ST-E2 flash transmitter

[tim]

I had a look at the price of this "remote control" for my 550EX, and damn, it's $210 at B&H for a transmitter!!! For that price I might as well just buy a 420EX for $179, use the 550EX as a master, and have a 2nd flash for the same price! Can anyone see any downsides to that plan? Not that i'm getting one right away, i'm just thinking "out loud".

[ajbalazic]

I can't answer your question. I only am posting because I just proposed the exact same question in a 'lighting' post. I also think that the 550ex & 420ex coupled together would be far more cost effective than the st-e2 and th 550ex. B-H also has a package deal (two 550ex's and a st-e2).

Summary (B-H):
#1 - 550ex & 420ex - $475
#2 - 550ex & ST-E2 - $510
#3 - 2 x 550ex & ST-E2 - $800 (package deal)

I think we should examine what the primary uses will be. For me, they would be novice portraiture in my home, and some 'reception' type settings (wedding, baptisms, party's), as well as the possibility for 'novice-type' wedding photography.

I know there are lots of members who have these types of setups. Hopefully, there is some concensus on what's the best route to go. My choice is #1.

Thanks TIM. Your timing is perfect.

[PacAce]

Yup, I did the exact same thing. I have three flashes but still no ST-E2. But I'm sure there will be cases where the ST-E2 would probably be more useful sitting on top of the camera than a full-size flash. But I just haven't had to deal with those cases, yet. :)

[Homer]

I currently have an ST-E2 and two 420EXs, which have done a nice job. I just ordered myself a 580EX as I wanted a more powerful flash (Guide # 190 vs 138) and will now give me a third light. I havent physically used 580/550 at all but as far as I know the one advantage of using the the St-E2 as a master is the ability to group the flashes and vary their power out put from 1:8 to 8:1. I don;t believe you can do that by using the 550 or 580 as the master.

[Andy_T]

Homer,

that means you could put your ST-E2 on eBay :lol:

Best regards,
Andy

[PacAce]

I currently have an ST-E2 and two 420EXs, which have done a nice job. I just ordered myself a 580EX as I wanted a more powerful flash (Guide # 190 vs 138) and will now give me a third light. I havent physically used 580/550 at all but as far as I know the one advantage of using the the St-E2 as a master is the ability to group the flashes and vary their power out put from 1:8 to 8:1. I don;t believe you can do that by using the 550 or 580 as the master.
Actually, when it comes to being a master the 550EX or the 580EX will provide more options than the ST-E2 although, admittedly, it 's not THAT much more. The 550EX and the 580EX does allow you to adjust ratios from 1:8 to 8:1. However, the two will also allow you to control a third group of lights, Group C. The ST-E2 only allows for Groups A and B, but not C.

[Homer]

PacAce,
Thanks for the correction

[Todd Jacobsen]

Actually, when it comes to being a master the 550EX or the 580EX will provide more options than the ST-E2 although, admittedly, it 's not THAT much more. The 550EX and the 580EX does allow you to adjust ratios from 1:8 to 8:1. However, the two will also allow you to control a third group of lights, Group C. The ST-E2 only allows for Groups A and B, but not C.


That's why I'm waiting for STE-3....

I use 580 as Master w/3 off camera 580's as slaves.

Supposedly, you CAN fire a "third group" with the STE-2 but you need to setup that group as Manual, not sure how that works though, since as slave, I didn't think you can tweak the settings (has to be done from the Master). Somebody here told me the "third group" will see the signal from the STE-2 and fire based off of that. The STE-2 doesn't know the third group exists, which means the camera doesn't know, which means E-TTL is out the window...

Thus, my awaiting STE-3.....

[Jon]

I have the 580EX, 550EX, and 420EX and just got the ST-E2 because I'm now looking at a portable (outdoors) studio-type situation where I want all the flashes off-camera, and the off-camera cord left the 580 tied too closely to the camera. The ST-E2 was cheaper than another 580 in that situation, and I'm willing to give up A:B:C ratios (or kludge a solution) for the $100+ difference. I'd thought that the ST-E2 was excessive initially, but a little practice showed me where it makes a difference.

[Todd Jacobsen]

I have the 580EX, 550EX, and 420EX and just got the ST-E2 because I'm now looking at a portable (outdoors) studio-type situation where I want all the flashes off-camera, and the off-camera cord left the 580 tied too closely to the camera. The ST-E2 was cheaper than another 580 in that situation, and I'm willing to give up A:B:C ratios (or kludge a solution) for the $100+ difference. I'd thought that the ST-E2 was excessive initially, but a little practice showed me where it makes a difference.

I looked at it a bit differently. I thought, for $100, I could have another flash. I liked the option of having an on-camera flash capability, and the fexibility to inhibit it's use when I felt it wasn't required.

And I don't have to worry about a kludge factor...

The beauty of having either the STE-2 or Master flash is the ability to tweak lighting from ONE location - the camera - for all flashes, and have the ability to utilize E-TTL(II).

Unfortunately, for a three group scenario (Key, fill, backdrop), the STE-2 requires you to have to go to that flash location and make adjustments - which negates the benefit.

Awaiting STE-3...

[robertwgross]

The ST-E2 unit is very small and runs just about forever on a single battery.

Further, if I want to run a two-flash arrangement, I do not want to have either one of them on the hotshoe. I want one to the right and one to the left. That leaves me with the ST-E2 on the hotshoe to command it all.

---Bob Gross---

[PacAce]

The ST-E2 unit is very small and runs just about forever on a single battery.

Further, if I want to run a two-flash arrangement, I do not want to have either one of them on the hotshoe. I want one to the right and one to the left. That leaves me with the ST-E2 on the hotshoe to command it all.

---Bob Gross---
But, of course, you can also do the same thing with a 550EX or 580EX sitting on top of the camera and two other EX flashes on the side (with the on-camera flash set not to fire).

[robertwgross]

But, of course, you can also do the same thing with a 550EX or 580EX sitting on top of the camera and two other EX flashes on the side (with the on-camera flash set not to fire).

Then that means I have the cost of three flash units. With the ST-E2 as master, I have the cost of about 2.5.

---Bob Gross---

[Todd Jacobsen]

Then that means I have the cost of three flash units. With the ST-E2 as master, I have the cost of about 2.5.

---Bob Gross---

Bob,

You have never wanted frontal fill flash before in a multi light setup?

I don't have much studio experience but I've gotten a lot of advice that frontal fill flash, whether studio strobe units or camera flash units, can be of great benefit in multi-light setups.

The fact that it isn't used ALL the time but SOME of the time is worth 0.5 flash cost...

[Jon]

I'd rather have the flash fixed, even slightly off to the side, on its own stand, and not cabled in. Shooting live subjects, you need to be able to move around a bit, and I want to know where all my light's going to be. And if you're using a tripod for the camera, using the ST-E2 allows you to go to portrait format without adding a bracket to the combination.

[PacAce]

Then that means I have the cost of three flash units. With the ST-E2 as master, I have the cost of about 2.5.

---Bob Gross---
Yes, but, for a cost of an ST-E2, I can get a 420EX and still be able to set up the same configuration as you have plus some...OK, plus one, i.e. a flash on my camera for when I when I want to wonder around in between remote side flash sessions. :)

[Jon]

Minus some - the 420EX isn't all that close to the 550EX or 580EX in output. If you use one of them on the camera with flash off, you can't use it as part of the lighting, and the 420EX will have to really work to make up for it (if it can).

[PacAce]

Minus some - the 420EX isn't all that close to the 550EX or 580EX in output. If you use one of them on the camera with flash off, you can't use it as part of the lighting, and the 420EX will have to really work to make up for it (if it can).
True, but not everybody needs the fire power that you're looking at with your outdoor lighting setup, either. :)

[pcasciola]

How about these cheapo 4 channel wireless transmitter/receiver combos I see on ebay all the time? I've seen people on other forums rave about how good they work, and they typically go for $50 for both a transmitter and receiver.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30086&item=7508472267&rd=1

[PacAce]

How about these cheapo 4 channel wireless transmitter/receiver combos I see on ebay all the time? I've seen people on other forums rave about how good they work, and they typically go for $50 for both a transmitter and receiver.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30086&item=7508472267&rd=1
The only problem with a xmitter/receiver combo is that you lose all ETTL functionality so each flash would have to be set up individually for power output and that can be a royal pain sometimes, if not most times.

BTW, that combo at eBay you referenced really isn't a 4 channel set. It only work in one channel although you can set it to 1 or 4 different frequencies. A true 4 channel unit would allow you to transmit all four channels at the same time.

[robertwgross]

You have never wanted frontal fill flash before in a multi light setup?

Frontal fill flash in a single, but never in a multi light setup.

---Bob Gross---

[mbze430]

Frontal fill flash in a single, but never in a multi light setup.

---Bob Gross---

IMO, even than I would like it off to the side and above for frontal fill flash.

In my case, 4x 580ex + ST-E2 have been working like a charm in almost all situation, unless I am shooting very large subjects, than there isn't a way to cover all the area with the lights.

But it definately gives me that portability.

[robertwgross]

IMO, even than I would like it off to the side and above for frontal fill flash.

At a wedding, I shoot primarily with the camera and flash on a bracket, with the flash unit directly above the lens and never to the side.

Only for a really large group to I go to two flashes.

---Bob Gross---