Should I get a Canon STE2 Speedlite Transmitter or another 580?

I'd like to trigger my 580 II with a transmitter or 580.
I couldn't decide which option I should go with.
Should I get a Canon STE2 Speedlite Transmitter or another 580?

I prefer to have an extra lite. For just a little more cash you would have the same capabilities as the STE2 but with the fine addition of another fine flash.

I have the STE2 and 4 580II's. I seldom use the STE2 but just don't like to sell my equipment.

I'd go with an extra 580EX over the ST-E2 also. That's the reason I still don't have the ST-E2.

The ST-E2 can be useful for low light focusing, i prefer it to a full size flash due to its smaller size/weight. I like my ST-E2 and use it quite a bit but an extra 580 would be sweet and perhaps more practical ... your call.

If it is an either or choice I would go with another 580 EX II because that will give you the opportunity to do fill flash off your camera if you want. A bit more versatility, but thats my opinion only.

can you not use a 580 II as master to trigger another flash? and can you not use the Cn. Function not to fire the flash and only use the IR for low light focusing?

I'm so glad to see this posting! I JUST received my ST-E2 yesterday from B&H. I had posted on a couple of other forums before I bought it, but didn't get much response. THIS is the conversation I was looking for! Thanks...
Here was my thinking.... there will be times when I want to use the off camera flash and NOT the flash on the camera. Frequently, in fact. In that case, I felt the ST-E2 made the most sense. Eventually (within a week or two) I am going to add on a Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe and at that point, I will get another 580 to go in there and use my existing 550 for background lighting, etc. I'm thinking I STILL probably wouldn't want a flash on the camera.
Sooooo, to make a long story short (wait!!--this is already a long story!!) I felt the ST-E2 is appropriate because I felt that a multiple lighting situation (or fill flash) would most likely not include a camera mounted flash. Does my reasoning make sense? I spent a long time going through this thought process....probably too long!
But....for those times I want on-camera flash, get a bracket. That has lead me to my next question--which bracket will work with the ST-E2? Any?
Thanks again for the comments on this thread--VERY timely for me (I'm actually going to try it out right now!).

The real super trick is to use the ST-E2 only and now flash.
Couple that with an already was lens,....oh say....85 1.8 and you can shoot in nearly total darkness.

Alexajlex wrote in post #5027653
The real super trick is to use the ST-E2 only and now flash.
Couple that with an already was lens,....oh say....85 1.8 and you can shoot in nearly total darkness.

Wha?

I shot some quick shots with the ST-E2 and my 550EX set up on a tripod. I walked around the room with my 24-105, shooting the subject from various angles and distances. Very cool...and every angle fired!! Including UNDER the flash (simulating a flash bracket). So far, so good.
What I have to figure out now, is when to use the ratios because the exposures were "off" with the flash positioned far away from the subject relative to the camera...and vice versa.
Let's see how it goes tomorrow with some people as models!
(Time to read up on rations tonight?? Where?)

sml wrote in post #5027876
I shot some quick shots with the ST-E2 and my 550EX set up on a tripod. I walked around the room with my 24-105, shooting the subject from various angles and distances. Very cool...and every angle fired!! Including UNDER the flash (simulating a flash bracket). So far, so good.
What I have to figure out now, is when to use the ratios because the exposures were "off" with the flash positioned far away from the subject relative to the camera...and vice versa.
Let's see how it goes tomorrow with some people as models!
(Time to read up on rations tonight?? Where?)

Although ratio is applicable when two or more slave flashes are used, it can also be used with a single flash to serve as an FEC control for the flash. But I think it would be a easier to use the FEC function on the camera instead.

PacAce wrote in post #5028084
But I think it would be a easier to use the FEC function on the camera instead.

Aha! Thanks for the pointer! Makes total sense.

sml wrote in post #5027862
Wha?

You put on the STE2 and use just that alone for the AF-assist light (you don't use it to communicate with a speed light.

I know some people who use this quite often and I've had a chance to use this in the past with borrowed STE2s.

I'm going with a second flash and a long off camera cord
so I can use the master as one of two lights.
There are some options with this idea,
depending on your power needs.
You could get a smaller flash,
either 430 or 550 for less money than a 580...

jlvpeng wrote in post #5023130
I'd like to trigger my 580 II with a transmitter or 580.
I couldn't decide which option I should go with.
Should I get a Canon STE2 Speedlite Transmitter or another 580?

I would get 2 580's before 1 580 and the STE2. Coincidentally I just received my STE2 in the mail today, I like it. It looks so retro...