Canon 600ex-rt flash w/ Canon 5D Mark II

WAF wrote in post #14898542
Additionally, I want to shoot my on-camera 600EXRT in ETTL but my off-camera 600EXRT in manual. I have yet to figure out how to do this. Have you had any experience with this.

My experience, contrary to the manual, is that the 600EX-RT works fine at 1/200 with the 5DII. Its been awhile since I've done the testing since I got the 600EX-RTs in anticipation of a 5DIII which I now use as may primary camera. (Still have 5DII for backup.)

I would say that the 600EX-RTs do everything with radio signaling that the 580EXII does with light signaling.

I don't remember, specifically, a way to do ETTL master and Manual slaves with light signaling and I suspect that its also not possible with 600EX-RTs. It is possible with the group feature on the 5DIII.

The pocket wizard ControlTL system, with Nissin Di866s and an AC3 on the MiniTT1 are a great system. Even they will not do ETTL on the camera and manual on the slaves. If you want to do that all you really need are fire trigger/receivers with an ETTL speedlite in the hot shoe. That's what I did before the ControlTL system.

Just got this from a canon technician:
" Thank you for your continued correspondence regarding your Speedlite 600EX-RT.

On page 51 of the Speedlite's manual it does state that "EOS cameras compatible with ETTL and released up to 2011, Group flash is not possible". I will be more than happy to forward your suggestion of a firmware upgrade for this issue. Honestly though, it may not be a firmware limitation it could be a hardware issue.

Additionally, I did confirm in the Owner's manual for your flash that your flash sync speed does drop by one-stop. Unfortunately, there is no comprehensive list of which features of the flash are affected and which camera bodies this would occur with. Generally, throughout the flash manual, usually at the bottom of the page, are light pink boxes with various caveats of information as to which bodies and limitations apply.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your Speedlite 600EX-ET. Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey
Technical Support Representative"

WAF wrote in post #14956375
Just got this from a canon technician:
" Thank you for your continued correspondence regarding your Speedlite 600EX-RT.

On page 51 of the Speedlite's manual it does state that "EOS cameras compatible with ETTL and released up to 2011, Group flash is not possible". I will be more than happy to forward your suggestion of a firmware upgrade for this issue. Honestly though, it may not be a firmware limitation it could be a hardware issue.

Additionally, I did confirm in the Owner's manual for your flash that your flash sync speed does drop by one-stop. Unfortunately, there is no comprehensive list of which features of the flash are affected and which camera bodies this would occur with. Generally, throughout the flash manual, usually at the bottom of the page, are light pink boxes with various caveats of information as to which bodies and limitations apply.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your Speedlite 600EX-ET. Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey
Technical Support Representative"

It's too bad you're having these issues with your 600EX-RTs and 5D mII but I think the issue is with your specific camera or your setup rather than with the 600EX-RTs. I know what the manual says and I am not shocked by the response from Canon because they are just covering their tails for situations just like this. I have had no issues in syncing with my 5D mII at 1/200 and up to 1/8000 in "High Speed" sync with any of my 6 600EX-RTs and 2 ST-E3-RTs. They work so well in fact that I plan on adding another 4 or 6 as soon as I find the time to sell off my Radio Popper PX receivers and some of my other EX Speedlites and Nikon Speedlights.

This is one of my test images from when I was checking out my new 600's and how well they played with my 5D mII, 7D's and 60D. This image was shot with a 5DmII, ST-E3-RT and 3 600EX-RTs in Wireless RT "High Speed" Sync. ISO 100, 1/8000 @ f/2.8. That is the sun in the upper right hand corner. Shows off the flare resistance of the 70-200 f/2.8L IS II as well.

Rand: thanks for the update. I am going to resume testing soon and will see what I am getting. I have three 600 RT with one of the as the master on-camera. It is good to hear positive news that they may work to an acceptable standard with the 5d2. I will test it out and post over the next two to three weeks. I will merge these in to my actual shoots over time. For now I will stick with the 580EXII and RadioPoppers transmitting to a Quantum T5dR strobe.

Hi guys,

I've read a few different things, so I'd love to get confirmation on this, as I currently have a 5Dii and a 600EXRT.

What I'd like to do is get a second 600EX, then have one on the 5Dii, and one off camera.

Can I shoot at 1/200th with both flashes on manual mode, and adjust them independently (EG: from camera or from master that is in hotshoe) without me having to walk over to the second flash to adjust it's power.

Would they be communicating in radio mode, or would it be the craptastic optical mode?

I have both the 5D3 and 7D. With a 5D2 you will not have group mode because it is a pre 2012 release date. Group mode is very cool as you can shoot group A in ETTL, group B in Manual and so and have complete control via the flash LCD or camera LCD. You don't have to walk to the flashes to change power

I just tested my 600's on my 7D which is pre 2012 production. I was able to control the off camera 600 in ratio mode using "radio mode". Worked perfectly in Manual mode so you can adjust the off camera flash without walking there. You get 3 groups A, B and C. In manual it is not actually a ratio, you adjust output for each individual flash.

It appeared to work on ETTL as well but it was hard to judge the output. Ratio came up with the old A:B then C for a third flash. I never used ratios so I'm not an expert but if it worked in manual in radio mode then it should work in ETTL.

I can adjust groups and everything else via the camera LCD or flash LCD on my 5D3. I could only access ratios via the flash LCD when on my 7D. Today was the first time I have ever tried that on my 7D. Always use multiple flashes with the 5D3. Hope this helps.

From the 600 manual.

islade wrote in post #16268795
I currently have a 5Dii and a 600EXRT. What I'd like to do is get a second 600EX, then have one on the 5Dii, and one off camera.

Can I shoot at 1/200th with both flashes on manual mode, and adjust them independently (EG: from camera or from master that is in hotshoe) without me having to walk over to the second flash to adjust it's power.

Would they be communicating in radio mode, or would it be the craptastic optical mode?

No in radio mode, yes in wireless/light pulse mode, and yes using two YN-622C radio triggers.

Hmmm. I just tried it on my 7D, both flashes on manual, using ratios in radio mode and I was able to adjust the flash duration on the slave using the master.

islade wrote in post #16268795
Hi guys,


Can I shoot at 1/200th with both flashes on manual mode

Sorry I missed this part of your question. It states in the manual that I posted states that you lose one increment with a pre 2012 camera. However I have read a few posts where people are saying that they can achieve sync speed. That I did not test.

In Radio mode, Sync Speed works just fine at Camera Sync, Canon 7D 1/250 for example.
HSS also works in pre 2012 Camera Bodies.
Unfortunately, manual is correct stating Group Mode does NOT work in pre 2012 camera bodies. RATS!

Nick5 wrote in post #16269979
Unfortunately, manual is correct stating Group Mode does NOT work in pre 2012 camera bodies. RATS!

That I can verify because I tested it last night. As soon as I pressed the shutter it defaulted back to ALL from Group.

In the Spring of 1012, I bought my first 600 EX-RT and ST-E3 transmitter I was disheartened to read about the 3 scenarios on pre 2012 bodies as I have 7D bodies.
At first I was let down figuring I could live with it. That lasted about three minutes in the store until I decided to see if all three were true.
Maximum synch speed on canon 7D 1/250. Worked just fine in Radio.
High Speed Synch. Worked just fine in Radio also
Group Mode RATS! Does not work
To this day all is true for me and many, many others that have this wonderful radio system.
Dispelling two of three Myths is fine with me.

Time for a 5D3 Group mode is pretty cool.

Nick5 wrote in post #16270034
In the Spring of 1012, I bought my first 600 EX-RT and ST-E3 transmitter I was disheartened to read about the 3 scenarios on pre 2012 bodies as I have 7D bodies.
At first I was let down figuring I could live with it. That lasted about three minutes in the store until I decided to see if all three were true.
Maximum synch speed on canon 7D 1/250. Worked just fine in Radio.
High Speed Synch. Worked just fine in Radio also
Group Mode RATS! Does not work
To this day all is true for me and many, many others that have this wonderful radio system.
Dispelling two of three Myths is fine with me.

That was a LONG time ago

I found the same to be true and really enjoy not having to deal with additional triggers any longer, while gaining the ability to adjust flash power from the camera or ST-E3-RT.

digital paradise wrote in post #16270086
Time for a 5D3 Group mode is pretty cool.

Damn right Group Mode is pretty cool.