Need advice on Canont RT only system -- apologize if already asked

Hello,

I've been poking around the threads and I've seen a lot of stuff regarding this subject, but I want to ask it in clear and concise way because it's a pretty simple question, that may have a lot of answers. Sorry if someone else posted this:

1. I have 2 430 EX II (not RT)
2. Bought 600 EXII RT
3. Want to use 600 EXII RT on camera
4. Would like to use the Canon RT system (as I just laid out $500 for the 600)
5. I would like to use the 430 EX II's (non RT ones) with the 600 EXII RT using the radio system.

Are there devices available that will connect to the 430EX II (non RT) flashes that will be able to communicate back to the 600 EXII RT that's on the camera? I do not want to add additional master equipment on the camera. I just want transceivers for the remote flashes that can link up to the 600 EXII RT directly and perform ETTL functions, or if not that, manual control.

Thanks for the advice guys

Tom

I believe you don't need any additional equipment. The 600-RT is capable of working with radio (RT) systems, optical systems (EX II), or both at the same time.

There are two Wireless RT receivers you can use to integrate your 430EX II Speedlites into the Wireless RT system. One in the Yongnuo YNE3-RX receiver and the other is the Phottix Laso receiver. The Yongnuo is the cheaper of the two but myself and others have had some issues when using them with 580EX II's so, not so sure how they will work with the 430EX II's. I have found the Laso receivers to be more reliable and I use them to integrate my Godox AD360II's where the Yongnuo receivers just flat out would not work with the Godox flash units.

Why add another piece of equipment when the 600 can control the 430EX II units without it? The 600 apparently does radio and optical (the old style) control.

EDIT:

Ahh! I see. The OP has made two somewhat contradictory requests. Number 4 states he wants to use the 600RT system. I am he is referring to the radio system. The statement below that seems to suggest using the RT on-camera to control the 430 units 'without more equipment'. Both things are possible, but not simultaneously.

The 600's radio system can control the 430 via radio. I don't know how to do that, or what hardware is needed. It won't happen without additional hardware.

The 600's optical system can control the 430 via Canon's old optical system, without any additional equipment.

Two questions require two answers.

Bassat wrote in post #18291392
Why add another piece of equipment when the 600 can control the 430EX II units without it? The 600 apparently does radio and optical (the old style) control.

EDIT:

Ahh! I see. The OP has made two somewhat contradictory requests. Number 4 states he wants to use the 600RT system. I am he is referring to the radio system. The statement below that seems to suggest using the RT on-camera to control the 430 units 'without more equipment'. Both things are possible, but not simultaneously.

The 600's radio system can control the 430 via radio. I don't know how to do that, or what hardware is needed. It won't happen without additional hardware.

The 600's optical system can control the 430 via Canon's old optical system, without any additional equipment.

Two questions require two answers.

Actually the OP did not make any contradictory statements. You are the one reading more into what he said than what he actually said.

He was very clear that he was wanting to incorporate his current 430EX II flash units into Canons Wireless RT system using the new 600EX RT II, that he has just purchased, as the Master flash.

He said in number 4 he wanted to use the "Canon RT system" and not the "600RT system" as you state. The Canon RT system is very specific to Canons Wireless Radio system where as the 600RT system is both Optical and Radio.

He also stated that he did not want to add "additional Master equipment on the camera", not any equipment in general as you have surmised. In fact he asked "Are there devices available that will connect to the 430EX II (non RT) flashes that will be able to communicate back to the 600 EXII RT that's on the camera?" This is a very specific question, with very little ambiguity as to the what he was looking for.

Which begs the question: OP already has the equipment to control the 430s with the 600. Why add anything anywhere?

Canon's optical master/slave system is quite good, and quite useful. The OP already owns it. Perhaps the OP would consider using what he already has, as opposed to buying more equipment of any kind.

Of course, if OP is exceeding the range of the optical system, or working outside, the optical system is quite useless.

Bassat wrote in post #18291567
Which begs the question: OP already has the equipment to control the 430s with the 600. Why add anything anywhere?

Canon's optical master/slave system is quite good, and quite useful. The OP already owns it. Perhaps the OP would consider using what he already has, as opposed to buying more equipment of any kind.

Of course, if OP is exceeding the range of the optical system, or working outside, the optical system is quite useless.

So now who is making contradictory statements?

If you have ever used both of Canons Wireless systems you would never go back to using the Optical system by choice.

Hi all,

Thank you for your input on this. I think the first reponse by agv8or was what I was looking for.

Sorry for any confusion in the questions, I wanted to use the "radio" portion of the Canon system which the 600 EXII RT is capable of. I'm trying to avoid optical as it has too many limitations.

The need was really for hardware to attach to the slave units that are off camera that would communicate back to the 600 EXIi RT without using some other "middle ware" like PocketWizard, etc. communication protocols. Just something that the 600 EXII RT could talk to directly that would then control the older 430 EX II's which have no radio capability.

I'll check out the Phottix Lasso...thanks agv8or!

~Tom

I have never had Canon's optical system fail me indoors. Even behind/under furniture it works quite well. It is all I use when doing table-top work. I also use if for simple static setups, indoors. It has never let me down.

Where it becomes useless is working around/through walls, and outdoors in daylight. For such situations, I use the YN-622 system.

That Canon optical master/slave system is quite good in some situations, and quite useless in others. No contradiction there. BBQ sauce is good on chicken. It doesn't make a good rocket fuel.

Strangely, I've never had a problem using the optical system outdoors. I run a YN622-TX on the camera and a 430EXII on a YN622C transceiver off camera shooting through an umbrella. Admittedly, I'm not really pushing the system in terms of distance, etc. but I shoot portrait style shots on my deck in bright light all the time without any issues.

But you're using the Yonuogo radio system not the optical system according to that description. Optical triggers fail in bright ambient light ... radio doesn't care. Yonuogo radio transmission system is just a bit more distance challenged than some alternatives.

Or have I missed something?

DaviSto wrote in post #18296504
But you're using the Yonuogo radio system not the optical system according to that description. Optical triggers fail in bright ambient light ... radio doesn't care. Yonuogo radio transmission system is just a bit more distance challenged than some alternatives.

Or have I missed something?

No, I'm pretty sure the older YN622-TX/YN622C system was optical. It's the newer YN EX RT system that is radio. I think.

I have YN622C-TX and four YN622Cs. It's definitely (100%) a radio control/trigger system that operates without clear line of sight between controller and trigger units. It's a 2.4GHz transponder/transceive​r system. It's a very handy system imho with some great features ... especially at the price.

I was in the same boat recently. I have a 600 RTii, 430iii RT and a 430ii (non rt). I was using the Yongnuo 622c-TX on the camera and Yongnuo 622 triggers on my flashes. This was using a crazy amount of batteries and not taking advantage of the RT system incorporated in the 600 and 430 that i paid big bucks for.

I came across this: https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …so_ttl_flash_tr​igger.html which turns my old 430ii into an RT capable flash. It is super easy to set up and works flawlessly.

To fire them all off camera I needed a Transmitter and my choices were the Canon ST-E3 ($300), the Phottix Laso Transmitter ($164) and the Yonguno YN-E3 ($75). I decided to go with the Phottix because the reviews I read were better then the Yongnuo and I decided the Canon was just not worth the money.

I am happy to report that everything is working as it should with 0 issues. You can easily set the flashes to different groups and change the flash power individually. I am very happy with this system. All 3 flashes, Transmitter and Laso receiver use 16 AA batteries. The same setup using the 622 triggers used 20. I feel in addition to using less batteries that this system will be way more reliable and the build quality of the Phottix is better then the Yongnuo products.

I was looking at the prices for the YN-E3-RT and something looks curious:

The YN-E3-RT is about $75

https://www.amazon.com …&sr=8-1&keywords=YN-E3-RT


The YN-E3-RX is about $38

https://www.amazon.com …s&field-keywords=YN-E3-Rx

But the bundle with 1 RT and 1RX is $126!

https://www.amazon.com …&sr=8-2&keywords=YN-E3-Rx

What gives? Why would I buy the bundle if I can get them separately for less? I can buy them separately, right?