Are you happy with your ST-E2?

I have been on the fence for a while regarding purchasing one to use with my two 550EXs.

The Radio Poppers have added to my interest in the ST-2.

I figure if the range of the ST-2 doesen't cut it, I could get Radio Poppers.

I just got the ST-E2 last week. I've been playing around with it....literally. I did shoot one photo to send out via e-mail and the response was that the photo looked like a studio shot! One off camera 550EX and the ST-E2 on the camera. I intend to build from there---additional flashes, diffusion box, umbrella, etc.
So far, the ST-E2 has proven to be easy to figure out and use. And no misfires. Of course, the real test will come if and when I use it outside! But, I set the flash up on a tripod and moved all around, front and back, etc. and never missed a shot.
Fun stuff.

I love firing optical slaves with mine.

Yes. Excellent indoors - the range will surprise you. I don't use mine outside in sunlight. Its fine in the shade though.

Had it for over a year and loved it until it started letting me down on PAID shoots. I would have the problem of it only firing 1 580 and not the other. So i just threw it aside and bought PW's. I shoot in full manual either way so i dont really miss the ettl. It was embarrasing to not have my equipment working in front of my clients.

I've not used mine extensively but I've not seen any issues with it. I use it indoors with ettl and 2x 420EX's. It does what I'd expect it to do. Being able to set ratios between the 2 strobes is a nice feature.

Frankly, after getting used to manual flash and using master/slave setups with the Canon system and PWs, I simply sold my ST-E2 which I never even used. The range on the PWs is much better and dependable and all you need is two to fire the master flash and the slaves are taken care of from there with the master flash.

This probably isn't worth much since I didn't use my ST-E2, but I went down the same road you did before buying one and actually did buy it only to not use it and move to more manual end stuff.

Just my thoughts...
IO

inward/outward wrote in post #5068104
The range on the PWs is much better and dependable and all you need is two to fire the master flash and the slaves are taken care of from there with the master flash.

I'm confused... You use the PW to trigger an off camera master and then you just use the optical capabilities of the master to fire the slaves? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the PW? I guess that's fine inside, but my understanding is that the optical triggering doesn't work all that well outside.

it has its place. I wouldn't try to use it for everything but it does work well for some things namely off-camera flash with eTTL. It is good for small indoor events and certain types of on-location indoor shoots. Might be useful for wedding shots if you wanted to get the flash(es) off camera.

I didnt want to start another thread as this question may have been answered already.

So heres the question

Will this work with 2 580EXII?

yes it will work with multiple 580exII and most other combinations of canon ettl flashes.

Does it work at all at night say for 5-10 feet?? Outside

i love mine... works great and is so easy to set up

L.Morey wrote in post #5144207
Does it work at all at night say for 5-10 feet?? Outside

somebody please answer this.

Of course it will. It's infrared. Time of day has nothing to do with it.

It will work much further than 10 feet as well. If you are at odd angles or far from it, I recommend turning the IR receiver of the flashes to face the ST-E2. This is not a problem with the 580 series since they swivel completely.

I love the ST-E2. I use it all the time. Its also great for dark focusing even without using flashes.