This poll is directed to Canon users that already have two or more Speedlites (any brand) to gauge how much added value the new 600EX RT Speedlites represent and if it's enough to upgrade from our current Speedlites.
I'll start...I REALLY like the added 200mm zoom range and am seriously considering getting at least one just for the added reach. (currently own (2) 580EX II's, (1) 550EX, & a manual Yongnuo)
You can leave the Better Beamer home for wildlife now..... . Well, not really but it will do in a pinch if you don't feel like putting one on or if it is too windy. My transmitter will be delivered tomorrow .
I have a 580EX II and (3) 550EX (plus Vivitars and Pentax). I bought (2) 600EX-RT primarily for the ease and reliability of wireless function, but also for other reasons including the additional zoom range. No question it was a lot of dough to drop on a pair of Speedlites (even with the token $30 rebates ) but I expect to get a lot of good use out of them, and the saved exasperation will make it worthwhile.
I think if I was starting out now (and I don't do much with flash anyway) I would go for the 600 . But I would also require a new body like 5D3 to take full advantage.
But as a 7D user with a 580 and 550 I hope the new flash brings down the cost of good used 580's
Forgot to mention one of my favorite features is the timer on slave for wake on signal from master can be set for 8 hours.
I set slaves to sleep in 10 minutes to save batteries and have the wake set to 8 hours so I can set-up an area, work somewhere else and when I come to the previously set-up room, simply wake the slaves from the master.
Another nice feature is that two 600's set to master can fire the same slaves. Sometime I have a 600 or two as slaves in a room and am working with two cameras (wide-med and tele) with a 600 on each hot shoe. I can switch between cameras and the slaves are fired correctly.
I would buy if I could sell my current 580II for same money Also I don't like that fact that it is little bigger. Why Canon can't improve sizes of any new things they are releasing? It must be one of the requirements, they can't increase something already huge in size.
Sold my 580exII and both of my 430exII's. I'm getting the ST-E3 and one 600ex-rt next week. Hopefully they will come out with a 430 equivalent so I don't have to spend another 600 per flash!
AGeoJO wrote:
^^^ They put in a radio transmitter and a transceiver into that flash. Have you seen the size of something like that, like in the PW units?
Are you saying it is not possible to keep same size with this addition? It is just upsetting to see my gear growing in size by the time.
I view the 600EX as a space saver. In the space where I previously put my Radio Poppers, I now fit two 600EX's. I did have the RP's in a small case inside the roller. The case contained the spare batteries, 1 spare bracket, 2 receivers w brackets, and 2 transmitters.
Besides, lots of guys like their gear growing in size.
The advanced radio control functions of the ST-E3 and 600EX are either crippled or disabled for cameras prior to the 5D3 and 1DX. And flash sync speed is cut in half (for radio control). No high speed sync. Etc. ...
If you don't have the latest and greatest camera, the ST-E3 doesn't make a lot of sense. The 600EX makes more sense, except for the price. Clearly Canon wants you to upgrade all your kit.
SeverianTL wrote:
The advanced radio control functions of the ST-E3 and 600EX are either crippled or disabled for cameras prior to the 5D3 and 1DX. And flash sync speed is cut in half (for radio control). No high speed sync. Etc. ...
Disabled or crippled? That new technology wasn't simply available when the other cameras were introduced. Let's go back several years when the FF sensor wasn't simply available or still in development. Did Canon deliberately cripple or disable the D30 for not incorporating a FF sensor in that camera then ?
With third party radio controls HSS is possible and X-sync is not cut in half, so why does Canon do this? With a 600EX mounted you can control groups of flashes optically but not via radio. What's up with that?
. Well, not really but it will do in a pinch if you don't feel like putting one on or if it is too windy. My transmitter will be delivered tomorrow 
) but I expect to get a lot of good use out of them, and the saved exasperation will make it worthwhile.
Also I don't like that fact that it is little bigger. Why Canon can't improve sizes of any new things they are releasing? It must be one of the requirements, they can't increase something already huge in size. 