Problem with 430EXII and ST-E2

I am using Canon 7D Mark II with ST-E2 transmitter to trigger Canon 430EX II flash off-camera. The flash is set to manual mode and full power but when triggered with ST-E2, it only produces a very low-power flash. If the flash is set to ETTL mode, the flash output is much higher. I have three 430EX II flashes and they all have the same behaviour. Does anyone have any idea on what is going on?

Set the flash to SLAVE mode. Control output from the camera's menu system.

The flash is in wireless slave mode, otherwise it would not flash at all. Power control via my camera menu is not support with ST-E2.

You can also do this without the ST-E2. The 7D2 can control the flash all by itself.

jhameenniemi wrote in post #18246063
The flash is in wireless slave mode, otherwise it would not flash at all. Power control via my camera menu is not support with ST-E2.

OK, take off the ST-E2. Use the camera's built-in flash and the menus to control the output.

Check the flash itself to see if a low power level has been set. The settings on the flash itself sometimes override the settings done in the camera's menu.

I am using ST-E2 because high-speed sync is not supported with 7DII pop-up flash. Also, I have confirmed that the flash is set to full power (1/1 in M mode).

jhameenniemi wrote in post #18246070
I am using ST-E2 because high-speed sync is not supported with 7DII pop-up flash. Also, I have confirmed that the flash is set to full power (1/1 in M mode).

Set the flash to ETTL-II. Control it from the ST-E2. You can set MANUAL and POWER LEVEL from the ST-E2.

While on the subject of ST-E2, I consider it a poor choice for flash control. The YN-622 system allows you to do anything the camera/flash can do.

Could be some worthwhile info at https://www.flickr.com …iscuss/72157625​926499317/.

Having said that I am reminded of an early on situation with the 430EXII where someone had an issue with the minimum level output, as set manually, was brighter than the ETTL for the same scene. Someone explained that the manual minimum level (1/128 power as I recall) is significantly higher output than the minimum that can be delivered in ETTL mode. Perhaps the reverse of that is also true? In other words ETTL has a much higher output, should the scene require it, than full power manual mode.

John from PA wrote in post #18246075
...Having said that I am reminded of an early on situation with the 430EXII where someone had an issue with the minimum level output, as set manually, was brighter than the ETTL for the same scene. Someone explained that the manual minimum level (1/128 power as I recall) is significantly higher output than the minimum that can be delivered in ETTL mode. Perhaps the reverse of that is also true? In other words ETTL has a much higher output, should the scene require it, than full power manual mode.

Yeah, I've seen that minimum power difference in E-TTL, and it happens on all flashes that I've used (not just the 430's). I've tried the maximum side of the equation and E-TTL cannot beat manual. Usually, it's about 1 stop less because the preflash takes some of that power.

I don't have any ST-E2, but as far as I can remember, it can't control remote flashes' power level when they are set to manual.
Set the remote flash as an independent slave and try again.

You haven't mentioned it but I assume you've held down the <MODE> button 'til the <M> blinks while the flash is in slave mode. Then set the power as desired. This is described on page 31 of the 430EX II's manual.

apersson850 wrote in post #18246450
I don't have any ST-E2, but as far as I can remember, it can't control remote flashes' power level when they are set to manual.
Set the remote flash as an independent slave and try again.

MC's review of the ST-E2 at TDP.com confirms this. The ST-E2 cannot control output level in MANUAL mode.

OP, you can pick up a used pair of YN 622c, or one 622c and a -TX for about $50, used. They are infinitely more useful than the ST-E2. Alternately, a 550EX makes a nice controller with access to all functions.

Thank you for the comments. However, I am not looking to control the flash power from ST-E2 or the camera menu, I just want the flash to use the power level that I have set in M mode.

It seems the ST-E2 is not capable of that. Numerous other systems are capable of this, including all of the 5xx5xxII flash units.
Verified functionality with 80D/YN 622-TX/430EXII/YN-622c.