2-550EX w/STE2 set-up, anyone use this?

[GenEOS]

If anyone is using this setup, I am interested in some example shots or portrait work...Please e-mail or post a link.

Also, if you have any lessons learned with this set-up, I am all ears.
Signed, Dumbo

[AliasMoze]

I have two 550Ex's and the ST-E2 transmitter. The only really great thing I can say abou it is that, if you're set on using ETTL or have no other choice, this all-Canon setup will do well indoors. Outdoors is another story, since the eyes of the flashes have to be able to see the ST-E2. This factor makes it much slower to set up in my experience and actually imposes restrictions on your lighting choices.


Here is a shot taken with a 550EX fired into an umbrella, with another providing a bit of fill:
http://www.moserbrothers.com/daf/lheadshots10.jpg

My lesson learned is this: Go with cheaper flashes and Pocket Wizards and a handheld meter*. In addition to my 550's, I have a Sunpak 555 and a set of Pocket Wizard Pluses. First, the Sunpak is a powerful flash and half the price of the 550EX. The money saved will buy a PW receiver, and the resulting setup is way better. If I could go back in time, I'd never have bought the 550's - too expensive. Second, the Pocket Wizards are a miracle product. Being wireless and based on radio instead of infrared, they are much more reliable than the ST-E2. There's no way to express the difference.

What this system does not give is ETTL, but I've found - for digital - ETTL is unpredictable enough to render it useless to me.

*I use a Sekonic 308B. About $179. It takes incident and flash readings.

[outoffocus]

I have them. Recent purchase. I do not yet have any traditional portrait work to show you. I've used it on two teen fashion shoots. They are on the news section of my site (yes.. lots of post production..). I have three 5500ex's and usually have set them up on stands with umbrellas. I love the portability and ease of set up. The remote firing with infared works great at what seems like all angles. You have to give them a little time in between shots to recharge.. that would be my only negative.

As I say though.. I have only just started shooting with them.

Do a search on this forum. There are a few good posts on the subject. Hope it helps.

http://www.THEBIGPICTURE.ws

[robekert]

You know, I thought I had a site for you http://www.filmlessphotos.ca/ This site had a section that now says "closed for construction" It had about 30 photos on the page. When you clicked on the shot it showed a diagram of the lighting set up. There is some of these diagrams still http://www.filmlessphotos.ca/IndexPage.htm This will give you a sense of how one, two and three strobe shots were done. After the "Bag of tricks/How did you do that" section is up again you will see more.
Rob