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Is there a reason not to buy the new fancy flash? I've seen it for $450, and even right now amazon has it for $472 shipped. Not that I'm complaining. I just thought it was going to take longer to go down in price. I know I'm not getting everything when using it with an older camera (for now anyway). Just asking for reasons to spend money I don't have.
I saw it for $499 at B&H earlier and was tempted by that. As an add-on question, what do people think about replacing the 580 EX II flash with the 600 as I am considering at these prices? Is the additional range and RT worth it? Are there any other benefits to the 600 over the 580 II?
Just ordered my third 600EX-RT. :)
If you have a 5DIII, it covers the outer AF points at wider angles. The extra zoom comes in hands sometimes, too.
But the RT system is the best part, particularly if you use modifiers. No angling things for the sensor to face the on-camera transmitter. It's quite easy to use, too.
Just picked up my second one and have the ste3rt on order should be here any day. Sounds simple and effective to use hopefully increase creativity level a bit as well. :)
I got the ST-E3-RT back in March to go along with my 600EX-RT because I could no longer control it wirelessly with my 6D like I did with the 60D (which was over optical). The step up to radio has been amazing. Not having the limitation of line of sight has been a substation upgrade for me. I see myself easily acquiring a few more.
Except for the benefit you will get from zooming to 200mm the 600 and 580 have pretty much the same power. The RT is what really sets it apart. Of course you'll need either an ST-E3 or 2nd 600 to benefit from that though. The UI is way better than the 580 too. The LCD panel is fantastic. I have 3 600s and an ST-E3. Click here to see how I was getting consistent fires at 400+ feet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayaker72
The official word from Canon is that you lose a stop from Xsync with pre-2012 bodies when using RT triggering. Word from users is that it's a 'soft' limit - you only see the shutter in a small percentage of shots at the normal camera Xsync. So...perhaps not a big hit in functionality from a practical standpoint.
From Syl Arena's Blog: Click here to read his full review
Sync Speeds — I shot at all sync speeds, up to 1/8000″ in High-Speed Sync, on both my 5DM2 and my 60D. I used both a 600EX-RT Speedlite and the ST-E3-RT transmitter to trigger. In hundreds of frames over the past week, I have not had one sync issue. The manual says that on pre-2012 cameras (anything other than 1D X and 5DM3), the system takes a one-stop hit in sync speed and that HSS is not possible. This will be an interesting area to watch as others begin to use the gear.
Just a note on the 600 EX RT
Great flash, same relative power of the 580 EX II
I made the change for the RT and for the GROUPS feature.
Let me also say that the flash head is slightly larger than the 580 EXII so you will need to update all your modifiers and diffusers,and possibly your ring flash attachment.
Back to the GROUPS function. You can set up to five groups (can have multiple flashes in each group), what is exciting here for me is that the groups can be individually set to ETTL or Manual from the MASTER.
BE WARNED: THE GROUP FUNCTION WILL ONLY WORK WITH THE 5DIII OR 1DX, NOTHING OLDER WILL SUPPOR THE GROUP FUNCTION.
I also note the price drop but let it be known that this is not a negative reflection on the unit.
I was VERY please to trade out my old flash trigger systems.
Check out these from SYL ARENA
http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/...lite_system.do
http://pixsylated.com/blog/video-can...e3-transmitter
Thanks
Kinda what I was thinking/hoping. Just didn't think the price would drop so quickly and so low. Glad to here all is well. I've been trying to watch Syl's stuff (which is on YouTube now) as well as other folks. Can't wait for cheat codes to pop up for older model cameras.
Thanks for the feedback everyone. It is an impressive flash. As I have the 5DIII I'd have some of the capabilities you are mentioning...but probably not the know-how :confused:. But that is what makes photography fun.
So, in general it seems that the 600 EX-RT has some nice advantages over the 580 EX II. But the biggest advantage seems to be the RT. I actually did use my 580 EX II off camera triggered by the on camera flash of the 7D, which is no longer an option with the 5DIII. But I did this very rarely and probably not enough to justify $300 for a transmitter or an additional $500 for a second 600 EX-RT. That is, unless I can come up with additional uses.
So, I've been trying to think how I might use a set up beyond a single flash. All the videos were focused on "pro-like" portraiture photography, which I really do not do much of. And I don't see showing up at family functions with a two to three 3 ft softboxes to set up a mini-studio. The additional uses I've come up with is enhancing the family portraits I already do (a couple a year), portraits of my newborn neice and nephew, and small waterfalls which often have uneven lighting.
So, I have two questions for the group:
1) Other than professional type portraits, what do you use RT for?
2) Does anyone have a small, not intrusive, softbox/etc set up for family portraits and photos of my neice and nephew? It would need to travel as my family lives all over the country.
Thanks in advance,
Brant
Shooting interiors. You wouldn't have to have line of sight. Although if done optically, you'd only need to hit one for all to go off, you still can't buy an older flash for the price of the newer with rt.
Adorama often has demos of cheaper small boxes. The prices of good ones are often much higher.
Attachment 1820Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayaker72
I find myself using the RT feature more and more when I'm inside with my son. For example on this shot I had flash in the other room on top of a table because it was the best place for it and there would be little chance of him running into it while playing. I'd had tried similar things in the past with the pop up flash speedlite controller on the 60D without much success, I needed the RT to properly trigger it.
I'm not sure that a decent lighting kit could be 'small and portable' - car travel, yes, but even a couple of short light stands and umbrellas would probably require a good part of a checked bag.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayaker72
I use the RT system for family events at the house. I put flashes in the corner of rooms, either with Justin clamps or on light stands, pointed at the ceiling. Gives consistent overhead lighting wherever I'm pointing the camera in the room, as long as I don't include a flash head in the shot.
That is pretty much exactly what I did for Easter when my son was hunting for his basket.Quote:
Originally Posted by neuroanatomist
Thanks for the responses everyone and for starting this thread Gregg.....I just monitored several sales of the 580 EX II and it looks like they are going for $350-$370 on ebay. That is enough where I think I'll upgrade.
I'll swap ya a tripod for your two 580exII:)
But I only have one 580 EX II ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by andnowimbroke
I'll settle for your camera then. I'm easy to work with;)
@ Kayaker:
Regarding small, not intrusive, travel capable lighting setup. I also implement a budget concern from my perspective.
This lighting setup could fit in a briefcase or backpack, the lightstands are very strong and short too, I have very heavy interfit stellar 300s with heavy 39” octobox on them, but I also use them for speedlights with umbrella.
For the simple portraits, I would be using a 7’ Matthews reversible lightweight stand, only 20” or so long when stored
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...e_Stand_7.html
One of these brackets to hold the 600 speedlight or yongnuo triggers (unless using the flashpoint triggers I mention later as they have hardware built on)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...u=50067&is=REG
Plus an inexpensive $10 36” shoot through umbrella
I would be doing this with a 600 exrt and doubling the lighting with the same gear except second light is an $85 Vivitar 285HV flash. One could use two Vivitar flashes instead of a 600exrt. One should be sensible and not mount a beautifully designed high end Canon 600exrt on a yongnuo trigger...
For triggers I have 4 transceivers from Yongnuo ($65 for all 4 and also serves as a shutter release remote) I also have a second set of triggers designed completely different: flashpoint triggers, buy 1 kit and buy 1 extra receiver, this will trigger two flashes, they are hot shoe mount. These have ¼” and can be mounted very easily. Make sure the extra receiver is also 4 channel and not 16 channel, or vice versa, or it wont match.
http://www.adorama.com/FPRRS4RN.html
I bought my Yongnuo 603 C# triggers on Amazon
You could get a two moonlight kit for this much, it would be AC and require cords, the stands would be very long and would not fit in a backpack, etc. I think if you buy moonlights, they should be 500ws or more, otherwise just use speedlights/flash
Also, theres a manfrotto extention pole for about $50 that goes to 9 feet. You can put this on top of these 7’ Matthews stands to reach 16’, or as I plan to do, have someone hold it for on location shoots where the subject is moving about in different areas and it becomes a boom.
Obviously a couple of 600EXRT would be optimal, the yongnuo are not TTL and not high speed sync, but they are very inexpensive. I personally would prefer those bubble popper or whatever those other ones are, radio tronix something, the $100 ones if I used triggers. There are small softboxes but I think umbrellas are going to be great for what you suggest.
By the way, you should probably be giving me photo ideas, now the other way around. I suggest you have two Canon speedlights, get two stands, two brackets and two umbrellas. Maybe throw in the extension pole from manfrotto. Even if you have 1 600exrt and a 430ex or a 580ex I think it will be better than the vivitar.
I thought it might be helpful to show this with pictures. Also it's practice for me to break it down and set it up. It takes about 5 minutes each way. It doesnt really fit in the backback, 2" too long, but I don't use that anyway. It's juts to give an idea of if it is possible. Ive carried larger lightstands in that backpack, it just requires using a piece of wire to tie the zippers together so it doesnt gradually unzip.
Attachment 1828Attachment 1829Attachment 1830Attachment 1831
Thanks UmiKaibutsu. I was trying to buy one to two refurbished 600 EX RT's yesterday. With the sale they were going for $380. They are currently out of stock, but when I do pull the trigger, that set up is definitely along the lines I have been thinking.
Thanks for the pictures.
>I shot at all sync speeds, up to 1/8000″ in High-Speed Sync
wait, what? 1/8000??? this is not a leaf shutter. how on earth?
High Speed Sync. HSS. http://www.bobatkins.com/photography...peed_sync.htmlQuote:
Originally Posted by memostothefuture
yes, I understand that. however, I used to think that the camera was the issue here — that the information from shutter to hotshoe to flash didn't travel fast enough to achieve a faster high-speed synch than 1/500ms. perhaps I'm mistaken and I will try this out now. because 1/1000 alone would be amazing for sports.Quote:
Originally Posted by neuroanatomist
HSS works all the way to 1/8000 s.
Hi,
Maybe this ref for HSS is useful
http://neilvn.com/tangents/high-speed-flash-sync/
neilvn.com has so much info re on camera and off camera flash
regards, Neil