Which second speedlight should I buy?

[noble55]

Hi,

I'm trying to work out which speedlight to buy. I currently own a 430EX II and use this with a Pocket Wizard Flex TT5 and Mini TT1 to use off camera but I now need to buy a second speedlight and maybe in a few months I'll buy a third.

My question is do I buy:
- the new 600EX-RT to future proof my setup. Obviously with the 430EX II I know that the radio functionality won't work but hopefully the next speedlight I'd buy would be another 600EX-RT so it would make the setup more flexible. I'd also sell the Flex/Mini as the 600 would be my new Master.
- another 430EX II...if I do this do I have to buy another Flex TT5 to make them both talk to each other? If I do then it seems pointless to take this option but let me know.
- a used 530EX-II and again sell the Flex/Mini.

Any comments/advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks
Zoë

 

[RC]

How about sell your PWs and 430, then buy 2 600s.

 

[noble55]

Yes this could work RC as well! Can I ask what exactly is the Speedlite ST-E3-RT? Ive seen this but I'm not sure exactly what it is used for if two 600's can talk to each other via radio?

 

[RC]

Yes this could work RC as well! Can I ask what exactly is the Speedlite ST-E3-RT? Ive seen this but I'm not sure exactly what it is used for if two 600's can talk to each other via radio?

The ST-E3-RT is the new radio transmitter to fire an off-camera 600 via radio. Its a cheaper way to add a master if you don't need an on camera flash. Its real advantage IMO is its tiny size and weight compared to a 600 mounted in your hot shoe. It has the exact same screen and menus as the 600. The only negative is there is no AF assist beam.

I have the ST-ES-RT and absolutely love it. That might be a better route, sell your old gear and get a 600 and the ST-E3-RT.

 

[noble55]

Ah I see! So the only issue is I need more than one flash as I need to light interiors.

So if I had 2 x 600's and wanted them off camera I'd need the ST-E3-RT is that right?

 

[RC]

Ah I see! So the only issue is I need more than one flash as I need to light interiors.

So if I had 2 x 600's and wanted them off camera I'd need the ST-E3-RT is that right?

Yes, or a 3rd 600 to act as master only by turning off its flash function.

 

[RC]

Oh and another option which would be cheaper is to connect a ETTL cord from your hot shoe to a 600 and make that 600 your master to trigger the 2nd 600.

http://ocfgear.com/cords-for-canon-ettl/ettl-cord-extra-long/

 

[noble55]

Ah ok this sounds great. A little cheaper and then hopefully I could add the ST-E3-RT at a later date.

 

[Frage]

Yongnuo is the answer.

 

[tortilla]

Yongnuo is the answer.

+1

I recently got a new YN560-II for 60 € (shipping included) - can there be any photography related equipment that provides more value for the money?

 

[noble55]

So this is a cheaper version of the 600? Is it compatible with Canon speedlights and will work with my 430EXii?

 

[awinphoto]

screw speedlights... sell them and get a nice strobe kit... Much MUCH more fuller and complete light... consistent output, battery packs available to take them on location... much more control... See the light... no pun intended =)

 

[westr70]

Yongnuo is the answer.

+1

I recently got a new YN560-II for 60 € (shipping included) - can there be any photography related equipment that provides more value for the money?

+1

 

[Marsu42]

So this is a cheaper version of the 600? Is it compatible with Canon speedlights and will work with my 430EXii?

Currently, no one has reverse engineered the new Canon rt protocol so 3rd party flashes are optical remote only or completely different radio trigger systems with the added bulk.

- the new 600EX-RT to future proof my setup. Obviously with the 430EX II I know that the radio functionality won't work but hopefully the next speedlight I'd buy would be another 600EX-RT so it would make the setup more flexible. I'd also sell the Flex/Mini as the 600 would be my new Master.
- another 430EX II...if I do this do I have to buy another Flex TT5 to make them both talk to each other? If I do then it seems pointless to take this option but let me know.

Sometimes the optical link is annoying, but in 90% it works just fine for what I shoot so that I'm happy with my 600rt+430ex2 combination.

I wouldn't recommend buying a 2nd 430ex2 (with 3rd party triggers) if you need any of the "big" flash features: faster recycling time, more power (with diffuser, bounces), external power option, 200mm reflector (600rt), build-in reflector card, head can tilt a little forward, much better on-flash menu, strobe function, fec bracketing

 

[noble55]

Thanks Marsu42. I do need quicker recycling times so a 600 would really help with this. So if I purchased a 600 can I use the PW TT1 on my camera (5DII) and the 430 has the PW TT5 and the 600 stands alone and the two f;ashes will work together well? Or would I need an ETTL wire from my camera to the 600?

 

[Marsu42]

Thanks Marsu42. I do need quicker recycling times so a 600 would really help with this.

Can't comment on the pw option, but recycling time on the 600rt with an external power pack (I've got a €100 non-aa battery pack) is really impressive - but of course that doesn't help if your external 430ex2 cannot keep up if you also need that.

 

[Meh]

screw speedlights... sell them and get a nice strobe kit... Much MUCH more fuller and complete light... consistent output, battery packs available to take them on location... much more control... See the light... no pun intended =)

What kit do you recommend that's reasonably priced for a basic setup, reasonably portable, reasonably easy/quick to set up on location, good quality/value, etc.?

 

[awinphoto]

screw speedlights... sell them and get a nice strobe kit... Much MUCH more fuller and complete light... consistent output, battery packs available to take them on location... much more control... See the light... no pun intended =)

What kit do you recommend that's reasonably priced for a basic setup, reasonably portable, reasonably easy/quick to set up on location, good quality/value, etc.?

Hey meh... Alien Bee's... White Lightnings... both can work with the vagabound battery pack... and each 1600 w/s monoblock is cleaper than the 600 series/580's, and have higher GN's and a fuller light than the 600 and 580 at it's fully zoomed maximum output... They take me seconds to set up compared to mickey mousing speedlights with speedlights softboxes... Yes, they're bigger, but they are much better impo

edit... personally I splurged and got the white lightnings, but alien bee's share the same flash tube as the WL's and have housing made out of material that's nearly bullet proof. Drop one of these... you may have to replace a $20 flashtube... drop a 580 at the right angle, you may have to replace the entire unit.

 

[Lawliet]

screw speedlights... sell them and get a nice strobe kit...

Thats way to definitive for my taste - even with a quite decent strobe kit at hand my speedlights/-lites get quite a lot to do. Different tools, use what fits the situation best...

 

[sagittariansrock]

Yongnuo is the answer.

I am in the same boat. I have a 430 II and a 420, and currently use the optical trigger in the 7D.
One way (the cheaper option) will be to buy another 430EX II and the Yongnuo radio triggers (YN-622C x 3). That will set you off about $ 400-ish, be all RF. Pros: cheaper; cons: does not support high-speed sync AFAIK.
The other option is to sell everything, and go with 600RT and either get another 600RT and the replacement for 430EX when it comes out. You'd also need the new ST-E3. If you get the 600RT and keep using the optical trigger it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Pros: future-proof, best Canon has to offer in terms of features; cons: very expensive
A middle ground is to buy a 580EX II (or two, replacing the existing 430EX II), and the three YN-622s. I might go that route and get one 580 first, and then replace my 430 later.