|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
| Wireless radio comes to Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT, Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT |
| Thursday, March 1, 2012 | by Rob Galbraith |
|
Alongside the Canon EOS 5D Mark III comes a new Canon flash and flash transmitter. The standout feature of the Speedlite 600EX-RT and Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT is the ability to command and trigger remote 600EX-RTs with a wireless radio signal, thereby eliminating the misfires associated with optical signaling. Plus, the interface for adjusting the exposure mode and output for up to five groups of remote Speedlites is a dramatic improvement over all of Canon's earlier flash products.
Canon's new top-end flash is generally similar in overall appearance to the Speedlite 580EX II (which continues for the moment in Canon's Speedlite lineup), except for the back, which has a larger LCD and all-new control layout. The 600EX-RT is the first shoe-mount flash to incorporate 2.4GHz wireless radio transmitting and receiving of control and trigger signals. Its range is specified to be 98.4ft/30m, and a wireless configuration can be comprised of up to five groups of remote 600EX-RTs (15 flashes in all). There are also 15 wireless channels, and it's possible to set up all units on a given channel with a unique four-digit triggering code as well.
The 600EX-RT is powered by four AA batteries, has both a PC sync and high-voltage socket and its zoom head's coverage range is 20-200mm. The includes a flip down wide panel, slide out diffuser and comes with a gel filter holder and gels.
The 600EX-RT can operate in optical wireless mode too, for compatibility with existing optical-only Canon wireless Speedlites and Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2.
While it's generally compatible with all Canon EOS digital SLRs, as well as the EOS-1V and certain other film cameras, only the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X offer flash configuration menus specific to the new model (the 600EX-RT can be configured entirely on the flash itself also). More significantly, when using wireless radio mode with remote Speedlite 600EX-RTs, only the 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X are capable of High Speed Sync operation as well as regular syncing at or up to their native x-sync speed (1/200 for the former and 1/250 for the latter). All earlier compatible EOS cameras are limited to a maximum sync speed of 1/100 or 1/125. Plus, the original EOS-1D and EOS-1Ds, and various other older Canon film cameras, are capable of manual output control only.
These older-camera limitations are restricted to radio signaling, and only when a wireless off-camera configuration is in use.
Additionally, the new Speedlite can act as a remote camera trigger. With a 600EX-RT (or ST-E3-RT) in the shoe of a 5D Mark III or EOS-1D X, or connected to other EOS cameras that have an N3-type remote socket (with the aid of Speedlite Release Cable SR-N3), pressing a button on the back of the triggering 600EX-RT or ST-E3-RT will fire the remote camera, once, with minimal delay says Canon USA Technical Information Advisor Chuck Westfall.
The company has also announced the Speedlite 600EX, a version of the new flash without the radio transmission abilities (this flash may not be sold in all countries).
The radio-only (it has no optical mode) ST-E3-RT has the same five-group wireless features as the 600EX-RT, and a nearly identical (and really nice) top LCD interface for setting up the wireless groups. It's powered by two AAs.
The Speedlite 600EX-RT and Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT are also scheduled for end of March 2012 availability at expected street prices of US$629.99 and US$470, respectively, in the U.S.
Detailed information on the 600EX-RT is here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| Related coverage of this topic includes: |
|
|
Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 7D used in filming of The Avengers (May 10, 2012)
Canon posts Wireless File Transmitter setup guides (May 8, 2012)
LensRentals.com: Canon opts for low-tech but effective solution to EOS 5D Mark III metering error (May 2, 2012)
Canon updates EOS 5D Mark III metering error advisory (April 24, 2012)
Canon posts firmware v1.1.2 for Canon EOS 5D Mark III (April 24, 2012)
Canon releases DPP with EOS 5D Mark III RAW processing fix (April 17, 2012)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III shipments halted in Canada (April 16, 2012)
Canon issues EOS 5D Mark III metering error advisory (April 13, 2012)
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM now expected in early July (April 12, 2012)
Canon EOS-1D X ship date slips to middle of June (April 12, 2012)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
