available zoom values: 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, 80, 105 mm
Tilt angles	90 degrees up, 7 degrees down, 180 degrees to the left and 90 degrees to the right
Elements of a food	4 batteries or AA nickel-manganese batteries (lithium batteries must not be used)
Colorful temperature	By 5600
Pulse duration	1/200 s at a power of 1/1 1/20.000 s at a power of 1/128
Number of power setting levels	8 main levels, for each of which (with the exception of 1/1), you can fine-tune +0.3, or +0.5, or +0.7 (depending on the step exposure: third of a step or half of a step, or combined, the step is set in the menu)
Разъемы	hot shoe with central sync contact PC connector connector for external power supply
Extra food	YONGNUO SF17C Compact Battery Pack YONGNUO SF18C Compact Battery Pack YONGNUO YN5200 SPEEDLITE POWER BANK or compatible
Built-in radio synchronizer distance	100 m
The weight	350 g
Manufacturer country	MADE IN CHINA (Made in China)
Period	From 12 September to 2014
Instructions	View (English only)
Price	Look at GearBest

External flash nowadays it has a huge number of functions, capabilities and settings. You will find a lot of useful information on the topic 'why do I need an external flash at all' in my article here.

Assembly

YN560 IV came to me on a review completely new. Package Includes:

1. Flash YN560 IV
2. instructions in Chinese and English in the form of a small book. On the last page of the manual is a warranty card
3. carrying case for storing and transporting the flash. Coffer closes with Velcro
4. a mini-stand for flash, which is located in a special compartment coffer. The stand has a standard tripod socket on the bottom.
5. coupon with the date of manufacture (the flash from the review was made on March 31, 2018)
6. dehumidifier bag (located in the battery compartment of the flash)
7. a warning ticket about using lithium batteries instead of batteries or nickel manganese batteries (located in the battery compartment of the flash, which is pretty smart)
8. shipping bags and clamps
9. box with a characteristic black and gold color (cosplay boxes from Nikon Speedlight?)

Externally, YN560 IV is very similar to Canon SpeedLite 580EX. Most likely the appearance of the lineup YN560 -> YN560II -> YN560III -> YN560 IV was copied from it. To the touch, the YN560 IV is similar to a large number of its siblings.

The flash head does not have a temporal button to lock its position. The flash head rotates 180 degrees to the left, 90 degrees to the right (total 270 degrees horizontal), 90 degrees up and 7 degrees down (total 97 degrees vertical) In the horizontal position, the rotation of the head occurs by clicks, 30 degrees per click. There are marks for 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 degrees in one direction and 30, 60, 90 degrees in the other. In the vertical position, the rotation of the head also occurs with clicks; there are marks for 30, 45, 60 and 75 degrees.

The battery cover to the touch is quite reliable. You can quickly get used to the location of the batteries.

Take out the built-in white card reflector and diffuser very difficult. The protrusion for which you should pry and pull out the card is very small and uncomfortable.

The rubber plug that closes the PC-port and the connector for additional power supply is inconvenient; efforts and time should be made to fix it properly after opening.

When you change the focal length, the flash emits characteristic noise from electric drive.

To fix the flash, use clamping disc instead of a lever. This reduces the speed and convenience of attaching / detaching the flash to a camera or stand, and may also cause the flash to jam in the hot shoe. There is a drawn arrow next to the disc that says 'LOCK'. If the disc is jammed, then by this arrow you can easily navigate in which direction the disc should be rotated to remove the flash.

TX mode

In this mode, the YN560 IV functions as a master flash. Three groups of compatible flash units, such as Yongnuo YN560 III and Yongnuo YN560 IV. 16 independent channels are supported for convenient operation with a large number of flashes, which is especially important during the work of several photographers with the same flash / sync.

For remote flash units, you can set:

• zoom position
• operating mode M with a given power from 1/1 to 1/128
• Multi operating mode with a given power from 1/4 to 1/128, a frequency of 1 to 100 hertz and a number of repetitions from 1 to 100
• operating mode - i.e. turn off one of the flash groups, which can be useful when shooting with different light patterns

Slave flash setting method not obvious at firstbut you can quickly figure it out. Parameters on remote flash units change almost instantly.

• transition between controlled groups is carried out by pressing the central button of the joystick on the YN560 IV
• parameters of the YN560 IV in TX mode are adjusted when the flash group is set to 'GR -'

Unfortunately, the YN560 IV cannot be configured so that during shooting it will not work, and will only play the role of the control module, but you can set the minimum power to 1/128 and thus approach the desired result.

Important: If the master flash unit is attached to a camera or synchronizer, and the slave flash output is changed manually, the slave flash will fire at the manual flash output, not the one set on the master flash unit. To synchronize the parameters, press the 'PILOT' test firing button on the master flash unit. At the same time, the test firing button has a small lag, which allows transferring the shooting parameters to the slave flash.

RX mode

In this mode, the YN560 IV functions as a slave flash, and can be controlled remotely using radio synchronizers. Yongnuo RF-602, RF-603, RF-603II, RF-605, YN560-TX or other flash YN560 IV. Perhaps in the future there will be some other compatible devices.

To use the radio-controlled flash function, you need to use the button with the lightning icon to select the mode with the flash icon and the inscription RX, which means that the flash will work as a receiver. After that, you need to set the channel, which must correspond to the channel on the transmitter (including the YN560 IV).

In RX mode, a red diode blinks in front of the flash, which indicates that the flash is in remote control mode. For the flash to work correctly in RX mode, you need to select the desired transmitter in the flash menu, the function 'rf 60 2' is responsible for this, which can take the values ​​'2' or '3' depending on the transmitter RF-602 or RF-603.

In addition, you can set up a sound notification about the triggering and successful recharging of the flash, as well as the time to enter sleep mode and the time when the power is completely turned off to save power.

S1 and S2 modes

In S1 and S2 modes, the flash output is also set manually, from 1/128 to 1/1 (full) with the possibility of correction to +0.3, +0.5 or +0.7 steps (depending on settings).

With S1 mode The YN560 IV can be ignited by the first light pulse from the master flash. This is a very simple and effective light trap mode.

In S2 mode the flash is ignited without any problems on the second pulse of the leading flash. This is a very convenient mode when the master flash master is in TTL auto mode.

In fact, S2 mode also works great not only on the second pulse, but by any last impulse from the master flash (the so-called PRE-flash Cancel Mode, pre-flash cancel mode). This is very useful when the master flash additionally controls a large number of groups of external flashes, creating many auxiliary command light pulses. YN560 IV burns perfectly in S2 mode from my Nikon master flash SB-900, which remotely controls three more different flash groups in TTL mode and works in TTL mode itself.

In modes S1 and S2, a single red indicator blinks on the front of the flash to indicate that the flash is in remote control mode and is ready for use. You can additionally turn on a sound signal that will notify you of a successful recharge after each YN560 IV operation in S1 and S2 modes.

Important: the light trap, which is responsible for receiving command pulses, is located on the front panel of the YN560 IV. In modes S1 and S2, the flash must be placed so that it easily picks up the command pulse of the master flash master or command unit. This is easy to do, as the flash head rotates and you can always point it in the right direction.

Important: the light trap also responds to infrared light, which is used by some command devices.

Multi mode

The mode is selected with the 'Mode' button.

In this mode, you can set a multiple flash (strobe mode). You can select the power of each individual pulse from the set: 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/128.

To select the number of impulses and their frequency, hold down the central button of the joystick for a while (in the instructions this button is called the 'OK' button). For a minimum power of 1/128, a maximum of 40 pulses at 100 hertz can be selected, or 100 pulses at 1 hertz. For a maximum power of 1/4, you can select up to 7 pulses at 1 hertz or 2 pulses at 10 to 100 hertz. Various combinations are possible depending on the number of pulses and / or frequency.

What can this mode be used for? I have described here.

Custom settings

To enter the user settings menu, simultaneously press two buttons between which an arrow and the inscription 'FN' are drawn.

• Gc ab c - selection of the number of groups for remote control. You can set 1 (A), 2 (Ab) or 3 (Ab c) groups. This function can help save time when setting up remote flash groups. Can only be configured when TX mode is on
• SL EP on / - - enable or disable power saving mode (sleep)
• SE of 3 30 - waiting time before entering sleep and shutdown mode in minutes for modes 'M' and 'Multi'. Can be selected in pairs: 3/30, 15/60, 30/120, - / 120
• Sd 60 - waiting time before shutdown in minutes for modes S1, S2. You can choose 30, 60 or 120 minutes
• Sd 5 30 - waiting time before entering sleep and shutdown mode in minutes for 'RX' mode. Can be selected in pairs: 5/30, 15/60, 30/120, - / 120
• LCD - display backlight activation time. Choose from 7, 15 or 30 seconds
• So nd on - enable or disable the sound signal. The same function can be activated by holding down the button with the drawn light bulb / note icon
• inc - sets the power correction step. You can choose 0.3 or 0.5 or combined type
• quic - sets the method for turning off the flash by long or short pressing the shutdown button
• RF 60 2 - choice of work with RF-602 or RF-603 synchronizer
• CL-EA - reset. To execute, hold down the central button of the joystick

My experience

I worked with the YN560 IV for about a week, used it with good rechargeable batteries Panasonic eneloop AA 1900mAhthat charged using La Crosse BC1000. The full recharge time at a pulse power of 1/1 is about two seconds.

At the time of writing this review, I was very very surprised by the fact that in just 10 years, Yongnuo has created almost fifty flash models! It’s not so easy to build some adequate picture of what is happening among the Yongnuo outbreaks (see the section at the beginning of the review).

Also, when preparing this particular review, I discovered unusual fact... Over the past 10 years, I have changed a lot of photographic equipment, the only thing I still use is my brave and experienced Nikon Speedlight SB-900, which ran at least a million shots and continues to delight me. Of course, the YN560 IV cannot be compared with a professional SB-900but still looking at all my battle injuries SB-900 I can say with confidence that not one YN560 IV will survive what she saw SB-900... Also, I want to note that a few more of my additional METZ flashes quickly deteriorated from frequent use. The main problems are the breakdown of the battery compartment, the zoom wedge, the melting of the diffuser, the failure of the main lamp, the breakage of the shoe.

YN560 IV is a simple and pleasant flash, you can get a lot of functionality from it, if you approach its use wisely.

The entire series of flashes YN560-I-II-III-IV considered successful enough among strobists, and on aliexpress YN560 IV they sell packs sets of 3-4 items (one controls three more).

Nikon, for example, does not have modern manual flashes, and automatic TTL flashes such as SB-700are significantly more expensive. For example, the same SB-700 costs 4 times more expensive than YN560 IV. As a result, users who do not need TTL modes, there is no point in creating a lighting kit based on the original flashes. Manual flashes, such as the YN560 IV, cope with this task with a bang.

Prices

It is the flash instance that is shown here in the review that came with GearBest. This flash is very easy to buy. at this link.

Results

YN560 IV is a simple and functional manual flash. The main feature is the built-in radio synchronizer, which works as a transmitter and a receiver. The range of YN560 IV applications is very wide.

Advantages

1. low cost (at GearBest costs about 70 dollars)
2. carrying case and foot (mini stand) included
3. convenient set of focal lengths for zoom (from 24 to 105 mm)
4. high enough power
5. the flash can be remotely controlled using a radio synchronizer built into other flash units Yongnuo YN560 III and Yongnuo YN560 IV (and other compatible), as well as using radio synchronizers Yongnuo RF-602, RF-603, RF-603II, RF-605, YN560-TX (and other compatible)
6. flash can remotely control other flashes Yongnuo YN560 III and Yongnuo YN560 IV (and other compatible) using the built-in radio synchronizer. 3 independent flash groups are supported. Remotely set power, zoom, and remote flash mode
7. the flash can be activated remotely using the built-in light trap
8. second curtain synchronization support
9. support for strobe mode (Multi mode)
10. customizable beep, convenient when using the flash remotely
11. customizable sleep and auto shutdown modes
12. indicator light on the front of the flash
13. integrated reflector card
14. built-in wide-angle diffuser
15. overheating alert (I could not determine how it works)
16. PC-sync connector
17. large monochrome backlit display
18. simple and intuitive controls
19. several user settings
20. external power support

Disadvantages

1. a clamping disk is used instead of a lever to fix the flash
2. manual flash setting only
3. manual zoom only
4. no high speed sync support
5. no battery indicator
6. unknown flash survivability and little information on official service centers
7. the absence of a large number of small useful trifles characteristic of the original outbreaks (it makes no sense to list them all)

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram