Canon 600 EX-RT with ST E3 or YongNuo YN E3

Hi guys,

I need your opinion and advise please. I recently bought two brand new canon 600 EX-RT flashes and I am also thinking about purchasing the transmitter but cannot decide if to go with Canon ST e3 or YoungNuo E3 RT. Price difference is a little over $100.00 but I am wondering if there will be any drawbacks for using 3rd party transmitter?

Thought of instead purchasing a 3rd flash came to mind was well instead of transmitter but I would prefer less weight.

I will be pairing this with Canon 5D MKII and I have read that the YongNuo is compatible for remote shooting cameras post 2012? Not sure how true it is but I am hoping someone can shed some light on this for me?

Thank you all very much!

Karim.

If I had to buy another Transmitter, I would buy the Canon. Reliability and more importantly support. I know it works, how it works, and product support, whether phone or an hours drive from home.

Karim1980 wrote in post #16919384
I will be pairing this with Canon 5D MKII and I have read that the YongNuo is compatible for remote shooting cameras post 2012? Not sure how true it is but I am hoping someone can shed some light on this for me?

Thank you all very much!

Karim.

If you want all the Gr features with your 5DII then the YN-E3 is the only option.
The Canon ST-E3 support radio triggering but is limited to the 580EXII optical trigger features. There are a few things that work unofficially.

The way I use my 600EX-RTs Gr mode is where I am 90+ % of the time.

What is the application? The YN has AF assist and the ST does not however I have read the AF assist is a bit sketchy particularly on a 5D3. It does not cover all focus points.

The ST does not offer second curtain sync if that is important to you but the YN is in manual only.

I have 3 600's and the ST-E3. When in studio mode the ST-E3 is on the camera. When in dark venue and if I put two 600's on stands for background lighting and the 3rd goes on my camera. I get dedicated AF assist and I bounce for the subject exposure.

I don't know much about reliability. I have not heard too many complaints. I would agree with Nick about support. Always easier when within the family.

dmward wrote in post #16919550
If you want all the Gr features with your 5DII then the YN-E3 is the only option.
The Canon ST-E3 support radio triggering but is limited to the 580EXII optical trigger features. There are a few things that work unofficially.

The way I use my 600EX-RTs Gr mode is where I am 90+ % of the time.

Group mode is awesome. I have to wonder why YN could do it and Canon could not? Perhaps by limiting to 2012 and newer cams might get sales up bit?

Yes, the interesting thing is how Yongnuo convinced a camera, which doesn't know about anything more than three flash groups, to do E-TTL metering for five groups? Because that's what I assume is the issue which kept Canon from implementing the group mode with older cameras.

5DmII + YN-E3-RT = <Gr> mode =

agv8or wrote in post #16920071
5DmII + YN-E3-RT = <Gr> mode =

Thank you everyone for your input, it really is helpful to get your feedback.

I am reading more on GR mode and I will need that feature to control flash power individually on the go.

Most likely pulling the trigger on YT.

apersson850 wrote in post #16919594
Yes, the interesting thing is how Yongnuo convinced a camera, which doesn't know about anything more than three flash groups, to do E-TTL metering for five groups? Because that's what I assume is the issue which kept Canon from implementing the group mode with older cameras.

That is an interesting question.
Some day I'm going to have to borrow a couple of 600EX-RTs from a friend and figure out a way to test that with the ST-E3 and then a YN-E3 on an older camera.

Here's another question......if I have 600ex rt on camera and another 600ex rt off camera, how can I disable the on camera flash from firing if I only want to use the off camera option for a particular shot?

I know I can do it in group mode by turning the master off, but with 5d MK2, I don't think it's possible? Unless I am way off and am hoping someone can correct me?

The Master flash can be disabled from firing in any of the wireless modes.

Thank you so much. I should be reading more of the manual, but so tired of reading all this material now lol.

dmward wrote in post #16921013
That is an interesting question.
Some day I'm going to have to borrow a couple of 600EX-RTs from a friend and figure out a way to test that with the ST-E3 and then a YN-E3 on an older camera.

Canon also siad that that sync speed was effected on pre 2012 cameras with the ST-E3. You had to use a slower shutter however reports from all over the place say that it will work at sync speed.

Here is the page out of the manual.

The Yongnuo version apparently slowly drains its batteries while off, so you'll need to adjust to that. The Canon does not.

As you have invested in the expensive Canon side to me the STE-3 is a no brainer,
Mine are flawless.
I appreciate the Group mode thing for pre 2012 Cameras but will you update the camera some-ish?