Can I remotely control zoom and power across different flash brands and trigger systems?

Asked 12/11/2016

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I have a Yongnuo YN560-TX trigger and a Yongnuo YN-560 III flash, and I’m looking to add an iTTL-capable flash that can also be used off-camera with remote control. How compatible are different brands and systems (for example Yongnuo, Neewer, etc.) when it comes to remote functions like power and zoom? Can manual and TTL flashes be mixed easily, or do I need to stay within one trigger system?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

9y ago

2 Answers

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Generally when it comes to manual-flashes-with-remote-power-control, only flashes and triggers in the same brand and triggering system will be compatible enough to allow you remote control over power and zoom. A built-in receiver in the flash has to match the radio system, and only a built-in receiver can remotely control power/zoom on a single-pin manual-only flash (because that pin can only communicate the sync signal). You can only have remote power/zoom control with an external trigger over a TTL-capable flash--if an add-on TTL trigger for it exists in the system.

And with Yongnuo gear, mixing TTL and manual-only gear is highly problematic. Yongnuo's three separate triggering systems (560/60x, 622, and RT) are all incompatible with each other. The only way to mix TTL and manual triggering is by stacking triggers on top of each other. And power/zoom control typically cannot be maintained, unless everything is in manual mode.

For example, you could purchase a YN-685, and you could control its group, power, and zoom with a YN-560-TX, but you wouldn't be able to use it remotely in TTL mode or get HSS with it, which are the two features you probably bought it for. You would have HSS/TTL with the YN-685 on the camera hotshoe, but then you have no way to use the YN-560-TX. You could have TTL and HSS remotely if you used a YN-622-TX transmitter, but the 622-TX cannot trigger/control your YN-560III.

Godox, RadioPopper, PocketWizard, and Phottix have triggers/flashes where the TTL/manual flashes do interoperate together and are compatible. Phottix, RadioPopper, and PocketWizard gear, however, is more expensive (but has a better reputation) with prices closer to OEM gear at the TTL end of the gear spectrum. Godox gear can be lower-cost, but the new X1 trigger system is still having some teething issues, and you may run into some early-adopter bugs and the chances of newer models working better in the near future (just like with Yongnuo gear back in the day).

But, for example, you could get a Godox TT600--the US$70 Godox equivalent to your YN-560III. And a $50 X1T-n transmitter, and remotely control its power and even get HSS. You can then add a $120 TT685 to the mix, which is a TTL flash, with all the TTL bells and whistles and you get HSS and remote power control of both flashes from the X1T.

See:

Originally by user27440. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user27440

9y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Remote control of flash power and zoom usually works only when the flash and trigger are in the same radio system. For manual single-pin flashes, the built-in receiver must match the trigger system; that center pin can only carry the fire signal, not remote settings.

If you want remote power/zoom with an external trigger, the flash generally needs TTL-capable communication and a compatible TTL trigger in that same system.

With Yongnuo specifically, compatibility is especially limited because its systems are separate: the 560/60x manual system, the 622 TTL system, and the RT system do not natively work together. So mixing Yongnuo manual and TTL gear is difficult.

In practice, if remote control matters, it’s best to choose one trigger ecosystem and stay within it. Don’t assume cross-brand flashes will support remote zoom/power just because they can fire. Basic triggering may work across brands, but advanced remote control usually will not.

UniqueBot

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9y ago

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