Yongnuo YN-565EX ETTL Speedlite Flash for Canon

I just received the flash a few days ago and so far it works as advertised. I have not done an extensive field test with it yet, but I will update if something noteworthy comes up.

First impression: Build quality is wonderful (for the price). At first glance, it looks very similar to the 580EX II. However, upon closer inspection, I noticed subtle differences.
-The zoom mechanism is significantly noisier.
-The tilt/swivel head does not lock when releasing the side buttons. As a matter of fact, it does not even have a lock realease button under the rubber cover. Its just there to mimic the 580EX II.
-It does not have weather sealing rubber to cover the hot-shoe. It uses the old fashioned locking ring to attach to the hot shoe.
-The buttons and controls are slightly different
-It does not do high-speed sync
-No built-in wireless commander (Master control)

Wireless triggering: Can be triggered by the Canon 580EX II, Yongnuo ST-E2... Read more

I got this flash from amazon and I love it. The instruction manual is terrible so even after reading it twice cover to cover, I was still a bit confused about how to best use it. THAT being said, now that i know how to use it I want to buy a few more. Although the package as a whole is not quite up to the Japanese quality, it is pretty close for a fraction of the price.

PRO:
WORKS GREAT OFF CAMERA USING THE BUILT IN WIRELESS MODE.
Automatic mode works great, pressing the preflash button does a good job of setting the flash power.
Manual mode is easy to do what you want to do.
Sturdy build
Zoom
Comes with feet and holster. The feet have a tripod thread so you could mount this to a tripod if you dont have a umbrella stand adapter.
Potent eye grapeing flash at full power

CON:
1) No high speed sync (My canon t3i can only get up to 1/200 shutter speed with this. This is fine for most stuff, but high speed sync still is my... Read more

I am what I consider a Semi-Pro photographer. I do it because I love it, Once in a while I get a paying gig. I do all sorts of stuff including event photography.

I bought one of these for my home studio, my portable portrait studio and for some special projects. I wanted something that would work with the Nikon CLS system, I NEEDED something with an external battery pack for long shoots and rapid fire shooting - but I couldn't afford a new SB800 or SB900.

(THIS UNIT WORKS WITH CANON AND NIKON BOTH!!!)

The 8 "AA" cell external battery pack was about 50 bucks - I was thrilled! YongNuo External Flash Battery Pack SF-18 for Canon EX580 II EX580 Holding 8 AA Batteries

I read the reviews - I saw an awful lot said about firing it 20 times and it dies... I am no stranger to electronics so... Read more