 Bunny Snow |
Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 I don't know which category to put this question into because it is for digital as well as film photography. I've read that the range of the ST-E2 has Does that mean it cannot be used for close-up work around say a table, where a project could be photographed, or in a small garden where small wildlife might be photographed? I need to know it's smaller range rather than the largest numbers, before I make the purchase. I wanted to upgrade my 420EX to a 580EX, and be able to use the 420EX and another similar flash for side lighting and background lighting in a small garden. Thanking you in advance. Bunny
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Justin G. |
Susan, As with most other radio frequency transmitters (rc cars, walkie talkies, etc.) the range you are seeing is just the maximum, like you already stated out. The most you'll get out of those indoors could be anywhere from 40 feet, and up to 50 feet in the right situations. The "minimum" range, persay, well, there really isn't any. Most of the time you will have no problems putting everything right next to each other, within inches. Now that would be pointless with walkie talkies, lol, but with your ST-E2's I don't see why you couldn't place the receiver...4 inches let's say within the transmitter without any problems. Hope this helps any.
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Bunny Snow |
Thank you, Justin. I kind of figured as much. I appreciate your timely answer, as I was just going to place an order and I needed that informaiton. Have a wonderful day! Susan (friends, even cyberspace friends call me "Bunny")
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Jon Close |
FYI, the ST-E2 and wireless slave EX speedlights use infrared rather than radio signals to communicate. The range is reduced outdoors due to the higher level of background IR.
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Justin G. |
Oh wow I guess I spoke too soon without research. Thanks Jon for the polite heads up. Bunny, I spoke too soon and under the assumption that the ST-E2 was radio controlled. Why I thought that, I don't know. My apologies for bad information.
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Bunny Snow |
Thank you Jon, for answering with all your expertise and knowledge. Regardless of the signals used, is there a minimum range that the signals cannot go beyond, as well as the published maximum range? What I am trying to ask is, do I assume that the flashes will communicate around 1) a product shoot, 2) in a room of people (depending of course on the size of the room), 3) or within the range of a single flash, such as the 540EX before light drop off becomes significant? Thank you Justin for responding, even though partially incorrectly. Thanking you both in advance. ~Susan ("Bunny")
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Jon Close |
Hi, Susan. There's no minimum range, they can be used right next to each other. However, since they communicate with IR and visible light signals, the sender and reciever unit have to be able to "see" each other. The slaved flash has to have its receiving sensor (the front) pointed toward the controller, and be within an 80° arc of it. The flash head swivels and tilts, so it can be pointed at the subject or a reflector while the front of the speedlight's body is turned back toward the controller. This positioning is illustrated in the instruction manuals for the EX speedlights and the ST-E2.
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Bunny Snow |
Thanks, Jon. Before I order the ST-E2, I need to know a little more about it and how it works. I have a 420EX and a MR-14EX, will have a 580EX. I understand that the more powerful 580EX will be on the camera with the ST-E2. However, if I want to achieve lighting ratios between the three lights, how do I use a flash meter to communicate with the three? I presume I use it light by light. But, if the 580EX triggers the other flashes, won't that skew the reading on the flash meter even if the speedlite unit is put up one at a time? Looking forward, once again, to your answer and thanking you in advance. Susan
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Jon Close |
ST-E2 fills the camera's hotshoe. You cannot use it and the 580EX on-camera at the same time. The ST-E2 is on-camera and all the speedlights are off-camera. Note that your MR-14EX and soon to be acquired 580EX each can be used as the control unit for wireless E-TTL, so an ST-E2 is not absolutely necessary unless you don't want an on-camera flash source. Wireless E-TTL is completely automated. I think trying to use a separate flash meter will only confuse things, and would only be useful if you set each speedlight for manual output level. With wireless E-TTL, the default is even lighting from all the slaves. For shadowing effect, you can adjust set the flash ratio between groups by up to 3 stops (8:1 or 1:8 ratio).
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Bunny Snow |
Thank you, Jon. So what I need to do is work with the set up without the ST-E2 and separate flash meter first and see what problems occur before I purchase the ST-E2. Hmmm It's difficult to "see" what's going on when no one in my area sells the ST-E2 and I cannot try it out before purchase. But, thanks. ~Susan
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Ryan Glaze |
Hope I can get some help from either Jon, Justin, or Bunny. I have never bought anything fancy for lighting yet. I have a Sigma flash for my Canon EOS 30D. However, I am looking for a portable, wireless system...for Senior photos on location...or family portraits on location. I have read about the Canon ST-E2 (infrared) and the Pocket Wizard (radio). Here is/are my question(s) which probably has/have an obvious answer but can't seem to find it: When using the Canon ST-E2, is my only options to use a Canon External Flash? If so, where do I find stands to mount them... Same idea with the Pocket Wizard. I am not real sure what is lighting is compatible. Can I use strobe lighting from Elinchrom or Dyna-light (I don't own any, I'm just trying to figure out what to buy. Bottom line. I need wireless, portable lighting that is of good quality. I am willing to look at other options than just the ST-E2 and the Pocket Wizard. I just want something that has quality and is easily portable and wireless. Please help!!! Thanks, Ryan Glaze
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Justin G. |
Pocket Wizards are RF (radio frequency) which are usuable on probably just about any type of lighting you could buy. The ST-E2 triggers only Canon flashes with it's infra-red emmiters but the Pocketwizards being RF can trigger about anything. You can find and buy multiple types of adapters that work with the specific lights you buy. The PocketWizards would probably be more viable for you since you might want to look into those Elinchroms and Dyna-Lights. (also check into AlienBees). You can also search eBay for "studio light radio triggers" and you'll get TONS of chinese versions of the PocketWizards. Most of these run from about $10 - $40 a set. I cannot contest to their quality but I've actually heard from other people on another forum that some of them are pretty good. Someone recommended buying from the seller "magic trigger". Being the cheap price that it is I thought I'd snatch one up and try them out for myself. If you have the money maybe just snatch one up for you and play with it before you invest in any serious (and expensive) equipment. I can report back on this thread in a few days (prolly Monday after Thanksgiving) with the reports on how it works.
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Bunny Snow |
Be careful about buying from a foreign seller on E-Bay. You have have to pay duty, which may cost more than the original purchase in this country. Also, the sellers may not be reliable. I was going to buy a right angle viewer on e-bay, but first contacted a cyberspace friend who does a lot of selling and buying of merchandise there and those were her comments. She recommended not making any purchases from foreign sellers. FYI. You may receive more than what you paid for --more out of pocket expenses to acquire the actual purchase. Plus, it may not be in English. Just beware.
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Ryan Glaze |
Justin and Bunny, Thanks so far for the comments. I still need to check out Alien Bees. I went on the website, but I didn't have much time to research. It seems that there are more options available with the Pocket Wizard (more types of lighting that I can use), but that lighting is not necessarily very portable. I still welcome any more advice...how about the stands...do they make stands that will hold just the Canon 580EX?
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Jon Close |
The 420EX, 430EX, 550EX, and 580EX come with a plastic mini-stand that allows the speedlight to be placed on any flat surface. Additionally, there is a tripod screw socket in the mini-stand so that it can be attached to light stands.
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Ryan Glaze |
Jon, Thanks so much...you have responded to one of my very few questions that I have posted...and I appreciate you as well as Bunny and Justin's responses. Ryan
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