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

[Strobe the globe]

I've been using my new Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT flash on my 60D, with impressive results. It's my first Speedlite flash that I've actually owned, and I'm very happy with it. I'm particularly impressed with it's power when I am zoomed in to 200mm. Not only am I getting nice soft bounce lighting indoors, but it's pretty good outdoors at night too.

I've done a brief review if you're interested ...

Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT Review - "Hands On" First Look at the Flash - Part 2 of 4

Can't wait till I can get my hands on another Radio Triggered Speedlite so I can try out some cool effects.

 

[Strobe the globe]

You can download the manual for the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT here (in English, French and Spanish) -

http://support-hk.canon-asia.com/contents/HK/EN/0300751001.html

or if that does not work -

http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/0/0300007510/01/600ex-600ex-rt-c-en.pdf

 

[Jakontil]

hi mate, with this speed lite, can u actually get the speed of 1/8000 off shoe?

 

[Strobe the globe]

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.

(I think that 1DX cameras don't have a restriction like this - but I'm not sure.)

The 600EX-RT manual says on p25 - "With high-speed sync, the flash can synchronise with all shutter speeds." Any restriction on this will probably lie with your camera.

 

[leftnose]

Does the head zoom automatically when its tilted? Or are you doing it manually? Seems odd that it would zoom when tilted.

 

[sovietdoc]

My 5d3 syncs with it at all speeds. High-speed sync gets you over 1/250, regular sync is limited by up to 1/250.

Yes, when you tilt the head it automatically changes zoom mode. If you tilt it up to try and bounce off a sealing, it will enter a bounce mode if you're in E-TTL II, otherwise you can just set anything you want manually.

I havent played too much with manual settings but in full auto, this flash produces amazing results.

 

[DB]

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.

(I think that 1DX cameras don't have a restriction like this - but I'm not sure.)

The 600EX-RT manual says on p25 - "With high-speed sync, the flash can synchronise with all shutter speeds." Any restriction on this will probably lie with your camera.

Your 60D flash sync of 1/250 is the maximum for non-HSS flashguns. When you select HSS in flash menu you can sync up to your maximum shutter speed of 1/8000th

 

[Quasimodo]

Really happy to hear that you all are impressed with the new flash, as I am getting mine on Friday The obstacle I was afraid of (given that I don't have the money now to switch all the previous gear (I have a 430 EX II, 580 EX II, and a ST-E2)) was that it could not be controlled by the st-e2. According to the people in Canon, and in the camera store that I have spoken to, it is not a problem for this flash to be controlled by the st-e2. This is great news for me, which gives me the opportunity to upgrade my gear at my leisure

Can't wait to get it.

Does anyone in here have a good tip for a lightweight and strong stick? monostick? (don't know the english word) to handhold a softbox or umbrella up high?

 

[K3nt]

Does anyone in here have a good tip for a lightweight and strong stick? monostick? (don't know the english word) to handhold a softbox or umbrella up high?

I was looking for something similar and finally got a 3-sectioned Velbon monopod. The Speedlite screws on to it nicely and it extends quite a bit. Not too heavy either, and it cost like 20USD. I think it said: "Velbon UP-400" on it.

 

[Quasimodo]

Does anyone in here have a good tip for a lightweight and strong stick? monostick? (don't know the english word) to handhold a softbox or umbrella up high?

I was looking for something similar and finally got a 3-sectioned Velbon monopod. The Speedlite screws on to it nicely and it extends quite a bit. Not too heavy either, and it cost like 20USD. I think it said: "Velbon UP-400" on it.

Thank you I went to the photostore, and explained what I wanted. He told me that I should just use my Benro Carbon monopod. So I bought a Lastolite adapter for umbrellas, and I tried the other day to shoot of my new 600 on it, and it works great. Also it has little weight to it.

 

[Z]

My 5d3 syncs with it at all speeds. High-speed sync gets you over 1/250, regular sync is limited by up to 1/250.

The 5D3 is quoted as having a max sync speed of 1/200s (?)

 

[Strobe the globe]

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.

(I think that 1DX cameras don't have a restriction like this - but I'm not sure.)

The 600EX-RT manual says on p25 - "With high-speed sync, the flash can synchronise with all shutter speeds." Any restriction on this will probably lie with your camera.

Your 60D flash sync of 1/250 is the maximum for non-HSS flashguns. When you select HSS in flash menu you can sync up to your maximum shutter speed of 1/8000th

I have not been able to get my 60D to increase its shutter-speed faster than 1/250 sec when it's linked with my 600EX-RT. When connected (even when selecting the HHS option), it stops at 1/250. Not sure how to do this. :-/

 

[Drizzt321]

My 5d3 syncs with it at all speeds. High-speed sync gets you over 1/250, regular sync is limited by up to 1/250.

The 5D3 is quoted as having a max sync speed of 1/200s (?)

Yes, the 5d3 has a max sync speed of 1/200s, same as 5d2.

 

[Marsu42]

I have not been able to get my 60D to increase its shutter-speed faster than 1/250 sec when it's linked with my 600EX-RT. When connected (even when selecting the HHS option), it stops at 1/250. Not sure how to do this. :-/

I'm also the happy owner of my (first) 600rt! For the current price of €550 (wtf?!?!) for a *flash* it still feels somewhat silly, but I figured if I want to go into portrait photography all pros use radio control for off-camera flash, so better get the future-proof tech. And the flash sealing, build quality and features (aka 580ex2) are great. Finally: for the price of a Rebel, at least it's as large as a Rebel

Since I'm also using the 60d:

* For on-camera flash, you should simply be able to use hss by selecting it on the flash, no idea why Canon made this step necessary at all. In Av mode, be sure to select "Auto" for the flash shutter speed range, *not* the default 60-250!

* For off-camera flash, hss doesn't work with the pop-up flash of the 60d controlling the 600rt. You need the 600rt to be the master on camera, and then all off-camera flashes (like my "budget" 430ex2) work with hss. Still, since the x-sync of the 60d is 1/250s, hss is only necessary for me for fill flash in bright daylight or capturing very fast movement.

 

[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.

 

[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??