Yongnuo YN-622C User Manual
The Other YN-622C User Guide
14/09/2012 Page 1 of 18
The Other YN-622C User Guide
YONGNUO YN-622C E-TTL FLASH CONTROLLER
AND TRIGGER FOR CANON DSLR CAMERAS
Version 1.0
Clive D Bolton, 14 September 2012
The Other YN-622C User Guide
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INTRODUCTION
What we know gets in the way of what we could know.
I have used Canon’s Flash Control menus for 5 years, appreciating being able to control remote
flashes from the camera. Well, sort of. Canon has been using an optical pulse “wireless” command
system for off-camera flashes, which works within a limited set of conditions.
Pixel released their King triggers to remove this limit, but their development was truncated.
However, kudos to Pixel for pioneering this category of trigger/controller.
Now we have the Yongnuo YN-622C which seems to fulfil the promise of a full implementation of
Canon flash technologies over a radio link. It seems that Yongnuo has not only achieved this
objective, but has added a wide range of triggering and photographer-friendly capabilities.
Yongnuo have a range of hot-shoe flashes, with a reputation for unreliability. The design engineer
for this device looks like single-handedly rescuing the brand.
The YN-622C is a transceiver type radio device designed to go between a camera and one or
more off-camera flashes, to provide:
• E-TTL, FEC & HSS off-camera triggering
• Radio control of off-camera flashes from camera flash control menus
• General-purpose triggering
There is much (unnecessary) debate about the merit of TTL flash exposure versus Manual power
levels. Each method has its place, and photographers who understand the technologies can get
predictable results. The YN-622C is a tool for both approaches.
One part of Canon’s E-TTL is often misunderstood – Ratios. It is more than setting an FEC or EV
adjustment on two flash groups. That still leaves distance, height, angle, relative powers, etc that
can make a substantial difference. Canon’s ratio evaluates the actual contribution to the image of
each group of flashes, and sets the level accordingly. It is much more accurate than the EV
method. The YN-622C implements the genuine Canon technology in the camera.
The YN-622C does not provide for firmware updates by the user. Canon Wireless Master/Slave is
not available, being replaced by the 622 procedures. The transceiver buttons are hard to find by
touch, and are sensitive to accidentally changed settings. Only flashes in group C can be disabled
remotely. It is not a significant list of drawbacks.
An examination of the case and internal components reveals a high-quality assembly. The case
appears firm. I anticipate a good life expectancy.
Because the YN-622C is designed primarily to implement Canon technologies, a thorough
knowledge of both camera and flash manuals is helpful. Each camera model has its own
variations.
My verdict: versatile, complex, well-made, suitable for many jobs, and low-priced. Buy it.
The author has no association with the manufacturer other than as a paying customer. Some
additional samples were received; thanks, Yongnuo. The main testing equipment was EOS 50D
and 7D; Speedlites 580EX II, 430EX II and 550EX; Yongnuo YN-266C triggers; Pixel Soldier as a
radio shutter release.
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CONTENTS
Introduction
Contents
Camera compatibility
Full Control
Partial Control
Sync Only
Flash compatibility
Full Control
Partial Control
Sync Only
Getting Started
Transmitter on Type A Camera
Remote Flashes
On-Top Flash
PC-sync Flash
Factory Reset
Testing lighting setup
First Shots
Transceiver Control Modes
Remote Control
Mix Control
Canon Flash Control Menus
E-TTL Mode
Type A cameras
Type B cameras
Ratio
Flash Exposure Compensation FEC
Flash Exposure Lock FEL
Flash Exposure Bracketing FEB
Manual Mode
Remote Manual
On-flash Manual
Multi Mode (Stroboscopic)
YN Mix Mode
ETTL, Manual, Multi
Settings
Shutter Synchronization Modes
First Curtain
Second Curtain
Fast-Shutter Sync
Simple Trigger
Camera Features
Ambient-only Shot
High-speed Continuous Shooting
Live View
Modelling Light
Flash features
Flash zoom / coverage
LCD Display
Pilot Indicator
622 Features
AF Assist beam
Sleep Wakeup
Status Indicator
Using Type B Cameras
Using Type C Cameras
Suggestions
Other Resources
Trouble Shooting
Specifications
Glossary
Hot-shoe, Hot-foot, Cold-shoe: The hot-shoe is the accessory fitting on top of camera and
transceiver. The hot-foot goes into the hot-shoe, e.g. flash or transceiver bottom. A cold-shoe holds
a hot-foot without making contact with the pins.
Transmitter (TX, Controller): The transceiver when mounted on the camera hot-shoe.
(Transceiver will still act as a Receiver to another transceiver on the same channel.)
Receiver (RX, Slave): The transceiver when used to connect a flash by hot-shoe or by a PC-sync
cable.
Remote Flash: A flash connected to a Receiver, by hotshoe or by cable.
On-top flash: A hot-shoe flash mounted on the Transmitter. It has some special features.
622: a convenient abbreviation for a YN-622C Transceiver.
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CAMERA COMPATIBILITY
Full control (Type A cameras)
Uses Camera Flash Control menus. Provides ETTL & FEC, Manual levels, HSS and SuperSync to
1/8000s, channels, groups, zoom.
• 1D III, 1Ds III, 1D IV
• IDX is not yet tested.
• 5D II, 5D III, 7D
• 40D, 50D, 60D
• 450D XSi, 500D T1i, 550D T2i, 600D T3i, 650D T4i
• 1000D XS, 1100D T3
On a small number of early units there was a glitch with the transmitter mode for ID series. Advise
the reseller if required for 1D series.
Partial Control (Type B cameras)
Control by camera buttons (ETTL with FEC; HSS); Flash buttons (Manual output levels)
• 1D, 1D II, 5D
• 10D, 20D, 30D
• 300D D-Rebel, 350D XT, 400D XTi
There was a manufacturing glitch with the transmitter mode for ID series on a small number of
early units. Advise your reseller if required for 1D series.
Sync only (Type C cameras)
Standard hotshoe - Synchronised Fire!
• Supports single-contact hot-shoe cameras.
FLASH COMPATIBILITY
Full control
Remote control using Flash Control menus; ETTL & FEC; HSS, Manual levels
• Canon 600EX-RT, 600EX, 580EX II, 430EX II, 270EX II, 320EX
• Yongnuo YN-568 C
• Yongnuo (No HSS) YN-465 C, YN-467 II C, YN-468 II C, YN-565EX C, YN-565 II C
• Nissin Di866 II
• [Possibly also Metz AF-48, AF-50, AF-56]
Partial control
ETTL and FEC/FEB/Ratio work from camera buttons. On-flash settings are required for Manual
and Multi/Stroboscopic; 1st, 2nd, HSS sync.
• Canon 580EX, 550EX, 430EX
• Yongnuo YN-560 C
• [Possibly also Sigma]
Sync only
Synchronised up to 1/8000S, limited by camera and strobe, else synchronised to maximum 1/250s
• Other hotshoe flashes, including single-contact flashes.
• Various studio strobes
Caution
The 622 can withstand only 6 volts on the trigger contact of its hotshoe. The PC-sync connection
can withstand 300 volts.
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GETTING STARTED
Important
• Keep transceivers dry and out of explosive situations.
• Turn off power on camera, transceivers and flashes before connecting.
• Check that all equipment is installed correctly in the hot-shoe.
• Batteries – camera, flash, 622s – are critical. Recharge or replace as required.
• Transceiver settings are saved automatically, including channel, lighting group and AF-
assist firing. Some E-TTL parameters will not be saved, such as group fire ratio.
Transmitter on type A Camera
Install a 622 on the camera’s hot-shoe:
• Back the locking ring up to the transmitter case to withdraw the locking pin..
• Mount the 622 in the camera’s hot-shoe. Press the foot firmly forward to ensure all contacts
are made securely.
• Clamp the locking ring onto the hot-shoe. The locking pin will engage.
Set up transmitter using camera menus:
Keep the transmitter in Remote Control mode (the default mode). Flashes will comply with the
settings in the camera’s Flash control / External flash function menu.
• Set Flash firing to Enable.
• Select External flash function setting and set desired flash mode, zoom setting etc.
• Enable wireless function and set firing group, fire ratio or flash output. (If the Wireless
function is disabled, the firing group consists of All (A+B+C), and all groups of flashes use
the same global settings.
• Set a channel for the transmitter (CH1-CH4 only).using the Wireless function menu.
Remote Flashes
Install each flash on the hot-shoe of a Receiver:
• Loosen the locking ring or lever on the flash to withdraw the locking pin.
• Mount the flash on the 622. Press the foot firmly forward to ensure all contacts are secure.
• Tighten the flash’s locking ring or lever.
• Mount the 622 direct on a mini stand, or on a light stand using a cold shoe adapter.
Turn Receiver on and set Channel and Group:
• Slide Receiver power switch to [ON]. The channel and group indicators light briefly. The
Status indicator turns steady red. It is normal for the flash to fire once when turning the 622
on or off.
• Set Receiver to the same channel as the Transmitter, using [CH SET]. The channel
indicator will light for several seconds to indicate the current channel. Quickly press [CH
SET] again to change the channel.
• Set the lighting group (A, B or C) for each flash using [GP SET] to produce the desired
lighting control.
Turn Flash on
• Check that each flash indicates ready.
• Press Pilot/Test on the flash.
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On-Top Flash
A flash can be installed on the transmitter on top of the camera. It behaves much like a Remote
flash, but there are differences:
• Supports E-TTL, Manual levels and Multi (stroboscopic) modes.
• The On-top flash is always in Group A. The flash output is the same as other Group A
flashes.
• The zoom setting is not controlled by the camera menu. It must be separately set on-flash
as auto or as a manual level. The zoom setting of the On-top flash can be different than offcamera flashes.
• E.g. Set the On-top flash zoom to Auto, so that it zooms with the lens. Using the camera
flash control menu, set Manual zoom 24mm – 110mm so that off-camera flashes keep a
constant setting.
• It can provide an AF-assist beam additional to the Transmitter’s AF-assist beam, if that is
enabled.
PC-sync Flash
First curtain, Second Curtain and Fast Shutter (Supersync) syncs are available.
Factory Reset
If a transceiver seems erratic:
• Disconnect the 622 then turn it on.
• Hold down [CH SET] plus [GP SET] at the same time.
• The Status indicator will wink red-green alternately 3 times, then stay red.
• Release the buttons. Factory defaults will be set.
Testing the Lighting Setup
The setup can be tested to ensure that all devices are powered up and that the communication is
working. In addition, actual lighting outputs can be metered if manual levels are being used.
• The [Test] button can awaken the flashes and test whether they can be triggered.
• The test works through both hot-shoe and PC-sync cable.
• If the flash does not wake, manually awaken it.
• Use the PC-sync port to connect a flash which does not have the awakening function.
• All 622s (transmitter or receiver mode) on the same channel as the test unit will be
addressed, and those flashes in the “Test Group” will be fired.
• An on-top flash will also fire if Group A is included in the test group.
• All the indicators go out when flash fires.
• Testing group is different than type A camera’s Firing group, which controls ratios and
levels.
Testing selected flashes
• To select a testing group, hold down [Test] and repeatedly press [GP SET] to cycle through
the seven testing groups.
• To test all flashes, select All (A+B+C).
• When the desired testing group is shown, release [Test]. The flashes in the selected group
will fire a test flash.
Using a Light Meter
• Set Manual levels (or Multi), either by Flash Control menus or by on-flash settings.
• The test fire will be at the level as it is displayed on the LCD of the flash.
• The test button will not change the setting of the flash.
• If Remote control is being used, press half-shutter to ensure that settings are applied
• E-TTL will produce a pre-flash, which may confuse the light meter.
• Trigger with any 622 on the same channel.
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