600EX-RT

<p>If you can live with the distance limitations, ST-E2 is OK for what it does (and for solo use as a great and compact AF assist light.) The only bad thing about optical sync is the "light show" of blinking lights which might be distracting to the models and often elicits this priceless WTF..? look from the innocent bystanders. </p>

<p>I haven't had much luck with the ST-E2, but I know many do, for the price it really is a good performer.</p>

I read the comments by Scott Ferris and others here regarding the Phottix Odin system with great interest. I have used

the Canon ST-E2 and a variety of Canon flashes for a number of years with what I can call adequate results. I tried some

RF based systems and found them to be cumbersome.

 

A few days ago I received a Phottix Odin "system" of one transmitter and three receivers. Total cost was $580. I tried

them out with my 2 580EX II and 1 430EX flashes. Following the lead of some reviews I attempted to set up and use the

setup in various modes, TTL, manual, mixed TTL and manual, and HSS. Amazingly intuitive! I then found a demo video

on the internet and watched it to see what I had missed. I picked up a couple of addition things but all of the major

functions were just so intuitive I was amazed. The instruction manual is provided on a CD and I went through it as well.

Very nice.

 

The setup of this system is so amazingly simple even to the point of using the ubiquitous AA batteries. They even

provide Energizer batteries in addition to cables for hooking up other types of lighting units.

 

This was not, of course, my first time at setting up such a system but still I think this is the simplest system I have dealt

with to date. I saw on one website that a list of non-Canon flashes that will work with the system is being compiled. I

could not find that link again, however. Sorry.

 

Those who would criticize this system without at least researching it or actually giving it a try are IMO way off base. I felt

no remorse about buying this system when a day later, Canon announced their new products.

 

I agree with Scott, Phottix is onto something here.

 

Dick

<p>I just sold my Canon ST-E2 for $125.00 so that helps on the total package price.<br>

Dick</p>

 

<p>For those reading this post and contemplating buying a radio trigger set, I wanted to add an update. Phottix has now released the Phottix Mitros + flash unit which has all the functionality of the TCU (Phottix Odin control unit) inside a flash unit that can be used as a camera mounted master or off camera as a slave. It's fully compatible with the Odin system and also backwards compatible with their non E-TTL triggers. And, it's cheaper than the 600EX. This flash probably explains why they didn't include a hot shoe on the original TCU, and it adds a whole new layer of flexibility to their growing system.</p>

<p>Devon,</p>

<p>I ended up getting the Canon 600-EX-RT's and an ST-E3-RT. My only disappointment was in the limitations of the RT system for pre 2012 cameras but Yongnuo subsequently came out with the YN-E3-RT, it allows Group Mode in pre 2012 cameras and has an AF assist lamp, another feature missing on the Canon model.<br>

I am very happy with the Youngnuo and at $137 it is a bargain compared to the ST-E3-RT.<br>

If the Mitros+ had been available earlier I might well have gone that route, but I d like the five groups I have with the Canon/Yongnuo setup.</p>

<p>But the wireless flash market is booming and keeping up to date with the various options is a challenge, I heartily recommend www.flashhavoc.com for all things flash related.</p>

 

<p>Yeah, I was at flash havoc earlier. Good resource. I decided to order a set of Odins as they were the cheapest way to take my current system, a wide variety of EX models, wireless . Ironically, I didn't even know about the Mitros + at the time; however, at ca. $400 per all-in-one unit, they are serious competition for any flash + radio trigger purchase option out there. I would give them serious consideration if I wanted to expand my system any further.<br>

Glad you found something that fit your needs.</p>

<p>Scott: I bought from eBay Hong Kong a YongNuo YN-E3-RT in December. It worked with my Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT's. But, the YongNuo needed a firmware upgrade straight out of the box before it would work with my Canon EOS 6D. For the price of around $138 with free shipping, it is a definite keeper. The battery compartment does lack a rubber seal to add to it's water and dust resistance, but I don't care.</p>

<p>Hi Peter,</p>

<p>Yes mine came with Firmware 1.02, I updated to 1.08 last night. The only "issue" I have had with the YN-E3-RT is the remote shooting doesn't fire the flashes, the Canon ST-E3-RT does. I will keep both but for pre 2012 camera body owners the YN really is a huge improvement.</p>

<p>Scott: Are you talking about the Remote Release from a Slave Unit?</p>

<p>Hi there Peter.</p>

<p>Yes, I am talking about the Remote Shooting feature when used on pre 2012 cameras. The YN comes with two cables to connect to the remote release socket on pre 2012 cameras. With it you can hand hold a 600 and on the second Menu option the left hand button displays REL. Push that and the camera shutter works, with the YN that is all that happens, with the ST the remote flash you are holding and any other in the setup fires too.</p>

<p>I use this feature for real estate accent lighting, the camera is on a tripod and I walk around with a 600 in my hand and fire it at highlights then layer mask the stacked shots in PS, the YN is useless for this. The YN does fire the remote flashes on post 2012 cameras.</p>

<p>The Linked Shooting mode works exactly the same for both YN and ST.</p>

<p>Scott: I just tested the Remote Release with two 600EX-RT slaves. Each slave was able to fire the shutter on my 5D Mark III and 6D including the second slave. Meaning all slaves fired in sync. Of course, the EOS's are post 2012 cameras. Too bad I don't have my old 5D to test. Have you contacted YongNuo about this? Perhaps they will have to issue another firmware update.</p>

<p>Peter: Yep the YN performs exactly as the ST on my EOS-M (post 2012), but it doesn't fire any flashes with pre 2012.</p>

<p>I haven't reported it to Yongnuo. Maybe I shpuld, they seem receptive to that kind of input.</p>

<p>Scott: YongNuo responded to my question about the YN-E3-RT on their Facebook page within 2 business days. You can try there if you don't mind other people seeing your identity and reading your comment(s).</p>