YONGNUO YN560 IV Wireless Flash Speedlite with Master/Slave Mode & Built-in Trigger - Compatible with Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Fujifilm, Panasonic DSLR Cameras - Perfect for Studio Photography, Portrait Shoots & Event Coverage

I realize there are already almost 400 reviews for these flash units and mine will most likely get lost in the flood but I just wanted to weigh in on what makes them so awesome.First of all I have used Canon Speedlights in the past, still own a 430EX that sits in a box and collects dust.I really don't like using ETTL as I find it rarely gives me the kind of exposure I like in my photo's. I personally feel it looks flat and unprofessional so this review will be based on manual functions. This unit doesn't have a TTL function anyway so... on to the review.I have been using Yongnuo flashes for about 3 years now and I honestly have no gripes. None at all. Especially now that I've upgraded to the IV models and get the added wireless functionality built in.I dropped a 560III model about 4 feet onto the concrete a couple years back and the bottom of it broke off. It actually kept working for a full 2 hour shoot after that before it blew out completely. Probably due to some shorts after wires coming loose. But that just speaks to the durability of the Flash.Here's the thing, at this price, I was not upset. I dropped a Speedlight onto the concrete, watched a chunk of it fly off and thought, "Darn... well I guess I need to buy another."Try having that mentality with a Canon or Nikkon Speedlight.I take these hiking, out on major event shoots where I'm running around bumping into stuff, sometimes outside and getting rained on etc. etc.I never worry about breaking one because I know I can afford to grab another. It's a freeing feeling. I worry enough about my camera and my lenses as it is.Here's the other reason I love these.While I have a master controller for my speed lights, I prefer to use my flash in manual mode even when it's attached to my camera or on a trigger. On the Canon speed lights switching power while in manual mode takes a few extra clicks and requires you to depress the tiny center button first to let the unit know you want to start changing power level. It drives me a bit crazy now that I'm used to these.With the Yongnuo in manual mode, you just click one side or the other on the interface and your power level changes by standard stops. Click up or down to change power in smaller increments.I can get the exposure I want so quickly with these now that I really don't understand why Canon chose to design theirs differently.The wireless works well with the YN560-TX master controller though my shutter speed needs to drop to about 160 to avoid shutter shadow.They work flawlessly with the RF-603CII-C1 triggers.The power is also definitely up to par. Just one of these is enough to light up a medium-sized room with some bounced light.I have 3 (still less $$ than 1 canon) and dial them in at different levels for a better effect but have gotten by with 2 in very large rooms and been happy with my results.I've used them on both a t2i, t3i and a 6D and have friends who use them with 5D MarkIII's and love them just as much.If I had to pick one thing I don't like... I guess that they heat up and delay quickly. If you are firing off shot after shot the batteries get hot quick and the unit will force a delay until they cool down. You can attach an external power pack to eliminate the problem but I have learned to just work around it. I'm a bit more intentional with my shots anyway so I'm not one to just blast away, spray and pray style.I'd say I can get about 8 minutes of continuous shooting, full power, at maybe a shot per second before I start experiencing delays.You should also consider the speed, if you need to shoot at High Speeds like 250+ then these will not work. If you're using a controller you may even need to drop down to 160.Beyond that, no issues.Again, if you like automatic exposure and using the TTL or ETTL functions then this is obviously not for you since it doesn't offer that functionality at all. But if you use manual adjustments with your speed lights or you use a master controller then these are not only up to the job but they are incredibly affordable meaning you can have multiple flash units on standby if one gets broken.Really can't recommend them enough. I've bought 5 so far, broke one 560III and gave the other away once I got my IV's.I plan to buy a few more as backup and can happily say that I feel confident in my purchase.