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12/30/2006 09:58:21 PM · #1 |
Is there anyone who might know if there would be a big difference in using a canon ST-E2 transmitter to control two 580EX flashes vs using a third 580EX to do the same thing? I was thinking about buying two flashes and the STE2 (like the BH kit) but then I read an old post here somewhere suggesting to skip the STE2 and just get a 3rd 580EX since the price isn't THAT much different. Would both options be an infra-red line-of-sight kind of thing? There's also the $30 rebate going on for a little while longer...
Also I'd rather try to avoid a discussion of strobes since I'm trying to put together a super-portable kit to backpack and travel with. |
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12/30/2006 10:02:48 PM · #2 |
the big question (and i don't know the answer) is can you fire the 2 off camera flashes using the on camera 580 WITHOUT firing the on camera 580?
If the answer is yes ... then get the 3 flashes ... you can't go wrong.
yes ... both setups are line of sight, but I have read that the 580 has a bit more range than the ST-E2 (and as an owner of ST-E2, I must admit some fustration from time to time with a line of sight system). |
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12/30/2006 10:25:20 PM · #3 |
The 580EX works better as a master than the ST-E2.
1. Better range.
2. You can set the power of the remote flashs from the 580EX Master
3. You can set the 580Ex Master to not fire
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12/30/2006 10:54:55 PM · #4 |
Also, the 580 has 3 groups where the ST-E2 has two.
The 580 has better range because, IIRC, it uses the main flash to transmit info, the ST-E2 uses an infrared link that is lower powered.
You can set the 580 not to fire, or you can bounce it off the ceiling or a reflector, or use a lightsphere or similar diffuser.
OTOH, the ST-E2 is smaller and lighter. When in portrait orientation, it may be a bit easier to handle. |
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12/30/2006 11:18:30 PM · #5 |
| Thats all kinds of good info, thanks a bunch! |
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12/30/2006 11:19:36 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by hankk:
Also, the 580 has 3 groups where the ST-E2 has two. |
I've heard that before, does that mean if I had three flashes I could have each at a different ratio vs only two with an STE2 or have them fire at different times? |
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12/31/2006 01:16:26 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by bfox2:
Originally posted by hankk:
Also, the 580 has 3 groups where the ST-E2 has two. |
I've heard that before, does that mean if I had three flashes I could have each at a different ratio vs only two with an STE2 or have them fire at different times? |
Yup... Well, sorta. You have A B and C groups. You can set the ratio of exposure between A & B, and the compenstation for C.
It works fairly welll, I use a 580 as a master, and have three 2nd hand 420's. They do the job quite well for location work, although I've only ever played with the ratios, not used it for anything 'real'.
Cheers, Me.
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12/31/2006 01:39:37 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by hopper:
the big question (and i don't know the answer) is can you fire the 2 off camera flashes using the on camera 580 WITHOUT firing the on camera 580?
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Yes... or at least you can with the 550ex. You can use it to trigger off camera flashes without firing it.
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12/31/2006 02:59:55 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
Originally posted by hopper:
the big question (and i don't know the answer) is can you fire the 2 off camera flashes using the on camera 580 WITHOUT firing the on camera 580?
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Yes... or at least you can with the 550ex. You can use it to trigger off camera flashes without firing it. |
Yes, but the master 580ex will flash to send info to the slaves. Shouldn't affect the exposure, but you'll tear your hair out trying to figure out how to turn off the 580 if you don't know about it :-)
BTW, you can also turn off the flash of the 580 and use it for the infrared focus assist when in normal mode. |
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