Canon 600 flash?

Is this flash worth upgrading to over the 580? I have no idea what this flash does different and I don't want to waste money if I don't really need it. Thanks in advance

Possibly you may just want to read this thread, or the several other like threads.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1246037

Enjoy! Lon

With the 5DIII you have it is the best solution since the camera supports all its capabilities as a radio triggered speedlite. Naturally, that assumes you have at least an STE3 on the camera, or a 600 to control the 600 that's off camera.

It will also play with 580EXII and 430EXII in optical mode. In which case its essentially a 580EXII with wider zoom range.

FlashZebra wrote in post #15839964
Possibly you may just want to read this thread, or the several other like threads.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1246037

Enjoy! Lon

thanks

The 600EX has a built in radio trigger and the 580EX II doesn't. If you are doing a lot of off camera flash I would recommend it. If not the 580EXII is more then plenty.

I'm working through upgrading right now... I've ordered a 600EX-RT and ST-E3-RT, just waiting on them to get here.

I've had (2) 580EXIIs and (3) 430EXIIs for a little over a year now. I realized that I've never used more than 4 Speedlites in a single shoot. Having said that, for now, I am selling off all of my Speedlites, as well as most of my CyberSync gear (planning to keep a CST and CSRB). As of right now I'm planning to have (3) 600s + the STE3.

I just got 600ex-rt but I also have 580ex II.
I will be selling 580ex later.
I was looking for 600ex (since I will never use RT function) but Canon decided not to sell it in USA for some reason while idiot Canon rep was swearing up and down that 600ex does not exist.
But the cover of the manual says 600ex-rt and 600ex.
Anyway, the single reason I got 600 is for it's ability to zoom to 200mm.
Let me see if I can describe it. With 580ex and other flashes on the market going to 105mm if you shoot far you get main subject well lit but background is not.
With 600ex you get the same intensity on your subject but also a lot more light on the background that actually makes for more pleasant pictures, less vignetting too.
I am actually building my own flash extender to reach even farther than that.
Even though the guide number is about the same on both flashes 580ex basically waste light with longer lenses.
Other than that there is no reason to upgrade.

A couple questions of my own if you don't mind;

I see mention of compatibility with the 5D III.
I take it the 5D3 does not have a radio trigger built in? I would still need two 600s or the STE transmitter?
So what exactly does the 5D3 have then, that makes it more compatible with the 600?

Are there any 3rd party triggers or receivers that will talk to the 600?
ie, I have two Canon flashes modded with a sync jack for use with PWs.
Can I replace the PWs with something that will allow them to talk to the 600s.

InsaneO wrote in post #15841452
I just got 600ex-rt but I also have 580ex II.
I will be selling 580ex later.
I was looking for 600ex (since I will never use RT function) but Canon decided not to sell it in USA for some reason while idiot Canon rep was swearing up and down that 600ex does not exist.
But the cover of the manual says 600ex-rt and 600ex.
Anyway, the single reason I got 600 is for it's ability to zoom to 200mm.
Let me see if I can describe it. With 580ex and other flashes on the market going to 105mm if you shoot far you get main subject well lit but background is not.
With 600ex you get the same intensity on your subject but also a lot more light on the background that actually makes for more pleasant pictures, less vignetting too.
I am actually building my own flash extender to reach even farther than that.
Even though the guide number is about the same on both flashes 580ex basically waste light with longer lenses.
Other than that there is no reason to upgrade.

If the above highlighted phrase is the primary reason you bought the 600EX-RT, I'm afraid you will be very much disappointed with the 600EX-RT because your flash picture in that situation will not look any different whether it's shot with a 600 or a 580. What the 600EX-RT will do is to concentrate more light on the subject and the background so that less battery energy is required to light the scene.

Also, if the focal length of the lens you're using is less than 200mm, then the 600EX-RT will give you MORE vignetting than the 580EX will if the 600EX-RT is zoomed to 200mm.

InsaneO wrote in post #15841452
...
I am actually building my own flash extender to reach even farther than that.....

Have you seen these;
http://www.naturescape​s.net …eamer-flash-extender.html

we use them for bird photography, and they work very well, cost little, and are extremely portable.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #15841522
A couple questions of my own if you don't mind;

I see mention of compatibility with the 5D III.
I take it the 5D3 does not have a radio trigger built in? I would still need two 600s or the STE transmitter?

Yes, that is correct.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #15841522
So what exactly does the 5D3 have then, that makes it more compatible with the 600?

Both the 5D3 and the 1Dx allows you to use the Group wireless feature which supposedly is not available with cameras built prior to 2012.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #15841522
Are there any 3rd party triggers or receivers that will talk to the 600?
ie, I have two Canon flashes modded with a sync jack for use with PWs.
Can I replace the PWs with something that will allow them to talk to the 600s.

No, there are currently no 3rd party radio triggers that are compatible with the 600EX-RT.

The 600EX-RT is fully compatible with the 580EX II so you can use it in the same setup where you would use the 580EX II.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #15841522
A couple questions of my own if you don't mind;

I see mention of compatibility with the 5D III.
I take it the 5D3 does not have a radio trigger built in? I would still need two 600s or the STE transmitter?
So what exactly does the 5D3 have then, that makes it more compatible with the 600?

Are there any 3rd party triggers or receivers that will talk to the 600?
ie, I have two Canon flashes modded with a sync jack for use with PWs.
Can I replace the PWs with something that will allow them to talk to the 600s.

PacAce mentioned Group capability, but what I believe 2012-later cameras have that make it more compatible with the 600 is... newer firmware.

drvnbysound wrote in post #15841652
PacAce mentioned Group capability, but what I believe 2012-later cameras have that make it more compatible with the 600 is... newer firmware.

I personally think there's more than just newer firmware that makes the 2012 and later models fully compatible with the 600EX-RT and the ST-E3. If it were just newer firmware, then Canon could easily update the firmware of all the current EOS models to make them fully compatible with the 600EX-RT. Canon has issued firmware updates for new products in the past so there should be nothing preventing them from doing so with the 600EX-RT if it were just a matter of a firmware update.

I assume that it's just marketing incentive... but I've been wrong before.

My thoughts: Why should they spend the resources (time and money) to add features to old cameras? I understand firmware updates occur when there are actual issues, and updates are released that resolve issues, but I don't see much of a reason that they would do it just because...

Particularly, when it could help urge people into the purchase of a new camera body.

EDIT: Having said that, I'm switching to 600s and I don't have a post-2012 body. Groups... eh, I don't need that functionality yet ... atleast not the new 'Groups' functionality

Thanks guys.