If you’re looking for a workhorse flash unit, consider the Yongnuo Speedlite YN-468 II shoe mount flash. Designed to work with Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras, YN-468 II produces vibrant and crisp images even when lighting conditions are low. The Yongnuo Speedlite also supports Canon and Nikon’s own E-TTL flash exposure mode. Attach it to the camera hot shoe and fire away without the need for manual adjustments. It even supports the Canon E TTL II mode. In addition, just above the hot shoe, you find a PC port giving photographers an additional option for connecting to a camera.The first thing you’re likely to notice is the metal hot shoe. This makes the YN-468 II much more rugged, particularly when used on a light stand. The YN-468 II also boasts an optical slave with an extended range of up to 30 meters. This unit keeps Yongnuo’s tradition of having two slave modes. One mode fires the flash when it sees the main unit fire. The second ignores the tiny flashes of other units and waits until the main event to trigger.The laser autofocus assist helps the system assist the camera in finding the correct focus point. It also helps the system set the proper TTL setting. As noted above, exposure control is normally done with ETTL metering through your camera. However, the unit is also operated manually with power settings from 1/1 to 1/128. It also features TTL exposure compensation with 8 output settings in 1/3 stop increments. It even offers the option for rear curtain sync. When operated as part of a multi-flash setup, the YN-468II will function with wireless infrared control. The zoom head adjusts automatically or you set it manually. In either case, it covers a range of 24 mm to 85 mm. That head also rotates vertically from -7 degrees to a full 90 degrees. The head also swivels from side to side in a 270-degree range.The guide number of the Yongnuo is a respectable 33. The recycling time is fast at less than 3 seconds, with output daylight-balanced at 5600K. These flashes are battery-powered, providing up to 1,500 cycles. That depends, of course, on the output of each cycle. Duration varies depending largely on the distance to the subject, but the maximum time is 1/800 of a second. That’s fast enough to freeze almost any action. The settings, such as exposure compensation, are easily changed. Use your camera's flash menu or go through the buttons (and LCD) at the back of the YN-468.The flash is small, measuring only about 6.5 inches long. It’s lightweight, but the quality of the build is obvious when you hold it. It is powered by four AA batteries which line up single file for easy insertion in the battery door on the side. It comes with a built-in bounce card to help limit shadows in your photo. Compatible accessories include a mini stand and a protective case.