Canon 600 EX RT

skydiver

skydiver

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Hi Guys,

just purchased the new Canon flash but comes with...or should I say without:

NO... User Manual or Field Guide, either printed or on CD
NO... Warranty Card

Wrote to Canon who say they are not included in the box, but Youtube videos show them as being included in with the contents??? - and say the purchase can be registered online :shrug:

S'pose you can figure most of the features if you're familiar with Canon flashes, but what about the new Radio System?

Manual is available for download as a PDF file, but it's not much use out on a shoot if you need a quick refresher...unless of course you print out all the pages :shake:

Anyone else purchased a one and had a manual in the box?

Thought a User Manual would have been seen as a BASIC requirement.
 
very strange
 
Where did you buy? If it was a UK retailer, It should have come with printed manua for sure!
 
Kick up a fuss. I've had this before with Canon - I think it was with a G7. Very poor service.

There is no way on earth you will be able to use that gun 100% without a handbook and an on-line PDF is no substitute.
 
Depends where you bought it from, some grey imports have the documents removed.

Your issue is from the shop you bought it from, not Canon, contact them first.
 
Isn't it illegal to sell something without even a basic instruction manual...?
 
thanks for feedback guys...

was purchased from an ebay retailer in the U.K, understanding that it was probably a grey import, going on price.

Wasn't aware that some of the contents could either be removed or just not supplied.

Retailer says 'all the contents were clearly listed', which they were, just assumed a manual and warranty details would be in there. You live & learn :shake:

Also have 14 days to return it, which I will unless I can source a manual.
 
Sorry to derail the thread but with this flash, do u still need a pocketwizard in order to shoot with this flash over 1/250 and to the max shutter speed of your camera?
 
jonneymendoza said:
Sorry to derail the thread but with this flash, do u still need a pocketwizard in order to shoot with this flash over 1/250 and to the max shutter speed of your camera?
Click to expand...

No. HSS is an integral part of the E-TTL system and is a feature of all Canon guns.

It's primary a feature of the gun, but you also need an E-TTL enabled trigger. The basic Pocket Wizards don't do E-TTL, but their Mini/Flex system does, and indeed enhances the native performance in a few key aspects.
 
skydiver said:
thanks for feedback guys...

was purchased from an ebay retailer in the U.K, understanding that it was probably a grey import, going on price.

Wasn't aware that some of the contents could either be removed or just not supplied.

Retailer says 'all the contents were clearly listed', which they were, just assumed a manual and warranty details would be in there. You live & learn :shake:

Also have 14 days to return it, which I will unless I can source a manual.
Click to expand...

Return it stating any reasonable buyer would expect a complex item such as this one to come with an instruction manual. Moreover, any reasonable seller would advise the buyer if the manual was not included.
 
HoppyUK said:
No. HSS is an integral part of the E-TTL system and is a feature of all Canon guns.

It's primary a feature of the gun, but you also need an E-TTL enabled trigger. The basic Pocket Wizards don't do E-TTL, but their Mini/Flex system does, and indeed enhances the native performance in a few key aspects.
Click to expand...

My 430ex2 wont allow me t shoot to whatever shutter speed i want though?

edit. it does. cool im set for using my flash outside for my work.

the iusse as you said is that you cant use high speed on most cheap remote triggers
 
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jonneymendoza said:
My 430ex2 wont allow me t shoot to whatever shutter speed i want though?
Click to expand...
Camera mounted or remotely fired?

Camera mounted, just use HSS - it works, off camea, you need to fool the camera into believing the gun is camera mounted, so either an ETTL cord or the Pocketwizard flex triggers will give HSS.

I don't think any other remote triggers will do, but I couldnt swear to it.

The new gun's (600) inbuilt radio system is still a bit new, I haven't seen a full description of all the features, but as Canon missed the HSS off the infra red triggering I'm not confident it's there.
 
Back to the OP;
if you've got a smartphone, the PDF manual is pretty useful. If you need a printed one though, you may have to return the gun and buy a UK one.
 
Phil V said:
Camera mounted or remotely fired?

Camera mounted, just use HSS - it works, off camea, you need to fool the camera into believing the gun is camera mounted, so either an ETTL cord or the Pocketwizard flex triggers will give HSS.

I don't think any other remote triggers will do, but I couldnt swear to it.

The new gun's (600) inbuilt radio system is still a bit new, I haven't seen a full description of all the features, but as Canon missed the HSS off the infra red triggering I'm not confident it's there.
Click to expand...

Yes i just tested this with it off camera and indeed when usingc heap triggers HSS doesnt work. i mean you can select the shutter speed all the way to max but eitehr half the screen or all the screen is completely black and that is because HSS is not fully on.

Why diddnt they make at least the 600 HSS aware even when its off the camera? is it to force people to buy expensive triggers?
 
Phil V said:
Camera mounted or remotely fired?

Camera mounted, just use HSS - it works, off camea, you need to fool the camera into believing the gun is camera mounted, so either an ETTL cord or the Pocketwizard flex triggers will give HSS.

I don't think any other remote triggers will do, but I couldnt swear to it.
Click to expand...

Phottix Odins do remote HSS, and I'm fairly certain that all E-TTL enabled triggers will, like Pixel etc.

The new gun's (600) inbuilt radio system is still a bit new, I haven't seen a full description of all the features, but as Canon missed the HSS off the infra red triggering I'm not confident it's there.
Click to expand...

They didn't miss it off the IR system Phil. The only thing you can't do using Canon gear is remote second-curtain sync. Even with the new RT. I'm thinking is may be something to do with patents because you can do remote second-curtain with 3rd party E-TTL radio triggers.
 
jonneymendoza said:
Yes i just tested this with it off camera and indeed when usingc heap triggers HSS doesnt work. i mean you can select the shutter speed all the way to max but eitehr half the screen or all the screen is completely black and that is because HSS is not fully on.

Why diddnt they make at least the 600 HSS aware even when its off the camera? is it to force people to buy expensive triggers?
Click to expand...
Nope!

When the flashgun came out, there were no triggers that'd fire it in ETTL mode. You're looking from the wrong direction, a bit like complaining that a 1964 car needs expensive after market seatbelts? The 430ex was designed to be fired using an ETTL cable or from a transmitting flashgun via IR, much later Canon added transmitters to their bodies, but the system still wasn't perfect.

The PW triggers were designed to give functionality that the Canon system missed out. So Canon have now adopted the idea, at a price.

Technology moves on, and in a few years we'll complain that the 600 ex-rt isn't fully compatible with some feature of the latest body.
 
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HoppyUK said:
Phottix Odins do remote HSS, and I'm fairly certain that all E-TTL enabled triggers will, like Pixel etc.

They didn't miss it off the IR system Phil. The only thing you can't do using Canon gear is remote second-curtain sync. Even with the new RT. I'm thinking is may be something to do with patents because you can do remote second-curtain with 3rd party E-TTL radio triggers.
Click to expand...
I've got the PW's and have only had a cursory glance at the features of the later (cheaper:'() triggers, so wasn't totally familiar with the specs.

I think I've seen the thing about rear curtain before - probably is a patent issue.
 
jonneymendoza said:
Yes i just tested this with it off camera and indeed when usingc heap triggers HSS doesnt work. i mean you can select the shutter speed all the way to max but eitehr half the screen or all the screen is completely black and that is because HSS is not fully on.
Click to expand...

It won't. The trigger needs to pick up a much early triggering signal from the E-TTL pins.

There is a work-around that will give you both remote HSS and also remote second-curtain sync with basic triggers, but it might not work 100% will everything. You need a HSS/2nd-curtain sync enabled gun on camera, with an optical slave attached to a basic radio trigger. This picks up the correct triggering signal as the gun fires, and then triggers the remote.

Second-curtain works fine this way, but since HSS is an E-TTL feature, the gun might not fire in HSS mode unless connected to an E-TTL trigger. Sometimes you can fool it, sometimes not.

Why diddnt they make at least the 600 HSS aware even when its off the camera? is it to force people to buy expensive triggers?
Click to expand...

They did :thinking:
 
Phil V said:
I've got the PW's and have only had a cursory glance at the features of the later (cheaper:'() triggers, so wasn't totally familiar with the specs.

I think I've seen the thing about rear curtain before - probably is a patent issue.
Click to expand...

That's only a guess, based on the knowledge that it can be done by third parties so technically posible, but not by Canon. I've posted before about some early Minolta flash patents that Nikon acquired, but nobody has been able to confirm or deny it.

Bottom line: Canon own-brand equipment will do remote everything, including HSS, except second-curtain sync. Third party E-TTL triggers can do second-curtain as well. PW Mini/Flex does it all, and also enhances the native system with HyperSync, optimised HSS and optimised second-curtain sync.
 
HoppyUK said:
It won't. The trigger needs to pick up a much early triggering signal from the E-TTL pins.

There is a work-around that will give you both remote HSS and also remote second-curtain sync with basic triggers, but it might not work 100% will everything. You need a HSS/2nd-curtain sync enabled gun on camera, with an optical slave attached to a basic radio trigger. This picks up the correct triggering signal as the gun fires, and then triggers the remote.

Second-curtain works fine this way, but since HSS is an E-TTL feature, the gun might not fire in HSS mode unless connected to an E-TTL trigger. Sometimes you can fool it, sometimes not.

They did :thinking:
Click to expand...

It will work with a pw mate. What are u on about? I said how my flash won't work using cheap triggers but with a pw it will.
 
jonneymendoza said:
It will work with a pw mate. What are u on about? I said how my flash won't work using cheap triggers but with a pw it will.
Click to expand...

Trying to be helpful. How about you?
 
HoppyUK said:
Trying to be helpful. How about you?
Click to expand...

Yes I am too and I appreciate your comments but I am just replying back saying what I have just tested myself on my flash and cheap triggers and what I have read and seen about the pw.

And I initially asked if the 600ex needed a pw or the expensive Canon trigger to do hss ettl on it or if a cheap triggers or any any trigger can now do it
 
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Very strange about not having a manual, my 580EX II came with an English, French and Spanish combined manual and the English part is nearly 60 pages. Would of thought the 600 with the extra features would of come with something similar and if not a book then at least a CD with the manual in PDF.
 
modchild said:
Very strange about not having a manual, my 580EX II came with an English, French and Spanish combined manual and the English part is nearly 60 pages. Would of thought the 600 with the extra features would of come with something similar and if not a book then at least a CD with the manual in PDF.
Click to expand...

Can't the OP download the manual?
 
My 600 ex- rt came complete with a manual. Which to be honest I've found invaluable.
 
Mine came with manual and warranty card included. It is very handy tbh.
 
Hi Guys,

thanks for the various feedback...

have emailed Canon again asking if they are supplying these minus the manual etc, or whether it's the retailer that's removing them.
 
Those that have the 600RT and St-e3-rt do you miss not having the af assist? It's the one thing holding me back moving my system over to wireless. I'm sick of trailing a 10m ettl cord and having it snag on my brolley etc :D

Slightly concerned if my 50D will HSS wirelessly as well but I've read people have had no issues with the 60D, so hopefully it will be fine until I change my body.
 
HoppyUK said:
That's only a guess, based on the knowledge that it can be done by third parties so technically posible, but not by Canon. I've posted before about some early Minolta flash patents that Nikon acquired, but nobody has been able to confirm or deny it.

Bottom line: Canon own-brand equipment will do remote everything, including HSS, except second-curtain sync. Third party E-TTL triggers can do second-curtain as well. PW Mini/Flex does it all, and also enhances the native system with HyperSync, optimised HSS and optimised second-curtain sync.
Click to expand...

Hello, I am new to flashes and was wondering if there is a place that I could see the definitions of the terms used in "flash talk". i.e. E-ttl, curtains, and others used. I seem to be stuck when in comes to studying flashes and it is making it impossible for me to choose a flash. I was thinking about the 600 rt but can't figure out what it will take to use it off camera with other flashes. Also interested in high speed sync. Will I have to buy another 600 rt to use them together when the time comes? Sorry for all the questions but I could really use some help with this.:bang: Thanks a lot...
 
shaylou said:
Hello, I am new to flashes and was wondering if there is a place that I could see the definitions of the terms used in "flash talk". i.e. E-ttl, curtains, and others used. I seem to be stuck when in comes to studying flashes and it is making it impossible for me to choose a flash. I was thinking about the 600 rt but can't figure out what it will take to use it off camera with other flashes. Also interested in high speed sync. Will I have to buy another 600 rt to use them together when the time comes? Sorry for all the questions but I could really use some help with this.:bang: Thanks a lot...
Click to expand...

I don't know of a jargon buster for flash but I'm sure there is one that somebody will link to.

Get this book: Speedliter's Handbook by Syl Arena. It's Canon-specific, comprehensive, easy to read, and will tell you all you need to know.

Flash can certainly get confusing but that's mostly when using third-party gear (to save money). If the 600EX-RT is within budget, get that, and a second one too when the time comes to get more ambitious. You can't go wrong with that and it will 'just work'.

If that's a bit much, then what is your budget, and what do you want to do?*

*Edit: maybe start a new thread in the lighting section for that.
 
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We have talked about this book before Hoppy..

'Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography' by Nk Guy.

Do you consider the Syl one a better read, had a quick look on amazon and it looks interesting. Would it offer me something new over the other book?
Funnily enough I only stumbled across the guy yesterday searching for 600EX RT info and reviews :)
 
dannyjo22 said:
We have talked about this book before Hoppy..

'Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography' by Nk Guy.

Do you consider the Syl one a better read, had a quick look on amazon and it looks interesting. Would it offer me something new over the other book?
Funnily enough I only stumbled across the guy yesterday searching for 600EX RT info and reviews :)
Click to expand...

NK Guy's book is more technical and harder going.

I think the Syl Arena book is more rounded as a both a technical grounding and practical manual.
 
Does anyone actually have the st-e3-rt ?
I've been waiting since the end of may, Bristol cameras keep telling me canon have put the release date back again & unfortunately can't give me a confirmed date for its release.
 
HoppyUK said:
NK Guy's book is more technical and harder going.

I think the Syl Arena book is more rounded as a both a technical grounding and practical manual.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, I will give it a look over :)

drexyl said:
Does anyone actually have the st-e3-rt ?
I've been waiting since the end of may, Bristol cameras keep telling me canon have put the release date back again & unfortunately can't give me a confirmed date for its release.
Click to expand...

Digital rev say stock ordered and delivered in 1 week after placing order. I'm going to contact them and check that because otherwise I will wait to order my speedlites at the same time.
 
drexyl said:
Does anyone actually have the st-e3-rt ?
I've been waiting since the end of may, Bristol cameras keep telling me canon have put the release date back again & unfortunately can't give me a confirmed date for its release.
Click to expand...

They've certainly been released and mine is in s sorting office somewhere in the middle of France (shipped on Monday from Germany)

Back to Skydivers opening post......my 600EX-RT's both had manuals and warranty cards in the box. The manual is quite a beast and around double the thickness of the 580EXII tome.

Bob
 
Greetings!

Well i've managed to get one of these for my Birthday! It's the first proper flash i have used, i have a yonguno basic thing (low-high settings) and that's it.

First time using ETTL Wizardry

I will be using it for weddings/portrait work currently using a 400D and if all goes to plan a MK 3 in May.

If anyone has advice on how to use flash and what settings to set on camera

..............
Camera settings
in av mode i can either have it fixed at 1/200sec or auto

Af assist beam

emits
does not emit
emits from external flash

Cheers
 
Mp4 said:
Greetings!

Well i've managed to get one of these for my Birthday! It's the first proper flash i have used, i have a yonguno basic thing (low-high settings) and that's it.

First time using ETTL Wizardry

I will be using it for weddings/portrait work currently using a 400D and if all goes to plan a MK 3 in May.

If anyone has advice on how to use flash and what settings to set on camera

..............
Camera settings
in av mode i can either have it fixed at 1/200sec or auto

Af assist beam

emits
does not emit
emits from external flash

Cheers
Click to expand...
Get Syl Arena's speedlighters handbook
 
Everyone will have different views, if I was using AV + flash, (and I wouldn’t) here is a very rough guide.
I’d go Auto and HSS in plenty of light to shoot at wide apertures
1/60 for a handhold able shutter speed indoors / low light with a shorter lens (has downsides)
1/200 when cutting reducing ambient indoors.

On the second
I’d choose emits from external flash

I can lend you that book if you want :)
PM me
 
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