Here is a photo of the unpacked YN-462 Manual Flash
The YN-462 arrived safely to my door in a padded brown shipping envelope.
What's was included inside the box
(1) YN-462 Flash
(1) White Diffuser
(1) Black Velvet Bag
(1) Instruction Booklet In English
Note: This flash does not ship with a stand
My First Impression: The YN-462 looks, and feels just like it's older flash brother the YN-460. Both flashes look like the were molded from the same body mold. The YN-462 has a single knob, and one pilot button instead of 4 function buttons for settings like the YN-462. The single knob controls the on/off function, and also the power settings from lowest to highest. Now the single knob clicks just once to let you know that it is powered on, and after that it just turns smoothly thru the power adjustment. The pilot button is used to test fire the flash, and also lights red when the flash is ready to fire again. I find that the single knob is kind of hard to grab since it is almost flush with the the back plate of the flash. I had to use just the tips of both my thumb, and index finger to turn the knob. Also note that there are no power settings for the knob. It just goes from on to max. There are no clicks, or markings for power settings. You need to use your own judgment to find just the right power settings to use for your photo session.
Here is a photo for comparing the YN-462 with the YN-460
Testing Setup: The YN-462 flash was on a tripod set at 6 foot from target subjects (My Poor Cockatiels Elvis & Jerry Lee). I used fully charged Tenergy rechargeable NIHM 2600 mAh AA batteries in the YN-462. The camera used was a Canon Digital Rebel XTi with a Canon 18mm-55mm IS Zoom Lens zoom @ 50mm right behind flash on another tripod. The Canon Digital Rebel XTi was set @ manual settings of ISO:100, Shutter Speed:160, F5.6, Flash White Balance Settings. The YN-462 Flash was triggered by a Yongnuo CTR-301P Wireless Flash Trigger System.
Now the sample test photos: Posted as lowest to highest power settings. (These are guesses since there are no markings of any kind to go by)
Lowest power setting allowed
This setting did not even light the test subjects
1/8 Power Setting
1/4 Power Setting
1/2 Power Setting
3/4 Power Setting
Full Power Setting
Now for the recycle times:
Lowest Setting Allowed: 0.5 Seconds
1/8 Power Setting: 0.5 Seconds
1/4 Power Setting: 1.0 Seconds
1/2 Power Setting: 1.0 Seconds
3/4 Power Setting: 1.5 Seconds
Full Power Setting: 4.0 Seconds
This flash does seem to recycle quickly.
Here are the full specs as posted by Yongnuo Digital
Flash index: 33
Circuit design: IGBT
Up/down ward angle: 0-90 degree
Left/right angle: 0-270 degree
Power Source: 4 X AA size batteries (Alkaline or Ni-MH are usable)
Battery Life: 100 - 1500 times (with alkaline batteries)
Recycle Time: 5 sec(with alkaline batteries)
Color Temperature: 5600K
Flash Duration: 1/800S - 1/20000S
Flash Adjustment: Continuous output level control
Dimensions: 72X135X85mm
Net Weight: 250g
Now for my personal honest opinion of the YN-462:
I like the fact that it is a no frills simple to use flash that is sold at a reasonable price to match it's market. I would how ever recommend to Yongnuo Digital to add a white dash mark on the knob so that users can see where the knob is set at, Also needed are some power setting markings on the rear panel around the knob, These two added options would surely make this a whole lot better flash for it's price. Now the YN-462 does what it's supposed to do. Help light up a scene. The lowest power settings of 0/1 to 1/8 aren't that great, But from 1/4 power to full power. It will do a good job of help lighting up the scene. Now would I recommend buying the YN-462 flash, Yes I would, But this manual flash is mostly for use off camera, and for those buyers who are looking for a cheap no frills reasonable priced flash. This might just be the one. This flash will be great as a backup flash to have just in case, or it can even be used as a fill, or background light. The YN-462 would be a perfect second flash for a strobist with a limited small budjet. I think that the YN-462 will have a place in the low priced manual flash market. But just like all cheap flashes, Only time will tell just how durable the YN-462 will be...
Note: The YN-462 does not have an optical sensor, or a pc sync socket, But you can use a Seagull SYK-4 Optical/PC Sync Hot Shoe Flash Adapter to fire the YN-462 optically from another flash.
Kurbster Photography gives the YN-462 Manual Flash a
for it's price and simple functionsStrobist who would like to purchase a YN-462 manual flash can do so from Yongnuo Digital Photographic Equipment for only $40.99 with free shipping.
Note: This is just my personal review of the Yongnuo Digital YN-462 Full Manual Flash
