A New Flash by Years End? [CR2]

[Canon Rumors]

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<p><strong>A replacement to the 430EX II?

</strong>We’re told a new flash could be announced before years end, though it wasn’t said whether or not it would be replacing an existing flash or being added to the lineup. The lineup does need a less expensive RT capable Speedlite.</p>
<p>We’re also told that the EOS M lineup will also get a new flash above the 90 EX. I think all it needs is the ability to bounce, not sure why they still make flashes that cant be tilted upwards.</p>
<p>More to come I’m sure..</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>
<p> </p>

 

[hkenneth]

I already have 2 430ex II but if they could add master function in the 430ex II replacement, I am definitely in.

 

[Loswr]

Looking forward to them!

...if they could add master function in the 430ex II replacement, I am definitely in.

Unlikely. There's no technical reason the 430EX II can't be a master, the control signals for Canon's optical triggering come from the main flash tube, and the 430EX II obviously has one of those. So expect a replacement 4x0EX flash to be slave only, but able to be triggered by both RF (600EX-RT or ST-E3-RT) or optical masters.

 

[hkenneth]

Looking forward to them!

...if they could add master function in the 430ex II replacement, I am definitely in.

Unlikely. There's no technical reason the 430EX II can't be a master, the control signals for Canon's optical triggering come from the main flash tube, and the 430EX II obviously has one of those. So expect a replacement 4x0EX flash to be slave only, but able to be triggered by both RF (600EX-RT or ST-E3-RT) or optical masters.

Yeah, I guess so too. That is like the only thing that really differentiate 430ex from 600ex.

But thinking about it, it is somehow strange that Canon decided add master function to 90ex, which is way cheaper than ST-E3-RT with more functions (being a not-so-great fill flash on its own)

 

[Lawliet]

But thinking about it, it is somehow strange that Canon decided add master function to 90ex, which is way cheaper than ST-E3-RT with more functions (being a not-so-great fill flash on its own)

The 90EX is a detachable popup flash, those got master capabilities a while ago.
The RT stuff otoh offers more groups and finer control of what they do. I'd be surprised if that 430EX-replacement gets autoflash - quite handy, and a 580EX2/600EX-only feature.

 

[silvestography]

I'd love some affordable RT capable slaves...

 

[Etienne]

I would like to buy all Canon flashes, but I find they are over-priced

 

[Sabaki]

I would like to buy all Canon flashes, but I find they are over-priced

I'm with you on that Etienne. I however doubt that Canon will drastically reduce their prices

How do Canon's flashes compare to Nikon? I read a review which said the Nikon's are superior.

 

[RLPhoto]

I just bought 5 600rts.

These next speedlites better be RT capable.

 

[Camerajah]

its about time,they better be RT

 

[Wildfire]

How do Canon's flashes compare to Nikon? I read a review which said the Nikon's are superior.

Nikon probably used to be superior, but Canon now has built-in radio wireless capability.

In order to use radio wireless with Nikon flashes, you must purchase expensive third party radio transmitters and recievers as well as batteries for those transmitters and recievers. Canon's 600EX-RT has the radio transmitter/receiver built-in and powered by the same batteries as the flash.

 

[Marsu42]

not sure why they still make flashes that cant be tilted upwards.

Explanation: Because Canon can sell two flashes to newbies, first an inexpensive w/o tilt and then a proper flash once people realize the importance of off-camera and indirect flash.

Unlikely. There's no technical reason the 430EX II can't be a master, the control signals for Canon's optical triggering come from the main flash tube

... which is why I'm still a little annoyed because the 600rt cannot be a radio *and* optical master at the same time, unless someone comes up with a clever tech explanation my guess is that Canon removes the command sequence from the (ettl) pre-flash to pressure people into completely switching to the expensive 600rt line.

I just bought 5 600rts. These next speedlites better be RT capable.

They'll probably release a 660rt in fall w/ ettl3 protocol, including remote 2nd curtain sync and remote zoom.

Since there is a heavy official Canon rebate in Germany on the 600rt which is unusual for new equipment I wouldn't be surprised if they'd also replace their master flash along with releasing a smaller model.

 

[Zv]

At the very least I hope they fix those stupid tiny buttons on the 430EXII!

 

[privatebydesign]

... which is why I'm still a little annoyed because the 600rt cannot be a radio *and* optical master at the same time, unless someone comes up with a clever tech explanation my guess is that Canon removes the command sequence from the (ettl) pre-flash to pressure people into completely switching to the expensive 600rt line.

The technical explanation is not hard, RT offers five groups, optical offers three, that would be eight way communication with test flashes of each group and optical triggering of the three optically triggered groups, between shutter press and shutter release, a total of at least 14 pulses of flash before the actual flash fire. Pre 2012 cameras can only deal with three groups in the time between shutter press and shutter release. I believe this is why pre 2012 bodies have ETTL and HSS, Group mode, and sync limitations, they were not designed for more than three group functionality.

Of course if Canon wanted to they could probably firmware upgrade the pre 2012 bodies to work with full five RT groups, but I suspect even the post 2012 bodies would suffer shutter lag and very possibly sync limitations with an eight group ETTL firing sequence.

 

[Marsu42]

Pre 2012 cameras can only deal with three groups in the time between shutter press and shutter release. I believe this is why pre 2012 bodies have ETTL and HSS, Group mode, and sync limitations, they were not designed for more than three group functionality.

Interesting theory, but still Canon could have implemented a legacy mode where the rt flashes are limited the traditional three groups if they wanted to - with two flashes, you don't need group mode and my guess is that a lot of people would have welcomed such a compatibility esp. since Canon doesn't offer rt triggers.

 

[Sabaki]

At the very least I hope they fix those stupid tiny buttons on the 430EXII!

Most def!!! Those buttons are too recessed and too small. My single biggest issue with the 430 EX II

 

[rt]

...if they could add master function in the 430ex II replacement, I am definitely in.

Unlikely. There's no technical reason the 430EX II can't be a master, the control signals for Canon's optical triggering come from the main flash tube, and the 430EX II obviously has one of those. So expect a replacement 4x0EX flash to be slave only, but able to be triggered by both RF (600EX-RT or ST-E3-RT) or optical masters.

A few years ago I'd have agreed completely with this prediction however today I am not completely sure -- Canon seem to be trying to catch up by adding wireless and master capability to their smaller flashes.

430EX is a special case (from the market perspective) that is not very likely to get Master but seeing where things are going I wouldn't be surprised if Canon did just that.

Personally, I only care because I need something that can trigger remote flashes (optical or RT), doesn't necessarily have to flash itself but it needs to have solid AF assist. Even if Canon add RT master capability to their next gen cams (and I hope they will, there's nothing preventing them from doing so, especially that the business case is already there with 7D being able to be Master), I will still miss the latter -- thus I am very interested in a flash that is lighter than 580EX/ 600EX, like the 430EX replacement or (better) 270EX / 320EX / 380EX replacement -- with RT/ optical master and real AF assist (the red lights); I could use the LED light as well, but that's a minor thing.

 

[KyleSTL]

... solid AF assist.

I agree, I love my ST-E2 for that reason. Why they removed it on the ST-E3 is baffling. If you want to buy new you only have three choices right now: 430EX II and 600EX-RT, neither of which is small or light; or the ST-E2 with a soon to be out-out-of-date protocol and a battery that is becoming pretty rare.

Even the relatively ancient 220EX had a proper AF assist beam (albeit only for the center AF point and a range of 16 ft). I feel that all flashes and commanders should have proper AF assistance. Is Canon so confident in its newest AF technology that it doesn't feel the need to add these things anymore? And what about those of us who don't have a 1D X, 5D Mark III or 6D?

 

[Wildfire]

Is Canon so confident in its newest AF technology that it doesn't feel the need to add these things anymore?

I've found that I almost don't need AF assist with the 6D's super-sensitive center point, however focus still locks quicker with the AF assist on so I continue to use it (and will refuse to buy an ST-E3 because it lacks that feature)

 

[privatebydesign]

Why they removed it on the ST-E3 is baffling.

Not really, the ST-E3-RT is a radio based wireless transmitter, the ST-E2 is a wireless communication device that uses light to transmit information, the ST-E2 has to have a light emitting tube, so enabling AF assist is comparatively easy with no additional hardware costs. The ST-E3-RT, does not need a light emitting tube to fulfill its primary function, radio flash control, adding AF assist is no small job and would necessitate addition hardware and costs.