580ex II or 600EX-RT

[smirkypants]

I wonder if PW will reduce the price of the minis and flexes now - I cant see a long term future for these in a mass market

I really think the PWs flexes are dead, though the dumb triggers may live on. They are more expensive than the Canon system (a 580EX II + flex (which don't play well together) = more than a 600. People will start to drift towards the Canon standard, and the nail in the coffin will be when Yongnuo starts introducing compatible flashes and triggers. You gotta know that there are people all over China dismantling the new flash and trigger at this very moment. For the long run it may be wise to start investing in the 600 system, but jeez... about $2300 to get started with 3 guns and a trigger.

 

[CanineCandidsByL]

The real competition is in the third party RT suppliers.

I wonder if PW will reduce the price of the minis and flexes now - I cant see a long term future for these in a mass market

Thats true about the competition, but there is a major advantage to the PWs...they are compatible with non-Canon gear. Somehow, even if Canon makes something to use old flashes with RF, I don't see them making a device that can trigger other gear. I wonde if they would even make the RF an open system so others can produce gear to work with it.

 

[smirkypants]

Thats true about the competition, but there is a major advantage to the PWs...they are compatible with non-Canon gear.

To get full ETTL functionality with the PW flexes, you need to have Canon flashes. Of course you can get the dumb (i.e. full manual) PW triggers, but you lose almost all of the benefits of having the 600s.

 

[7enderbender]

I need some external ideas here.

I currently have a 580exII and a 30 foot TTL cord. I have been desperately wanting to go RF wireless.

So, as I see it, I have two options...

1. Pick up 580exII's for cheap(er) as people switch over or companies dump inventory; Then I have to add an RF wireless system (+$100 per flash as I see it)

2. See off my 580exII and start over with the 600EX-RT and a commander.

So, can anybody offer me some thoughts on this?

Good questions. I've been thinking and watching the used market as well. So far I don't see a lot of 580s and 430s show up.

Here is my thought process so far: I have a 580EXII, a 430EXII, a 270EX and an old Metz 45. So far, the Canon optical wireless system has worked for me (with a long ETTL cord for the 580). For messing around with more complex settings I've used the 4 flashes on manual with cheap Adorama RF triggers. That all works pretty well even though it's not as elegant as the new Canon system or the Odin, etc.

The other issue is that I don't see upgrading from my 5DII for the next few years (unless something happens to it). From what I understand so far, the 600EX and the controller only offer some of the really cool features (5 groups with manual control from the camera) on the new camera models. Not sure if any firmware updates for the 5DII will change that.

 

[7enderbender]

Funny, but I think it was Syl's reviews of the 600 that made me want to switch. It will be interesting to see what his "standard" gear ends up being in another year.

I also forgot there are several reports of a module that you can stick on your 580s and 430s to control them with RF. Guess I'll hang onto my 580 for now AND get a 600.

That indeed was a good review - especially the girl with the yellow heels in the fridge ;-)

My guess would be that in a revision of his book it'll be a mix of new gear and old. He has to please Canon and his long-standing readers who haven't upgraded yet to the new cameras and flash system. It'll sure be interesting to see what he comes up with next. I like the current version of the book a lot.

 

[squarebox]

Heh... it was kinda an easy call for me. I have no flash so I definately needed one, and when i looked at prices here in Japan, the 580EX II was 47,000 yen (about $550) and the 600EX was 49,000 (about $580).

for some reason camera equipement sells below the MSRP AND the listed price includes tax.

 

[CanineCandidsByL]

I just noticed in the announcement link at speedlights.net, that the new 600 was plugged into a 7d AND using a cable.

Does this make any sense? Or, was somebody just wanting to use all the bells and whistles for the shot?

http://speedlights.net/2012/03/02/canon-600ex-rt-st-e3-r/

 

[RC]

I just noticed in the announcement link at speedlights.net, that the new 600 was plugged into a 7d AND using a cable.

Does this make any sense? Or, was somebody just wanting to use all the bells and whistles for the shot?

http://speedlights.net/2012/03/02/canon-600ex-rt-st-e3-r/

Flash in hot shoe with sync cable? Makes no sense to me.

 

[briansquibb]

They are more expensive than the Canon system (a 580EX II + flex (which don't play well together) = more than a 600.

Well mine play well together.

 

[pwp]

I just noticed in the announcement link at speedlights.net, that the new 600 was plugged into a 7d AND using a cable.

Does this make any sense? Or, was somebody just wanting to use all the bells and whistles for the shot?

http://speedlights.net/2012/03/02/canon-600ex-rt-st-e3-r/

Flash in hot shoe with sync cable? Makes no sense to me.

Maybe just to show it's possible...

Paul Wright

 

[wickidwombat]

Soooooooo overpriced. You can do ETTL with Phottix Odins and a couple of 430 EX IIs. You can put the two 430s together and get a way faster recycle or separate them for more flexibility. If you want more of the Canon system you have to buy more overpriced 600s. Crazy.

One Canon flash and one transmitter is $1000!!!!

One Odin transmitter + 2 receivers + 2 430 EXs = $1000.

Additional Canon flash = $630
Additional 430 EX II + receiver = < $400
Additional 580 EX II + receiver = $590

Not to mention it's not hard to get Canon flashes used.

basically what he said

I have the odins they are really nice to use and the transmitter has a nice on screen interface where you can quickly adjust power of groups, group balancing etc

 

[scottsdaleriots]

does anyone here own/used the 600ex speedlite yet? i know obviously if you live in the US its not out yet. however its currentlyu available in my country for almost $800. that is such a rip off IMO. i have considered buying the 580EXii but have heard numerous bad things about it.

i dont own a speedlite so my knowledge is pretty limited in this area

 

[wickidwombat]

does anyone here own/used the 600ex speedlite yet? i know obviously if you live in the US its not out yet. however its currentlyu available in my country for almost $800. that is such a rip off IMO. i have considered buying the 580EXii but have heard numerous bad things about it.

i dont own a speedlite so my knowledge is pretty limited in this area

i have 4 580 exii and dont have any problems with them

 

[scottsdaleriots]

i have 4 580 exii and dont have any problems with them

i have heard they have an issue with the pocket wizard or the hotshoe becoming loose or something? i cant remember exactly, i know there's a DYI fix for that but i am not particularly handy with fixing/altering electronics, especially expensive ones

 

[wickidwombat]

i have 4 580 exii and dont have any problems with them

i have heard they have an issue with the pocket wizard or the hotshoe becoming loose or something? i cant remember exactly, i know there's a DYI fix for that but i am not particularly handy with fixing/altering electronics, especially expensive ones

I use odins
2 odin transmitters and 4 recievers
piles of eneloops
4 yongnuo external battery packs (these are brilliant for $40 /each hold 8 extra batteries and your flashes go all day with faster recycle times)
580 ex ii are only $450 from digital rev

 

[briansquibb]

i have 4 580 exii and dont have any problems with them

i have heard they have an issue with the pocket wizard or the hotshoe becoming loose or something? i cant remember exactly, i know there's a DYI fix for that but i am not particularly handy with fixing/altering electronics, especially expensive ones

I have never had a problem with PW - I have 1 mini and 5 flex running 4 x 580EX and 2 x 580EXII.

 

[bycostello]

if i was starting from scratch i'd go for the 600s, cost about as much as a 580 with pocket wizard, but figure gonna be way more reliable and less mis fires...

 

[smirkypants]

I have never had a problem with PW - I have 1 mini and 5 flex running 4 x 580EX and 2 x 580EXII.

Really? I had a shoot with a model and I had to shoot at a little bit of a distance because of the way the shot was set up. I had a 580 EX II on a light pole with an assistant and 2 430 EX IIs... one rimming the model and the other lighting the tree canopy. This was at about 30 yards and I'd say in about 150 shots I had about 20 misfires from the 580 and none from the 430s. It's possible that I was getting ahead of the recycle time on the 580, but I don't think so. PW readily admits on their web page that the 580 isn't ideal.

 

[briansquibb]

I have never had a problem with PW - I have 1 mini and 5 flex running 4 x 580EX and 2 x 580EXII.

Really? I had a shoot with a model and I had to shoot at a little bit of a distance because of the way the shot was set up. I had a 580 EX II on a light pole with an assistant and 2 430 EX IIs... one rimming the model and the other lighting the tree canopy. This was at about 30 yards and I'd say in about 150 shots I had about 20 misfires from the 580 and none from the 430s. It's possible that I was getting ahead of the recycle time on the 580, but I don't think so. PW readily admits on their web page that the 580 isn't ideal.

Are you running in the 433mhz band?

 

[CanineCandidsByL]

Yes another question about 600EX-RT compatibility...it seems some features are only available to support newer cameras. Does it have additional hot shoe connections? Would all features work when using current hot shoe extension cables?