Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter

goslayer

goslayer

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Greg
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Hi all,

has anyone been using a Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter and are they much better than the cheaper fleabay type you can get. I like the idea of keeping all the ETTL features with the ST-E2 but is it worth the extra £100 +?

thanks
 
Depends what you want to use it for to be honest. It has limitations on range in sun because it works on IR not radio and the front (receiver) part of your flash needs to have line of sight with it. But then fleabay triggers are notoriously poor.
 
I mainly want it for use with my soft box fitted to my flash for portraits. Not much out side but some.
 
I have just got one (ST-E2) my reason was that it gives me greater flexibility when setting rations between flash Groups (e.g. A and B but note that it has no control of Group C), however, you can get similar/better functionality out of using a master gun on the camera (EX550/580i/ii) as well as control of Group C. I picked one up SH (£200 for a 580 and the ST-E2) – if I was paying over £100 I would possibly get another flash to add to the system as it gives a bit more flexibility, but it really depends on what you have in your bag.
 
To be honest I use a pocketwizard for that. No1, it has range and reliability and No2, if you are using it with a softbox you will probably want to manually control the flash anyway and meter for your subject as you would in a studio.

I use the St-E2 for indoor flash in my hand, on the fly wedding work and so long as I rotate the flash head so they can see each other it's a perfect application because I do retain ETTL.

The new PW's have ETTL too but are not going to be cheap!
 
Hi thanks,

The pocket wizzards look like a lot more money than the ST-E2?

Is there a cheaper alternative or would the ST-E2 do the job at a lesser range?
 
Elinchrom skyports get a good name and there is a host of other alternatives including Calumet's own.

ST-E2 will do the job but as I say it IS limited by having to turn the body of the flash round so the sensor can see the ST-E2 and the range outdoors can be problematic in sunlight.
 
Just some comments really :)

ST-E2 has less range than the 580EX when used as a master, and you can rotate the head for better line of sight. I guess if you zoom the flash to 105mm that will help too.

Outdoors, if there is bright sun shining on the receiver, max range for my multiple 580EX guns is cut to 4m with direct line of sight, 5m at best. Merely shading the receiver doubles that at least, and if it's dusk or dark I can get over 20m.

Indoors, I have never had a problem and the trigger signal gets reflected around corners and behind things with pretty good reliability too.

I guess what I'm saying is that indoors I really wouldn't bother with radio triggers. Not necessary, and of course you lose ETTL (except new Pocket Wizards). Outdoors, usually okay for most set ups as you naturally need to keep things close together or you won't have any flash power anyway. But if the sun comes out, or reasonable line of sight can't be achieved, or you need to stand back with a longer lens to get camera position, you could get snookered.

Those new Pocket Wizards look the absolute business :) Maybe one day. Strobist nirvana will be when Nikon/Canon build radio triggering into their guns.
 
The Elinchrom skyports look ok, but the more I read about the pocket wizzard the more I like, just watched the video presentation on there web site. Problem is £430 for them. I am right in thinking I would need a PocketWizard MiniTT1 and a FlexTT5?

If so, I might go for them next month when I get my bonus. Think it's better to get some that will do all jobs than 1 that will only cover a couple.
 
There is no cheap answer that retains ettl. a second hand 580 or 550Ex will act as a master in the same way as the ST-E2 but with more control. It also gives you the option of an additional flash.
 
I have an ST-E2 and 2 580's and indoors it works great. I've had a bit of trouble using it outdoors with a softbox so I've ordered a set of the RF-602's from FITP. Ok I'll lose ETTL but at least I will get some decent range!
 
Cheers Guys
 
I have an ST-e2 - picked it up second hand.

Works fine for close stuff, most of my off camera flash stuff such as the smoke pictures are done using it. I also have a 580 ex2 and a 420.

Range is limited off camera, but I've managed to do some nightime car shots using it as well with the two flashgus remote.
 
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