New, but old question on Canon RT solution...

Hi all;

I looked around for a bit (probably not long enough), so I apologize if there is already an answer for this, and if so just paste the link and I'll stop bothering everyone.

I have a 600 EX RT-II (a second if needed) and 2 (4 if needed--my partner has similar equipment) 430 EX II (no RT).

To make a full up radio based system, what are you recommendations for Canon RT slaves that would fire the legacy 430 EX IIs.

I think that's it. I guess the receivers need to have E-TTL and manual modes. I've seen some recommendations and solutions at Photo Expo Plus, but there seems to be a lot of them and keying in on the best prices/quality seems to be kind of challenging as I've never owned any of them and it seems everyone has 1 idea or another as to which ones work better (I guess that's being a salesperson).

Anyway, your feedback is appreciated!

Thanks,
Tom

Hi, If you want to keep RT features and RT to be the language, so to speak, then I believe Phottix's Laso receivers for the legacy 430ExIIs are the most reliable option.

If the first two conditions need not apply, then Godox, Jinbei & Phottix have (non RT) equally capable combined TTL, remote M and HSS options.

If you don't want to go the 'Laso' route - then - many would suggest selling your RT kit and basing your entire network around the Flashpoint R2 Pro for C:
https://www.adorama.co​m/fprrr2proc.html

Six years ago I was in the same situation as I had to be another Speedlite. As I had a 580 EX-II and a 430 EX, I was about to purchase another 580. Then a few days later Canon introduced the 600 EX -RT, ST-E3 RT. Off to my local shop I went. Checked out the new features, linked the transmitter and off I went one happy customer. Being able to control from the camera was great. Everything it said it was. Of course I tried to see if there was a way to link the others.....to no avail. Sure I could try other third party triggers, but I was defeating the purpose of The RT Radio built in communication. No more heat and humidity disrupting communication the old way, no more additional cords to apply and keep a spare, etc.
After a a week, I went back to my local shop and traded in the old 580 and 430 towards, you guessed it, another 600 EX-RT.
Now up to 5 600 EX-RT, and 2 ST-E3 RT Transmitters, this system has allowed me to utilize in Weddings, events and other types of work where Off Camera Flash is wanted.
Sure there are other knock offs available, but having the Canon Repair Facility less than 90 minute drive is reassuring. So far nothing has required any service, and have been using these hard now for some time.
For me they were a investment that has paid off immensely.

the problem with any time of "work around" is you eventually get sick of it and do what you wished you had done in the first place ... which in this case is stick with one full flash system. Whether or not you use canon's or someone else's is up to you, but I'd stick to one brand name for the entire flash system ... you'll more than likely end up doing this at some point anyway.

This seems maybe to be the most viable option in the short term. Each receiver is $99 and I have 4 flashes that are non-RT.

I do have Alien Bees also, but I feel like I want to start experimenting with being able to move the lights quickly. Alien Bees are a little cumbersome especially since the soft-boxes I use with them are pretty huge; however if you guys have a system that would pull in all of these (Alien Bees, 600 EX-RT II, 430EX II), then that would be the ultimate solution...any I would entertain that for sure.

Also, I forgot to mention...

I did consider the newer 430 EXIII RT models, but they run about $250 each and I think I'd rather get one more 600 EX-RT II OR the 3rd party RT slaves for my legacy flashes...will give more back to my budget for some softboxes suitable for smaller flashes...

I'm interested to know some other setups people use and what kind of results they've gotten...would love to see some samples!

adorama.com is where I purchased my sets when I made the switch, for the warranty and service there. the trick is to be patient for sales, if you can do that and aren't in a hurry.

the ttl speedlights are $179 full retail, but can be had for $139 and even $119 if you are lucky.
the strobes are $139 (manual power settings, no ttl) and can be had for $119

all the units I have are solid, and reliable, and you can mix and match a range to your needs, all fired/controlled by the same trigger on the camera.
Highly recommend you spend time learning this family of lights and choose according to your needs.

Thanks ksbal,

I like the controller, the Flashpoint R2 Pro 2.4GHz Transmitter. Is that what you use?

Do you find it limiting that you don't have a flash on camera? How do you get around this?

Thanks!
T

Yes, the xpro/ r2 pro is the transmitter I use.

I dont' find it limiting to not have a flash on camera - I think the only time I'm doing that is when I'm running and gunning at a wedding or event. But I have done the full evolve as far as flash goes, went off camera and manual first, got the basics down, then i've added flash exposure compensation, TTL, HSS, HS and etc as I have the need.. so now I'll pull out and use whatever I think is best for the situation I'm in.

Its pretty rare that I want a flash on top of the camera anymore. And when I do, it generally is used in bounce mode. Using it to fill broad daylight, or a run and gun where I don't have control of the environment are the only two situations where I'd use bare flash on the camera that I can think off, off the bat.

Its been a huge long learning curve, but well worth it.

I still have a 580 ex v1 somewhere, when I want the best ttl on top of the camera, even though the godox/flashpoint will ttl as well, sometimes the canon version will do a better ttl... I had a 430ex but finally toasted it, nice little flash the 7DII would have perfect exposure with strait on, and darn close when bouncing as well.

Yongnuo has a receiver for the RT system for legacy flashes:

https://www.amazon.com …-YN600EX-RT/dp/B00TGUR6TS

Thanks @mike1812!

Picked two of the up along with the YN-E3-RT. So I should be good to go with a firing solution.

Now I need to pick up some softboxes that come with brackets and removable strips that aren't an arm and a leg...any suggestions?

Thanks
T

If I were doing speedlights all over again, I'd use the solution I'm using now with my flashpoint stuff - S-brackets with Bowens mounts (which also includes an umbrella hole as well). The speedlight body is what is mounted vs. the hotshoe (taking weight off a weak point while also allowing for better positioning of the flash. And with a standard Bowens mount, you can use many different relatively inexpensive modifiers. I've bought Bowen speedrings to swap out the Buff ones on my PCB modifiers and now can use the same modifiers with either my flashpoint lights or my Einsteins.

https://www.amazon.com …keywords=neewer​+s+bracket

Sorry, I misread your post and offered a solution to a problem you don't have.

For dirt cheap, you can get tons of low-cost stuff off Amazon and eBay from the likes of Neewer and what not. I prefer more easy to setup/takedown softboxes/strips, so I lean toward the umbrella style of Fotodiox EZ-Pro and Paul C. Buff. Not cheap in most cases, but I prefer them because of the fast setup/take down time.

Hi Mike,

Yeah I agree fast setup and tear-down would be optimal. For now I got a pair of Godox 24" with detachable grids. They do in fact have the S-mounts. We'll see how these fare as they were pretty cheap (about $50 each?). But before throwing $$$ at this kind of thing I wanted to come in on a budget and move up if it turns out to be my go to solution. I believe it will but I'm always a little guarded.