Reasons to get a ST-E3-RT?

[JonAustin]

Without AF assist ST-e3 is useless for me. Don't see any reason to buy it.

Same here. I have 4 600's, because I do fair amount of in-studio portraiture with two lights on the subject and one on the background. (The 4th 600 is the non-firing master.) That said, the camera / master flash are tripod-mounted, so weight and balance are non-issues.

I would only consider purchasing an ST-E3-RT if I could get it for a "steal."

Then why is your studio so dark AF doesn't work? There is absolutely no need for that what so ever...

Really? How can you know that? Do you say "always" and "never" much?

I could possibly AF with the ST-E3-RT in the studio in question. But I chose to spend the extra $$ for a 4th 600, instead, to have the AF assist when needed, as well as the additional versatility of a 4th flash.

 

[BL]

Without AF assist ST-e3 is useless for me. Don't see any reason to buy it.

I would only consider purchasing an ST-E3-RT if I could get it for a "steal."

At the time I felt the same way. I "stole" mine for ~$150, and won't likely ever go back to 600s as master.

It's possible I don't push my AF hard enough. I haven't needed AF assist as I don't have any problems locking focus in low to dim light.