Firmware Notice: Speedlite 600EX-RT and Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT

[Canon Rumors]

<strong>Speedlite 600EX-RT and Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT Firmware Notice</strong></p>
<p>Thank you for using Canon products.</p>
<p><strong>Phenomenon

</strong>Except as described below, the following will occur with the affected units listed below:</p>
<p>Linked shooting and wireless flash shooting with radio transmission will not work in some setting modes when 7 or more units are linked. This phenomenon does not occur when 6 or fewer units are linked.</p>
<p><!--more--></p>
<p><strong>Affected Products

</strong>Speedlite 600EX-RT and Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT</p>
<p>Units with a combination of 3rd and 4th digits in the serial number in the ranges shown below are affected:</p>
<p>Speedlite 600EX-RT:                            [xx01xxxxxx] ~ [xx13xxxxxx]

Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT:           [xx01xxxxxx] ~ [xx03xxxxxx]</p>
<p>Note:  If the battery compartment of an affected unit contains the marking illustrated below, the product is NOT affected by the phenomenon described above, even if the serial number is within the ranges mentioned above.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/advisory_speedlite.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23874" src="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/advisory_speedlite.png" alt="advisory_speedlite" width="600" height="300" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Support

</strong>To arrange to have an affected unit inspected and serviced for this phenomenon at no cost, please contact Canon using the information below.</p>
<p>This information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.</p>
<p>Thank you for using Canon products.</p>
<p>Customer Support Operations

Canon U.S.A., Inc</p>
<p>Contact Information for Inquiries

Canon Customer Support Center

Phone:    1-800-OK-CANON

1-800-652-2666

TDD:      1-866-251-3752

Email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>

For additional support options: <a href="http://usa.canon.com/support">usa.canon.com/support</a></p>

 

[brad-man]

I wish this was a problem for me...

 

[Click]

I wish this was a problem for me...

;D

 

[nonac]

That sucks. All 3 of my 600's and my transmitter are part of the recall. However, I don't plan on using 7 linked in the foreseeable future. I'll send mine in after basketball season as I need them a lot for that right now.

 

[cycleraw]

Ditto, My 3 600's and transmitter are also part of the recall.

 

[Ozarker]

All seven of my 600s are in the range and also my ST-E3-RT. Guess I'll be talking to Canon on Monday. No big deal. Not a single one has the white dot.

 

[Mitch.Conner]

Oye. It appears mine are in the range too.

 

[Loswr]

That sucks. All 3 of my 600's and my transmitter are part of the recall. However, I don't plan on using 7 linked in the foreseeable future.

My transmitter and all four flashes are affected (including one bought a month ago – no dot). I also have no foreseen need to use 7 linked flashes, but I don't want to come upon a need and then have to wait for a repair.

I'm going to insist Canon does mine in two batches, so I can always have at least a 2-light off-camera setup (ST-E3 and two 600s, or one 600 on-camera as a master, one off and an optically-slaved monolight).

 

[Click]

It appears mine are in the range too.

Same here. But I never use more than 3 flashes.

 

[Ozarker]

That sucks. All 3 of my 600's and my transmitter are part of the recall. However, I don't plan on using 7 linked in the foreseeable future.

My transmitter and all four flashes are affected (including one bought a month ago – no dot). I also have no foreseen need to use 7 linked flashes, but I don't want to come upon a need and then have to wait for a repair.

I'm going to insist Canon does mine in two batches, so I can always have at least a 2-light off-camera setup (ST-E3 and two 600s, or one 600 on-camera as a master, one off and an optically-slaved monolight).

Great idea!

I guess the white dotted flashes are the ones updated before leaving the factory or warehouse.

 

[ashmadux]

How about a fix to the random unlinking to the st-e3?

Happens like twice a session. Otherwise rock soild, but man i could live without that.

 

[kaihp]

Mine are in the ranges too. Even though my units are registered with CPS, I haven't received any info from Canon support about this. Thanks for passing on the info, CR guy.

Edit: found it posted on the local Canon site, stating that repairs will start from 2016/01/04.

 

[readycool]

Sorry but i had to make this since i have background in software testing. I hate when they call defects "Phenomenon".
Anyway I have 3x 600RT and I don't know is it worth repairing them because i don't see my self having more..and I wont be selling them Also my local canon store takes ages for anything that involves repairing.

 

[scottgoh]

8) have to send mine in for change.
at least canon is acknowledging this issue and updating it.

 

[Markus D]

Small paint brush and some white paint! Easy Peasy.

 

[sulla]

oh no, my 2 flashes and my transmitter are affected as well.
Too bad you can`t update the firmware yourself through the camera like you can nowadays with lenses...

EDIT: I just checked: The repair service in Austria starts january 06 2016, so no worries of sending it in and not getting it back before x-mas...

 

[Ozarker]

Sorry but i had to make this since i have background in software testing. I hate when they call defects "Phenomenon".
Anyway I have 3x 600RT and I don't know is it worth repairing them because i don't see my self having more..and I wont be selling them Also my local canon store takes ages for anything that involves repairing.

Dr. Evil as a child:

 

[Loswr]

How about a fix to the random unlinking to the st-e3?

Happens like twice a session. Otherwise rock soild, but man i could live without that.

Did you contact Canon? What did they say?

I've never had an issue with a lost flash link.

 

[JonAustin]

Is there a date after which this firmware update will no longer be offered, I wonder? I have "only" four 600's, and no plans to buy more in the future, and almost certainly not more than an additional two. But it would be comforting to know that I could get these four updated at any time in the future, should the need arise.

As noted by sulla, it's a shame that this firmware update can't be performed by the end user. After all, the camera bodies can be updated by the end user, and the cameras and Speedlites do communicate with each other.

 

[YuengLinger]

How about a fix to the random unlinking to the st-e3?

Happens like twice a session. Otherwise rock soild, but man i could live without that.

Did you contact Canon? What did they say?

I've never had an issue with a lost flash link.

Sounds like weak batteries on the st-e3-rt.