Comment from ST-E2 owners

[maverickliew]

Hi all,

Looking into buying an ST-E2 in my upcoming trip to HK but weighting out the functionality before i set my mind on it as my list of items to be purchase is kinda long.

Have read up that ST-E2 can be used as focus-assist unit only (without triggering any flash since i'm into non-flash photography mainly). Just want to confirm this function if it exist and how well does it do the job?

If this function does work well, my plan is to use on a 5D/40D with a 70-200 2.8 IS (if i manage to buy it) in wedding dinner shoot with ambience lighting since the 580 flash ain gonna light up the subject much with a distance of 10m or so. Hope to achieve no-flash low light photography with minimum hunting/faster focusing.

Looking forward to advice/comment before i set my mind to spend on this rather expensive little gadget. Thanks all!

[Canon Bob]

The AF assist function does exist although I haven't used it for indoor stuff....just outdoor bad light.

The manual states 0.6 - 10m in the centre and 0.6 to 5m peripheral and is compatible with 28mm lenses and longer.

HTH

Bob

[Marbeck]

I've read that the 580ex is better at this that the ST-E2. I think you can set the flash to just autofocus only and not fire. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Lotto]

I can focus on the blank white wall with the ST-E2 at about 15-18', beyond that its a crap shot. But the 5D with the 70-200 IS can focus in some pretty low lights. I have shot many times @ iso 1600, f2.8 with that combo without focus assist with no problem.

[maverickliew]

Thanks for the comments/advices.

The reason why i'm leaning more to getting this little device is to keep the weight down though i have heard much about the ability to focus-assist from the flash itself. But if the function ain close to the flash, guess i can save the money up for another lens or a good bag which i am looking for right now as well.