I have 2 Question about the new Canon 600exRT flashes

One, does it work with the Canon CP-E4 Compact Battery Pack, or is there a new pack we have to buy?

And Two, does anyone know if it can transmit the original IR optical signal while simutanously emiting the new RF signal??

Lets say I buy 2 600ex's, and I want to use them with an existing 580exII. I put one of the 600's in the hotshoe as a master, I place the 580exII as a slave that is well within range to fire via the IR signal, can I then place the second 600 somewhere out of sight if I need be, and have it triggered with the RF??

I hope I didn't sound too confusing and someone can help me out. I was looking to add another flash, then one of my 580exII's broke and now I am looking to add 2 new flashes. Thanks for all your help in advance, appreciated as always.

The battery works just fine with no issues at all.

I am not sure but I would assume no because of a lot of the issues that go along with IR and RF together would be really hard to manage them all together.

Nick

I don't have a 600EX-RT, but from many reviews and comments that I have read, it cannot simultaneously do IR and RF - it's one or the other.

It only does either Wireless RT or Wireless Optical but not both at the same time. Once you use the new Wireless RT you'll sell your old Speedlites and buy more 600EX-RT's or an ST-E3-RT to control the ones you have. I have already set in my "Personal Functions list" to turn off the two "Optical" Wireless pages so that I do not have to scroll through them every time. Once you go Wireless RT you'll never go back.

Thanks everyone for your input & help!

I have four 580exII's and use them with the radiopopper PX system right now, so I am able to control my slaves right from my camera, with a range of 1,500ft!..............​.I would love to sell all of it and replace it with these new 600ex's, but it will cost me almost $1,000 to do this. So I was thinking to gradually do it over time, sell a 580ex & buy a new 600 every few months or so until the swap is complete.

I am happy with what I have now, it works for me, but I know I would be alot happier having one less piece of equiptment to carry, worry about, and have batterys for.

Dustman wrote in post #14585630
Thanks everyone for your input & help!

I have four 580exII's and use them with the radiopopper PX system right now, so I am able to control my slaves right from my camera, with a range of 1,500ft!..............​.I would love to sell all of it and replace it with these new 600ex's, but it will cost me almost $1,000 to do this. So I was thinking to gradually do it over time, sell a 580ex & buy a new 600 every few months or so until the swap is complete.

I am happy with what I have now, it works for me, but I know I would be alot happier having one less piece of equiptment to carry, worry about, and have batterys for.

That's where I am now as well

drvnbysound wrote in post #14585661
That's where I am now as well

What to do, what to do.......For the cost to sell off what I have to buy the new system, I could upgrade my camera, or buy a new piece of glass........Is something more convient worth the price?

another question... it seemed like from what I read is that you can't use the RT part if unless you have a 1Dx or 5D3. Is that right? Can you use the 600EX-RTs with one on camera or an ST-E3 if you have an older camera?

gtrag94 wrote in post #14585906
another question... it seemed like from what I read is that you can't use the RT part if unless you have a 1Dx or 5D3. Is that right? Can you use the 600EX-RTs with one on camera or an ST-E3 if you have an older camera?

I have read/confirmed by others that the 600EX-RTs will work with pre-2012 bodies, but there are a few features that are not available... such as the new ability to control 5 groups and/or any new features that were introduced with the new 'Groups' feature(s). I have been told that the same capability that is available with 580EXII setup is also available with the 600EX-RT, but that it would add the radio capability as well.

So if you are comfortable with the optical system and the in-camera control it provides, but want to rid yourself of 3rd party radio triggers the 600EX-RT will do that.... from what I've read here.