another ST-E3 RT or 600EX RT?

Hi,
if i already got a 600EX-RT and i like to get a trigger that sits on the camera. should i get a ST-E3 RT or another 600EX RT?

what are the benefit of the ST-E3 RT over another flash unit?
Advantages:
Weight, size and the viewing angle might be better than reading from an attached 600RT. $ is another benefit.

Disadvantages;
i also know that ST-E3 does not help focusing with that "beam" (mental block here)... ooh ETTL.

Please share your thoughts. Function wise, i heard its the same with controlling of flashes etc.

thank you.

IMO, if you're going the RT route, one would think you might want more than one flash. So it comes down to ........ are you ready to drain your bank account?

I'm considering these options too but I'm leaning more towards getting another 600. Here's why, with the 600 I can use both the flash and the off camera trigger and I have focus beams. Yes I know it's twice the price as the ST-E3 but to me it's worth it in the long end.

thanks Pi_314,
no doubt that i would be getting more flash, it's just that im not sure if i should even have justification to get the ST-E3 RT with flash units or flash units all the way.

Julius, my extact thoughts but now, i have the chance to get one ST-E3 just under 300. so i reconsider....

The only reason for getting the ST-E3 RT, is for the smaller footprint, and to lighten the load. For some people, that's plenty reason enough, was for me as I ordered one just yesterday. Gotta say that I love the whole system as I go broke buying into it. It is what it is.

I would get another 600, if you only have one flash at the moment. The on camera flash can act as a fill. I also picked up a ST-E3 in case I want to get both of them off camera and in this case to have a lighter option when I don't need on camera flash. So, get both.

I've been thinking about this also. If the ST had the focus beam I doubt I would be hesitant. But in they'd I want at least 2 600's so I am thinking about it - really shouldn't be spending more $$ right now tho.

I'd go the 600 if I had more cash, so that's my recommendation to you. Can always add an ST later on and have an awesome dual flash setup!

I just got my ST-E3-ST today and it is significantly smaller/lighter on top of the camera. I might not use it often, but I think it is a worthwhile purchase. For low light, always use an on-camera flash for fill and another off camera, so the extra 600 will work best in this case. I will use the ST-E3 to trigger the 600 flashes in a portable studio setup, so the lack of AF assist wasn't an issue at all for me. In fact, I would prefer it didn't have AF assist if it were to make the unit larger/heavier/costlie​r.

If only the AF worked while the modeling light was active...

IMHO, 600EX RT is too expensive and only slightly improvement (CMIIW). I still prefer using the old 580EX II plus flash trigger

580EX II - $474.00
PW Flex TT5 - $229.00
Total - $713.00 (and less functionality) (or $613.00 by going Odins - and still less functionality)

or

600EX-RT - $629.00 (579.00 now) ($16 more than Odins when priced @ $629 - but lose integration and functionality for $16)

?

^ Definitely agree, no going back to 580EX II after using the new system.

If you only have one 600, then I would recommend to get another 600 to have on-camera fill flash. Later on you can get the ST-E3 so you can have both off-camera flashes.

If you are using the flash in a professional setting, going with another 600 also gives you a backup flash.

Indecent Exposure wrote in post #14902469
580EX II - $474.00
PW Flex TT5 - $229.00
Total - $713.00 (and less functionality) (or $613.00 by going Odins - and still less functionality)

or

600EX-RT - $629.00 (579.00 now) ($16 more than Odins when priced @ $629 - but lose integration and functionality for $16)

?

What's the advantage of ST-E3 compared to Odin?
I read *again* ST-E3 specs, I think I only miss 'stroboscopic'