ST-E2... why get one?

[funk1196]

I don't understand why the st-e2 exists... why not just get another 430ex? theyre damn near the same price... and as far as i know, they do the same exact thing (you can just turn off the flash on the 430 and use it as a transmitter only)

is there any advantage to getting an st-e2 that a 430ex doesn't have? the price difference seems to be about $25



also, a side question.... can canon's wireless signal go through a speedlite with a diffuser cap on it (sto-fen, etc.)?

[Steve Beck]

The signal doesnt go through the flash tube, it goes through a infared emitter on the bottom of the flash on the front.

[ben_r_]

Yes, a HUGE one.... The 430EX CAN NOT act as a master and therefore CAN NOT control other flashes. It can only be a slave flash.

Also many people like to use the ST-E2 as an AF assist light for auto focusing in very low light.

Also this thread should be in the Flash and Lighting section.

[Nick Pro]

the 430 cannot act as a master. having a stofen on will not do anything, as to the infered part is that red thing at the bottom.

[funk1196]

oops, is there a way i can put it in the flash thread?



okay so lets say i use the 580 as my on camera flash, and a 430 out to the side, if i have a flash tube on my 580... will the wireless still work?

the 580 manual says the transmitter is in the flash head

[ben_r_]

oops, is there a way i can put it in the flash thread?



okay so lets say i use the 580 as my on camera flash, and a 430 out to the side, if i have a flash tube on my 580... will the wireless still work?

the 580 manual says the transmitter is in the flash head
Yes the 580 will still control the 430. The IR beam comes out of the red plastic area on the front of the flash unit and anything over the flash light itself will not hinder the IR communication.

[Franko515]

The ST-E2 is a cheaper option than the 580EX series I & II, thats the reason people get it.

[ipschoser1]

Other than the previously stated fact that the 430 isn't a master flash, the ST-E2 offers a handier package than a 550 or 580 being on the camera all the time. It also allows off camera use of all the speedlights a photog might own.

[Franko515]

Other than the previously stated fact that the 430 isn't a master flash, the ST-E2 offers a handier package than a 550 or 580 being on the camera all the time. It also allows off camera use of all the speedlights a photog might own.

As far a function goes, you get more function from a 580EX than you do from the ST-E2. The 580EX allows for three groups while the ST-E2 only allows for two, and you get another light using the 580EX.

IMO the main reason people choose the ST-E2 over the 580EX series is cost

[funk1196]

is it possible to set ratios with the st-e2 like i can if i have a 580exii on camera? (flash A 1:1, flash B 1:4.... or however that works)

[motion_projekt]

okay so lets say i use the 580 as my on camera flash, and a 430 out to the side, if i have a flash tube on my 580... will the wireless still work?

the 580 manual says the transmitter is in the flash head

o_O if you;re going to slave flashes, why would you want to have an oo camera flash (OnCF.) OnCF makes the image so flat and does do that great a job of separating the subject from background.

just my humble opinion.

[FlyingPhotog]

o_O if you;re going to slave flashes, why would you want to have an oo camera flash (OnCF.) OnCF makes the image so flat and does do that great a job of separating the subject from background.

just my humble opinion.

Sometimes you want a little catch light in the eyes or you need to open up shadows under a hat, etc...

[Titus213]

FYI - that red panel on the front of your flash unit is the focus assist emitter, not an IR emitter.

o_O if you;re going to slave flashes, why would you want to have an oo camera flash (OnCF.) OnCF makes the image so flat and does do that great a job of separating the subject from background.

just my humble opinion.

Sometimes you want a little fill from the camera too. It doesn't have to be the main light.

[funk1196]

so.. again.. according to the manual. the wireless transmitter is in the flash head, not the red panels.
will it work through a diffuser.. and if so, how much is the range limited by?

[Franko515]

so.. again.. according to the manual. the wireless transmitter is in the flash head, not the red panels.
will it work through a diffuser.. and if so, how much is the range limited by?

with something like a stofen yes, with a softbox or umbrella it will be hit or miss. Indoors it works well with a shoot through umbrella or with no diffuser at all. Outdoor its kind of a pain to use thats when the units definatly must face each other and the range is limited, thats when i switch to the PW

[shimmishim]

The ST-E2 also allows you to upgrade to radio poppers if you ever decide to go that way.

The nicest feature about the ST-E2 is the ability to control as many canon speedlights as you want (that are supported of course) without needing individual receivers for each flash.

There was a really cool shot I saw done by Bob Davis (wedding photographer for Eva Longoria and Tony Parker) that used a bunch of speedlights.

There's two good reasons right there! :)

So that's why you shouldn't get another 430EX (plus you can't control another 430 as others have said).

[Franko515]

The ST-E2 also allows you to upgrade to radio poppers if you ever decide to go that way.

The nicest feature about the ST-E2 is the ability to control as many canon speedlights as you want (that are supported of course) without needing individual receivers for each flash.

There was a really cool shot I saw done by Bob Davis (wedding photographer for Eva Longoria and Tony Parker) that used a bunch of speedlights.

There's two good reasons right there! :)

So that's why you shouldn't get another 430EX (plus you can't control another 430 as others have said).

You can do the same thing with a 580EX and more, as I stated earlier in this thread the ST-E2 only has two groups A and B. The 580EX supports 3 groups A, B, and C (better control over groups IMO) plus on camera fill.

If price isnt a concern the 580EX series I or II is a better option IMO

[Titus213]

so.. again.. according to the manual. the wireless transmitter is in the flash head, not the red panels.
will it work through a diffuser.. and if so, how much is the range limited by?

If you use the ST-E2 it would not be behind a diffuser. If you use an EX flash as a master (550EX, 580EX, 580EX II) it will transmit via the flash head with a series of light pulses and will work thru a diffuser. I don't know what impact is on range. What diffuser would you be using on the master?

The ST-E2 also allows you to upgrade to radio poppers if you ever decide to go that way.

The nicest feature about the ST-E2 is the ability to control as many canon speedlights as you want (that are supported of course) without needing individual receivers for each flash.

There was a really cool shot I saw done by Bob Davis (wedding photographer for Eva Longoria and Tony Parker) that used a bunch of speedlights.

There's two good reasons right there! :)

So that's why you shouldn't get another 430EX (plus you can't control another 430 as others have said).

Actually I believe the ST-E2 is more limited in its ability to control slave unit groups than a Canon EX master flash. Either the ST-E2 or a Canon EX master flash will control as many compatible slave units as can be seen by the light pulses - 1, 2, or ~.

And the Radio Popper units will also function off of a Canon EX master flash without the use of an ST-E2. You just need something generating those light pulses.

[shimmishim]

If you use the ST-E2 it would not be behind a diffuser. If you use an EX flash as a master (550EX, 580EX, 580EX II) it will transmit via the flash head with a series of light pulses and will work thru a diffuser. I don't know what impact is on range. What diffuser would you be using on the master?



Actually I believe the ST-E2 is more limited in its ability to control slave unit groups than a Canon EX master flash. Either the ST-E2 or a Canon EX master flash will control as many compatible slave units as can be seen by the light pulses - 1, 2, or ~.

And the Radio Popper units will also function off of a Canon EX master flash without the use of an ST-E2. You just need something generating those light pulses.

I didn't realzie that! :)

Thanks for the info!

[sando]

okay so lets say i use the 580 as my on camera flash, and a 430 out to the side, if i have a flash tube on my 580... will the wireless still work?

the 580 manual says the transmitter is in the flash head A flash tube? What do you mean?

The IR transmitter from the front of the camera sends the information to the slaved flashes, but the flash also fires a pre-flash which gathers information, so it's best not to obstruct the flash head of the master.

Other than the previously stated fact that the 430 isn't a master flash, the ST-E2 offers a handier package than a 550 or 580 being on the camera all the time. It also allows off camera use of all the speedlights a photog might own.Exactly. An ST-E2 on the camera is a lot lighter than a 580. A lot of 'natural light' photographers use them just for the focus assist.

[PacAce]

A flash tube? What do you mean?

The IR transmitter from the front of the camera sends the information to the slaved flashes, but the flash also fires a pre-flash which gathers information, so it's best not to obstruct the flash head of the master.

Exactly. An ST-E2 on the camera is a lot lighter than a 580. A lot of 'natural light' photographers use them just for the focus assist.

Not picking on Sando in particular but there were several people who said the same thing so I thought I'd chime in here and just reiterate what Dave already said previously. When it comes to using the EX flashes as the master, the command signal sent to the slave units is sent out as flash pulses from the flash tube. The signal is not transmitted via the IR sensor (it's not an IR transmitter but an IR receiver) below the flash head nor is it emitted by the red AF assist lamp at the bottom of the flash. :)

[Titus213]

Not picking on Sando in particular but there were several people who said the same thing so I thought I'd chime in here and just reiterate what Dave already said previously. When it comes to using the EX flashes as the master, the command signal sent to the slave units is sent out as flash pulses from the flash tube. The signal is not transmitted via the IR sensor (it's not an IR transmitter but an IR receiver) below the flash head nor is it emitted by the red AF assist lamp at the bottom of the flash. :)

Good luck getting thru with that....:confused:

[sando]

Not picking on Sando in particular but there were several people who said the same thing so I thought I'd chime in here and just reiterate what Dave already said previously. When it comes to using the EX flashes as the master, the command signal sent to the slave units is sent out as flash pulses from the flash tube. The signal is not transmitted via the IR sensor (it's not an IR transmitter but an IR receiver) below the flash head nor is it emitted by the red AF assist lamp at the bottom of the flash. :)I never knew that. Thanks! :D I though it was a sender/receiver on the 580's and a receiver on the 430's. :)