canon st-e2 speedlite transmitter

[jasonyee]

so ive been looking at trying off-camera flash and im looking at getting the canon st-e2. will this work with my xti and 430ex? or do i need the 580 for it?

[Jon]

Yes it will; it performs the "Master" role that the 580EX can also perform. The 430EX will act as a slave to it.

[jasonyee]

Yes it will; it performs the "Master" role that the 580EX can also perform. The 430EX will act as a slave to it.

so you mean is the st-e2 is the master and the 430ex is the slave?

[gonzogolf]

so you mean is the st-e2 is the master and the 430ex is the slave?


Correct. Thats its only function, except maybe focus assist, because it doesnt have a flashtube.

[jasonyee]

Correct. Thats its only function, except maybe focus assist, because it doesnt have a flashtube.

so will i have problems focusing in a dark environment such as a nightclub?

[tnguyen600]

Do you care if you retain ETTL?

[sando]

so will i have problems focusing in a dark environment such as a nightclub?No, the ST-E2 has the same focus-assist beam that the 580EX has.

[tnguyen600]

so will i have problems focusing in a dark environment such as a nightclub?


Where you'll have your problem is in sunny conditions.

[Todd Lambert]

The ST-E2 provides the focus assist - it's one of the added benefits of using one, when on a body without it. I use one on my 5D2 for adding focus assist.

It will work pretty well for what you're trying to do. (I use mine to connect a 580II, a 430II and a 430)

[Vineet666]

Why not buy another flash instead? I was thinking of getting this transmitter too, but in my opinion its really not worth the money - $220 for the gadget, while you get a 430exii for $240! Man, I would any day opt for another flash and use radio trigger, unless you're planning on using multiple flashes in various channels. Or better yet, in your case, add some more money and go for a 580exii - it will serve both as a transmitter in master mode, as well as an additional flash which is always good to have.

[gonzogolf]

Why not buy another flash instead? I was thinking of getting this transmitter too, but in my opinion its really not worth the money - $220 for the gadget, while you get a 430exii for $240! Man, I would any day opt for another flash and use radio trigger, unless you're planning on using multiple flashes in various channels. Or better yet, in your case, add some more money and go for a 580exii - it will serve both as a transmitter in master mode, as well as an additional flash which is always good to have.

Yeah but the 430exII doesn't master and radio triggers (for the most part dont do ettl). I just bought a second 580exII for that same reason.

[Todd Lambert]

Yeah, the cheapest option is a used 550EX which will cost you $250+

Plus, I thought it was kind of dumb having a good flash on top of the camera where you can't really use it.. just to power lesser flashes remotely.

I started with a 580EX II on top of mine... remoting a 430... it just felt "dirty" doing that.. now I've added a few more spots and with the ST-E2 I can use them all.

And, the sleeper feature is the focus assist... for things like the 5D with no onboard flash, this is a cool feature.

[gonzogolf]

Yeah, the cheapest option is a used 550EX which will cost you $250+

Plus, I thought it was kind of dumb having a good flash on top of the camera where you can't really use it.. just to power lesser flashes remotely.

I started with a 580EX II on top of mine... remoting a 430... it just felt "dirty" doing that.. now I've added a few more spots and with the ST-E2 I can use them all.




Same thing with me. I just couldn't deal with having my beloved 580exII on top of the camera doing nothing while the wimpy little 430ex was out there carrying the load, it was just so wrong......

[Titus213]

I've found with a good flash on the camera acting as master I can get a bit more range with ETTL in bright sun. You can point the flash head at your slave.

Of course now that I have Cybersyncs and a meter I don't do that too often.:D