ST-E2 first thoughts

[slitherjef]

Well, my ST-E2 came in today (along with a few other things) and my first thoughts are, "this is so cool!" The thing is bigger then I thought it was and has more buttons on the back then I figured, it was also a bit costly, but its all good. Being able to take the flash off the camera and move it pretty much where ever I want, closer then where I am shooting from, or further back. I can get creative with the angle of the light or where I want to bounce the flash. So far, I am having some fun with this thing, I think I am going to like it :D

[TheHoff]

I like mine; too bad it is manufactured for Canon by Playskool®

[nemo man]

Had mine a few weeks and find it has made a big difference to flash use. I thought it might also trigger studio flash - it does, but it doesn't seem to synch correctly (I get black images).

[PacAce]

Had mine a few weeks and find it has made a big difference to flash use. I thought it might also trigger studio flash - it does, but it doesn't seem to synch correctly (I get black images).

Get this hotshoe adapter and place it between the ST-E2 and the hotshoe of the camera.

http://www.flashzebra.com/hotshoes-shoes/0064.shtml

Or, if you want to save a few bucks, just tape up all the pins of the hotshoe except the big one in the middle. That'll take care of your black frame. :)

[CliveyBoy]

The ST-E2 fires a Pre-flash through the red filter before the mirror goes up and the shutter opens. That will trigger an optical trigger too soon. The only solution is to use RadioPopper PX units, when you can get your hands on them!

Or, use PacAce's tricks.

[slitherjef]

Here is a quick shot featuring one of my cats. I set the flash to basicly bounce off the ceiling then off the wall, while I stood about 45degrees and took the shot.

Test shot photo right here (http://home.comcast.net/~slitherjef/cats/sleepy.jpg)

[nemo man]

Get this hotshoe adapter and place it between the ST-E2 and the hotshoe of the camera.

http://www.flashzebra.com/hotshoes-shoes/0064.shtml

Or, if you want to save a few bucks, just tape up all the pins of the hotshoe except the big one in the middle. That'll take care of your black frame. :)

Thanks for that (and Cliveyboy) I can get one in the UK. Very useful.

[ebann]

Had mine a few weeks and find it has made a big difference to flash use. I thought it might also trigger studio flash - it does, but it doesn't seem to synch correctly (I get black images).

does your studio flash have optical triggers?

[Trackerxx]

I love the ST-E2 and it has given me some great shots using off camera flash. Now I'd like to get a second 580 EX and use two flashes. What's the best placement for them in a traditional portrait situation? I have a stand with a hot shoe adapter. I also have a reflector that I have been using for fill.

opinions welcome.

[nemo man]

does your studio flash have optical triggers?


It has infra-red and synch cable.

[yogestee]

I've owned my ST-E2 for a few years now.. I don't use it all that often but when I do it saves a lot of hassles.. Great little gizmo,,I wouldn't be without one..

Handy for triggering my two 403EX Speedlites and the ratio switch is a nice touch..

[ebann]

I survived one more round... the temptation of buying the ST-E2!

It can only do A and B channels... the 580 can do A, B, and C. Another 580 would be a better buy... unless the small size difference matters to you! I would rather save for a radio wireless gizmo.

[TheHoff]

The small sizes is a definite advantage for me as I also use it for low-light AF assist when street shooting. The camera always balances better with the ST-E2 over a 580.

And the only radio wireless gizmo that also does ETTL requires something on the hotshoe, like the ST-E2, for the signals.

[borism]

The small sizes is a definite advantage for me as I also use it for low-light AF assist when street shooting. The camera always balances better with the ST-E2 over a 580.

And the only radio wireless gizmo that also does ETTL requires something on the hotshoe, like the ST-E2, for the signals.

+1
Balance is way better with the ST-E2

[ebann]

+1
Balance is way better with the ST-E2

+2

I can't deny that fact... My gear gets top-heavy with a 580, especially when using the neck strap around my neck!

I also admit that the 580 on the body limits my options... most of the time I'm bouncing it from the ceiling. Using an off-camera cord is not exactly comfortable to use when walking around guests!

[fishingjts]

I find the ST-E2 comes in extremely handy when shooting the kiddies in the living room, for things like Christmas... I place my 3 flashes (1-420EX 2-430EX) around the living room and bounce them off our freshly painted, bright white ceiling... so it's kind of like strobing the gym! LOL!

http://www.johnnystacks.com/gallery/d/6074-1/IMG_0362.JPG

[ebann]

I find the ST-E2 comes in extremely handy when shooting the kiddies in the living room, for things like Christmas... I place my 3 flashes (1-420EX 2-430EX) around the living room and bounce them off our freshly painted, bright white ceiling... so it's kind of like strobing the gym! LOL!


If just bouncing off the ceiling, a 580 on camera would be just as effective... it's what I do almost exclusively.

My indecisiveness is due to my lack of flash knowledge...

[fishingjts]

If just bouncing off the ceiling, a 580 on camera would be just as effective... it's what I do almost exclusively.

My indecisiveness is due to my lack of flash knowledge...

I have a very BIG living room... I strategically place my flashes around the living room and find it does a nice job of evenly lighting the whole room and the "scene"... Much more evenly than a single flash.. if it's just for a quick snap I just stick a 430 on the camera an bounce that... (same idea as your suggestion).

[ebann]

I have a very BIG living room... I strategically place my flashes around the living room and find it does a nice job of evenly lighting the whole room and the "scene"... Much more evenly than a single flash.. if it's just for a quick snap I just stick a 430 on the camera an bounce that... (same idea as your suggestion).

Sometimes I wonder... is it better to shoot in an evenly lit room or try to record the actual ambient lighting conditions? What's your thought on that?

[fishingjts]

Sometimes I wonder... is it better to shoot in an evenly lit room or try to record the actual ambient lighting conditions? What's your thought on that?

ok... just grabbed a camera... in my living room right now with the Sun shining and lights on metering showed that at ISO-3200 and F4 my shutter was 1/100.. which is a bit slow to capture my kiddies... could grab the 50 1.4... but then I'm chasing them! LOL! So for me I normally grab a flash indoors...

do like the ambient idea... just haven't really done any... give me to something to think about and try...

[nemo man]

Sometimes I wonder... is it better to shoot in an evenly lit room or try to record the actual ambient lighting conditions? What's your thought on that?

You can't get the shutter speed. People move. Shooting at 1/125s with flash means they can move slightly, and you can hand-hold.

[JeffreyG]

Sometimes I wonder... is it better to shoot in an evenly lit room or try to record the actual ambient lighting conditions? What's your thought on that?

Depends on the light. Not all ambient lighting is flattering, and sometimes you need more DOF for the scene than can be had in low light.

Here are two examples of ambient light that are not wonderful. In the first the light is directly overhead and casts poor shadows. Some fill would help. In the second the light is hard, fill from a flash on the dark side would help.

[Vndcatr]

So now with the ST-E2 , do you need to stay in a straight path of the flashes , for the IR signal. Or can you really move around like frequency transmitters .. ??

[tagvestibule]

So now with the ST-E2 , do you need to stay in a straight path of the flashes , for the IR signal. Or can you really move around like frequency transmitters .. ??

Theoretically, line-of-site is required. In practice, when used indoors the signal bounces around off walls and reflective surfaces so it's quite forgiving (though not as reliable as radio triggers). Outdoors is another story - line of site is much more important (less surfaces for bouncing).

[fishingjts]

Theoretically, line-of-site is required. In practice, when used indoors the signal bounces around off walls and reflective surfaces so it's quite forgiving (though not as reliable as radio triggers). Outdoors is another story - line of site is much more important (less surfaces for bouncing).

Never used the ST-E2 outside... but indoors I've bee very impressed how much the IR signal bounces around and triggers the flash..

[BiPolarBear]

The small sizes is a definite advantage for me as I also use it for low-light AF assist when street shooting. The camera always balances better with the ST-E2 over a 580.

And the only radio wireless gizmo that also does ETTL requires something on the hotshoe, like the ST-E2, for the signals.

Will the ST-E2 work for low light focus assist with an XXD body?
The ST-E2 specs say the AF assist beam is "Compatible with EOS-3's 45-point Area AF", which I'm thinking is another way of saying it only works with a 1 series body?
Greg

[yogestee]

Will the ST-E2 work for low light focus assist with an XXD body?
The ST-E2 specs say the AF assist beam is "Compatible with EOS-3's 45-point Area AF", which I'm thinking is another way of saying it only works with a 1 series body?
Greg

Greg,,works with both my 350D and 20D..

[BiPolarBear]

Appreciate the quick reply yogestee.
I couldn't believe they'd let the ST-E2 work as an AF assist only on the bodies (1d's) that have the best AF to start with. That would be cruel even for Canon.
Thanks for the qualifier.
Greg

[Familiaphoto]

Sometimes I wonder... is it better to shoot in an evenly lit room or try to record the actual ambient lighting conditions? What's your thought on that?

As Jeffrey points out it depends on the light. My living room is small with a big window across one side. Even with good light I find it is one sided so some flash is necessary. The more I learn about flash the more I learn that Ambient alone is rarely enough.

Go over to Strobist and read up, David Hobby is wonderful with his use of flash.

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

[ryant35]

I used my ST-E2 to fire a 580EX & 430EX in a living room during a party. I placed on up on a the DJ's speaker pointed up only a few inches from the ceiling and I placed the other pointed up behind a couple of pictures on a shelf on the opposite corner of the room. With every shot the lighting was perfect and nobody had the flash in their eyes.

[nemo man]

Will the ST-E2 work for low light focus assist with an XXD body?
The ST-E2 specs say the AF assist beam is "Compatible with EOS-3's 45-point Area AF", which I'm thinking is another way of saying it only works with a 1 series body?
Greg


Mine works in near-darkness on a 50D. And it bounces off walls indoors.