YONGNUO YN685EX-RF S Camera Flash Speedlight User Manual

: June 3, 2024
: YONGNUO

Table of Contents

YONGNUO YN685EX-RF S Camera Flash Speedlight
Precautions
Features
Quick Start
Nomenclature
- Installation and Detachment
Basic Functions
Advanced Applications
- Wireless ﬂash shooting
- Custom Function Settings
Troubleshooting Guide
Speciﬁcation
- Guide number (ISO100, in meters/feet)
FCC Statement
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

YONGNUO YN685EX-RF S Camera Flash Speedlight

Precautions

To prevent ﬁre or electrical shock, please do not expose the product to rain or moisture.
To avoid short circuit, please make sure the batteries contacts are securely packed and in accordance with local provisions when handling the battery.
Keep the batteries and other accessories out of the reach of children. If a child or infant swallows a battery or accessory, please contact a doctor immediately.
To avoid possible injury to eyes, do not use the ﬂash near the eyes.
To avoid possible safety accident, do not use the ﬂash light on the people who need to keep highly focused.
If the following situations happen, please remove the batteries immediately and stop using the ﬂash:

The product falls or is struck seriously and internal parts are exposed
If the corrosive liquid inside the battery leaks, please take out the battery with gloves.
The product gives oﬀ strange smell, heat, or smokes.

Do not disassemble or repair this product by yourself. High-voltage internal parts may cause electrical shock. Please remove all the batteries when the product is not in use for a prolonged period.

Conventions used in this user manual:

In order to learn and master the operation of this speed-lite, at the meanwhile you read this manual, please take user manual of your camera as reference.
In every operating step, we assume that both camera and speed-lite are power on.

Icons used in this user manual

：Supplementary information ：Long press the button
：Short press the button

Features

Integrated Transceiver and Receiver, Compatible with YONGNUO RF Radio Trigger System (RF602/603)
During radio transmission wireless shooting,this product can be used as a master unit or slave unit.It is fully compatible with RF radio triggering signals from YN650EX-RF / YN685EX-RF / YN320EX / YN685(II) / YN720 / YN560 IV / YN660 / YN560 III / YN560-TX (pro) / RF603 / RF602 / YN32-TX. And it also contains 16 transmission channels and 10000 wireless radio ID, making it easy for multi-ﬂash lighting.
Note: Please set the ID of YN685EX-RF as 0000 when using it with products that do not support ID setting.
Supports Multi-group Flashes Independent Control
When used as a radio master unit, the product is able to control 5 independent groups, performing remote control of ﬂash mode, ﬂash output and focal length for YN650EX-RF / YN685EX-RF / YN320EX / YN685(II) / YN720 / YN560 IV / YN660 / YN560 III.
Supports Optical Transmission Wireless Slave Flash
In optical transmission wireless ﬂashing shooting, YN685EX-RF can be set as slave unit to receive optical transmission wireless signals from YN320EX and from Sony ﬂashes such as HVL-F32M, HVL-F60RM, HVL-F60M, performing oﬀ-camera TTL mode ﬂashing.
High GN; Supports TTL, M and Multi Mode, High-speed Synchronization Flash
GN60@ISO100, 200mm,supports TTL, M, Multi ﬂash,with high-speed synchronization function, all shutters are available for shooting, the maximum shutter synchronization speed is up to 1/8000s.
Firmware Update
The product is equipped with a USB port, you can download the latest ﬁrmware from YONGNUO oﬃcial website to upgrade the product.
Super-speed Recycle System; Supports external battery pack
The ﬂash recycle with full output only needs 2s to perform. Even if without any new battery, it only takes 3-4s to perform the fast ﬂash recycle. With the use of compact battery pack, higher recycle needs can be met.
Real-time Display of Power Consumption
With real-time display of battery power, it’s easy to know the power consumption.
Electric Zoom
Equipped with auto zoom and manual zoom, the ﬂash coverage can be set in the range of 20 to 200mm, so that the ﬁll light is more uniform and eﬀective.
Sound prompt, Custom Function and Autosave Function
LCD Display Screen and Standard PC Synchronous Interface Equipped

Quick Start

If you don’t have much time to read the whole user manual, we advise you to read this section.

Please avoid the excessive use of maximum power output, which can eﬀectively extend the service life of the product. (It is recommended that the ﬂash should be idle for more than 10 minutes when overheat protection is activated.)
Press the [MODE] button for seconds to enter trigger mode selection. Turn the [DIAL] to select a trigger mode.
Press the [MODE] button to switch ﬂash modes between TTL/M/Multi/ Gr. (Gr mode only works when the ﬂash is set as radio wireless master unit.)
Turn the [DIAL] to adjust the selected value and press the [SET] button to save the settings.
Press the [Zm/C.Fn] button to enter focal length setting. Press the [Zm/C.Fn] button for seconds to enter custom function setting.
The function buttons 1 to 4 vary according to the current ﬂash status. Function buttons can be used to operate the functions displayed on the screen above the corresponding button. For more details, please read the subsequent section.
Press the function button 2 and 3 at the same time for seconds, and the settings of the ﬂash can be reverted to their defaults.
Turn the ﬂash OFF, press the [MODE] button for seconds to turn the ﬂash on and enter the upgrade interface.

Nomenclature

The Part Name
LCD Panel
Recycle Indicator Status
Status| Description| Action
---|---|---
Red Light Lit| The ﬂash is charged and ready to ﬂash| Normal
Blue Light Lit| Flash charging is not completed| Wait until ﬂash is fully charged
Blue Light Blinking|
- The battery power is low, and the ﬂash is going to power oﬀ automatically.
- Overheating warning |
- Please change the battery.
- Reduce the ﬂash frequency or stop shooting until the ﬂash is cooled down.
  Red Light Blinking| Overheating warning| Reduce the ﬂash frequency or stop shooting until the ﬂash is cooled down.
  Red and Blue Light Blinking

Alternately

| Overheat protection ﬂash limit is activated| Stop shooting or turn oﬀ the ﬂash until it is cooled down.
4. LINK Indicator Status Description
** Status| Description
---|---
Blue| Transmission OK
Red| Sending or receiving
triggering instruction
5. Slave Unit Recycle Indicator Description
** Status| Description
---|---
Blinking| Flash recycle of the slave
unit completed.
Oﬀ| Flash recycle of the slave
unit is not completed.
6. Sound Prompt Description
Sound| Description| Action
---|---|---
DiDi| Power on; sound prompt on; ﬂash OK| Normal
DiDiDi-DiDiDi| The ﬂash exposure may be excessive.| Adjust exposure e settings or change shooting conditions.
Di Di Di| The ﬂash exposure may be insuﬃcient.| Adjust exposure e settings or change shooting conditions.
Di–DiDi DiDi| The ﬂash isn’ t fully charged.| Wait until ﬂash is fully charged.
Di—Di lasts for seconds| The ﬂash has been fully charged and is ready for shooting.| Normal
Di continuously and quickly| The battery power is low, and the ﬂash is going to power oﬀ automatically.| P lease change the battery.
Di-Di-Di-| Sleep mode is activated, and the ﬂash is going to power oﬀ automatically.| Please turn oﬀ the ﬂash and turn it on again.

Installation and Detachment

Installing the Batteries
Slide and open the battery compartment cover in the direction of the arrow as shown.
Insert the batteries according to the label inside and make sure the direction of the battery contact (+/-) is correct.
Slide and close the battery compartment cover in the direction of the arrow as shown.
Please use four standard speciﬁcation AA batteries.To avoid circuit please do not use damaged batteries.
Attaching the Flash to the Camera
Turn oﬀ the ﬂash, turn the [Lock-release Button] to the end (picture ①), and slip the ﬂash’s [Mounting Foot] completely into camera’s hot shoe (picture ②). Turn the [Lock-release Button] until it is locked (picture ③).
Detaching the Flash
Turn oﬀ the ﬂash, turn the [Lock-release Button] to the end, and detach the ﬂash from the camera.

Basic Functions

Power-on and Power-oﬀ
Set the [Power Switch] to , and the ﬂash will be turned on and start being charged.
After turned on, the will be turned on with red light, which indicates it is ready to ﬁre.
If the battery power is low, the ﬂash will show the with the blinking in blue, and then automatically turned oﬀ. Please replace the battery currently. After use, set the [Power Switch] to
to turn oﬀ the ﬂash. It’ s recommended to turn oﬀ the ﬂash before you take out the batteries.
Button Lock Function
Set the [Power Switch] to , to lock the [DIAL] and function buttons of the ﬂash. This function helps to prevent the ﬂash settings from being accidentally changed. When this function is on, if you operate this function,
will be displayed on the LCD panel.
Test Flash
After the turns red, you can press the [TEST] button to test whether the ﬂash ﬁres normally.
TTL Mode
Press the [MODE] button to switch the ﬂash mode to TTL mode. In TTL mode, the camera’s metering system will detect the ﬂash lighting reﬂected from the subject, thereby adjust the ﬂash output automatically , so that the subject and the background obtain balanced exposure. The product supports functions such as exposure compensation, high-speed sync, rear curtain sexposure lock and camera menu access.
In TTL mode, you can also compensate the ﬂash brightness. The compensation range is -3EV to +3EV with the accuracy of 1/3EV.
M Mode
Press the [MODE] button to switch the ﬂash mode to M mode. In M mode, you can set the ﬂash brightness according to your needs.
Press the function button [+/-], and when the is highlighted, turn the [DIAL] to adjust the ﬂash output brightness. The adjustment range of ﬂash output brightness in M mode is from 1/128 to 1/1,8 levels of brightness totally, and each level can be adjusted up to 3 sub-levels l, in 1/3EV increments, so that there are 22 sub-levels adjustment in total. When shooting, you only need to set the ﬂash output, adjust the camera, and press the camera shutter, then the ﬂash will ﬁre according to the camera’s sync signal.
MULTI Mode
Press the [MODE] button to switch the ﬂash mode to MULTI mode. MULTI mode is also known as stroboscopic mode. In this mode, the ﬂash will ﬁre according to the output power, number of ﬂashes and ﬂash frequency you set. The setting method of ﬂash output is the same as in M mode: the ﬂash output range is 1/128-1/64-1/32 -1/16-1/8-1/4. Press the function button [MULTI] to select the number of ﬂashes, press the function button [Hz] to select frequency, and turn the [DIAL] to adjust the number of ﬂashes and ﬂash frequency. The adjustable range of number of ﬂashes is from 2 to 100 and of ﬂash frequency, is 1 to 100. When the number of ﬂashes is set to <–>, the ﬂash will continue to ﬁre until the shutter is closed, or the battery is exhausted.
ZOOM: Setting the Flash Coverage
Auto Zoom: Press the function button [Zm/C.Fn]. When the focal length value ﬂashes on the LCD panel, turn the [DIAL] until is displayed to the left of the icon. When the ﬂash is attached to the camera, the ﬂash lamp cup will move back and forth as the focal length of the lens changes, to adapt to diﬀerent ﬂash coverage (the default is 35mm). Manual Zoom: Press the function button [Zm/C.Fn]. When the focal length value ﬂashes on the LCD panel, turn the [DIAL] until is displayed to the left of the icon, you can manually adjust the ﬂash coverage (20, 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, 105, 135, 200mm).
When the wide panel is used, the ﬂash coverage will be expanded and locked to 14mm.

Camera Menu Access (Only Supports Cameras Released Recently)
On the cameras released recently with the [External Flash Setting] menu, you can set the ﬂash parameters through the camera menu, such as adjusting the ﬂash modes (TTL/M/Multi/Gr/OFF), wireless ﬂash setting, high-speed sync, exposure compensation, focal length etc.

Auto-assist Focusing Lamp
In low-light or low-contrast shooting environments, when the camera cannot focus automatically or correctly, the built-in assist focusing lamp will be activated to help the camera to focus. This lamp can be set to be on or oﬀ by setting ﬂash custom function C.Fn 04.
When the camera’s focus mode is set to AF-C, the mentioned focusing lamp cannot be lit.

Power Saving Mode
The product is designed with a power saving mode, which can be activated by custom function settings. For speciﬁc settings, please refer to the subsequent “Custom Function Settings” section. With the power saving mode is activated, the ﬂash will be in sleep status after being idle for a period, and if the ﬂash remains idle for a period of time after sleep mode, it will be automatically turned oﬀ. To turn on the ﬂash again, press the camera shutter halfway or press the [TEST] button.

Overheat Protection
Continuous and rapid ﬂash ﬁring in short time may result the rise of internal temperature of the ﬂash. To avoid damaging the ﬂash due to overheating, the ﬂash is designed with overheating protection function. When the ﬁring is too frequent, the LCD panel will show the < > icon and the will blink in a single color. At this time, please reduce the ﬂash frequency or ﬂash output appropriately. Otherwise, the ﬁring at a high frequency will activate the overheat protection mechanism: the < > icon will be displayed on the LCD panel and the will blink in red and blue alternately. After the overheat protection mechanism is activated, the ﬂash will be locked, the parameters cannot be adjusted and the ﬂash cannot ﬁre. At this time, please leave the ﬂash idle for 10 minutes and wait until it is cooled down. To avoid aﬀecting the normal shooting, when fast shot is needed, please try to keep the ﬂash output under 1/4.
When an overheating warning appears, please reduce the ﬂash frequency or ﬂash output appropriately.
When removing the battery after multiple ﬁrings in succession, please be careful that the battery may be very hot.

Sound Prompt
The sound prompt can be turned on or oﬀ through the custom function setting option C.Fn 06. After the sound prompt is on, the ﬂash will emit diﬀerent sounds to indicate its working status. For more details, please refer to the “Nomenclature” section.

Oﬀ-camera Status Indicator
The oﬀ-camera status indicator can be turned on or oﬀ through the custom function setting option C.Fn 08. With this function activated, the indicator will blink after slave unit completes the ﬂash charging recycle, which is convenient for you to learn the recycle status
of the oﬀ-camera ﬂash in real time from a distance.

Autosave
When the ﬂash is turned oﬀ by pressing [Power Switch], the ﬂash will automatically save the current settings, which is convenient for you to use this ﬂash next time.

PC Sync Port (input)
YN685 is equipped with standard PC sync port. Through connecting to the PC sync port, this speed-lite can be triggered synchronously.

Clearing Flash Settings
Press the function button 2 and 3 for about 2 seconds, the ﬂash settings, such as trigger mode, ﬂash mode, ﬂash output and focal length will be restored to default settings. For the operation method of reverting custom function settings, please refer to the section on custom function settings.

Firmware Upgrade
The product supports ﬁrmware upgrade. Users can log on YONGNUO oﬃcial website https://www.hkyongnuo.com/xzyzc to download the latest upgrade software and ﬁrmware to upgrade the ﬂash. The upgrade method is:
Connect to the computer via a Micro USB cable (Micro USB cable needs to be purchased separately).
When the ﬂash is oﬀ, press and hold the [MODE] button until the ﬂash turns on and enters the upgrade interface.
Open the upgrade software and follow the software instructions to upgrade.

Advanced Applications

High-speed Sync Flash
With high-speed sync ﬂash (FP ﬂash), you can use the ﬂash simultaneously under all shutters, and the maximum sync speed can reach to 1/8000 second. High- speed sync ﬂash is particularly convenient when using aperture priority to ﬁll ﬂash for portraits. Short press the function button [SYNC] to turn on or oﬀ the high-speed synchronization function. After the high-speed synchronization is turned on, the LCD screen will display the high-speed synchronization icon.
When this product is used as a slave unit, the ﬂash synchronization mode needs to be set by the master control unit.
Rear-curtain Sync
When the rear-curtain sync is turned on, the ﬂash will ﬁre at the moment when the shutter is about to close. Using a slow shutter speed and rear-curtain sync can create smear for the subject. The rear-curtain sync function needs to be set from the camera, please refer to the camera manual for the method.
Remote Wireless Flash YN685EX-RF supports remote wireless ﬂash: 2.4GHz radio wireless ﬂash shooting (602/603 wireless ﬂash system) has an eﬀective ﬂashing distance of up to 100m; For optical transmission wireless ﬂash shooting (Ss/S1/S2),the longest distance for indoor use can reach to 25m, and the longest distance for outdoor use can reach to 15m. Please refer to the “Wireless Flash Shooting” chapter for detailed setting methods.
Flash Exposure Compensation
To make the shooting eﬀect better meet your needs, you can set ﬂash exposure compensation through the camera menu or ﬂash setting. The exposure compensation value setting range on the ﬂash is -3EV ～ +3EV, and the exposure level increment is 1/3EV. Short press the function button [+/-] of the ﬂash to enter the exposure compensation setting state, rotate the [dial] to adjust the exposure compensation value, and press the [SET] button to save the setting.
FEL/AEL lock

To use this function, you should lock the center of camera’ s viewﬁnder at the subject which needs ﬂash exposure, press the ﬂash exposure lock [FEL/AEL] button of the camera, the ﬂash will emit a pre-ﬂash, and the camera will calculate the appropriate ﬂash output data. You have a period of time to recompose the picture, you can press the shutter to shoot after composing the picture (this function needs to be supported by your camera itself, please refer to your camera manual for setting).

High-speed Continuous Shooting

This product supports high-speed continuous shooting function, please set the camera to continuous shooting mode, and then shoot.
The quantity of photos of burst shooting depends on the ﬂash output setting. Please use battery with suﬃcient power.

Bounce Flash
Bounce ﬂash refers to shooting by pointing the 「Flash head」 at the wall or ceiling, and illuminating the object with the light reﬂected from the wall or ceiling (commonly known as “jumping ﬂash”)， which can reduce the shadow behind the subject and obtain a more natural light eﬀect.
If the wall or ceiling is too far away, the bounce ﬂash may be too weak and cause underexposure. The wall or ceiling should be ﬂat and white ,which helps to get eﬃcient reﬂection, if the reﬂecting surface is not white, color cast may appear on the photo.
Use [Catchlight Panel] for shooting
Use the ‘Catchlight Panel’ to ﬂash, pull the‘ Catchlight Panel’ and ‘Wide Panel’ out of the ﬂash head together, and push the ‘Wide Pane l’back.
If you shoot at this time, you can create high light points in the model’s eyes, making the eyes more charming and beautiful(catchlight). This function can achieve the best eﬀect when you position the ﬂash head toward the front and 90°up.
Use Wide Panel
Pull out the ‘Wide Panel’ and push back to the ‘Catchlight Panel’ , and place it as shown in the ﬁgure. The ﬂash range will be expanded and the ﬂash eﬀect will be softer and more natural.
When using the ‘Wide Panel’ , the ﬂash coverage will be expanded and locked to 14mm.

Wireless ﬂash shooting

2.4GHz Radio Transmission
YN685EX-RF is compatible with YONGNUO RF radio trigger system, and it can be used as a master unit or a slave unit during radio ﬂash shooting. When used as a master unit, it can remotely control the ﬂash mode, ﬂash output and focal length of the slave units YN685EX-RF,YN650EX-RF, YN320EX,YN720,YN560 III,YN560 IV,YN660,YN685(II),YN862.
When used as a slave unit, it can receive the radio triggering signal from a ﬂash trigger (such as RF602, RF603, YN560-TX Pro, etc.) or ﬂash (such as YN685EX-RF,YN650EX-RF,YN320EX,YN560 IV,YN660,YN862, etc.) with 602/603 master control function. If supported by the master control unit, the ﬂash mode, ﬂash output and focal length can be changed remotely through the master control unit.
- Master Unit, Slave Unit Settings
  Master : Flash mounted on top of the camera, turn on the power, set the 「Wireless Flash」 menu on the camera to “On” . For more information, please refer to the camera instructions.
  Slave: Long press the [MODE] button to enter the trigger mode selection interface, rotate the [Dial] and select< SLAVE>, press [SET] to save the settings.
- Select Radio Signal
  Enter the custom option C.Fn 05 and set the radio signal to RF602 or RF603. During the triggering process, please ensure that the radio signals of the master control unit and the slave unit are set to be consistent, otherwise the ﬂash cannot be triggered.
- Transmission Channel/Radio ID Settings
  If there are other photographers using radio wireless multiple ﬂash shooting or other radio equipment in public, you can change the transmission channel and ID to avoid interference. YN685EX-RF has 16 physical channels and 10,000 IDs to choose.
  If there are other photographers using radio wireless multiple ﬂash shooting or other radio equipment in public, you can change the transmission channel and ID to avoid interference. YN685EX-RF has 16 physical channels and 10,000 IDs to choose.
  Set the channel: Short press the function button [CH] to enter the channel setting interface, turn the [dial] to select the appropriate channel from 1 to 16, short press [SET] to save the setting.

Set ID: Short press the function button 【ID】 to enter the ID setting interface, short press the function button [←] or [→] to select the
number of ID digits, turn the [dial] to select the desired number from 0 to 9, and short press the 【SET】 button to save the settings.
During the radio transmission wireless shooting process, please ensure that the transmission channel and ID of the master unit and the slave unit are set to the same, otherwise the ﬂash will not be triggered normally.
If the master unit or slave unit used does not support ID setting, please set the ID of YN685EX-RF to 0000.

  *  **The Master Flash ON or Forbid Flash**

When YN685EX-RF is used as the master control unit for radio wireless ﬂash photography, you can choose whether the master unit participates in the ﬂash. When the ﬂash setting of the master ﬂash is ON, the master unit will participate in the ﬂash as a group A ﬂash.
Setting method: Short press the function button [ ] to select whether the main control unit participates in the ﬂash. When the master controller participates in the ﬂash, it displays , and when the master controller does not participate in the ﬂash, it displays .

  *  **Slave Unit Grouping Setting**

On the slave unit, short press the [Gr] button to switch the ﬂash to the group you want to set. There are 5 groups A/B/C/D/E for the slave unit to choose from.

  *  **Slave Unit Flash Parameter Setting**

When used as a slave unit, the parameters can be set directly on this ﬂash, or the parameters can be changed remotely through the master control unit. The method of directly setting the ﬂash mode, ﬂash output, and ﬂash coverage on this ﬂash is the same as that of a normal on-camera ﬂash. To remotely set the parameters of the slave unit, you only need to set the ﬂash mode, ﬂash output, and ﬂash coverage of the corresponding group on the master control unit and all the settings will be synchronized to the group of slave unit ﬂashes.

  *  **Wireless Flash Shooting Using 1 to 3 Slave Units**

On the slave unit ﬂash, short press [Gr] to enter the group setting interface, turn the [dial] to set the slave unit to any group of A, B, and C. On the master control unit, short press the function button [RATIO] to turn on the ﬂash ratio , and short press the [RATIO] again to turn oﬀ the ﬂash ratio . Short press the [Gr] button to select the control group, and turn the [Dial] to adjust the ﬂash ratio and ﬂash output of the group ﬂashes.
To make all the slave units in groups of A, B, and C ﬂash with the same output, please set to .

  * If you need a higher ﬂash output or better lighting, you can increase the number of ﬂash units in one group of slave units.

For example: if the groups of 3 slave units are set to , they will be ﬁred as a ﬂash unit of the slave unit group and controlled by the master unit.

  *  **Gr:** Set diﬀerent ﬂash modes, brightness, and focal lengths for each group of ﬂashes for wireless ﬂash shooting.

On the master control unit, short press the 【MODE】 button to switch the ﬂash mode to . In this mode, up to 5 groups (A/B/C/D/E) ﬂashes can be triggered simultaneously, and diﬀerent ﬂash modes, ﬂash brightness and focal lengths can be set for each group of slave units through the master control unit. Short press the function button [GR] to select the control group, then turn the [dial] to directly change the exposure compensation or ﬂash output of the group of slave units, short press the function button [MODE] to change the ﬂash mode of the group of slave units (TTL,M ,OFF). Short press the function button [+/-] and turn the [Dial] to adjust the exposure compensation for all groups.

Optical Transmission
YN685EX-RF can be used as a slave unit in optical transmission wireless ﬂash photography. There are three trigger modes: Ss, S1, and S2. Setting method: Long press the [MODE] button to enter the trigger mode selection interface, turn the [dial] to select the desired trigger mode, and press [SET] to save the setting.
Ss trigger mode: The same YN685EX-RF can respectively receive the optical transmission wireless trigger signal of YONGNUO YN320EX and Sony HVL-F32M, HVL-F60RM, HVL-F60M and other ﬂashes. On the slave unit, short press the [Gr] button to switch the ﬂash to the group you want to set. There are two groups (A/B) for the slave unit to choose.

In the Ss trigger mode, the ﬂash output of the slave unit will be fully controlled by the master unit, and there are four channels Wireless ﬂash shooting
(CH1/2/3/4) to choose.
Channel setting method: Short press the function button [CH] to highlight the channel, turn the [dial] to adjust, and press [SET] to save the setting.
The S1/S2 trigger mode is suitable for manual ﬂash mode and TTL ﬂash mode respectively. When YN685EX-RF works in S1/S2 trigger mode, the ﬂash mode defaults to M mode. Short press the function button [+/-] to highlight the ﬂash output, and turn the [dial] to adjust.
S1 mode: When the ﬂash is in S1 mode, it will trigger the ﬂash synchronously with the ﬁrst ﬂash of the master ﬂash, the eﬀect is the same as using a wireless ﬂash trigger. To use this mode normally, your master ﬂash must be set to manual ﬂash. The TTL ﬂash system with pre-ﬂash should not be used, and the red-eye reduction function with multiple ﬂashes also should not be used.
S2 mode: Also known as “pre-ﬂash cancel mode”, this mode is similar to S1 mode, but it can ignore the pre-ﬂash from TTL ﬂash, so it can support the master ﬂash working in TTL mode. In particular, if the S1 mode cannot synchronize with your built-in ﬂash, you can try the S2 mode.
When using the S1 and S2 modes, the master control unit needs to turn oﬀ the red-eye reduction function and the optical transmission wireless ﬂash mode, otherwise, the ﬂash may be out of sync.

Custom Function Settings

You can customize the ﬂash function according to your personal preference. Long press the function button [ Zm/C.Fn ]to enter
the custom function item menu, rotate the [Dial] to choose the custom function item (No.,such as C.Fn 01), short press the [SET] button to enter the item sub-menu, rotate the [Dial] to modify the function settings of the sub-item, short press the [SET] button to save the settings and exit the sub-menu,press [BACK] button to return to the normal shooting interface after ﬁnishing the custom function settings.
After entering the custom
function item menu. Short press the [CLEAR] button and then press the [OK] button to restore the custom options to the factory default selections

The custom functions supported by YN685EX-RF are as follows:

Troubleshooting Guide

The power cannot be turned on or the ﬂash does not ﬁre. Please check whether the battery is installed correctly and whether the battery power is suﬃcient or not; please make sure that the ﬂash hot shoe is installed in place, and the ﬂash ﬁxing knob is locked.

Cannot ﬂash in radio transmission wireless shooting.
Please make sure that the RF radio trigger signal, the channels and the ID of the slave unit and the master unit are set to the same, and the slave unit is placed within the eﬀective wireless transmission range of the master unit.

Cannot ﬂash in optical transmission wireless shooting
When using it outdoors, please avoid direct sunlight to the wireless sensor of the ﬂash; make sure that the channels of the master unit and slave unit are set to the same, and the slave unit is within the eﬀective wireless transmission range of the master unit.

The photo is underexposed or overexposed.
Check whether the camera’s shutter, aperture, and sensitivity (ISO) are too close to the ﬂash limit, or whether the ﬂash-related settings such as exposure compensation on the camera and ﬂash are correct.

The photos appear dark corners or subject can be only partially lit up.
Please check the current ﬂash coverage; Please check whether the lens focal length is beyond the range of the ﬂash, if so, you can try pulling out the wide panel to enlarge the coverage of the ﬂash.

The ﬂash control panel display blurred.
There is a layer of ﬁlm on the screen when it is out of the factory, you can tear it to enjoy more clear visual eﬀect.

Other abnormal situations
Please try to turn oﬀ the power of the ﬂash and camera, remove the ﬂash from the camera and install again, and then restart the power of the ﬂash and camera. If there are still abnormalities, you can contact YONGNUO after-sales service hotline 400-0013-888 or send an email to service@hkyongnuo.com for help.

Speciﬁcation

Circuit design Insulated Gate Bipolar Translator (IGBT)
Guide number 60 (ISO 100, 200mm)
Flash mode TTL, M, MULTI ,Gr
Trigger mode set-top, radio master, radio slave, wireless optical slave (Ss, S1, S2)
Lamp head zoom range 20, 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, 105, 135, 200mm
Vertical rotation angle -7~90 degrees
Horizontal rotation angle 180 degrees each side
Power supply 4 *AA alkaline batteries or AA nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries
Light-emitting times 100~1500 times (using AA alkaline batteries)
Recycle time about 2 seconds
Color temperature about 5600k
Flash time 1/200 second ~ 1/20000 second
Flash control 8 levels of brightness control (1/128~1/1), a total of 22 levels of fine adjustment
External interface Hot shoe, PC interface, external charging interface, USB interface
Radio transmission triggering distance up to 100 meters
Optical transmission triggering distance 20-25 meters indoors, 10-15 meters outdoors
Additional functions Master flash, off-camera flash, high-speed sync, rear curtain sync, exposure compensation, exposure lock, lamp head electric zoom, sound prompts, automatic save settings, power saving mode, overheat protection, custom functions, firmware upgrades
Volume
about 65×78×210mm (stretched state)
Net weight
about 427g
Included items
Flash (1), protective bag (1), mini base (1),
Manual (1), product certificate (1)

Guide number (ISO100, in meters/feet)

YONGNUO-YN685EX-RF S-Camera-Flash-Speedlight-40

FCC Statement

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

This device may not cause harmful interference, and
This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.

These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. Warning: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

The electronic version of this manual is available at https://www.hkyongnuo.com/xzyzc.
The functions in this manual are obtained based on our company’s test conditions. Design and speciﬁcations are subject to change without notice.
The YONGNUO logo in this manual is a registered trademark or trademark of Shenzhen YONGNUO Photographic Equipment Co., Ltd. in China or/and other countries (regions). All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners.