Based out of China, the Yongnuo company entered the scene of strobist flash units as recently as 2009 with their first model, the YN460. And despite the lack of a PC port or even a zoom reflector, with it’s 7 stop range of manual settings, the thought-out operation and a decent build quality it has established itself as one of the benchmarks in record time. Within a couple of months, additional models were launched, and it seems like the pace of innovation won’t stop anytime soon.

The “Strobist” Flash Line

• YN-460 —— the classic, outdated now
• YN-462 ——(simplified 460 with continuous power control)
• YN-460 II —— the 460′s faster and stronger replacement
• YN-560 —— the first model of the new Yongnuo ‘professional’ line; strobist flash unit with zoom reflector, PC port, power pack socket and 8 step manual power control. Full in-depth review. Will be replaced in December 2011
• YN-560 II —— the 2nd generation full-manual flash of the 560-line; additional features such as LCD display, additional multi-mode, battery warning info page.
• YN-560 EX

New Digital TTL Models

Only some months after their first flash, the company offered a TTL version on top, and they have been adding new features since then:

• YN-465 —— i-TTL or E-TTL version without optical slave sensor. This was the only Nikon i-TTL flash from Yongnuo until August 2010. Full in-depth review.
• YN-467 with auto-zoom —— both Canon E-TTL model as well as Nikon i-TTL version available now. Full in-depth review.
• YN-468 —— Outdated now. An enhanced 467 with more features as well as an LCD screen. Available only in a Canon version. In-depth review.
• YN-468 II —— available since November 3, 2011; improved Yongnuo 468-speedlite for Canon
• YN-565 with ETTL for Canon
• YN-565 with ITTL for Nikon