600ex as main lights

[Marsu42]

Whilst the pre 2012 bodies will work at original sync speed, they don't offer true full sync via wireless, if you look at the bottom of your images shot at full sync with wireless you will have a band, like this test shot of a white wall (ignore the top right corner).

Thanks for the sample shot - is this banding consistent with your 1d3, or does it show only on occasion? It is not a big shadow, but I'd wager to say that I'd have noticed by now if the crop 60d would show such a behavior, at least if the problem occurs not only very seldom.

 

[cayenne]

Two things I don't like about the 600 RT is that with the 7D (or any camera before 2012) you cannot use the camera's menu screen to set radio transmission and you are limited in the sync speed (1/125th for 7D) with radio transmission.

I'm using 600rts with the 60d, and it works @full x-sync speed and radio transmission just fine, at least so far, though I've only got the set for two weeks. And I'm ok with using the flash lcd to set things, I'd do this anyway rather than search for a submenu item on the camera lcd.

The one thing I'm really annoyed about is that only 2012+ cameras can use group mode w/o any apparent reason, the 60d can use radio, and you can even *set* the group mode function on the flash but the camera keeps resetting it - sounds like a Canon marketing quirk to me, surely this could have been fixed.

Whilst the pre 2012 bodies will work at original sync speed, they don't offer true full sync via wireless, if you look at the bottom of your images shot at full sync with wireless you will have a band, like this test shot of a white wall (ignore the top right corner). Might not be so bad with crop cameras but with a 1Ds MkIII I get this at 1/250 with wireless.

More often than not it is not a problem, but it is there.

As for the separate wireless trigger and older/cheaper flash setup, well it is cheaper for very good reason. The 600's are incomparable to anybody that uses speedlites professionally, I used various types of third party triggers for years but bought into the RT system and it is a game changer, even on my pre 2012 bodies. If you shoot for money, especially weddings, buy once and get the RT system, with a complimentary Einstein or two for bigger jobs.

How are you integrating 600's with Einsteins? How are you getting them work work/trigger together?

I've been curious about that...

Thanks in advance,

cayenne

 

[Loswr]

How are you integrating 600's with Einsteins? How are you getting them work work/trigger together?

Built-in optical slave trigger on the Einstens is one easy way.

 

[cayenne]

How are you integrating 600's with Einsteins? How are you getting them work work/trigger together?

I've been curious about that...

Thanks in advance,

cayenne

600's via a hotshoe mounted 600 or ST-E3-RT and the Einstein via the Cyber Commander and the PC port with Cyber Sync's, full remote intelligent wireless control over everything up to 15 600's and 16 Einsteins at the same time! Not that I have anything like that. You can use a long PC cable and put the Commander in your pocket or use a short one and tape it to your camera etc.

You can use dumb triggers for the Einstein too via the PC port.

So...the Cyber Commander controls the Einsteins AND the 600's too? You trip the shutter and the cyber commander activates the Einsteins AND the 600EX-RTs?

Or am I confused? PC port?

I'm a noob...please help me to sort out what I'm missing here.

Thank you!!

C

 

[gjones5252]

Awesome! these are some great replies.
I went ahead and ordered the st-e3 .
As i start using the 600 wirelessly what softbox/reflectors can anyone recommend? i think there is value in only buying stuff once but there is also the reality of a budget.

 

[RLPhoto]

I'll never go back to 580's. They are dead to me with my 600RT's.

You can do most of your weddings and events with just the speedlites but If you want those nice big modifiers, Strobe's are still the way to go.

 

[Loswr]

Awesome! these are some great replies.
I went ahead and ordered the st-e3 .
As i start using the 600 wirelessly what softbox/reflectors can anyone recommend? i think there is value in only buying stuff once but there is also the reality of a budget.

I've got several Lastolite softboxes, they're excellent.

 

[DarkKnightNine]

I'll never go back to 580's. They are dead to me with my 600RT's.

You can do most of your weddings and events with just the speedlites but If you want those nice big modifiers, Strobe's are still the way to go.

I would have to agree. Speedlites (especially the 600EX-RT) are excellent if you know how to use them off camera, but if you want to use large modifiers, by the time you buy enough Speedlites to illuminate them properly, you'd probably be better off with something like the Broncolor Move (Head and battery pack).

 

[cayenne]

No, my camera has a PC port and a hotshoe, on which I mount a 600 or ST-E3-RT to control remote 600's. The PC port is on the side of my camera (see picture), though not all Canon cameras have them, this is connected to the Cyber Commander via a simple cable.

The hotshoe looks after the 600's, the PC port looks after the Einsteins.

Thank you VERY much for that!!

I have the 5D3 too...I'd not seen or tried to use that port.

Strange, your covers for the ports..seem to split in the middle, mine is one continuous piece of plastic/rubber, with only one attachment to the camera at the upper portion of the panel.

C

 

[cayenne]

Awesome! these are some great replies.
I went ahead and ordered the st-e3 .
As i start using the 600 wirelessly what softbox/reflectors can anyone recommend? i think there is value in only buying stuff once but there is also the reality of a budget.

I've got several Lastolite softboxes, they're excellent.

I just got one of the cheaper versions of the Lastolite softboxes, by Impact. So far, looks to be a quality piece of gear....

C

 

[digital paradise]

I had a mixture of Canon, Metz, YN flashes and PCB cybersyncs. I sold everything and picked up 3 600's and the STE3. I've never looked back.

 

[roadrunner]

I'm not afraid to go with non-Canon brands, if they perform as desired. I don't have experience with the Yongnuo, so I can't comment on them, but I have heard of some minor issues. Then again, I've heard great stories as well.

I was coming from a Canon 430EX II, 580EX II, and Pocket Wizard TT5 setup. Everyone knows that was not a cheap setup, and supposedly was a top of the line setup. I had nothing but issues with it. Reliability issues, the AC3 not making adjustments correctly, flashes behaving erradically. I was unhappy for something that cost so much money.

I recently switched to the 600EX-RT and couldn't be happier. I have 4 of them, and they work exactly as they should, every single time. The only thing I miss is the physical dials of the AC3, and I wish canon would put out a controller with physical dials. I don't see the cost to be that big of a deal, as it was cheaper than my Pocket Wizard/430EX II/580EX II setup was, and performs better to boot.

So here is one vote in major support of the Canon 600EX-RT system. Not to take anything away from the Yongnuos.

EDIT: I guess I didn't address your specific use for them. For large reception halls, yes, I find the 600EX-RT's to be underpowered, but you will have that with any flash. That is more of a job for studio strobe. I have lit receptions with them, but I either gang them together, shoot them bare (For backlighting), or bounce them off of the ceiling. I don't really think they have quite enough just to light a big reception hall with just 1 inside of a light modifier. Still an excellent system.

 

[gjones5252]

Ok awesome it good to know that they are working so well fo reveryone else! I am starting to learn the weakeness so i can be more proficient at using them. I am excited for canon direct refurbished to have them on sale!