Canon 600 and ST-E3-RT

Well, I guess i should have done a little research prior to purchasing the 600 and the ST transmitter. Am I correct in stating that since my cameras are pre-2012, I am not really gaining anything over the Pocket Wizards with the purchase of these two units? It appears from my initial reading of the manuals that I can only use the flashes in manual mode with my cameras.

DarenM wrote in post #17753561
Well, I guess i should have done a little research prior to purchasing the 600 and the ST transmitter. Am I correct in stating that since my cameras are pre-2012, I am not really gaining anything over the Pocket Wizards with the purchase of these two units? It appears from my initial reading of the manuals that I can only use the flashes in manual mode with my cameras.

Daren.
My Pre 2012 7D cameras will work in;
Manual and ETTL.
Will work in High Speed Sync
Will work in Camera Sync Speed
Will NOT work in Group Mode

Thanks, will try them before i put them back on the market

DarenM wrote in post #17753561
Well, I guess i should have done a little research prior to purchasing the 600 and the ST transmitter. Am I correct in stating that since my cameras are pre-2012, I am not really gaining anything over the Pocket Wizards with the purchase of these two units? It appears from my initial reading of the manuals that I can only use the flashes in manual mode with my cameras.

Whoa Whoa Wrong information! With cameras manufactured prior to 2012 you cannot use the <Gr> (Groups) Mode in Wireless RT but you still have use of the other 3 Wireless RT modes (ETTL, Manual and Multi) the same as you would have in the Wireless Optical system. You will also have a slight sync issue (very slight) when using HSS but it has been found to not be an issue. These are the only issues you will encounter when using older DSLR's. I have been using 600EX-RT's since they were first introduced with a 5DmII and 7D's and the only issues I have experienced have been the issues I mentioned above. When Yongnuo introduced the YN-E3-RT I replaced my ST-E3-RT's with them and life is good. I did buy a 5DmIII so that I could use a 600EX-RT as a Master in an "On Camera" flash Wireless setup so that I could use the <Gr> Mode.

The Canon 600EX and Wireless RT system are IMO the best Speedlites and wireless flash system to date. If you are concerned about not being able to use the <Gr> Wireless mode with your older DSLR's then buy the Yongnuo YN-E3-RT transmitter to replace the ST-E3-RT and you are good to go and you will even have Wireless rear curtain sync (Manual mode only).

Read through these threads and you will see all the issues and non issues as they have arisen with the 600EX's, ST-E3-RT's and YN-E3-RT's as well as a good discussion of the <Gr> (Groups) Mode.

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=14492857

https://photography-on-the.net …read.php?t=1167​871&page=1

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1348512

https://photography-on-the.net …read.php?t=1358​869&page=1

Thank you very much for the clarification....might be i was just a little overwhelmed when first reading the manual

DarenM wrote in post #17754304
Thank you very much for the clarification....might be i was just a little overwhelmed when first reading the manual

The 600EX-RT Manual is the best Canon Speedlite manual to date but it does have some very cautious statements (Canon lawyers must have proofed it) that would tend to lead someone to thinking ill of the 600EX-RT's when using them with older DSLR's, most of which have been found to basically be hog wash except for the one about not being able to use the Wireless <Gr> Mode (Yah that one is a bummer). I would replace your ST-E3-RT with a Yongnuo YN-E3-RT though if you are going to be using older DSLR's so that you will have the ability to use the Wireless <Gr> Mode as well as giving you Wireless rear curtain sync if needed (plus it is about 1/3 the price). I live exclusively in <Gr> mode when shooting Wireless even if only using a single Slave or a single Group of Slaves just because it easy to switch between Manual and ETTL modes if needed. Once you start using multiple Groups of Slaves, especially in ETTL, then the advantages of the <Gr> mode really starts to become apparent.

Thank you for your input