ST-E2 and manual flash

ISTR reading the ST-E2 doesn't support manual flash, however, Canon reads otherwise.

What I'ld like to be able to do is use my 1D2 on Av, and a fleash set to Manual.
If subject to flash distance is constant, aperture and ISO is, but ambient is changing a lot (Performing Arts), this can give a nice, predictable fill flash.

If I do this now, I have to use a pc to hotshoe adapter, to avoid the camera from setting the highest shutterspeed availiable (1/250 or 1/8000 depending on wether HSS is set)

Would that be different with a ST-E2? IE. can you use an ST-E2 on camera, camera on Av and flash to Manual?

I couldn't imagine why not. In fact, of my uses for off camera flash, I haven't found any of the creative modes to affect the ability to put the flash in manual mode. I admit, I haven't tried it with the ST-E2, but after reading the manual for the ST-E2, it should work fine.

CP

The ST-E2 will fire the flash in M. Heck it will fire optical slaves. Plus it has an AF assist beam. Why would you not desire one for your arsenal?

cosworth wrote in post #3875267
The ST-E2 will fire the flash in M. Heck it will fire optical slaves. Plus it has an AF assist beam. Why would you not desire one for your arsenal?

Yes, the ST-E2 can fire the flashes in Manual mode but I think the real question Rene is asking is if he can set his camera to Av mode without the ST-E2 forcing the shutter speed to max sync speed (in normal flash mode). This should be easy enough for someone with an ST-E2 to test. Set the camera to Av mode, turn on ST-E2 and see what the shutter speed is set to. My hunch is that it'll behave just like a flash and set the shutter speed to max sync speed. Since I don't have an ST-E2, that's just a guess on my part.

The other option for firing the slaves is 1) to use an RF remote, like a PW, to trigger the master flash; 2) tape up the 4 dedicated pins of the ST-E2; or 3) connect the ST-E2 to the PC terminal via a pc-to-hotshoe adapter.

On the 30d control function 3 controls sync in AV mode, set it to 0 and I think that will do what you want.

PacAce wrote in post #3875497
Yes, the ST-E2 can fire the flashes in Manual mode but I think the real question Rene is asking is if he can set his camera to Av mode without the ST-E2 forcing the shutter speed to max sync speed (in normal flash mode).

Of course it won't. The ST-E2 has high speed sync. It will fire a slave set to M way above 1/250th. You have full adjustability in AV for shutter speed.

I just tried it using my 30D and ST-E2 with 580EX flash. Flash on manual 1/32 power. Camera in AV mode - shutter 1/15 sec in room. Shutter speed remained constant with St-E2 on or off Function 3 is set to auto.

cosworth wrote in post #3877138
Of course it won't. The ST-E2 has high speed sync. It will fire a slave set to M way above 1/250th. You have full adjustability in AV for shutter speed.

Doh! Yes, of course, you're right, Jason. What was I thinking? I had manual flash mode in my mind (from a previous thread discussion) and that's what forces the fixed shutter speed. ST-E2 is always working in ETTL mode so shutter speed in Av mode isn't going to be a problem. Thanks for that knock on my head.

I have manual flash mode in mind as well...

@ jbimages: Cool, so if I use the ST-E2, the camera will think a flash set to ETTL is used, and not force a shutterspeed of 1/250 or 1/8000 in Av, yet the flash (set to slave) can still be used on Manual flash?

That would make the ST-E2 worth considering (or Pocket Wizzards). (but the ST-E2 is smaller & cheaper then the PW option, nothing to attach to the flash, can do ETTL if I'ld want it to, and can serve as AF assist.)

Note the ST-E2 has a limited range. Less than a speedlight and FAR less than a pocketwizard.

Range:
Indoors: 12-15 meters/39.4 - 49.2 ft; Outdoors: 8-10/ 26.2-32.8 ft

If it didn't I'ld own one allready

cosworth wrote in post #3888259
Note the ST-E2 has a limited range. Less than a speedlight and FAR less than a pocketwizard.

Range:
Indoors: 12-15 meters/39.4 - 49.2 ft; Outdoors: 8-10/ 26.2-32.8 ft

I've seen this posted a lot about the ST-E2 having less range than a Speedlite. Yet, according to the Canon specs, they both have the same range. Did someone do a test and post the results that I'm not aware of to make people think otherwise about the ST-E2's performance? Just curious where that claim originally came from.

René Damkot wrote in post #3888243
I have manual flash mode in mind as well...

@ jbimages: Cool, so if I use the ST-E2, the camera will think a flash set to ETTL is used, and not force a shutterspeed of 1/250 or 1/8000 in Av, yet the flash (set to slave) can still be used on Manual flash?

That's correct.

PacAce wrote in post #3888994
I've seen this posted a lot about the ST-E2 having less range than a Speedlite. Yet, according to the Canon specs, they both have the same range. Did someone do a test and post the results that I'm not aware of to make people think otherwise about the ST-E2's performance? Just curious where that claim originally came from.

I could not get my ST-E2 to fire across the Club Med trapeze rig at night. Nearly pitch black since lights were facing UP. Closest slave fired, but the far away slave didn't fire.

I tried ST-E2 to slave then relay to slave. Worked but the light wasnt right (rig lines in the way).

I put the ST-E2 in the bag and pulled the one slave near me off the tripod, stuffed it back on the body and set it to master. The remote speedlight (550) fired just fine.

My next solution was to fire master/slave with a pocketwizard, still the light was wrong with the rig wires.

Back to the on camera master.

Butt-o-meter results yes, but I'd not mind trying some real world testing, although I'm sure some googling could find this as well. I'll go look in my manuals, since I was sure there was something in there about it as well.

cosworth wrote in post #3892007
I could not get my ST-E2 to fire across the Club Med trapeze rig at night. Nearly pitch black since lights were facing UP. Closest slave fired, but the far away slave didn't fire.

I tried ST-E2 to slave then relay to slave. Worked but the light wasnt right (rig lines in the way).

I put the ST-E2 in the bag and pulled the one slave near me off the tripod, stuffed it back on the body and set it to master. The remote speedlight (550) fired just fine.

My next solution was to fire master/slave with a pocketwizard, still the light was wrong with the rig wires.

Back to the on camera master.

Butt-o-meter results yes, but I'd not mind trying some real world testing, although I'm sure some googling could find this as well. I'll go look in my manuals, since I was sure there was something in there about it as well.

Thanks, Jason. Real world results are more meaningful than numbers in he product specs. No need for any further measurebating. Your butt-o-meter is good enough for me...as long as it's not pointed my way.