Review - Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT

[David Hull]

Never had any problem with PocketWizards and Canon flashes but then I don't life in an FCC area. I life in an EC area were different frequencies are used to communicate with the PocketWizards.

In short it was an problem caused by Canon who produced interference in a bandwidth that used for communications.

Read more on FCC on: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Communications_Commission
Read more on EC on: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CE_marking

From PocketWizard self: http://www.pocketwizard.com/inspirations/technology/range/

All I'm saying is that if Pocket Wizard produced a product for a pre-existing Canon product, then it should have been thoroughly tested in all the markets. Did Canon make a flash with too much RF interference? Yup. Did Pocketwizard do their due diligence to make sure this wouldn't affect their customers? nope.

Did Canon make a flash with too much RF interference? Nope. If you look at the device there is an FCC compliance logo stamped right into the plastic this means that the device met all FCC requirements at the time of its manufacture. If you read the FCC part 15 requirements you will see that the onus is on Pocket Wizard to make sure their device works with the devices it is supposed to work with. "Did Pocket Wizard do their due diligence to make sure this wouldn't affect their customers? Absolutely not." Canon is not at fault on this one, the fault lies entirely with LPA Designs, the PW manufacturer. I have been through quite a number of FCC, part 15 qualifications for various products over the years. BTW: it also caries an EC sticker and tehir requirements are even tougher.

 

[Loswr]

Whoops, common mistake at the top of the article.

Canon light triggering is NOT an infrared system.

It uses visible light pretriggering.

The red panel on your flash is for auto-focus assist.

Explain the ST-E2 then.

Canon does list this function as an "optical" triggering system, though I'm curious myself how the ST-E2 (or the ST-E3-RT for that matter) work in this regard... or maybe I'm not that curious because we're living in a radio triggered world now!

Ok, here's the deal. The Canon 'optical' triggering system does use infrared light for the triggering, but depending on the source of the triggering signal, visible light may also be emitted.

When using a flash as a master, the signal is sent by the main flash tube. The xenon flashtube in a Speedlite emits a broad, relatively even spectrum in the visible range (useful for a 'white' flash with an approximate daylight color temperature), but there is even stronger emission in the IR range. The emission spectrum looks like this:

The receiver on a slave flash is covered by a filter 'window' which blocks the visible light, but passes the IR light - those big peaks between 800-1000nm. If you look on the front of a slave-capable Speedlite, there's a black panel which covers the IR receiver, and on flashes with an AF assist lamp, there's also a red 'window' for that (the slave receiver is usually above the red AF assist lamp panel).

The ST-E2 master has a xenon flashtube inside it (the AF assist lamp is separate), and that's behind a 'black' filter (the main 'panel' above the AF assist lamp window), which blocks the visible portion of the xenon flashtube emission, so only the IR component of the flash is emitted to control the slave units.

I suppose Canon calls it 'optical' triggering because most of the time (except with the ST-E2), there is visible light emitted along with the IR triggering signal. But it's also correct to refer to it as an IR triggering system, since that part of the spectrum is what the receiver is actually detecting.

Or, if you prefer, Canon light triggering IS an infrared system.

The ST-E3 emits only RF - no IR (optical) triggering, and no AF assist lamp, either.

 

[JVLphoto]

A great write up, again.

Two silly limitations the new RT system has that Canon have never implemented but third parties have, second curtain sync, which would be nice for sync speed action shots, and remote head zoom function, that is very useful as one of the best modifiers is the zoom.

Thanks!

Yeah, the zoom-head thing is silly, I don't see myself using it much, but I bet you one time I'll need it and curse them. At least High-Speed sync can be controlled, for me that's more important than the other two.

 

[RLPhoto]

600 ex RT vs PCB einstein

That is the question in my upgrade situation.

 

[JVLphoto]

600 ex RT vs PCB einstein

That is the question in my upgrade situation.

Apples and Oranges no? I didn't sell my Elinchrom lights to get the speedlight. I sold my old speedlights to get new speedlights.

Personally, I love the look my bigger lights can produce, their versatility in power output (the Einsteins are very impressive in this regard), but they're not entirely portable. So do you shoot at home, or in controlled environments where you don't have to lug heavy equipment around all the time, looking for power? Or are you working on your feet in tight situations often with incredibly limited amounts of time?

I use both types of light for different situations, though that doesn't prohibit me from combining them if necessary.

 

[Loswr]

I use both types of light for different situations, though that doesn't prohibit me from combining them if necessary.

...and combining them is why I use PocketWizards, even with my 600EX-RT - for a blended system of Einstein + Speedlite. I hope Canon releases an RF receiver for their system at some point, which I can use to trigger a monolight. Honestly, I expect they will do so down the line, for compatibility with legacy flashes...but likely not until well after they release a slave-only 4x0EX-RT.

 

[JVLphoto]

I use both types of light for different situations, though that doesn't prohibit me from combining them if necessary.

...and combining them is why I use PocketWizards, even with my 600EX-RT - for a blended system of Einstein + Speedlite. I hope Canon releases an RF receiver for their system at some point, which I can use to trigger a monolight. Honestly, I expect they will do so down the line, for compatibility with legacy flashes...but likely not until well after they release a slave-only 4x0EX-RT.

Yeah, notice I sold my Speedlights but not my Pocketwizards (yet). I also have Elinchrom Skyports which work nicely with THAT system, so I just plug them into the Canon's and then play the trigger/receiver/cable which is at fault game.

 

[JohnnyWashngo]

'Selling off my 580exIIs wasn’t easy. Their drop in price meant I was selling two flashes to one 600ex-RT purchase'

That's odd. I sold off 3 of my 580exII speedlites in perfect condition when the 600ex-rt was announced. I got almost new price for them and had to add only a small amount extra to buy 3 600ex-rt's. Certainly nowhere near to the 2 for 1 situation you observed.

Great speedlite BTW. I love the confidence a radio trigger gives me. And I love the range as well.

 

[JVLphoto]

'Selling off my 580exIIs wasn’t easy. Their drop in price meant I was selling two flashes to one 600ex-RT purchase'

That's odd. I sold off 3 of my 580exII speedlites in perfect condition when the 600ex-rt was announced. I got almost new price for them and had to add only a small amount extra to buy 3 600ex-rt's. Certainly nowhere near to the 2 for 1 situation you observed.

Great speedlite BTW. I love the confidence a radio trigger gives me. And I love the range as well.

Maybe because I started selling mine off after the 600 was released. I didn't share your foresight as the used market crashed when the 600 was released.

And I agree, the confidence of radio, having it all displayed in front of me, the reassuring "beep" and that green light showing they're connected - all make for a more stable shoot.

 

[infared]

"I wonder if they (through firmware) will allow for flash control with the 600EX-RT using the 6D's wireless system. I would hope that, at minumum, future bodies would have that master control built in. It's not just the expense of additional components; it is the awkwardness of adding more components to the camera body when often what you need is to just shoot (without more and more weight!)"

...but then Canon would miss out on selling a $300+ accessory?

Exactly. At least this is a $300 accessory that actually does something practical - for a change.

Agreed. But as Dustin wishes...clearly Canon could include these functions in the firmware and hardware of the camera ...making for a much better system. Smaller, less to carry, lighter weight...and less fiddley. My Olympus OMD can control multiple flashes at different outputs and it is built right into a camera body that is one half the size of my 5D Mark III and less than one third the cost. Canon could definitely do this, too.

...am still glad to see that this new strobe and module improve on so many previous issues.

 

[JohnnyWashngo]

'Selling off my 580exIIs wasn’t easy. Their drop in price meant I was selling two flashes to one 600ex-RT purchase'

That's odd. I sold off 3 of my 580exII speedlites in perfect condition when the 600ex-rt was announced. I got almost new price for them and had to add only a small amount extra to buy 3 600ex-rt's. Certainly nowhere near to the 2 for 1 situation you observed.

Great speedlite BTW. I love the confidence a radio trigger gives me. And I love the range as well.

Maybe because I started selling mine off after the 600 was released. I didn't share your foresight as the used market crashed when the 600 was released.

And I agree, the confidence of radio, having it all displayed in front of me, the reassuring "beep" and that green light showing they're connected - all make for a more stable shoot.

I see. Yeah, I suppose it was a matter of lucky timing when I sold off my old speedlites.

One thing that I really like about the 600ex-rt's is the flash grouping function. It's made doing creative work so much fun.

Also, I have been buying gels in the UK from FlashGels who have precut a bunch of Lee filters for the new system.

http://flashgels.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13&zenid=eh3ud620p3jnd0bjjq2702f616

I actually rather like the canon gel holder and the way the gel clips into it. Feels a lot more reliable than the other systems I used on the old 580s.

 

[JVLphoto]

Also, I have been buying gels in the UK from FlashGels who have precut a bunch of Lee filters for the new system.

http://flashgels.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13&zenid=eh3ud620p3jnd0bjjq2702f616

I actually rather like the canon gel holder and the way the gel clips into it. Feels a lot more reliable than the other systems I used on the old 580s.

That's awesome! Long way to send for some gel's - hopefully someone over here will do the same - price is less than Canon's too. I still want my own die-cut: yes I could cut my own with an exacto blade but who has time for that?

 

[RS2021]

I love the cheesy blue flash rings behind the 600EX unit...way to go guys!!! ;D

 

[bvukich]

"little metal screw port that I’ve never seen anyone use…"

What the heck is that anyhow? It's on the 430EXII as well. I've always wondered when I notice it there, but never enough to actually look it up.

 

[JVLphoto]

"little metal screw port that I’ve never seen anyone use…"

What the heck is that anyhow? It's on the 430EXII as well. I've always wondered when I notice it there, but never enough to actually look it up.

It's threaded the same as most light stands, so I assume it's designed to mount your flash sideways like that - which actually makes a lot of sense. Heck, I already have an umbrella bracket that, if I remove the cold shoe, I can screw the flash onto it. Helps bring the flash back to a more central spot on most modifiers... of course saying I *can* do something and actually doing it are different things

 

[Marsu42]

Another point for cons:

• Still no remote 2nd curtain sync though the change to the rt protocol would have been the perfect opportunity

I wonder if they (through firmware) will allow for flash control with the 600EX-RT using the 6D's wireless system. I would hope that, at minumum, future bodies would have that master control built in.

I doubt Canon will take the trouble to feature-update the 6d firmware, at least if the 6d is selling ok. and the competition hasn't followed up, but as others has written why stop selling 600rt or st-e3 units as controllers until then? But maybe that's just me being overcritical of Canon's money grabbing marketing

For rt control not being included in the first place my guess is that Canon didn't want to add a really good feature except for the low light af center point that the 5d3 hasn't... plus the dev cycle for the 6d seems to have been very short, so they just added out of the box gps (w/o compass) and wifi chips.

Adding rt might even be not possible at all because the radio chip is hardwired to wifi standard and cannot be modified for custom protocols.

 

[JohnnyWashngo]

"little metal screw port that I’ve never seen anyone use…"

What the heck is that anyhow? It's on the 430EXII as well. I've always wondered when I notice it there, but never enough to actually look it up.

It's threaded the same as most light stands, so I assume it's designed to mount your flash sideways like that - which actually makes a lot of sense. Heck, I already have an umbrella bracket that, if I remove the cold shoe, I can screw the flash onto it. Helps bring the flash back to a more central spot on most modifiers... of course saying I *can* do something and actually doing it are different things

Page 6 (I think) of the manual has it down as a bracket mount.

http://goo.gl/ij3i3

Which makes sense when you think about.

http://www.wexphotographic.com/webcontent/product_images/large/37/1018262.jpg

I never even noticed it before

 

[FunPhotons]

Syl Arena just did a lecture for Canon CPS on the 600 where he makes the strong point that it is not an infrared system

http://learn.usa.canon.com/galleries/galleries/tutorials/syl_arena_speedlite_600exrt_seminar.shtml

Good talk to watch regardless, but I would believe that Canon vetted the talk and content before they put it up

 

[RGomezPhotos]

I know! I would be very happy to buy someone's good-condition 580exII's... Even if I had a compatible-camera, I would not use the newer flashes simply because there are no receivers for strobes. Seems kinda silly to buy into this system and it work ONLY with flashes... And at double the price of a top of the line third party maker...

'Selling off my 580exIIs wasn’t easy. Their drop in price meant I was selling two flashes to one 600ex-RT purchase'

That's odd. I sold off 3 of my 580exII speedlites in perfect condition when the 600ex-rt was announced. I got almost new price for them and had to add only a small amount extra to buy 3 600ex-rt's. Certainly nowhere near to the 2 for 1 situation you observed.

Great speedlite BTW. I love the confidence a radio trigger gives me. And I love the range as well.

 

[RS2021]

For now, I have decided to stick with my litter of older 580EX II based system...will be too expensive to get four 600EX units...And canon will drag it out as long as they can before they release cheaper slave RT units.