Yongnuo YN560 IV Wireless Flash Speedlite Master + Slave Flash + Built-in Trigger System for Canon Nikon Pentax Olympus Fujifilm Panasonic Digital Cameras Review

     The video review is available at the bottom of the page

In this review we cover.

• ·         Specifications
• ·         Quality
• ·         Longevity
• ·         Usage
• ·         Battery times
• ·        Ease of use
• ·         Connectivity
• ·        Availability and accessories
• ·         Cost Now

Specifications

• Features 3 groups and 16 channels for wireless operation
• Can receive a wireless signal from YN560-IV, YN560-TX, RF-603 (I/II), and RF-602
• Metal hot shoe for standard on-camera triggering
• Large LCD screen for viewing settings and making adjustments
• Socket for SF-18C or SF-17C external power pack
• Audible flash ready indicators offer different sounds based on flash status
• 100-1500 flashes from one set of batteries
• Automatically saves your current settings
• Built-in bounce card
• Color temperature of 5600K
• Eight levels of flash output from 1/1 to 1/128 with 29 individual settings
• Optical triggering range of 66-82' indoors or 33-49' outdoors
• 2.4 GHz Transceiver with 328' Range
• Guide Number: 190' at ISO 100 and 105mm
• Zoom Range: 24-105mm (18mm with Panel)
• Output Range: 1/1 to 1/128
• Tilts -7 to 90° & Rotates 270°
• Optical Slave Functionality
• Recycle Time: 3 Seconds
• Multi Mode for Firing Series of Flashes
• PC Sync Port
• Runs on 4 AA Batteries

Quality

"At first impressions this looked like it may have been a cheapo flash out of china. Boy was I wrong!"

When I saw this product available on Amazon for this price I thought it would be brilliant to get one just as a spare flash gun. When the item arrived it was boxed well in a well designed box and looked very professional. The flash gun itself was well packaged within the box and then removed from the packaging I was amazed to how well the unit was built. The plastics used were of a good quality and the whole feel of the flash gun itself felt very robust and good quality. If I were to put a Youngnuo in one hand and a expensive branded flash gun in the other hand I don't think I could really tell the difference in quality between the two.

Longevity

As to longevity for this product I can only say that I think it is extremely well made and feels extremely well made that it would probably last for many many years to come. I have owned this flash gun and used it for many many assignment and it has performed flawlessly for the six months that I have owned it. I am not a electronics engineer and cannot tell you what has gone into making up this unit but going from how the unit has performed and feels I would say it was a good purchase. 
I also have a friend that owns a YONGNUO YN568EX
 and he has had that present flashgun for over two years full stop he is also a professional photographer and uses this flash gun many times a week.

Usage

Usage is fairly simple when you are familiar with the fundamentals of using flashguns. 
When I first got the flash gun there were many buttons with lots of symbols on this at the initial stage was quite confusing and wasn't able to work out which buttons or combination of buttons did what. 
Once I had read the instruction manual the layout of the flash gun seemed quite simple and easy to use, the various flash modes were also quite easy to find by just selecting the mode button. The setting up of the various channels 4 wireless functionality were a little fiddly but once I have got the hang of it it became quite simple, this was more of a case of do it once and leave it as the flash guns and Triggers that I use are of the same make and weren't going to be changed. In conclusion I would give this flashgun a usability of 7.5/10

Battery times/Recycle time

The total overall battery times would depend on make and type of batteries used. Any batteries used over several months have been the Duracell  rechargeable batteries these are said to have a overall storage power of over 70% over longs periods of storage.Super speed of charging recycle:  It only takes 3 seconds in charging after full power output. Even without new batteries, you can get the super charging speed that it only needs 4~5 seconds; so you can completely get rid of the nightmare of anxious waiting for charging. In addition, you can use the external power pack to accelerate the charging speed once more.- Supporting high-speed continuous shooting: Under the output level of 1/8 or below, YN560 can support the 8FPS high-speed continuous shooting.- The improved power saving mode: YONGNUO designs the power saving mode for YN560. In the power saving mode, the flash will get automatic shutdown sooner; in the non-saving mode, it will take a longer time before automatic shutdown.

Ease of use

Usage is fairly simple when you are familiar with the fundamentals of using flashguns. 

When I first got the flash gun there were many buttons with lots of symbols on this at the initial stage was quite confusing and wasn't able to work out which buttons or combination of buttons did what. 

Once I had read the instruction manual, the layout of the flash gun seemed quite simple and easy to use, the various flash modes were also quite easy to find by just selecting the mode button. The setting up of the various channels 4 wireless functionality were a little fiddly but once I have got the hang of it it became quite simple, this was more of a case of do it once and leave it as the flash guns and triggers that I use are of the same make and weren't going to be changed. In conclusion I would give this flashgun a usability of 7.5/10

Connectivity

   Connectivity is simple with a direct connection to the Hot Shoe, I believe when writing this there are three types of Flash guns types of the YN56o IV available, these are Nikon fitment canon fitment and universal which will fit on any Hot Shoe with a direct flash Trigger.
The flash gun I am reviewing here is of the universal type and has no TTL capabilities.
My flash has a single trigger firing pin in the centre of the Hot Shoe.
The other types of connectivity wireless one is the 2.4 gigahertz and the other is optical. There is more on the connectivity in the what Yongnuo say section.
Also for greater understanding, please feel free to download the users' manual below.

 Availability and accessories

Yongnuo is a well-known brand china and many accessories are still available. A search on eBay and Amazon can still find relevant accessories for this flashgun. 

Many other non Yongnuo accessories will also fit this flash gun like diffusers, cases etc.

*****************
Cost Now

The cast now a negligible compared to a new price. These flashguns hold their value very well as they are well made so for the price that you pay new you will only be saving a few pounds but if this model is no longer available then it would be well worth the purchase. At the time of writing this, this model I believe it's not in manufacture but many many are still in circulation and can be purchased new. When I purchased my flashgun in 2016, there was a date stamp and it showed it was only 1 month old.

What Yongnuo Say

The Yongnuo site had no details of its Current model the YN560 IV but did have info on its previous model the YN 560

Flash YN 560

YN 560 is a brand-new flash specially designed for professional creative photography. Compared with YN460-II and YN460, it has the following bran-new features:- A bran-new appearance: The bran-new appearance looks more beautiful, creditable, comfortable and professional.- New power zoom function: By pushing the button on the flash, it can make the flash covered focal length range from 24 to 105mm.- GN58 @ ISO100, 105mm: YONGNUO gives YN560 a higher guide number which reaches the level of the mainstream hot shoe flashes.- The improved wireless triggering sensor: YONGNUO improves the wireless triggering sensor for YN560, which makes the S1 and S2 mode can be used in outdoor environment and the wireless triggering distance is as long as 15m..- Sound indicator: When the charging process is finished, the flash will give a tick sound, so you may concentrate on the creation process. (Note: the sound can be closed). - New charging socket for external power pack:  YN560 adds a charging socket for external power pack, to meet your higher demand for charging recycle.- New PC synchronous port: YN560 adds a standard PC synchronous port, which makes it simpler for you to use the PC synchronous line. - Super speed of charging recycle:  It only takes 3 seconds in charging after full power output. Even without new batteries, you can get the super charging speed that it only needs 4~5 seconds; so you can completely get rid of the nightmare of anxious waiting for charging. In addition, you can use the external power pack to accelerate the charging speed once more.- Supporting high-speed continuous shooting: Under the output level of 1/8 or below, YN560 can support the 8FPS high-speed continuous shooting.- The improved power saving mode: YONGNUO designs the power saving mode for YN560. In the power saving mode, the flash will get automatic shutdown sooner; in the non-saving mode, it will take a longer time before automatic shutdown.- The more fine output control: The output control of YN560 is more fine, which ranges from 1/128 to 1/1 and each class of flash output has 8 small fine tuning stalls; With its zooming flash head, YN560 makes you nearly achieve your anticipant lighting effect.
The automatic setting saving: YN560 can automatically save your current setting.

Conclusion

 "In conclusion I find this flashgun to be awesome."

There are unfortunately many out there that would give this manual only flash gun a thumbs down due to the fact it is not a big brand name and it does not come with a several hundred pound price tag. For this reason I would give this flashgun a 9 Out of 10 rating as I believe there is no where else you could purchase a sub $100 or £60 and less flashgun of this type with this many features.
I think compared to previous models this will probably be as good if not better. Knowing that some of the previous models have lasted for years and are as good as their branded counterparts.

9/10

Users manual can be downloaded HERE

Please feel free to message us if you find any features that are incorrect. This blog is written with the best of knowledge at the time of writing. 
**