ST-E2 range/transmission field question

[brian.austin]

The ST-E2 shows a horizontal coverage of +/- 40deg. That's a fairly narrow range for using flashes in a group setting where you might use two off-camera flashes, one on either side, ala strobist. Has anyone found a solution around this or used a different transmitter system that allows some control of the flash from the camera?

[Rense]

Brian,

40 degr. is the official statement, I've used the STE-2 at much broader range: as long as the IR signal gets reflected and reaches the slaves every thing will be oke.

As for the question about other gadgets: you can add a sync port (see below) to your 580EX and then trigger it with a skyport

Sync ports:
1. PW hot shoe to 3.5 mini cable, which directly connects remote to the hot shoe of flash.
2. Wein Hot Shoe to Household PC adapter, which connects to hot shoe of flash and provides PC connection for your short 3.5 mini to PC cable that came with Skyport.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by Rense

Brian,

40 degr. is the official statement, I've used the STE-2 at much broader range: as long as the IR signal gets reflected and reaches the slaves every thing will be oke.

I didn't think about reflections. Thanks.

As for the question about other gadgets: you can add a sync port (see below) to your 580EX and then trigger it with a skyport

But that's a sync trigger only and not remote control ala ST-E2 features like ratio between groups, right?

[jfrancho]

No remote control, and no ETTL, therefore no ratios. However, if one is at 1/2 power, and the other is at 1/4 then you have a 2:1 ratio, but you'll have top go to each flash and set them manually. Personally, I have terrible results using ETTL with a 580 master and two 430 IR slaves using ratios; usually underexposure is the issue, so I generally use manual power. Also, when you set A:B ratio to 1:2 on the master, its actually 2:1, in practical terms. I don't know why Canon did that.

[brian.austin]

I'm actually more concerned about ETTL features than ratios, I guess. I'm looking for a smaller solution to wedding formals than carrying about two or three AB's, a battery pack or two, etc.. I'm thinking two or three 580/430 combinations, a few lightweight lightstands, and a few small umbrellas. Viable?

Of course....I hadn't considered the fact that ETTL isn't taking into account the umbrellas. At that point, I might as well look at manual settings only.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

Viable?

Yes

Of course....I hadn't considered the fact that ETTL isn't taking into account the umbrellas.

...it is... as the preflash will be through the umbrellas too

(unless you lock FE and add the umbrellas after that deed )

...€0.02...

Max@Home

[jfrancho]

Of course....I hadn't considered the fact that ETTL isn't taking into account the umbrellas.

Like Max said, ETTL takes all the light hitting the subject into account via the pre flash. So bouncers, reflectors, diffusers, etc. all work fine with ETTL, as do multiple light sources. Now, that said, I find it underexposes, and SOP is to use +2/3 FEC. I hear this can vary by camera model.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

Now, that said, I find it underexposes, and SOP is to use +2/3 FEC. I hear this can vary by camera model.

I found the same on the 20D but haven't tested it in a controlled situation on the 40D yet.

Thanks.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by Max@Home

...it is... as the preflash will be through the umbrellas too

(unless you lock FE and add the umbrellas after that deed )

Doh. Forgot about the pre-flash period of the metering sequence. Thanks.

[Max@Home]

*my* SOP FEC's per-body:

20D+580exII: +2/3 with any kind of Omnibounce, +1/3 'bare-bounced', 0 to -1/3 straight- on

40D+580exII: +1/3 with any kind of Omnibounce, +1/3 'bare-bounced', 0 to -1/3 straight- on

1D3+580exII: +1/3 with any kind of Omnibounce, 0 to -1/3 in all other circumstances

As might be understood, these are *my* Standards to start with using E-TTL(II), Manual Exposure and Evaluative metering, during any shoot I vary FEC/Exposure/Metering as deemed necessary, but 'ya have to start somewhere'

...tiny €0.02 worth...

Kindest regards,

Max@Home

[brian.austin]

Max, you've had both the 580EX and 580EXII, correct? Do you see any differences between the two as to settings/performance?

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

Max, you've had both the 580EX and 580EXII, correct? Do you see any differences between the two as to settings/performance?

brian.austin,

I did the II needs less FEC and is more consistent in it's results, but does need a major photographer-adjustment

For 30+ years I have used (external) flashes with 'audible loading' so you just 'heard' that the flash was ready again, because it stopped 'whining'

The II is (almost) noiseless while recharging, so now I have to check in the viewfinder to see that the flash is ready again. Not bad when used to it, but as I said a MAJOR adjustment after 30+ years for *me*

Further anything you might have heard about the II is true : it loads a lot faster, and seems to be more economical in it's power use (and with CP-E4 attached it can get enormous FPS rates!)

The metal foot is faster to mount, but a bit less tight than the screwlock of the 'I' , the on-off switch is too loose, and moves opposite as your camera's on-off switch (REALLY STUPID DESIGN!), the off-master-slave switch is now 'menu-controlled' but this is MUCH slower and more awkward to use. Using the camera menu to control the (settings of) the flash feels unnatural *to me*, I haven't had the opportunity yet to test and use the other new features, but am sure I will in the coming months

The overall build quality, and especially that of the battery compartment door, feels MUCH more solid, more like how a $/€500 flash should feel, I always found the 580exI feel a bit cheapish when handling it.

All-'n-all, a worthy upgrade in *my* book from the 580exI, especially because of it's more consistent results and the weather-resistant build.

...€0.02...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home