Canon 600EX-RT question

Hello Guys,

I just ordered a Canon 600EX-RT Mk.II, and a ST-E3-RT.

But something got me wondering, and I did not find an answer to this via google.

It is possible, to use a 600EX-RT in Radio Slave, and Optical Master at once?


For example:
I have the ST-E3-RT on camera, use that to trigger the 600EX-RT,
while the 600EX-RT could trigger other Canon flashes in optical mode?
(430EX, 580EX).

based on the mark I, I don't think you can set the speedlite in radio slave mode and optical master mode to function together.

Thank you.
Tbh. I did not think it is possible, it just came to my mind, maybe.

Well, ok, then I will have to use the 600 on the Camera, if I want to trigger other (optical) flashes.
- Not that I have any, but sometimes I borrow a few.

welcome,

I think they are phasing out the optical type with the radio type.
Maybe you want to get multiple 600EXs to trigger

Ah-keong wrote in post #18057379
Maybe you want to get multiple 600EXs to trigger

That is the plan, more are to come for Xmas.

In your example, it's the ST-E3-RT that's the master, not the 600 EX-RT II. There is only one master in the system. For your idea to work it would be a requirement that it's the 600 EX-RT II that's the master on the camera. Then it could have worked, if it would have been possible to have both radio and optical master enabled at the same time.

Unfortunately you can't. That's probably because the feature set available for optical vs. radio masters isn't identical. Thus you have to settle for either optical or radio master.

Using separate flash triggers, it could be possible to trigger the slave via radio, and then trigger "next level slaves" via light from the first slave. No automation in flash exposure that way, though.

Don't forget the cheaper, but still capable, 430 EX III-RT flash.

I am wondering if budget is driving you along this route.
I have 4x 600 Ex Rts all triggered by the STE 3 .

I did have 2 of the 430 optical flashes before , I would never ever go back to that optical route.

However I did have 2x cheap Yongnuos spare , these have an optical cell on them and they are a great budget way of getting additional fire power cheaply.
E.g.
Shooting a model in woodlands. Basicslly 2x 600s fill flash the head and bust, the other 2x 600s do from the waist to feet.

If say I want some of the woodland background illuminated, these are set manually and are set to the internal optical cell triggers. So the 600s do all the clever ettl2 fill flash stuff on the model and the 2x yongnuos (£40 each ) illuminate the background woodland. They fire every time, just a bit of a pain manually setting them to output the right light level, but one gets pretty good at guessing the power level.
The main thing is they cost £80 for 2, and the same power in 600s would have cost me £850!

And the nice thing is the model will be illuminated perfectly, well accurately, by The 600s .

For <$50 ea the YNE3-RX will allow you to incorporate the 430 & 580 into your radio system.

Submariner wrote in post #18058839
I am wondering if budget is driving you along this route.
I have 4x 600 Ex Rts all triggered by the STE 3 .

I did have 2 of the 430 optical flashes before , I would never ever go back to that optical route.

However I did have 2x cheap Yongnuos spare , these have an optical cell on them and they are a great budget way of getting additional fire power cheaply.
E.g.
Shooting a model in woodlands. Basicslly 2x 600s fill flash the head and bust, the other 2x 600s do from the waist to feet.

If say I want some of the woodland background illuminated, these are set manually and are set to the internal optical cell triggers. So the 600s do all the clever ettl2 fill flash stuff on the model and the 2x yongnuos (£40 each ) illuminate the background woodland. They fire every time, just a bit of a pain manually setting them to output the right light level, but one gets pretty good at guessing the power level.
The main thing is they cost £80 for 2, and the same power in 600s would have cost me £850!

And the nice thing is the model will be illuminated perfectly, well accurately, by The 600s .

Thanks for the answer...
Not really a budget, issue, but partially it is.

I had to get a flash, but did not have the budget to buy 2, but I wanted a trigger.
So until i get a 2nd 600EX II-RT, I was thinking if i can use a 580EX II of my friend together with the radio system.

But I figured, I can use a YN flash that can be triggered by any optical flash.
Until I get a 2nd 600EX (sometime around October) it will do the job

I did not plan to buy the 600EX now, but I had to, for a project.

I can only say: This radio system is amazing

NemethR wrote in post #18061376
... So until i get a 2nd 600EX II-RT, I was thinking if i can use a 580EX II of my friend together with the radio system.

You can, if you get the YN-E3-RX radio receiver or Phottix Laso receiver, and attach it to the 580EXII.

... or you could consider the YN-600EX-RT, if this is for hobbyist (non-pro) use. (See this thread for arguments for/against). Here in the US, they're going for $120.