YN585EX

P-TTL Wireless Flash Unit for PENTAX

USER MANUAL

For proper use, please read this user manual carefully. Keep it for future reference.
2

Introduction and disclaimer

This is not an official YONGNUO manual!

I've made this User Manual to get familiar with Scribus (a
Desktop Publishing Software) and Inkscape (a Vector
Graphics Editor), booth open source.
Learning a software is much easier and fun when we have
a real project to accomplish. So, I needed a project!
In the end, I've decided to do a user manual for the
Yongnuo YN585EX because the original manual is full of
incomprehensible explanations and typos. Hopefully, I was
able to improve it!
My initial goal was to simply give it a new page layout,
correct the typos I could identify and bring some sense
into some of the most awkward sentences found in the
original manual. “One afternoon’s work”, I thought. Well,
in the end it was something closer to 20 afternoons! I’ve
rewritten and redraw everything, added a lot of
information and gave it an entirely new look.
English is not my native language (as you may already be
aware). So, this manual probably has typos along with
possible wrong explanations. This is the right time to say,
"Use it at your own risk!" If any information in this manual
sounds strange, please refer to the original manual.
Zelig
Scribus
https://www.scribus.net/
Inkscape
https://inkscape.org/
 3

Welcome

Thank you for purchasing the Yongnuo YN585EX flash unit.

We are happy to welcome you as a customer.
Please read this manual before using the flash unit in
order to get the most out of all features and functions. Be
sure to keep it for future reference.
Also, refer to your camera user manual for extra
information on the camera flash settings.

✎ This flash unit is suited for Digital Pentax cameras

with P-TTL flash control and Pentax flash socket
system. This flash unit is not suited for other
camera brands.

Safety instructions

We have paid close attention to the safety of this product.

When using it, please pay special attention to the items
marked with a warning symbol.

⚠ Never fire a flash directly into the eyes of a person or

animal at close range. It may damage the retina and lead
to severe visual impairment, even blindness!

⚠ Never fire the flash at anyone driving cars, buses, trains,

motorcycles or any other vehicle. They can be blinded by
the bright flash and cause an accident!

⚠ RISK OF SEIZURE! High frequency light bursts can cause

seizures in persons that suffer from Photosensitive
Epilepsy. When using Multi mode verify that no one
present suffers from this condition.
4

⚠ Do not touch the reflector screen after firing the flash

unit, as you may burn yourself.

⚠ DANGER OF EXPLOSION! Never fire a flash in the vicinity

of inflammable gases or inflammable chemicals!

⚠ HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC SHOCK! Never disassemble the

flash unit!

⚠ HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRIC SHOCK! If you drop the flash

unit and break the enclosure, do not touch the exposed
inner parts.

• Dead batteries should be removed from the flash unit

immediately, as the leak acid from dead batteries can
damage the flash unit.
• Never recharge alkaline dry cell batteries!
• Never use defective batteries of any type.
• Remove the batteries if you’re not planning to use the
flash unit for a long period.
• Protect the batteries and the flash unit from excessive
heat such as strong sunshine or fire!
• The flash unit is not weather resistant. Do not expose it
to dripping, splashing water, rain or excessive humidity!
• Don’t cover the reflector screen or use the flash unit at
close range from any object as it may cause burns.
• During intense usage at full light output be sure to wait
for at least 10 min after 15 flashes. Otherwise, the flash
unit may overheat.
• If overheated the unit will enter overheat protection. It is
recommended to wait at least 10 min before using it again.
• Only use the built-in camera flash together with this flash
unit, if the built-in flash can be folded out completely.
 5

Contents

Introduction and disclaimer 2

Welcome 3
Safety instructions 3
Contents 5

1 Your flash unit 8

Bundled items 8
Main features 9
Name of parts 10
LCD panel 12

2 Gettingready
Getting ready 14

Suitable batteries 14
Inserting the batteries 15
Mounting the flash unit 16
Switching the flash unit ON/OFF 17

2
3 Getting ready
On-camera flash modes 18

Setting the operating mode 18

P-TTL mode 19
Flash exposure compensation (FEC) 19
Rear‑curtain synchronization 20
Manual mode 21
Multi mode 21
Setting the flashes per shot and frequency 22
Maximum number of flashes per shot/frequency 23
Modeling light 24
Light output 25
Focal length (Zoom) 25
Setting the focal length manually 26
Switching between auto and manual zoom 26
6
4
2 Getting ready
Off-camera slave modes 27
Setting the slave mode 27
Wireless SP slave mode 28
Using the camera’s built-in flash with SP slave mode 29
Master or Controller 30
SP mode in P-TTL and Manual mode 30
S1 and S2 slave modes 31
Using the camera’s built-in flash
with S1 and S2 slave modes 32
Wireless range 32
Auto-zoom in slave mode 33

5
2 Getting ready
Advanced functions 34
Manually firing the flash unit 34
Bounce flash 35
Reflector card 36
Wide-angle panel 36
AF assist beam 37
Flash‑ready indicator 38
Sound prompt 38
LCD illumination 39
Overheat protection 40
Power saving function 40
Wake-up function 42
PC Sync port 42
Autosave settings 42
Resetting the flash mode settings 43
Firmware update 43
Functions set on the camera 44
Red-eye reduction 44
High speed continuous shooting 44
Flash exposure bracketing (FEB) 45
 7

6
2 Gettingoptions
Custom readymenu 46
Setting an option value 46
01. Power saving function 47
02. AF assist beam 47
03. Off-camera sleep mode 48
04. Off-camera auto-power off 48
05. Sound prompt 48
06. On-camera sleep mode and auto-power off 49
07. Quick power on 49
08. LCD backlight 50
09. EV fine tuning step size 50
10. Firmware version 50
11. Custom options factory defaults 51

Guide number table 52

Main specifications 54
8

1 Your flash unit

• Bundled items
• Main features
• Name of parts
• LCD panel

Bundled items

The following items are packaged with your flash unit.

Please check that all items are included.

❶ Yongnuo YN585EX Flash Unit

❶ Protective case
❶ Mini stand
❶ User manual
❶ Manufacturer certificate
 9

Main features

• Compatible with Pentax P‑TTL Wireless Flash System

• High Guide Number, GN58@ ISO100, 105mm
• P‑TTL flash mode
• Manual flash mode
• Multi flash mode
• Three wireless slave modes
• Four wireless channels in SP slave mode
• Preflash cancel in S2 slave mode
• Automatic and manual zoom control
• Extended focal-length via wide‑angle panel
• Reflector card
• Full-output recycle time of just 3 seconds
• Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC)
• Front and rear-curtain sync
• Red-eye reduction
• AF-assist beam
• PC Sync port
• Sound prompt function
• Large LCD Screen
• Real-time battery power indication
• Overheat protection
• Power saving function
• Autosave last used settings
• Firmware upgrade
• Flash-ready indication in viewfinder
• Quick access buttons to flash exposure compensation,
sound, LCD backlight and rear-curtain sync functions
10

Name of parts

Flash head Reflector card

Reflector screen and Wide-angle panel
flash emitter unit Mini-USB port
Battery compartment PC Sync port
Wireless sensor Terminal cover
Wireless indicator Lock-release ring
AF assist beam Flash contacts
Speaker Locking pin
Hot shoe stand LCD panel
 11

Flash mode/Slave mode button

Short press sets Flash mode.
Long press opens the Slave mode selection menu.
Light/Sound button
Short press toggles LCD backlight ON/OFF.
Long press toggles the Sound prompt ON/OFF.
Pilot button/Flash-ready indicator
Short press manual fires the flash. Blue light: flash is
recharging. Red light: flash is charged and ready to fire.
Four-way controller/OK button
Sets the exposure compensation or light output power
and navigates through the different settings.
Central OK button: Confirms selected setting.
Sync/Channel button
P-TTL mode: Short press sets Front or Rear-curtain syn‐
chronization. Slave mode: Long press opens the Wireless
Channel selection menu.
Zoom/Custom options button
Short press to enter Focal length set mode.
Long press opens the Custom options menu.
Power switch
Long press turns the flash unit ON/OFF.
12

LCD panel

Flash exposure Manual zoom ON

compensation ON Auto-zoom (no icon)
Sound prompt ON
Battery level
Slave mode ON
Rear-curtain sync
SP Wireless channel

Slave SP, S1 or S2 Overheat warning

 13

P-TTL mode
• Auto zoom: 50 mm
• Exposure compensation: +1 2/3 EV
• Sound prompt ON
• Rear-curtain sync

P-TTL wireless SP slave mode

• Manual zoom: 35 mm
• Exposure compensation: +2 stops
• SP Slave mode
• Wireless Channel 3
• Sound prompt OFF

Manual mode
• Auto zoom: 58 mm
• Flash light output: 1/8 +0.7 EV
• Sound prompt ON
• Normal (front-curtain) sync

Multi mode
• Manual zoom: 105 mm
• Flash light output: 1/16 EV
• Six flash bursts per shot @ 50Hz
• Normal (front-curtain) sync

Custom options menu

• Option number: 10
• Option name: Firmware version (Ver)
• Option value: 16.18
14

2 Getting ready

• Suitable batteries
• Inserting the batteries
• Mounting the flash unit
• Switching the flash unit ON/OFF

Suitable batteries

This flash unit uses four AA batteries of the following

types:
• 4 nickel-metal-hydride batteries 1.2V, type IEC HR6.
• 4 alkaline-manganese dry cell batteries 1.5V, type IEC
LR6.

⚠ Do not use any other types of batteries. Other types of

batteries may degrade the performance of the flash unit
or generate heat and damage your equipment.

⚠ Please help protect the environment by disposing dead

batteries at the appropriate recycling points.

✎ For safety instructions regarding batteries see p. 4.

 15

Inserting the batteries

✎ Turn off the flash unit before replacing the batteries.

❶ Slide and open the battery compartment cover as

shown in the image.
❷ Insert the four batteries, making sure the polarity
matches the diagram inside the battery compartment.
Close the battery compartment cover as shown in the
image.

⚠ Inserting the batteries in the wrong direction can

damage the flash unit!

⚠ If the flash unit is not going to be used for an extended

period of time, remove the batteries to prevent damage
due to leakage.

✎ Always replace the four batteries.

✎ Always use four batteries of the same brand and

model, to ensure they have the same capacity and
performance.
16

Mounting the flash unit

✎ Turn off the camera and the flash unit before

mounting or dismounting.

❶ Remove the hot shoe cover from the camera. Turn the
locking ring in the direction of the arrow until it is fully
open so that the locking pin becomes fully retracted in
the hot shoe stand.
❷ Slide the flash unit into the camera’s hot shoe until it
stops. Turn the locking ring in the direction of the arrow,
clamping the flash unit in place.

⚠ When the flash unit is mounted on the camera, do not

hold the camera by the flash unit. This puts to much
stress on the hot shoe stand and if poorly attached the
camera may drop and be damaged.
 17

Switching the flash unit ON/OFF

Turn the camera on and then

turn the flash unit on by long
pressing the power switch [ON/
OFF] button.

The flash-ready light becomes blue indicating the

capacitor is charging. After the capacitor is fully charged
the flash-ready light becomes red and the unit is ready to
be used.
To turn the flash unit off, long press the power switch [ON/
OFF] button.

✎ Use the [PILOT] manual firing button to test if the

flash unit is working properly.

✎ When mounted on-camera the flash unit will enter

sleep mode if idle for 3 min and will auto power off
if idle for another 3 min (p.49).

✎ The power on/off time can be shortened in the

Custom options menu (p.49).
18

3 On-camera flash modes

• Setting the operating mode

• P-TTL mode
• Flash exposure compensation
• Rear‑curtain synchronization
• Manual mode
• Multi mode
• Light output
• Focal length (Zoom)

Setting the operating mode

The YN585EX supports on‐

camera P‑TTL, Manual and Multi
(Strobe) mode.

❶ Short press the [MODE]

button till the desired mode
appears on the LCD.
❷ The menu cycles between
P‑TTL, Manual [M] and Multi.

✎ The selected flash mode

becomes active right away
and the last used settings
for that mode are restored.
 19

P-TTL mode

In P‑TTL the flash unit fires a low power preflash before the
actual photo is taken. The light reflected back by the
preflash is evaluated by the camera metering system and
used as a reference to calculate the final flash exposure.
The preflash does not contribute to the final exposure.
P‑TTL mode supports flash exposure compensation, auto
and manual zoom, rear‑curtain sync and red-eye reduction.

Flash exposure compensation (FEC)

Flash exposure compensation allows the photographer to

offset the exposure set by the camera by changing the
light output power.
By changing the light output power, FEC has more impact
in the subject’s brightness and less in the background’s
which is mainly illuminated by the ambient light.
The FEC range goes from -3 EV to +3 EV and can be
quickly set with the four-way controller. The [RIGHT] and
[LEFT] button adjusts the compensation in ±1 EV
increments and the [UP] and [DOWN] button fine tunes
the adjustment in ±1/3 EV increments.

✎ In some cameras, FEC can also be set in the

camera's flash settings, usually in a range from -2
EV to +1 EV. See the camera user manual for more
information.

✎ The fine tune adjustment value can be change from

1/3 to 1/2 EV steps in the Custom options menu (p.50).
20
Rear‑curtain synchronization
In P‑TTL mode the flash unit supports front‑curtain and
rear‑curtain synchronization. Front‑curtain sync, also
called normal synchronization or first‑curtain sync, is the
default synchronization in all flash modes, P-TTL, Manual
and Multi, and the standard mode on all cameras.
In front‑curtain sync the flash unit fires immediately after
the shutter is fully open.
Rear‑curtain sync forces the flash unit to wait and only fire
at the end of the exposure time, just before the shutter
starts to close.
Rear‑curtain sync is frequently used together with slow
shutter speeds to produce a more natural motion blur
that trails behind a moving object instead of moving in
front of it.

Using rear-curtain synchronization

❶ Mount the flash unit on the

camera.
❷ Set the flash unit to P-TTL
mode.
❸ Short press the [SYNC/CH]
button to turn rear‑curtain
sync on. The rear-curtain sync
icon appears on the LCD.

To turn it off, short press the button again, the icon

disappears, and the flash unit is back on normal
synchronization.
 21

✎ Rear‑curtain sync is only available in P-TTL mode

with the flash unit mounted on the camera. Off-
camera P-TTL mode does not support rear‑curtain
sync.

✎ Rear‑curtain sync is not available in Manual and

Multi flash modes.

✎ Rear‑curtain sync can be used together with the

red-eye reduction function (p.44).

✎ Some cameras offer a rear-curtain sync option.

That option is for the built-in flash. Setting it on the
camera does not set it on the external flash unit.

Manual mode

In Manual mode the flash output is not set by the camera

and it’s up to the photographer to adjust the flash
exposure by changing the light output power on the flash
unit (p.25) or the aperture and the ISO on the camera.
Manual mode supports auto and manual zoom (p.26) and
red-eye reduction (p.44).

Multi mode

Multi mode, also called Strobe mode, fires several flash

bursts during a single photo. This mode is particularly
interesting with moving subject’s because the multiple
flash bursts will freeze their motion several times as they
move across the frame. Although the final result is
22

sometimes similar to a multi-exposure, Multi mode allows

for much faster moving subjects since is not limited by the
camera frame rate.
In Multi mode the user sets the light output power (p.25),
the number of flashes per shot and the frequency of those
flashes.
Since the purpose of this mode is to allow several flash bursts
in a single shot, the light output is limited to 1/4 or less.
The number of flashes per shot determines how many
flash bursts will be fired and ranges from 1 to a maximum
of 100.
The frequency determines how fast the flash bursts will be
fired and ranges from 1 to 100 Hz – 1 flash burst each
second to 100 flash bursts each second.
So, for example, if set to 40 flashes per shot at 20 Hz, the
40 flash bursts will take 2 seconds to complete. If the
frequency is changed to 80 Hz, the 40 flash bursts will be
completed in 1/2 second.

Setting the flashes per shot and frequency

❶ Set the flash to Multi mode

(p.18).
❷ Set the light output (p.25).
❸ Short press the [OK] button.
In the LCD the flashes per
shot value starts to blink.
 23

❹ Use the [LEFT] and [RIGHT] arrows to decrease or

increase the number of flashes.
❺ Short press the [OK] button
again. The frequency value
starts to blink.

❻ Use the [LEFT] and [RIGHT] arrows to decrease or

increase the frequency.

⚠ RISK OF SEIZURE! High frequency light flashes can cause

seizures in persons that suffer from Photosensitive
Epilepsy. When using Multi mode verify that no one
present suffers from this condition.

✎ The flashes per shot multiplied by a high frequency

of flash bursts multiplied by a high light output can
quickly exceed the capacitor power. In such cases,
the flash unit will fail to deliver all the set bursts.
To minimize such cases, use fully charged
batteries, decrease the light output, use a faster
aperture or a higher ISO.

✎ Multi mode is not available in off-camera slave

mode.

Maximum number of flashes per shot/frequency

The maximum allowed flashes per shot and the maximum

allowed frequency depends on the light output setting. As
a general rule, the lower the light output the higher the
flashes per shot and frequency can be.
24

1 When the flashes per shot setting is set to “ - - “, the flashes per shot will be
as follow.

Modeling light

Although not design as a modeling light the Multi mode

can produce short burst of light that can, in some
situations, be helpful to evaluate shadows without taking
a shot.

❶ Set the Light Output to 1/128.

❷ Set Flashes per shot to 40.
❸ Set the Frequency to 80Hz or higher.
❹ Position the Flash unit.
❺ Press and hold the [PILOT] manual firing button.
 25

Light output

In Manual and Multi mode, the light output power can be

manually adjusted to your creative needs. The light output
adjustment range goes from 1/1 (full light output) to 1/128
in 1 stop or 1/3 stop increments. Resulting in 22 fine
tuning steps.
The light output power can be quickly adjusted with the
four-way controller. The [RIGHT] and [LEFT] button adjust
the light output power in +/-1 stop increments and the
[UP] and [DOWN] button fine tune the adjustment in
+/-1/3 stop increments.

✎ The fine tune adjustment value can be change from

1/3 to 1/2 stop in the custom options (p.50).

✎ In Multi mode the maximum light output is limited

to 1/4 or less.

Focal length (Zoom)

The reflector zoom can be manually set to the following

focal lengths: 20, 24, 28, 35, 50, 58, 70, 80, 105 mm.
With the flash unit on‑camera and the reflector zoom set
to auto, the focal length range is: 20, 24, 28, 35, 50, 58
mm. With the flash unit off‑camera and the reflector zoom
set to auto, the focal length defaults to 35mm. If needed,
in booth cases, other focal lengths can be set by changing
to manual zoom (p.26).
In auto or manual zoom, light can be further diffuse to
cover a focal length of 14mm by setting the wide‑angle
panel over the reflector screen (p.36).
26
Setting the focal length manually

❶ Short press the [ZOOM/FN]

button to enter the focal
length set mode. The focal
length value starts to blink.
❷ Use the [LEFT] and [RIGHT]
arrows to choose the desired
focal length. The focal length
becomes active immediately.

❸ Optionally, press the [OK] button to set and exit the

focal length set mode.

Switching between auto and manual zoom

The manual zoom icon on the

LCD panel indicates whether the
zoom is in manual or auto mode.

When the icon is ON the zoom is in manual mode. When

the icon is OFF the zoom is in auto mode.
To switch from manual to auto zoom, follow the previous
procedure. On step 2, press the [LEFT] or [RIGHT] key till
the manual zoom icon disappears – this happens at the
end of the scale, between 105 and 20  mm. The zoom is
now in auto mode.
 27

4 Off-camera slave modes

• Setting the slave mode

• Wireless SP slave mode
• Using built-in flash with SP mode
• Master or Controller
• SP mode in P-TTL and Manual mode
• S1 and S2 slave modes
• Using built-in flash with S1 & S2 modes
• Wireless range
• Auto-zoom in slave mode

Setting the slave mode

The YN585EX supports three off-camera slave modes: SP,

S1 and S2. The SP Slave mode supports P‑TTL and Manual
flash mode, S1 and S2 only support Manual flash mode.

❶ Long press the [MODE] button

to open the slave mode
selection menu. The letters
[oF] appear on the LCD.
❷ Press the [Left] or [Right] key
until the desired mode
appears on the LCD.
The menu cycles between oF,
SP, S1 and S2.
28

❸ Press the [OK] button to

confirm your selection. The
two wireless indicator lights,
on the front face of the flash
unit, start to blink.

To exit slave mode and return to on-camera mode, repeat

the procedure and select the option [oF] (meaning OFF).

Wireless SP slave mode

The wireless Pentax P‑TTL remote system consists of a

master/controller flash unit mounted on the camera and
one or more off-camera slave flash units.
In a wireless SP setup, the slave units are controlled
remotely via a series of flash pulses emitted by the master
unit after the shutter release button is fully pressed and
before the actual picture is taken.
For preventing multiple wireless systems in the same
room from interfering with one another, it’s possible to
choose between four wireless channels. Master and slave
flash units belonging to the same remote system must be
set to the same wireless channel.
In wireless Slave mode, the YN585EX flash unit can be
controlled by any flash unit with Wireless Flash Control,
like the Pentax AF360FGZ or the Pentax AF540FGZII, or by
the built-in flash of most Pentax D-SLR’s.
 29
Using the built-in flash with SP slave mode

1. Set the flash unit to SP slave mode.

See Setting the Slave mode (p.27).

2. Set the flash unit wireless channel

❶ Long press the [SYNC/CH]
button. The channel icon on
the LCD begins to blink.
❷ Use the [Left] and [Right]
keys to select the desired
channel.
❸ Press the [OK] button to
confirm your selection.

3. Set the camera wireless channel

The flash unit default wireless channel is 1. This is also the
default channel for Pentax cameras. To use another
channel, first set the channel on the flash unit (step 2) and
then register it on the camera.

❶ Turn both camera and flash unit OFF.

❷ Mount the flash unit on the camera.
❸ Turn the flash unit ON.
❹ Turn the camera ON.
❺ Half press the shutter release button. The camera and
flash unit are now on the same wireless channel.
30

4. Change the built-in flash to wireless mode and

start shooting

❶ Change the built-in camera flash to wireless mode - on

some cameras, the channel number will appear for a
few seconds on the viewfinder and on the top LCD.
❷ Turn both units OFF.
❸ Remove the flash unit from the camera and put it on the
desired location with the wireless sensor facing the
camera.
❹ Turn both units ON and open the built-in flash on the
camera.
❺ When both flash units are fully charge, start taking
pictures.

Master or Controller

When the built-in camera flash is set to wireless mode it

can be configured as master or controller. Please read
your camera's user manual for more information.
When set as a master, the built-in flash will control the
slave unit(s) and also contribute to the shot exposure.
When set as a controller, the master flash unit will only
control the slave unit(s) without contributing to the shot
exposure.

SP mode in P-TTL and Manual mode

The SP Slave mode supports P‑TTL flash mode and Manual

flash mode.
 31

In P‑TTL SP mode, rear‑curtain sync is not supported and if

the zoom is set to auto the focal length defaults to 35 mm
(p.33).
Everything else works as explain in the chapters P‑TTL
mode (p.19) and Manual mode (p.21).

S1 and S2 slave modes

In the S1 and S2 modes the flash unit triggers itself when

the wireless sensor in the front part of the unit detects the
flash burst from another flash unit.
In these two modes there’s no exchange of information
between the camera and the off-camera flash unit. Booth
modes are therefore design to work in Manual mode as
explained in the chapter Manual mode (p.21).
Both modes operate the same way and only differ in the
way they react to the master unit:
In S1 mode, the flash unit fires with the first flash burst
from the master flash unit or, more precisely, with every
flash bursts from the master unit. Therefore, this makes it
suitable for old Manual and TTL flash modes where there is
no preflash.
In S2 mode, the flash unit ignores the P-TTL preflash from
the master flash unit and only fires on the second flash.

✎ The red-eye reduction function should be off in

both modes.

✎ The camera’s built-in flash should be set to normal

flash mode, not to wireless flash mode!
32

✎ Always try booth modes! If one mode doesn’t

synchronize with the built-in flash, try the other
one.

✎ The flash unit can also be used off-camera via a PC

Sync cable (p.42).

Using the camera's built-in flash with S1 and

S2 slave modes

Set the flash unit to S1 or S2 slave mode.

See Setting the slave mode (p.27).

Change the built-in flash to normal mode and

start shooting

❶ Position the off-camera flash unit with the wireless

sensor facing the camera.
❷ Turn the flash unit ON.
❸ Turn the camera ON and open the built-in flash.
❹ Set the built-in flash to normal mode.
❺ Wait till both flash units are fully charge and start taking
pictures.

Wireless range

The three modes, SP, S1 and S2, make use of the wireless
light sensor in the front face of the flash unit. When using
the flash unit off-camera this sensor should be facing the
master flash unit to maximize wireless efficiency and
range.
 33

As a reference, the maximum distance between the

master unit and the slave unit is 20~25m (65.6-82 ft)
indoors and 10~15m (32.8-49.2 ft) outdoors. These values
change depending on the ambient light.

✎ To maximize the wireless range outdoors, ensure

that the wireless sensor is not under direct
sunlight. If needed, improvise some shade making
sure not to cover the sensor.

Auto-zoom in slave mode

In off-camera slave mode, if the zoom is set to auto, the

focal length is not auto-adjusted and defaults to 35mm.
If needed, other focal lengths can be set by changing to
manual zoom (p.26).

✎ In any giving setting if the wide-angle panel is set

over the reflector the focal length defaults to
14mm (p.36).
34

5 Advanced functions

• Manually firing the flash unit

• Bounce flash
• Wide-angle panel
• AF assist beam
• Flash‑ready indicator
• Sound prompt
• LCD illumination
• Overheat protection
• Power saving function
• PC Sync port
• Autosave settings
• Firmware update
• Functions set on the camera

Manually firing the flash unit

The [PILOT] button can be used

at any moment to manual fire
the flash unit and check if it’s
firing properly.

Manual firing can also be useful to test a multiple flash

setup or when shooting in B mode in total darkness.
When manual firing the flash unit the light output power is
determine by the current settings.
 35

Bounce flash

Bouncing the flash off a ceiling or wall by tilting or rotating

the flash head can improve illumination in several ways
when compared to direct flash:
• Even the light between foreground and background.
• Soften the light and reduce harsh dark shadows.
• Give a more three-dimensional look.
• Reduce the glare on skin, hair, clothes, etc.
• Reduce the chance of overexposing a subject that
stands closer to the camera than others.
• It’s much more comfortable for your subject(s) eyes!

The flash head of the YN585EX tilts from -7º to 90º with
click stops at the following angles: -7º, 0, 45º, 60º, 75º
and 90º. It also rotates 180º in each direction with click
stops every 30º.

✎ To avoid color casts in your photos, the ceiling or

wall used to bounce should be white or neutral.

✎ Bouncing light will require more power from your

flash, avoid bouncing at ceilings or walls further
away then ~2m (~6,6 ft), avoid dark surfaces,
avoid technical ceilings where the light can get in
but can’t come out.

✎ When bouncing, try to manually set the focal length

to 105mm. This increases the flash range and
might help decrease the light output power usage.
36

Reflector card

The use of the white reflector card when bouncing the

flash enables you to create a sparkle of light in your
subject eyes, making them look more vibrant.
To use the reflector card:

❶ Tilt the flash head 90º up.

❷ Pull the reflector card together with the wide-angle
panel out of the flash head.
❸ Hold the reflector card and push the wide-angle panel
back into the flash head.

✎ The use of the reflector card is more efficient when

the flash head is tilt up 90º and is facing forward
(not rotated left or right). This maximizes the
reflector card area.

✎ The reflector card should not be used when the

flash head is pointed forward because it will cast a
shadow on the upper part of the photo.

Wide-angle panel
With the wide‑angle panel over the reflector screen, light
can be further diffuse and to illuminate a focal length of
14 mm.
The wide‑angle panel can also be used to soften light and
shadows or to minimize skin glare, in particular when
shooting at a short distance from the subject with the
flash head facing forward.
 37

To use the wide-angle panel:

❶ Pull the wide-angle panel together with the reflector

card out of the flash head.
❷ When fully out, release it. The panel will automatically
move to its position.
❸ Push the reflector card back in.
When using the wide‑angle panel the zoom will move to
its widest position, the focal length will change to 14mm
and the manual zoom icon will appear on the LCD.
To put it back in, turn the panel upwards 90º till it is align
with the flash head back and gently push it all the way in.

✎ When using the wide-angle panel the focal length

will change to 14mm, the [ZOOM/FN] button will
not work and the focal length cannot be changed.

AF assist beam
In low ambient light situations, the AF assist beam emits a
light pattern that helps the camera acquire focus.
The function can be activated, depending on the camera
settings, by half pressing the shutter release button or by
using the AF button.

✎ Some cameras have their own AF assist light,

turning it off will not turn off the AF assist beam of
the flash unit.

✎ This function does not work with AF.C, continuous

mode autofocus. Please set the camera to AF.S,
single mode autofocus.
38

✎ If the AF.S setting in the camera is set to release-

priority the AF assist beam pattern might appear in
your photo if the photo is taken before focus is
acquired. Wait for the camera to acquire focus
before taking the photo. See the camera user
manual for more information.

✎ This function can be turned off in the custom

options (p.47).

Flash‑ready indicator
When the flash unit is fully charged the flash-ready
indicator, in the [PILOT] button, turns red indicating the
flash is ready to fire. A flash-ready icon will also appear in
the camera’s viewfinder. While the flash is recharging the
flash-ready indicator is blue.

Sound prompt
The sound prompt function uses several beep codes to
pass on information about the flash unit operations and
status to the photographer. It allows, for example, for
the photographer to confirm correct flash exposure or
 39

flash-readiness without taking his/her eyes of the

camera.

The sound prompt function can

be quickly toggled ON/OFF by
long pressing the [Light/Sound]
button.

LCD illumination

In low light environments the LCD

panel backlight can be turn on
for 7 seconds by short pressing
the [Light/Sound] button.

The backlight can be turn off at any moment by pressing

the button again.

✎ The duration of the backlight can be set to 7, 15 or

30 seconds in the custom options (p.50).
40

Overheat protection

During continuous flash burst, in particular at full output

power, the flash unit can overheat due to the high level of
thermal energy released. To protect the flash emitter and
the flash unit body, the overheat protection function will
be triggered.

As temperature rises the overheat

warning icon will appear on the
LCD, the flash‑ready red light will
start blinking and the flash unit will

automatically increase the charge recycling time to avoid

overheating. On such occasions, it is recommended to
reduce the light output power - try using a faster aperture,
raising the ISO or adding more light sources.
To prevent overheating in rapid shooting situations plan
your setup in advance so that it becomes possible to use a
light output of 1/4 or less.
If the flash unit overheats, the overheat protection
function will lock the unit and it is recommended to wait at
least 10 minutes for the unit to cool down before using it
again.

Power saving function

By default, if idle for some time the flash unit will first
switch to sleep mode and then auto-power off to save
battery power.
 41

The power saving function has different timings for when

the flash unit is on-camera or off-camera (slave mode).
By default, when mounted on-camera the flash unit will
enter sleep mode if it’s idle for 3 min and will auto-power
off if it’s idle for another 3 min.
When off-camera, by default, the flash unit will enter sleep
mode if it’s idle for 60  min and will auto-power off if it’s
idle for 8 hours.
These timings can be changed in the custom options - 3, 4
and 6.
The power saving function can also be disabled in the
custom option  1 – overriding the settings in options 3, 4
and 6.

✎ For more information see the Custom options menu

chapter (p.47, 48 and 49).
42
Wake-up function

With the flash unit mounted on-camera, is possible to

quickly bring the unit out of sleep mode by half-pressing
the shutter release button.

PC Sync port

The flash unit has a 2,5 mm PC Sync port that can be used
to connect it to a camera via a PC Sync cable.
When connected via a PC Sync cable there’s no data
exchange (aperture, focal length and ISO) between the
camera and the flash unit. Therefore, the flash unit should
be set to Manual mode and configured manually. The
camera can be set to any operating mode, except Movie.

✎ When connected via a PC Sync cable the red-eye

reduction function is not supported.

Autosave settings
The flash unit conveniently autosaves the last used
settings for each flash mode – P-TTL, Manual, Multi, SP, S1
and S2.
The flash unit also remembers the last used mode and
returns to it every time it’s turned on.
The settings are kept even when the batteries are
removed, making it possible to replace the batteries and
immediately return to work without having to reconfigure
everything.
 43
Resetting the flash mode settings

It’s possible to quickly reset all

flash mode settings to their
defaults by long pressing the
[MODE] and the [SYNC/CH]

button simultaneous till the LCD blinks. All flash modes are
reset and the flash unit will be set to on-camera P‑TTL
flash mode.

✎ This only resets the flash mode settings (P-TTL,

Manual, Multi, SP…) not the flash custom options.
For resetting the flash custom options to their
factory defaults see p.51.

Firmware update
The YN585EX firmware can be
updated via the mini-USB port.
An update software is available
for Windows and Mac at the
Yongnuo official website:

http://www.hkyongnuo.com/e-detaily.php?ID=384

⚠ Before proceeding make sure the batteries are fully

charged.

❶ Download the latest firmware version.

❷ Unzip the firmware *.dfu file.
❸ Download the firmware update software.
❹ Unzip, install and run the software.
44

❺ Click OPEN, navigate to the *.dfu file and open it.

❻ Turn off the flash unit and connect it to the computer
via a mini-USB cable.
❼ Press and hold the [MODE] button and then press the
[ON/OFF] button.
❽ In the update software click APPLY.

Functions set on the camera

Red-eye reduction

The red-eye reduction function is set on the camera and is

supported in all on-camera flash modes: P‑TTL, Manual and
Multi. See your camera’s user manual for more information.

✎ The red-eye reduction function can be used

together with the rear‑curtain synchronization in
on-camera P-TTL (p.44).

✎ When the flash unit is connected to the camera via

a PC Sync cable the red-eye reduction function is
not supported.

High speed continuous shooting

The YN585EX supports high-speed continuous shooting

drive mode.
The total number of achievable flash bursts depends
mainly on the continuous shooting drive mode frame rate
and on the flash light output setting. Lower frame rates
and lower light output will allow more flash bursts. Fully
 45

charged batteries also help.

Planning your setup in advance, aiming for faster
apertures and higher ISO, will help ensure a successful
shot and prevent the flash unit from overheating.

⚠ Please read the Overheat protection chapter (p.40).

Flash exposure bracketing (FEB)

If the camera specifically supports flash exposure

bracketing, follow the camera’s operating manual to set it
up.
If the camera doesn't support flash exposure bracketing,
FEB can be achieved by setting the flash unit to P‑TTL and
the camera to Manual mode and use the normal exposure
bracketing drive mode.
By setting the camera to Manual mode, the camera can
only achieve the desired exposures by changing the flash
light output power because it’s not allowed to change the
aperture or the shutter speed1.

✎ Because exposure bracketing deliberately forces

the flash unit to under and overexpose the sound
prompt will beep accordingly (p.38).

1 Although Yongnuo claims it so, the YN585EX does not support FEB natively like, for

example, the Metz 58AF-2 flash unit. In the YN585EX, as far as I know, FEB can only
be achieved through this method or if the camera itself has a FEB function.
46

6 Custom options menu

• Power saving settings

• AF assist beam
• Sound prompt
• Quick power ON
• LCD backlight
• EV fine tunning
• Firmware information
• Reset factory defaults

The Custom options menu allows to customize the flash

unit to the photographer needs.

Setting an option value

❶ Long press the [ZOOM/FN]

button to open the custom
options menu.
❷ Press the [UP] and [DOWN]
keys to navigate trough the
menu and the [LEFT] and
[RIGHT] keys to change the
option value.
 47

❸ Return to step 2 to customize

another option or press the
[OK] button to exit the Custom
options menu.

✎ The Custom options menu will close automatically if

no key is pressed for 10 sec.

01. Power saving function

Turns the power saving function

ON/OFF globally.
It overrides the related settings
of options 3, 4 and 6.

02. AF assist beam

Turns the AF assist beam function

ON/OFF.
48

03. Off-camera sleep mode

This setting applies only to the

off-camera slave modes, SP, S1
and S2.
The value sets how many min‐
utes the flash unit has to be idle
before entering sleep mode.

04. Off-camera auto-power off

This setting applies only to the

off-camera slave modes, SP, S1
and S2.
The value sets how many hours
the flash unit has to be in sleep
mode before it automatically
shutdowns.

05. Sound prompt

Turns the sound prompt function

ON/OFF.
This is equivalent to long press
the [Light/Sound] button.
 49

06. On-camera sleep mode/auto-power off

This setting applies only to the

on-camera flash modes: P-TTL,
Manual and Multi.
The value sets how long the unit
has to be idle before entering
sleep mode and how long it has
to be in sleep mode before it
automatically shutdowns.

07. Quick power on

Defines for how long the power

switch [ON/OFF] button has to be
press to turn the flash unit ON/
OFF.
50

08. LCD backlight

The value sets how many

seconds the LCD backlight is on
when the [Light/Sound] button is
pressed.

09. EV fine tuning step size

Sets the flash exposure compen‐

sation and the light output fine
tuning steps to increments of 1/3
EV or 1/2 EV.

10. Firmware version

Displays the flash unit firmware

version.
 51

11. Reset factory defaults

Resets the flash custom options

to their factory defaults.
To reset the custom options, long
press the [OK] button until the
animation on the LCD stops.

✎ This does not reset the flash mode settings (P-TTL,

Manual, Multi, SP...), only the flash custom options.
For resetting the flash mode settings see p.43.
52

Guide Number Table

53
54

Main specifications

Electronic construction Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT)

Type Hot-shoe mount, P-TTL Auto Zoom Flash Unit

Guide number 58 (@105mm flash coverage, ISO 100, m)

42(@50mm flash coverage, ISO 100, m)

190 (@105mm flash coverage, ISO 100, ft)

138 (@50mm flash coverage, ISO 100, ft)

Flash modes P-TTL, Manual, Multi

Wireless slave modes SP, S1 and S2

Multi mode Flashes per shot: 1 – 100

Frequency: 1 -100 Hz

Color temperature 5600 K

Flash duration 1/200 to 1/20000 s

Recycling time Approx. 3 s with AA alkaline batteries

Total number of flashes 100-1500 with AA alkaline batteries

Exposure compensation -3 EV to +3 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 steps

Light output levels 1/1 to 1/128

Auto-zoom (APS-C) 20 to 58 mm

Manual-zoom (APS-C) 14 (wide panel), 20, 24, 28, 35, 50, 58, 70,
80, 105 mm
 55

Flash head rotation -7º to 90º vertical

range -180º to +180º horizontal

Wireless range 20~25 m indoors

10~15 m outdoors

65.2~82.0 ft indoors
32.8~49.2 ft outdoors

External interfaces Pentax digital hot-shoe

PC Sync port
Mini-USB port

Additional features Rear-curtain sync, sound prompt, autosave

settings, power saving, overheat protection,
AF assist beam, flash-ready indicator,
firmware upgrade

Dimensions (W x H x D) 72 x 188 x 60 mm

2.83 x 7.40 x 2.36 in.

Weight 365 g (Flash unit)

485 g (Flash unit + 4 AA batteries)

12.87 oz (Flash unit)

17.11 oz (Flash unit + 4 AA batteries)
This is not an official YONGNUO manual. Use it at your own risk!
The YONGNUO logo in this manual includes the registered trademark or
trademark of SHENZHEN YONGNUO PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENTCo., Ltd in China
or/and other countries (regions).

v. 1.00 2019.12