YongNuo Speedlite YN-565EX Shoe Mount Flash for Canon

Have had a pair of these (Canon version) for about 2 weeks now - for those who don't know they are YN's 'equivalent' of the 580EXII

I ran a number of tests and have also used them for a number of focus stacking (60+) shots (which will show up any output variation - found no problem).

For ETTL they cannot be a master - only a slave- you'll need a Canon flash (in built works too!) or an ST-E2. On camera they have full ETTL capabilities, including camera based control.

Optical Slave trigger in both S1 and S2 very reliable (S2 avoids trigger from ETTL preflash ).

Output- very consistent at about 1/10 of a stop below a 580EXII at all power levels - so the 565 designation seems about right (although manual says GN58/ISO110/105mm).

Flash duration - did a 'real world' test of a spinning fan - couldn't pick the difference against a 580EXII (others using flash measuring tools concur)

Recycle - same as the 580 using Eneloops/NiMH 2500

Features - everything the 580EXII has except for HS Sync emoticon - sad, and Master mode. But they do have a more tunable auto-off feature set, plus they have choice of audible feed back and of course optical slave trigger emoticon - grin

I have 2 580EXII's and a bunch of YN 560's, for interiors I often use 6 flashes , these 565's are very nice - I'll be buying another pair.

Oh BtW - I forgot to mention that in Wireless Slave mode you can set them to be triggered/controlled by BOTH Canon and Nikon units 'cn' setting (not sure how this works) or just Canon 'c' or Nikon 'n'. i.e. you can also use a Nikon S900/800/700 or c-commander
All that for about 1/3 the price a 580EXII

Really good build quality, doesn't resemble any cheap flash that I have seen. It is literally equivalent to the canon's original 580EX speedlight as for the functionality is concerned. It is slightly lighter than the canon's and dimensionally is pretty similar, you can even mount your original canon filters on it, apart from the packaging it comes with a white diffuse filter cap. Really cool features include e-ttl, slave mode, external battery plug(battery not included)and pc connection for studio work. It delivers a very powerful flash and has nice and easy interface with a backlit LCD. I highly recommend it overall, especially for someone like me that doesn't want to care much about the limitations of the secondary flashes on set and would just prefer to have all 580EX. This is a perfect solution not to spend a ton of money and still have full e-ttl functionality. On the other hand this flash would definitely spoil the beginners who would find themselves using a high-end professional flash straight away, you just wouldn't like to use anything else, so get it if can_

This is, for me, a very good flash. It was a lot of features built in for a very, very reasonable price. The ETTL system works fine, and the acoustic feature really helps when you're working with off camera flashes. Although it's not really a 58GN (more like a 54 GN), I would recommend it to anyone for it's price and performance. Obviously the build quality can be a little better, but the flash feels just good, with no wobbling on plastics and just a very little play on the hot shoe, which certainly I can live with taking in mind the price.

I have used this flash to make a variety of shots, from outside night action to studio still portraits. I have found it very accommodating as a bounce flash with the incredible range of motion allowed both horizontally and vertically. The built-in flash deflector is a wonderful tool that assist in fill flash without the harsh white-out effect. I have not used the flash as a slave as of yet, but with the settings available on the digital screen readouts, there should not be an issue there either.
The flash body is sturdy without being bulky. The metal shoe adds a very nice attachment point and allows the flash to be easy secured to the camera body without the feeling of breaking it off. The flash is designed so rechargeable batteries may be used or an external battery pack may be connected as well.

I bought the flash cause i was curious to check if it is really that good as it was written in some reviews. I have some of the other YN flashes because i usually do strobist shootings outdoor or indoor in old buildings where the conditions are not nice and using the flashes remotely the chance of have them felt on the ground is quite big, this is one of the reasons why i start buying relatively not expensive flashes but with decent quality so my choice was for the YN flashguns and i have to say i am quite happy of the quality they provide. So since i sow that YN is releasing the new 565EX i was like a child in front of an ice cream shop finding out that i can buy 3 vanilla ice creams for the price of one. When i had the 565EX in my hands for first time the initial feeling was for a really well done, solid made product. The build-up quality is more than excellent for the price. I already did couple photo shootings and the flash is behaving very good and absolutely cover my expectations. I am normally using it in a remote mode with the YN remote triggers, the flash is powerful and excellent for strobists, i am happy of the results and i am considering to buy maybe two more so i can have my lighting setup complete of this model. In a E-TTL mode the flash is very good as well and the recharging time is short enough and does not disturb the photo shooting process.