Pocket Wizard or Canon ST E3

[EMA747]

I need to get some flash added to my setup at some point and I am pondering which way to go. I see two options but I am not sure which is the most sensibly to go with.

1) - Canon 600EX RT flash and ST E3 trigger = around £600 (bought from digital rev).

2) - Canon 430EX II flash and set of two Pocket Wizard Plus III triggers = around £450.

Obviously option one gives the best flash and most convenient trigger system in that it's all built in to the flash so no PW units to strap on.

Option 2's advantage is that the PW triggers can be used with other flash units so I could buy cheap flashguns if I needed to add a second, third flash. Plus they can be used with any brand not just Canon.

Intended use would be a bit of all-round use really. Some fill flash for sports and journalist type work but I would also like to learn basic studio and on location portraiture too.

Any ideas which way I should be leaning?

 

[JRJ]

Youngnuo yn-568 and a set of yn-622c triggers = £170

Just waiting on my triggers to arrive then to order a new flash.

 

[craig.walton2]

Youngnuo yn-568 and a set of yn-622c triggers = £170

Just waiting on my triggers to arrive then to order a new flash.

Plus 1. These are next on my list.

 

[HoppyUK]

I need to get some flash added to my setup at some point and I am pondering which way to go. I see two options but I am not sure which is the most sensibly to go with.

1) - Canon 600EX RT flash and ST E3 trigger = around £600 (bought from digital rev).

2) - Canon 430EX II flash and set of two Pocket Wizard Plus III triggers = around £450.

Obviously option one gives the best flash and most convenient trigger system in that it's all built in to the flash so no PW units to strap on.

Option 2's advantage is that the PW triggers can be used with other flash units so I could buy cheap flashguns if I needed to add a second, third flash. Plus they can be used with any brand not just Canon.

Intended use would be a bit of all-round use really. Some fill flash for sports and journalist type work but I would also like to learn basic studio and on location portraiture too.

Any ideas which way I should be leaning?

Without wanting to prompt another of your marathon what shall I get threads, you seem to have missed the key differences. Option 1) is full E-TTL radio remote control, and 2) the PWIIIs are manual only. And really the only reason to get PWIIIs is reverse compatibility if you have a stack of older PW triggers operating on the same frequency. Otherwise, Phottix Strato II is a better trigger, and cheaper.

E-TTL choices really boil down to the Canon RT system, or the Phottix Odin that mirrors it, or the new hot choice of Yongnuo 622 that does the same at a much lower price. Both these third party options include remote second-curtain sync that the Canon RT lacks.

The other E-TTL option is PW's Mini/Flex system that costs a bit more but has several key advantages, such as hypersync, optimised HSS, optimised second-curtain sync etc.

With all the E-TTL options, you should check full compatibility with Canon 1DX. At a guess, should be okay on Phottix and Yongnuo, though you never know 100% for sure until you've tried, but I know PW are still working on a Beta release for the 5D3 and 1DX (as their system is camera model specific, to get those enhancements).

 

[Phil V]

What Richard said.
But I'll add - if you go down the ST E3 route - you only have the choice of the Canon 600 ex flash, that for me would be a deal breaker at the moment. Because 2 of those (at least) and a ST E3 is eye wateringly expensive.

I bought the PW flex's when they were the only option, if I was buying again tomorrow I'd probably go for the YN's but all the 3rd party options are compatible with older Canon flashguns and (variable support) some 3rd party flashguns too. Which to me makes them a better VFM system.

 

[EMA747]

Where is a good place to buy Yongnuo gear? [edit] just seen this thread http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=435002 and Photogadget on ebay sounds and ok place to buy from].

I have been watching a few youtube vidoes about the YN flash and trigger and they both sounds pretty good. I think I'm going to go that route rather than the Canon, It will save me a good wad of cash so thanks to all of you who posted because you have saved me a lot of money.