Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT - I'm impressed!

[Marsu42]

I have two of them, but when I set Master on camera and Slave off camera, I cannot get the Master to also flash, only the Slave.  On a 5D Mark III.

I only have one 600rt with an optical remote 430ex2, but you can switch the master to fire or not fire by pressing a button (in menu2, on the left side next to ratio). Works for me...

[bdunbar79]

I have two of them, but when I set Master on camera and Slave off camera, I cannot get the Master to also flash, only the Slave.  On a 5D Mark III.

I only have one 600rt with an optical remote 430ex2, but you can switch the master to fire or not fire by pressing a button (in menu2, on the left side next to ratio). Works for me...

Right.  It's not working for me, on either speedlite, when I press it   There is an exclamation point next to the icon in the LCD panel and I cannot track down exactly what it means.

[bdunbar79]

Well I figured it out.  For some reason the speelight thought I had a color filter on, and had automatic color filter detection set to AUTO, so with an unidentified color filter on, it won't let you flash.

[quartzie]

Yes, the Speedlite 600EX-RT can sync with any shutter speed (according to the manual).  However, when using high-speed sync, the maximum shutter speed on my Canon 60D is 1/250. You should check the max speed on your camera for high-speed sync.

Are you sure you have High speed sync turned on?
The 1/250s limit is what you get with non-HSS flashguns, HSS will easily allow 1/8000 on my 7D with a TTL gun on top. Can't vouch for the radio, though.

[Daniel Flather]

I have two 600s and the new transmitter.  With the trasmitter and my two 600s I can sync up to 1/8000 with no issues.  The 600 is awesome, but two with the new transmitter takes it to the next level.  But, why did Canon leave out an AF assist beam on the transmitter??

[Marsu42]

But, why did Canon leave out an AF assist beam on the transmitter??

Many people seem to be wondering about that - I would rather get another 600rt than the rather expensive transmitter due to the missing af beam (which works excellent btw, seems to be better than on my 430ex2). Maybe the transmitter is so small that the beam wouldn't fit? Or they have an updated transmitter in the pipeline, together with the rumored 660rt with ettl-iii (featuring remote 2nd curtain sync :-))?

[bdunbar79]

But, why did Canon leave out an AF assist beam on the transmitter??

Many people seem to be wondering about that - I would rather get another 600rt than the rather expensive transmitter due to the missing af beam (which works excellent btw, seems to be better than on my 430ex2). Maybe the transmitter is so small that the beam wouldn't fit? Or they have an updated transmitter in the pipeline, together with the rumored 660rt with ettl-iii (featuring remote 2nd curtain sync :-))?

That's what I did.  Went with 2 of the flashes (at a considerable cost ) but I'm really happy with the performance.  I love the master/slave and dual flash, as well as the Manual settings, semi-manual settings are amazing, and last but not least I love the exposure bracketing/compensation.

[Daniel Flather]

But, why did Canon leave out an AF assist beam on the transmitter??

Many people seem to be wondering about that - I would rather get another 600rt than the rather expensive transmitter due to the missing af beam (which works excellent btw, seems to be better than on my 430ex2). Maybe the transmitter is so small that the beam wouldn't fit? Or they have an updated transmitter in the pipeline, together with the rumored 660rt with ettl-iii (featuring remote 2nd curtain sync :-))?

That's what I did.  Went with 2 of the flashes (at a considerable cost ) but I'm really happy with the performance.  I love the master/slave and dual flash, as well as the Manual settings, semi-manual settings are amazing, and last but not least I love the exposure bracketing/compensation.

Using a 600 just for it's AF beam seems like a waste, but in some instances you need the AF beam.  Having  two 600s and the transmitter gives me flexibility. 

[bdunbar79]

I don't use it for the AF beam.  I literally need an on-cam flash and a fill flash.  Since this is full radio and optical transmission, having two of them for me is certainly not a waste.  I think you thought I meant something else, which is OK, it's hard for me to figure out what others mean too when it's just reading words vs. hearing them speak 

[Marsu42]

Using a 600 just for it's AF beam seems like a waste, but in some instances you need the AF beam.  Having  two 600s and the transmitter gives me flexibility.

If you already have 2 or more flashes and are sure never to use a tiny fill/bounce flash, maybe. But as a 2nd, the price tag of the transmitter is rather big given the flash that the whole flash tech is left out, the 600rt has optical control and the assist beam. So it's basically about less weight, but of course that's a good reason.

I guess the transmitter will be more attractive when (and if! - pretty please, Canon?) they come around releasing radio-addons for their legacy speedlites and studio strobes, then at least the optical control of the 600rt is not needed anymore.

[Daniel Flather]

It's hard for me to figure out what others mean too when it's just reading words vs. hearing them speak 

+1

[junjun cruz]

works perfectly on my 1Dx.....superb!

[dlleno]

any issues getting the 600 and a 580 EX ii to play together?

[wopbv4]

yes, the 600 and 580 II will working together, but only in optical mode.
I have sold my st-e2 and two 580's and upgraded to st-e3-rt and two 600.
Sofar, I have been able to set everything that I needed with the camera menus. For example, set to HSS on menu and slaves will switch to HSS. With the "old" 580, I had to do an additional step: set HSS on the flash as well.
The on flash menus are so MUCH easier to use on the 600.
It was a bucket of money, but it sure is worth it.
I will need to spend more time to explore all the additional functionality, which is a lot.

Most important for me is the radio triggering, no more need for line of sight, which really helps when you use a small softbox on the flash

[DB]

The pricing of the new flash appears to vary (a lot) by retailer. In many instances on eBay (mainly) you can find the new 600EX-RT for a lot less money than the 580EX II

I've purchased a T2i and a 7D over the years off these guys in South of England (UK), so I know that they're kosher, but the old 580EX II for $200 more than a new 600EX-RT? Plus they've been running these prices for several months now, on eBay too.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/DigiGood/Camera-Flashes-/_i.html?_fsub=9843257&_sid=55627949&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322