600ex-rt with 1D mkIV sync speed question

Can anyone that is using the 600ex-rt with a 1D mkIV please confirm if the 600 will sync at 1/250th without going into HSS, when using the radio wireless mode.
I seem to be getting mixed messages by reading several posts around the net. I want to move to a 600ex-rt setup, but I want to make sure that I am not giving anything up when compared to my current setup.

According to Canon.....
Any camera made before 2012 will be able to sync with the Canon 600EX-RT Speedlites via the new radio control method, HOWEVER, you will loose 1 Stop of shutter speed in order for it to sync properly. So, in your case, if the 1DMIV "NORMALLY" syncs at 1/250, then when using the 600EX-RT in radio mode, it will ONLY be able to sync at 1/125 (or less). But, if the 600EX-RT is set to Manual Mode or Infrared/Optical Mode, then you can use your normal sync speed of 1/250. From what I understand, it's something about how they built the radio system..... that it will only properly sync with the newer cameras built in 2012, I.E. the Canon 5DMII and Canon 1DX.

If you want to use the radio master/slave setup, the 1D4 will sync at 1-stop less than your normal max sync speed. So you usually sync at 1/320 sec –*with radio mode, you will be at 1/160 sec.

I just tried my 680EX-RT's with my 7D and found a few things:
1. Group mode does not work,
2. A lot of functionality is lost with the Radio triggering. I wasn't even able to control groups A and B power from the slave flashes.
3. Infrared triggering works just as before.
4. I saw no exposure difference between my typical max sync speed of 1/250 sec (7D) and the recommended 1/125 sec with off-camera flash.

If you're looking to invest into the 680EX-RT system for your 1D4 for the radio system, I would probably hold off. If you see a 5D3 or 1D4 in your future, it's a great system.


*EDIT*
I spoke too soon, the 600EX-RT's will do the same Manual and E-TTL ratio control for Groups in Radio triggering mode. In Manual power settings, I was able to control Groups A, B, and C individually. In E-TTL mode, you can control Groups A:B, A:B + C. Even at my normal max sync speed of 1/250 sec, I noticed no difference in exposure.

With that said, I would definitely make the move to the 600EX-RT system on your 1D4. The off-camera power control is not as intuitive as on a 5D3 or 1Dx, but it still works well from my experience.

I have read what Canon has written, however, I have also seen many folks report that the these limitations did not manifest for them. I would prefer to hear from someone that is currently using a 1D mkIV with this setup. I do have a 5d mkIII, but it would be nice it the flashes functioned the way that I am used too on both of my cameras. I may upgrade to a 1Dx but not sure yet. Thanks for the input so far. Hopefully someone with a 1d mkIV will have tried it and can report.

I spoke too soon, the 600EX-RT's will do the same Manual and E-TTL ratio control for Groups in Radio triggering mode. In Manual power settings, I was able to control Groups A, B, and C individually. In E-TTL mode, you can control Groups A:B, A:B + C. Even at my normal max sync speed of 1/250 sec, I noticed no difference in exposure.

With that said, I would definitely make the move to the 600EX-RT system on your 1D4. The off-camera power control is not as intuitive as on a 5D3 or 1Dx, but it still works well from my experience.

Staszek wrote in post #15180263
I spoke too soon, the 600EX-RT's will do the same Manual and E-TTL ratio control for Groups in Radio triggering mode. In Manual power settings, I was able to control Groups A, B, and C individually. In E-TTL mode, you can control Groups A:B, A:B + C. Even at my normal max sync speed of 1/250 sec, I noticed no difference in exposure.

With that said, I would definitely make the move to the 600EX-RT system on your 1D4. The off-camera power control is not as intuitive as on a 5D3 or 1Dx, but it still works well from my experience.

Thanks for the update. When the camera was at 1/250th was the flash firing normally, or did it automatically shift in to HSS as many others have reported happening with their 5d mkIIs?

sempaidavid wrote in post #15180314
Thanks for the update. When the camera was at 1/250th was the flash firing normally, or did it automatically shift in to HSS as many others have reported happening with their 5d mkIIs?

No, it fired normally. There is a "Tv!" symbol on the flash letting you know that you're over the new max sync, but performance seemed to work fine. Maybe if you're using the flashes at a large distance there will be some performance issues. Maybe not.

Regardless, I moved to the 600EX-RT system after using Pocket Wizard Plus II's and 580EX II's for almost two years. I am so much happier with the 600EX-RT's because there are no accessories and cables to attach, the overall kit is significantly lighter, and on-camera control is amazing. Group mode with the 5D3 is also superb to use. Control with the 7D/1D4 is more clunky, but it still works.

No problems with 1/250th sync speed and High Speed Sync with my 600 EX -RT and ST- E3 combination on my 7D's.

Nick5 wrote in post #15181031
No problems with 1/250th sync speed and High Speed Sync with my 600 EX -RT and ST- E3 combination on my 7D's.

Are you running the version 2.xx firmware? Canon added that to the list with that firmware and is the only camera besides the 1dx and 5d mk III to support full sync with the 600ex rt officially. That it also gets the geo tagging too with that and it still remains the only camera canon made compatible for older tech.

The Fox wrote in post #15181085
Are you running the version 2.xx firmware? Canon added that to the list with that firmware and is the only camera besides the 1dx and 5d mk III to support full sync with the 600ex rt officially.

Where do you get this information? I've seen nothing from Canon to indicate that this is true.

Bob

The Fox wrote in post #15181085
Are you running the version 2.xx firmware? Canon added that to the list with that firmware and is the only camera besides the 1dx and 5d mk III to support full sync with the 600ex rt officially. That it also gets the geo tagging too with that and it still remains the only camera canon made compatible for older tech.

High Speed Sync and maximum Sync Speed of 1/250 was working fine before and after of Firmware update 2.0

Don't have a 1D4 but I tested it on my 1D3. ST-E3 on the camera, 600EX handheld in ETTL mode. No banding and no HSS @ 1/250sec. One thing I found interesting was that I have the camera set to default to 1/300sec in Av when using flash. It will do it with the 600EX mounted but not with the ST-E3 mounted.

Bob

Hot Bob wrote in post #15181840
Where do you get this information? I've seen nothing from Canon to indicate that this is true.

Bob

Wow, got it half right. It was for the GP-E2 that they updated. My mistake.

Nick

Anyone tried this out with an old 5D Classic?

PeterWem wrote in post #15247960
Anyone tried this out with an old 5D Classic?

I'm getting 1/200 sync with a 600 on hotshoe and one in hand.