Canon Announces the Speedlite 430EX III-RT Flash

[lw]

Seems like Canon cannot decide or does not know their products.

because this

WIRELESS FLASH
Transmitter Yes
Transmission type Infra-red / Radio

Or the CPN information http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/news/canon_launches_speedlite_430ex_iii_rt.do

The Speedlite 430EX III-RT includes radio wireless flash control acting as either a master or slave unit.

Acting as a master, the Speedlite 430EX III-RT can control up to five groups of RT-series flashes, with up to 15 units in each group.

and this

... the new Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT features wireless flash shooting via optical or radio transmission (similar to the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT but slave function only)

seem to be a little bit opposite, doesn't it?

I think the Japanese site clarifies it - or confuses it further
http://cweb.canon.jp/camera/eos/accessary/detail/0585c001-spec.html

Radio communication - wireless master / slave function
Optical communication - wireless slave function

As does the CPN site - had I have quoted more earlier

The Speedlite 430EX III-RT includes radio wireless flash control acting as either a master or slave unit. Additionally, using the traditional optical/infrared system the 430 EX III-RT can be fired remotely as an optical slave unit

 

[lastcoyote]

No external battery pack (CP-E4) use available like with the 600ex-rt. Bit of a shame.

 

[mrzero]

B&H product photos show two different shots of the LCD screen lit up - one orange with "Slave" icon and one green with "master" icon.

Wow.

 

[neuroanatomist]

B&H product photos show two different shots of the LCD screen lit up - one orange with "Slave" icon and one green with "master" icon.

Indeed - glad I was wrong!! In many respects, the 430-RT is a mini-600-RT.

 

[Zv]

Interesting development. So now it appears to have master and slave function?

The ST-E3 RT is starting to look a bit redundant.

 

[AvTvM]

Whatever. But Canon unable or unwilling to provide clear, unambiguos specs in an official product announcement is really ridiculous. Especially when potential key capabilities of the product are concerned

 

[RLPhoto]

At last they have copied Nikon and gone with a decent filter and an included diffuser. When does the 600 get those?

When we yell enough at the problem on this forum.

 

[lw]

Whatever. But Canon unable or unwilling to provide clear, unambiguos specs in an official product announcement is really ridiculous. Especially when potential key capabilities of the product are concerned

The Canon USA does seem particularly poor in that respect.

The EU/UK sites are better.
http://www.canon.co.uk/about_us/press_centre/press_releases/consumer_news/cameras_accessories/speedlite_430ex_iii_rt.aspx
The detail isn't in the 'announcement' but on the spec sheets and the images

 

[RGF]

Interesting development. So now it appears to have master and slave function?

The ST-E3 RT is starting to look a bit redundant.

+1. why a controller when you can get a controller and flash for a few $ more

 

[ahsanford]

Interesting development. So now it appears to have master and slave function?

The ST-E3 RT is starting to look a bit redundant.

+1. why a controller when you can get a controller and flash for a few $ more

TDP just confirmed that it's a radio master as well:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=15411

So, yeah... RIP to ST-E3-RT sales unless it's price plummets. I wonder if they nerfed some degree of functionality with the 430's radio features to make the ST-E3-RT still worth buying...

- A

 

[Maximilian]

B&H product photos show two different shots of the LCD screen lit up - one orange with "Slave" icon and one green with "master" icon.

Indeed - glad I was wrong!! In many respects, the 430-RT is a mini-600-RT.

I still can't believe it.
But if it's true, that'll be really great news.
(And I put two of them on my wish list )

 

[neuroanatomist]

Interesting development. So now it appears to have master and slave function?

The ST-E3 RT is starting to look a bit redundant.

+1. why a controller when you can get a controller and flash for a few $ more

Smaller size? Weather sealing?

 

[Ozarker]

Interesting development. So now it appears to have master and slave function?

The ST-E3 RT is starting to look a bit redundant.

+1. why a controller when you can get a controller and flash for a few $ more

Smaller size? Weather sealing?

Ahh... but do we know whether the new flash has focus assist beam which the ST-E3-RT does not have? If so... my ST-E3-RT is my new paper weight.

 

[ahsanford]

Ahh... but do we know whether the new flash has focus assist beam which the ST-E3-RT does not have? If so... my ST-E3-RT is my new paper weight.

Unless Canon puts in writing...

"You can only one control one other flash with a 430. For multiple flash radio control, please buy a 600 or ST-E3-RT"

...I am guessing that the price of the ST-E3-RT will plummet.

- A

 

[lw]

Interesting development. So now it appears to have master and slave function?

The ST-E3 RT is starting to look a bit redundant.

+1. why a controller when you can get a controller and flash for a few $ more

The ST-E3-RT is both small, and weather/dust sealed.

Neither of which the 430EX III RT is.

So it still has its place.

 

[AE-1Burnham]

1) I have a silly comment: that flash is ugly in form (without style and from all angles!). I hope its design is mostly user-interface oriented and that's why it is just so lacking in form (it doesn't even look like a Canon product...).
2) Also, way to go Canon to add extra functionality in this guy! I enjoy my ST-E3 and 600 EX RTs and the system makes sense, so glad to see it here.
3) Also, maybe this means RT ability will show up in 1D series and 5D because if they are putting it here, they aren't protecting any of the "pro" level lighting products and might as well put it in the bodies as a pro feature. Here's hoping!

 

[Diko]

TDP just confirmed that it's a radio master as well:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=15411

Thanks for sharing!
I am confused by: but slave function only in optical transmission... What is the meaning of this?

Very good refresh to Canon speedlite lineup. The old version was already showing age.

What I read - faster recycling and RADIO mode.

I see NO TTL 3, no other improvements in features. Please explain whu should I go with EX 3 instead of cheaper EX 2 (as secondary flashes).

Now I avoid China radio transmitters. But I took the risk with haehnel and so far after a year of usage I find them better than Pocket Wizzards They even have better range.

PocketWizard face Tuff competition

Review in German

A brief one for native speakers ;-)

I feel no need to update to ex 3 for the sake of RADIO. Even better I will get a few more cheaper EX2s

 

[weilin]

I am confused by: but slave function only in optical transmission... What is the meaning of this?

It means in RT mode, it's both master and slave. in the old mode (optical mode, like the 580EX) it can only be a slave.

 

[applecider]

Radio master. So much for corporate public relation writers.

 

[ashmadux]

Transmitter OR slave?

SOLD