Ken S. wrote in post #10453237
Hi folks,
I am going to try off camera flash. I currently have a 580ex II...and am waiting for my second to show in the mail.
My question is...I believe I can use one flash as the master..the other as the slave.
I am wondering the difference if I were to purchase a Canon st-e2...commander.
I am wanting to fire one flash...off camera. I assume I can turn off the flash on the hot shoe.
What would I gain or lose with the st-e2.
Also..on a related note...I see some folks love their cyber syncs..or PW.
What does one gain with one of these over the Canon st-e2?
THanks in advance for your comments.
Ken
What you gain by adding the st-e2 to your current two flash setup is the ability to use two flashes as flashes. By using one of your 580exII's as a master you generally dont get any light out of it. (you can but its right on the camera defeating the purpose of off camera flash). If I remember correctly the st-e2 is a little less versatile than using a 580exII as a master in that it allows you only two groups of flashes instead of 3.
What you gain by using cybersyncs or PWII over the st-e2 is range and reliability. Its a radio signal, the st-e3 in (sort of) infrared. THe cybersyncs and PWII's can fire outdoors at up to 400 feet or more. The canon system requires line of sight and has issues on bright days outside.
What you give up with cybersyncs and PWII's is ETTL control the flashes. I dont like ettl for off camera use so it doesnt bother me much. I prefer the shot to shot consistency of manual over ettl. Ettl recalculates the exposure for each shot which is fine on camera when you are moving around, but not as good for static setups. You also lose the HSS function.
The new pocket wizard flex system and the radio popper px system allow you to retain ettl function but come at a price and have had some range issues.
