EX Series Multi-Flash System

[chamith]

Hi Everybody,

I currently own an EOS 300D camera and a 380EX SpeedLite.
Now I’m thinking of going for a multi-flash system which has all the E-TTL functionalities.

Since the ST-E2 Transmitter is also available now, I though of considering the following 3 alternative ways.


550EX with the Existing 380EX
550EX x 2 units
550EX x 2 + ST-E2


1. 550EX with the Existing 380EX

Since I currently have a 380EX, this would obviously be the cheapest solution. But the problem arises is the communication between2 speedlites.

Would it be possible to use 380EX mounted on the Hot-Shue and 550EX away from the camera? I have no clue how it works and whether this is technically possible. But I think since 550EX can act as a receiver for optical-pulse signals, it can understand the pulses given by the 380EX. Please Clarify.



2. 550EX x 2 units

I hope this alternative does not have any technical impossibility, since this model is made for communication.



3. 550EX x 2 + ST-E2

I do not really see any major advantage of using this, over the 2nd approach although I see some disadvantages. One is, mounting a flash on the hot-shue is not possible. Thus, is there a way which we can use a Focal-Plane Flash mounted to the camera in the left hand side? I don’t think this is possible because the transmission angle of ST-E2 ( as well as the reception angle of 550EX ) is 80 degrees horizontally.



Please give me some clarifications (with cost of each) about the above mentioned alternatives.



Thanks,

Chamith

[Bruce Watson]

Hi Chamith,

I will base my comments on my experience with owning a 380EX, a 420EX and currently two Sigma 500 DG Supers and the new ring flash.

The 380 is a great unit but it does not support wireless operation with any other units so option #1 won't work.

The built in camera flash cannot be used either.

Options 2 & 3 are both good. Depending on the lighting you want, generally getting the flash(es) off the shoe is good.

The ST-E2 would allow you to place the two or three other flashes in the most advantageous locations. It also helps with low light focusing.

The 550 or 500 flash can also be mounted in the shoe and set not to fire, just triggering the remote and calculating the E-TTL exposure so it would do the same things as the ST-E2 (more or less) plus having the ability to flash when you want direct on camera light.

From my prespective (for what it's worth), I would buy two or three flashes (Canon or Sigma, they operate interchangeably) and a Canon off camera shoe cord.

[Jon]

Definitely Option 2. If you really want to spend the money that Option 3 would involve, toss a 420EX into the pile. You can use a 550EX as an off-camera master via the Off-Camera Shoe Cord.

[scottbergerphoto]

I was faced with a similiar situation, having a single 420EX. I opted for two 550EX's and the 420EX. I use 1 550EX(B) as the main on a light stand, 1 550EX(A) on the hot shoe for fill, and the 420EX(C) for the background. I then replaced the 420EX with another 550EX and I keep the 420 with my 10D in a carry bag. I use the Master on the hot shoe to set the ratios (A:B):C.

Regards,
Scott

[MNPNW]

Just received the 580EX. I already own a 550EX. In the 580EX manual it shows Master – Slaves as 580EX flashes. On page 46 it shows the “550EX System.” Here the 420EX is included.

My questions:

If I want to retain wireless E-TTL II functionality, will the 580EX (as master) operate a 550EX (as slave) correctly?

Or does a 550EX (as a slave) downgrade the system to E-TTL only?

Does the 420EX retain E-TTL II when used with the 580EX?

[DaveG]

Just received the 580EX. I already own a 550EX. In the 580EX manual it shows Master – Slaves as 580EX flashes. On page 46 it shows the “550EX System.” Here the 420EX is included.

My questions:

If I want to retain wireless E-TTL II functionality, will the 580EX (as master) operate a 550EX (as slave) correctly?

Or does a 550EX (as a slave) downgrade the system to E-TTL only?

Does the 420EX retain E-TTL II when used with the 580EX?

1)The 550EX will work fine as a slaved flash, with the 580 as Master, or vice versa.

2) The CAMERA not the flash is what enables E-TTL II. Of course you need to have the right lens as well but only a few popular Canon lenses are not E-TTL II complient, notably and unfortunately the 50mm f1.4. In any case the 550EX, 580EX and 420EX will function within E-TTL II, assuming that you have an E-TTL II camera like a 20D, 1D Mark II, or a 1DS Mark II.

3) Same as 2)

[MNPNW]

Looks like my answer is in the sitckys. From what I read, the E-TTL 2 is more of a camera function (provided the flash units are capable) and that all EX flash unit work with E-TTL 2. Hope I am understandign correctly. Regardless, I need to test.

[scottbergerphoto]

ETTLII never reverts to ETTL. The camera body is built with ETTL or ETTLII. A body built with ETTLII does the best it can with the information it gets. The two systems are very different. In ETTL the flash exposure is tied to the active AF points. In ETTLII, there is no connection to the AF points. That is the major advance of ETTLII, to gain more consistency for flash exposure by separating flash metering from the active AF points.

Happy Holidays,
Scott:)