YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF Flash Review

According provided by a flash YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF huge gratitude to the company Yongnuo.

Navigation

  1. In short
  2. All Yongnuo Speedlite Flash
  3. Main Specifications
  4. Assembly
  5. My experience
  6. Price
  7. Results
  8. User Comments
  9. Add your review or question on the lens

In short

Yongnuo Speedlite YN650EX-RF - Inexpensive external flash with great capabilities for Canon EOS cameras with ETTL and HSS support. Attracted by its low cost, built-in radio syncronizer for slave or master modes, built-in powerful LED light and a rounded / oval large head for better light diffusion.

The Yongnuo Speedlite YN650EX-RF is the first flash from Yongnuo in the 'RF' family, indicating its integration into the Yongnuo 2.4GHz RF system.

YN650EX-RF can control flashes via radio channel: YN650EX-RF, YN320EX, YN685 II, YN685, YN720, YN560 IV, YN560 III, YN660, YN862, YN968C, YN860Li and synchronizers: RF605, RF603 (II) Most of them offer automatic ETTL mode and additional configuration of some parameters.

The YN650EX-RF flash can be controlled remotely by radio using other flashes: YN320EX, YN560 IV, YN660, YN720, YN862, YN860Li, YN560 TX (II), YN560TX Pro and synchronizers: RF605, RF603 (II), RF602.

The YN650EX-RF also supports master and slave modes with original Canon EOS flash units and cameras via an optical link.

Important: The Yongnuo Speedlite YN650EX-RF does not work over the air with original Canon RT flashes. For these purposes, there are outbreaks Yongnuo YN680EXRT, YN968EXRT and the like with the index 'RT'.

YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF

YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF

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.

YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF

YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF

Main Specifications of Yongnuo Speedlite YN650EX-RF

Review Instance Name Yongnuo Speedlite YN650EX-RF
Basic properties
  • flash fits all Canon EOS cameras with standard hot shoe
  • LED-backlight from 24 diodes and 100 levels of adjustment, power 2W
  • E-TTL - support for automatic operation
  • HSS - the ability to shoot with shutter speeds up to 1/8000 second
  • 16 channels for radio communication, 10000 ID
  • overheating protection (cannot be disabled)
  • focus illumination
  • sleeping mode
  • access via the camera menu (if supported by the camera)
  • lock mode (setting lock)
  • work status without camera (indicator light)
  • master flash mode via built-in radio synchronizer
  • slave flash mode via built-in radio synchronizer
  • optical channel for controlling other flash units or for slave operation
  • modes S1, S2
  • Multi - multiple flash (strobe mode)
  • M mode (with powers from 1: 1 to 1: 128)
  • PC sync - connector for cable sync with other studio equipment
  • USB-port for firmware update
  • tripod socket
  • Connector for additional power supply
  • Customizable Sound Alert
  • Large backlit display
  • Important: a flash from a third-party manufacturer, which imposes some restrictions on its practical use
Leading number 60 (at ISO 100 and 200 mm)
Zoom available zoom values: 28, 35, 50, 70, 80, 105, 135, 150, 200 mm. Installed automatically or manually
Tilt angles 90 degrees up, 7 degrees down, 180 degrees to the left and 180 degrees to the right
Elements of a food 4 batteries or AA NiMH batteries
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, each of which (except 1/1) can be adjusted +0.3, or +0.7
Разъемы
  • hot shoe with sync contact kit
  • PC connector
  • connector for external power supply
  • USB port for firmware upgrade
  • tripod socket (near the PC connector)
Extra food There is no exact data, but, most likely, they should be suitable

  • YONGNUO SF17C Compact Battery Pack
  • YONGNUO SF18C Compact Battery Pack
  • YONGNUO YN5200 SPEEDLITE POWER BANK
  • or compatible
Built-in radio synchronizer distance 100 meters
The weight 430 grams
Manufacturer country MADE IN CHINA (Made in China)
Period From November 2019
Instructions See
Price View on Aliexpress

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.

YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF

YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF

Appearance

YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF has a rather unusual appearance due to its round and very large head, which is designed to diffuse light well.

Assembly

YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF came to my review completely new. The package includes:

  1. Flash YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF
  2. instructions in Chinese and English in the form of a booklet. On the last page of the instructions there is a warranty card
  3. case for storing and transporting the flash. The case closes with Velcro, the case does not have a belt attachment, but there is an additional pocket for the flash foot
  4. mini stand (foot) for the flash, which is located in a special compartment of the wardrobe trunk. The stand has a standard tripod socket on the bottom
  5. quality control pass
  6. a piece of paper with information about errors in the instructions and apologies for inaccuracies
  7. shipping bags and clamps
  8. box with a characteristic black and gold color

The flash head does not have a temporal button for fixing its position. The flash head rotates 180 degrees to the left and 180 degrees to the right (total 360 degrees horizontal), 90 degrees up and 7 degrees down (total 97 degrees vertical). In the horizontal position, there are marks for 60, 75, 90, 120 and 150 degrees of rotation. In the upright position, there are marks for 30, 45, 60 and 75 degrees. Rotation and rotation is tight and with slight clicks.

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

It's important: YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF does not have a built-in white reflector card and does not have an optional diffuser card.

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

The flash is secured with a nice quick catch with 'floating' contacts and a padded skirt.

The connectors include a PC-sync port, a TYPE C USB port for firmware updates and a connector for additional power.

It's nice that there is tripod socket (it can be clearly seen in the photo below).

YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF

YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF

My experience

Yongnuo flashes have proven themselves quite well for a long time. The Yongnuo line of flashes has solutions for every taste and color - from cheap and simple manual ones to advanced automatic ones. You can get this functionality using original Canon flashes only for a lot more money.

The YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF recharges quickly enough. With a power of 1: 1 no longer than 3 seconds, with good new rechargeable batteries, the recharge speed reaches 2 seconds. I have about six sets of flash batteries and was pleasantly surprised by the recharge rate.

The button for turning on the LED-backlight is located in an inconvenient place (on the flash head, near the '6V' inscription). In the tilted position of the head, it is very difficult to turn on or off the LED light. The very idea of ​​a powerful LED backlight is great. I have used backlighting from my videographer's small on-camera panels more than once, which I sometimes miss when I shoot without it.

The LED light gives a light spot along the viewing angle in 2 steps along the 8 mm focal length.

An example of LED backlighting. The power of the LED backlight is sufficient to compensate for 2 steps of shutter speed... For example, without LED-backlight, 28 mm focal length at ISO 1600 and F / 2.8 indoors at a distance of 2-3 meters from the camera is required excerpt 1/125 second. With the LED-backlit on at maximum power, it takes already 1/500 of a second shutter speed.

The large, rounded flash head looks unusual. I did not appreciate her light scattering ability. The YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF does not give any special soft effect from 'head-on' work. I didn't like the lack of a built-in light-diffusing card and / or a reflective white card. I am used to the fact that good flashes are always equipped with at least a reflective card, with which I have developed techniques and methods of work for many years and decades. Shooting head-on with the YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF is extremely unusual for me.

You cannot use both the LED backlight (count as modeling light) and the main flash lamp.

A lot of information on external flashes can be found in my detailed post “Why do I need an external flash?“. Writing reviews on flashes is a torment for me, so ask specific questions about the YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF in the comments, I will try to answer immediately.

YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF

YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF

Prices

The flash price is around $ 140. On sale can be found at Aliexpress this link.

YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF

YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF. I photographed the flash in a lightcube, paved with A4 white sheets, as the cats climbed into the lightcube and wooled the white cloth for the background.

Results

The YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF is an affordable, versatile automatic flash. The main feature is a built-in powerful LED-backlight, a radio channel for controlling other external flashes or working in a slave mode. There is support for classic optical flash control using original Canon cameras and flashes. Recharges fast, works well.

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

Add a comment: Human

 

 

Comments: 17, on the topic: YONGNUO Speedlite YN650EX-RF Review

  • First name

    When will AA finally die? Is it really so difficult to do for example with two 18650s?

    • Victor

      Yes, at least one.

      All the same, one good 18650 in capacity even outstrips four high-quality eneloop pro, both in terms of price and convenience.

    • Paul

      So there are already such flashes: Yongnuo YN560Li, on two 18650s, and also a charger included.

  • Novel

    And my comment was lost.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I will figure it out, perhaps by stop words filtering

      • Novel

        Godox? :)

        • Arkady Shapoval

          I could not find your comment, 1000 spam comments came in a day and nothing was found in your email

          • Novel

            It's strange because when I resubmitted it, I was told that there was already such a comment. Well, okay, no one is interested in flashes here anyway.

            • Arkady Shapoval

              160 comments of section about external flash don't think so

              • Novel

                For 8 years. This is 0.25 of an ordinary color flux that can spontaneously arise under any topic. More posts per policy are deleted per week :)

                It is paradoxical, but true: topics related to photography itself - composition, light (not to be confused with COLOR), post-processing - are not popular at all among the community, if not even cause hostility. Fixation on fixation, search for a silver bullet - whatever combination of lens and camera to find in order to once - and a masterpiece. And do nothing. We are just looking badly, we have to look better.

  • Eugene o

    Did I understand correctly that there is nowhere to get remote control of the LED? That is, by and large, its purpose is solely a pilot, and not a constant light?
    By the way, I support about AA, if I were buying a light now, I would take a Godox which is on batteries - there is a shorter recharge time, or even a 360 ruler, on which you can even hang a plate, even though it is much more expensive.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes, we got it right.
      Yong has on akah too

  • Novel

    Okay, again. The Yongs played in support of several parallel flash directions, climbed into the lenses and lost the Godox market, perhaps even irrevocably.

    They had a line of manual flashes, a line of radio synchronizers for manual RF, which they added to some flashes with an embedded solution, a replica of the proprietary Canon RT and already their own format, similar to RT, into which they inserted their buns. For this whole zoo, similar models were released, instead of growing in depth, there was an increase in width, the models differed in little things, often intersected when the new revision of the outbreak was simpler than the old revision of the outbreak more abruptly.

    As a result, two types of radio flashes (RF and non-RF) were crossed, the RT version died, because it is secondary to Canon, there will be no compatibility at least with universal Yong transmitters.

    • Novel

      Godox took a different path and won. They developed a single format for radio synchronizers, which is natively supported by all flashes, either as an embedded solution or as a module. And they offered a lot of solutions of various levels - studio flashes, rechargeable and socket outlets, a wonderful semi-studio modular AD200, plus a bunch of modifiers and pure flash accessories. Now, for any gesture of giants like Profoto, they can release their own replica, they can experiment on their own - all this will happen within the framework of a single system supported by them from top to bottom. And the Yongs have been releasing minor styling updates over the past two years - let's try the lithium, or let's go for an adult (but inferior) modeling light. The AD200 was scrambled extremely badly, depriving it of its main feature - modularity. In the lens market, they are not chasing after trifles, in the flash market for Godox. And it's a pity, at one time they were pioneers in the market for inexpensive light and many strobists started with yong.

      • Human

        There is such a thing. When I was choosing a flash for myself, I got a little fucking with the number of modifications of the yongs, and scored on them, since choosing the flash you need from such a number and not failing in something is unrealistic, especially when I had not used flash before ...

      • Maksim

        That's exactly what a single format is. It is far from the fact that this “unity” will work normally on different photo systems.

  • Human

    It would not be good if someone suggested which line would work normally on fullframe canon mirrorless cameras on the machine, since, for example, MK-950 TTL refuses to work, although it worked on DSLRs before.

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