To ETTL or not to ETTL, that is the question...

I've been debating between the Pixel Kings and Phottix Strato II RF triggers. One offers ETTL, the other doesn't. Two questions:
1.) Anyone with experience tell me whether either of these are that much better or worse than the other? Build quality? Reliability?
2.) I realize that this might be more of an opinion based question than factual, but how useful/critical are ETTL triggers in a practical sense? What types of shooting situations would benefit from having ETTL?

Thanks in advance!

dan.k78 wrote in post #13878584
I've been debating between the Pixel Kings and Phottix Strato II RF triggers. One offers ETTL, the other doesn't. Two questions:
1.) Anyone with experience tell me whether either of these are that much better or worse than the other? Build quality? Reliability?
2.) I realize that this might be more of an opinion based question than factual, but how useful/critical are ETTL triggers in a practical sense? What types of shooting situations would benefit from having ETTL?

Thanks in advance!

Any situation where you don't want adjust the power setting on the flash would be ideal.
Any situation where the exposure isn't constantly changing would be ideal as well, but even then you can master it to a level where that doesn't matter.

Watch Joe McNally work. He's got menu settings and adjustments programmed into muscle memory, and he can think like his camera. His eyes can meter a scene and know how his flash and camera will react and make the necessary adjustments beforehand.

I use manual most of the time, but I always find a use for ETTL, and wouldn't want to not have it in my bag of tricks.

It depends upon your skills and knowledge. If you understand Guide Numbers, or if you have a hand held flash meter, putting flash units on Manual is the ultimate in control. This is classic use of flash in the days before any flash automation, driving with a stick shift and a clutch.

But if you, like many photographers, have little to no understanding of flash and Guide Numbers, or if you have no hand held flash meter, ETTL is the ultimate in easy-to-shoot use of flash. This is today's average person who has no skills at all in driving anything without an automatic transmission.

I recently bought (still in shipping!) pixel kings for the ETTL.

In portrait settings, I intend to use manual unless I'm in a rush. Honestly how rush can you be with a softbox/umbrella and a lightstand? However, the pixel kings do support HSS which could come in handy.

But for macro, I can see how ETTL can help as you've already got your hands full with setting up the shot of the critter.

Its better to have it and not NEED it, than NEED it and dont have it...Go with the Pixel King...

If you're rushed for time, ETTL is great. If you can control your subject to flash distance, then all you need is manual. Those are really the only things in my mind that affect the decision.

I do mostly portrait and studio work, so manual is all I need in those situations. However, I've been asked to do some indoor sports events, so off camera ETTL is gonna be necessary so that I don't have underexposed or overexposed images when my subjects (athletes) move around.

I currently have a set of the Stratos IIs and they are fantastic. Very well built, easy to use, and very reliable. Since my shooting is now requiring ETTL work, I'm about to pick up some Kings.

I agree with DHPHOTO66's opinion, but you should consider what your shooting style is before spending more money than you may need to.

MikeG2012 wrote in post #13892794
I currently have a set of the Stratos IIs and they are fantastic. Very well built, easy to use, and very reliable. Since my shooting is now requiring ETTL work, I'm about to pick up some Kings.

I agree with DHPHOTO66's opinion, but you should consider what your shooting style is before spending more money than you may need to.

If you have the Stratos IIs why not get the Odin, and you can still use the Receivers, why buy a totally different system? This is what I meant by my post, we often buy what we need at the moment and dont think o the possibility of future ventures. There is nothing wrong with buying a system capable of TTL and Manual, you can always turn it off. In the end up spending more....

if you are wanting to do studio type work, even in the field, ettl is overrated. ETTL can be pretty inconsistent shot to shot. A minor bit of framing change, or subject movement can cause the meter to be fooled and inconsistent exposure. If you are shooting a portrait series, or fashion you are better off shooting manual so that you can get consistent output.

Personally I would have a descent ETTL capable flash for bouncing in non-static shooting situations, otherwise full manual.

gonzogolf wrote in post #13893490
if you are wanting to do studio type work, even in the field, ettl is overrated. ETTL can be pretty inconsistent shot to shot. A minor bit of framing change, or subject movement can cause the meter to be fooled and inconsistent exposure. If you are shooting a portrait series, or fashion you are better off shooting manual so that you can get consistent output.

ETTL is not being "FOOLED" its doing its job. It was desigmed to compesate for changing lighting situations. I am sure Joe McNally would disagree with all the people who says that ETTL is not good for portrait work. If you understand how it works you can quickly predicts how it will react and adjust. The same happens with manual, if your subject happens to move closer to or farther from the light source it over/under exposes, you would open or close the aperture, correct?

I agree with gonzogolf. If you want consistent subject exposure and you are doing multiple frames, in a predetermined set up, manual is it.

I'm not sure I'd say ETTL is over rated, that just leads to a difference debate.

windpig wrote in post #13893640
I agree with gonzogolf. If you want consistent subject exposure and you are doing multiple frames, in a predetermined set up, manual is it.

I'm not sure I'd say ETTL is over rated, that just leads to a difference debate.

If you agree then you must agree with flash to subject distance in manual , and that ETTL is only doing what it was made to do by adjusting exposure for non-static subjects.

DHPHOTO66 wrote in post #13893567
ETTL is not being "FOOLED" its doing its job. It was desigmed to compesate for changing lighting situations. I am sure Joe McNally would disagree with all the people who says that ETTL is not good for portrait work. If you understand how it works you can quickly predicts how it will react and adjust. The same happens with manual, if your subject happens to move closer to or farther from the light source it over/under exposes, you would open or close the aperture, correct?

Au contraire, monsieur. Camera mounted on tripod, not refocused between shots, absolutely the same shot 18 times, but...

• Six shots with ETTL in Average mode, flash straight ahead
  
• seven shots with ETTL in Evaluative mode, flash straight ahead
  
• five shots with ETTL in Evaluative mode, flash pointed upward (bounce)

Wilt...what exactly are you trying to say? I see 18 shot that are not extremely under / over exposed, they al look acceptable to me...maybe its my monitor.

For my strobist needs:

ETTL when I have minimal time with subject, the speedlites are in hard to reach places, or the subject will be moving a lot.

Manual when I have time to work and the subject will be [relatively] stationary.