ST-E2... why get one?

I don't understand why the st-e2 exists... why not just get another 430ex? theyre damn near the same price... and as far as i know, they do the same exact thing (you can just turn off the flash on the 430 and use it as a transmitter only)

is there any advantage to getting an st-e2 that a 430ex doesn't have? the price difference seems to be about $25

also, a side question.... can canon's wireless signal go through a speedlite with a diffuser cap on it (sto-fen, etc.)?

The signal doesnt go through the flash tube, it goes through a infared emitter on the bottom of the flash on the front.

Yes, a HUGE one.... The 430EX CAN NOT act as a master and therefore CAN NOT control other flashes. It can only be a slave flash.

Also many people like to use the ST-E2 as an AF assist light for auto focusing in very low light.

Also this thread should be in the Flash and Lighting section.

the 430 cannot act as a master. having a stofen on will not do anything, as to the infered part is that red thing at the bottom.

oops, is there a way i can put it in the flash thread?

okay so lets say i use the 580 as my on camera flash, and a 430 out to the side, if i have a flash tube on my 580... will the wireless still work?

the 580 manual says the transmitter is in the flash head

funk1196 wrote in post #6281251
oops, is there a way i can put it in the flash thread?

okay so lets say i use the 580 as my on camera flash, and a 430 out to the side, if i have a flash tube on my 580... will the wireless still work?

the 580 manual says the transmitter is in the flash head

Yes the 580 will still control the 430. The IR beam comes out of the red plastic area on the front of the flash unit and anything over the flash light itself will not hinder the IR communication.

The ST-E2 is a cheaper option than the 580EX series I & II, thats the reason people get it.

Other than the previously stated fact that the 430 isn't a master flash, the ST-E2 offers a handier package than a 550 or 580 being on the camera all the time. It also allows off camera use of all the speedlights a photog might own.

ipschoser1 wrote in post #6281351
Other than the previously stated fact that the 430 isn't a master flash, the ST-E2 offers a handier package than a 550 or 580 being on the camera all the time. It also allows off camera use of all the speedlights a photog might own.

As far a function goes, you get more function from a 580EX than you do from the ST-E2. The 580EX allows for three groups while the ST-E2 only allows for two, and you get another light using the 580EX.

IMO the main reason people choose the ST-E2 over the 580EX series is cost

is it possible to set ratios with the st-e2 like i can if i have a 580exii on camera? (flash A 1:1, flash B 1:4.... or however that works)

funk1196 wrote in post #6281251
okay so lets say i use the 580 as my on camera flash, and a 430 out to the side, if i have a flash tube on my 580... will the wireless still work?

the 580 manual says the transmitter is in the flash head

o_O if you;re going to slave flashes, why would you want to have an oo camera flash (OnCF.) OnCF makes the image so flat and does do that great a job of separating the subject from background.

just my humble opinion.

motion_projekt wrote in post #6281644
o_O if you;re going to slave flashes, why would you want to have an oo camera flash (OnCF.) OnCF makes the image so flat and does do that great a job of separating the subject from background.

just my humble opinion.

Sometimes you want a little catch light in the eyes or you need to open up shadows under a hat, etc...

FYI - that red panel on the front of your flash unit is the focus assist emitter, not an IR emitter.

motion_projekt wrote in post #6281644
o_O if you;re going to slave flashes, why would you want to have an oo camera flash (OnCF.) OnCF makes the image so flat and does do that great a job of separating the subject from background.

just my humble opinion.

Sometimes you want a little fill from the camera too. It doesn't have to be the main light.

so.. again.. according to the manual. the wireless transmitter is in the flash head, not the red panels.
will it work through a diffuser.. and if so, how much is the range limited by?

funk1196 wrote in post #6281862
so.. again.. according to the manual. the wireless transmitter is in the flash head, not the red panels.
will it work through a diffuser.. and if so, how much is the range limited by?

with something like a stofen yes, with a softbox or umbrella it will be hit or miss. Indoors it works well with a shoot through umbrella or with no diffuser at all. Outdoor its kind of a pain to use thats when the units definatly must face each other and the range is limited, thats when i switch to the PW