600EX-RT & 5D3

So I bought a new 5D3 last week, had some extra cash so I bought other things including a 600ex-rt. Since the 600ex-rt was introduced, I had an impression that 5D3's can "control" the 600ex-rt remotely/wirelessly without any other triggers/controllers between them so I thought that was cool - no need for my Yongnuos or Pixel Kings.

Today, my 600ex-rt came and briefly tested it. Have not had the chance to read the manual as I'm at work right now but apparently, this is not the case. I still need a "master" or a trigger on my camera.

I'm a bit disappointed but I can only blame my self for not reading reviews/specs carefully.

Yep, you didn't read them.

But don't feel bad, i also had to look up this information as it's not obvious from the product literature. My solution was to buy 3 units, 1 master and 2 slaves.

Otherwise it's the ST-E3.

I sold a few 580EX-II's last year and decided to go monolights but quickly realized ETTL is still needed. I currently have a 430ex-II, a MT-24EX and now the 600ex-rt - which is probably enough for me when I need ETTL, else, I'd use my monolights.

Question: can I use my Pixel King to trigger the 600, and 600 triggers either 430ex-2 and/or MT-24ex?

I don't think so, since the 600 EX-RT works as a master when it's in a camera's hot shoe only.

apersson850 wrote in post #15134735
I don't think so, since the 600 EX-RT works as a master when it's in a camera's hot shoe only.

But I thought Pixel King basically fools the camera into thinking that a flash is on hot shoe? Am I right? Let me test it when I get home. This will be nice. Don't want to spend money for ST-E3 if I could avoid it.

I don't know for sure how the Pixel King works. If it is as you say, it may work. I've only experienced some other types, and they worked differently.

I don't know of a situation where a TTL radio trigger will command a speedlite on a receiver to do all the pre-flashing required for it to control other speedlites via lighting signaling. For one thing there would be unknown propagation delay problems since that approach introduces a two step signaling path with the light flashes coming back to the camera for ETTL interpretation and then a two step message path back to the lights. Way too complicated, especially when the trigger manufacturer is having to do all this by reverse engineering.

With 5DIII you really want to get either another 600RT or an STE3-RT. Then work at upgrading the other speedlites to 600RTs. For monolight shooting consider the ControlTL MiniTT1. That will permit keeping the 600RT on the camera in ETTL while sending a fire signal to your monolights.

If your monolights happen to be from Elinchrom or PC Buff, you can control them in Group C using FEC over a 6 stop range.

Good stuff. Thanks. I happen to own a few Elinchroms and Einsteins.

I brought my Pixel King, 600 and 430 with me at work (was too busy last night). I'll play with it sometime this afternoon and see how it goes.

I don't think I will buy another Speedlight in the near future as they are expensive, too weak (vs monolights), most of my modifiers are designed for monolights and I prefer monolights when I shoot.

The only reason why I got these speedlights is when I am too lazy and want to take snapshots - I'd prefer to do it with ETTL.

If the Pixels doesn't play well, I prolly just sell the 430 and get another 600.

dmward wrote in post #15136770
I don't know of a situation where a TTL radio trigger will command a speedlite on a receiver to do all the pre-flashing required for it to control other speedlites via lighting signaling. For one thing there would be unknown propagation delay problems since that approach introduces a two step signaling path with the light flashes coming back to the camera for ETTL interpretation and then a two step message path back to the lights. Way too complicated, especially when the trigger manufacturer is having to do all this by reverse engineering.

With 5DIII you really want to get either another 600RT or an STE3-RT. Then work at upgrading the other speedlites to 600RTs. For monolight shooting consider the ControlTL MiniTT1. That will permit keeping the 600RT on the camera in ETTL while sending a fire signal to your monolights.

If your monolights happen to be from Elinchrom or PC Buff, you can control them in Group C using FEC over a 6 stop range.

So tried to following:

1. Mounted Pixel King Tx to 5D3
2. 600EX with Pixel King Rx - set as Master (obviously)
3. 430EX-2 as slave - set same channel as 600EX

Findings:
1. I can control 600EX from camera with above setup (good)
2. Using radio - 600EX fires but 430EX2 won't fire
3. Using optical - both flash guns fire

Moving forward, I will eventually sell the 430EX2 as I don't like optical triggers in favor of another 600EX-RT. The Pixel King proved to be a very good system. Cheaper alternative to Canon's ST-E3. I don't know if I will need a 3rd unit, I'd prefer to use my monolights if I could.