ST-E2 with 430EX

[Raymate]

Hi,

I want to fir my flash of the camera in various locations, is the ST-E2 the best (only) option?

I may want to add another 430EX or two at some point, can the ST-E2 use three flash units in slave mode?

Do they need to be on different channels? I see from the manual you can have ABC with my 430

R

[scot079]

yes you can use the ST-E2 for 3 slaves. no they do not need to be on different channels.
no the st-e2 is not the only option, but it's relatively cheap. the cheaper route would be to buy the ebay radio slaves and hot-shoe to pc adapters. it was worth the peace of mid to me to shell out for the ST-E2. It has significant range issues, especially outdoors and when compared to pocket wizards, but PW's will run you $200 for every piece of gear you attach them to.

[Raymate]

yes you can use the ST-E2 for 3 slaves. no they do not need to be on different channels.
no the st-e2 is not the only option, but it's relatively cheap. the cheaper route would be to buy the ebay radio slaves and hot-shoe to pc adapters. it was worth the peace of mid to me to shell out for the ST-E2. It has significant range issues, especially outdoors and when compared to pocket wizards, but PW's will run you $200 for every piece of gear you attach them to.

Thanks for the reply, I think for the use I will have for it the ST-E2 will be the best option, It's only going to be used for portrait work so it don't need to work over long distances.

I shall search for one now :)

[scot079]

cool, it's a very handy item to have. i use it in the studio as well. I have a PC cord attached from my cam to the monolights (main and fill) then the st-e2 on the cam to fire my speedlites for hair and back light. i'm sure you'll be happy with it!

[Titus213]

Before you buy that ST-E2 make sure it will do what you want. As I understand the ST-E2 it will not control the C group of lights that the 550/580EX will (control being relative). As I remember the specs on the ST-E2 it will control multiple lights but in only 2 groups.

[Raymate]

Before you buy that ST-E2 make sure it will do what you want. As I understand the ST-E2 it will not control the C group of lights that the 550/580EX will (control being relative). As I remember the specs on the ST-E2 it will control multiple lights but in only 2 groups.

All I want it to do is this.

Right now: Run my 430EX so I can stand it of to one side of my subject and fire to cast shadows on the other, it will be the only light source and sit about 1-2 meters from the subject. Want to create half light and half dark type of images (not sure if that style has a name... if it does I dont know it :) )

At some point in the future: get another 430EX or even two and have them almost like a studio set up, dotted around the subject. Or even get a 580

[DavidW]

Everything goes on the same channel - that's how wireless E-TTL works. The ST-E2 only supports A and B groups, with a ratio between them. You can have multiple flashes in each group, with each flash contributing to the total light output.


You may be better off buying a 580EX or 580EX II. That way, you can use the on camera flash as a master and for fill, with your 430EX in group B as a slave, acting a key light off to one side - which is the sort of thing you're describing. You can easily set a ratio between A and B - you will have B dominating in this kind of setup.

You do have the option to disable all output from the master flash. I realise it's more money to find, but I think you'll get more use from a 580EX or 580EX II than a ST-E2.



David

[Headcase650]

Even a used 550ex would work as an on camera master.Ive sometimes seen them go for about $250.

[fi20100]

I just bought an ST-E2 two days ago to go with my 430EX. I'm really loving it so far. I'm also thinking of investing in a few more 430EXs later... much later probably.