Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter for Canon 580EX II, 430EX, 430EX II Speedlites
by Canon Cameras US
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter for Canon 580EX II, 430EX, 430EX II Speedlites
Customer Review: Great for portraits.
Summary: 5 Stars
I used the STE2 with two Canon 430EX Speedlites to do some portraits with excellent results. I mounted the Speedlites on stands with 30 inch shoot-through umbrellas using hot shoe multiclamps. I shot with a Canon 50mm f1/4 lens on a Canon 30D set to manual with a 1/60 shutter and f4 aperture. With E-TTL enabled, the flash power is automatically adjusted to obtain the correct exposure. I found the flash power to generally be right on but on the occasion I felt it wasn't, I simply adjusted the flash compensation on my camera. I did not need to meter or use a gray card so I was able to focus more on composition.
I really like the convenience of this wireless setup because there are no cables to trip over and that makes it really easy to move my lights around and try different angles. With a two flash setup, you can easily change the ratio between the two flash units on the back of the transmitter without touching anything else. This often helped me get better shots because I could quickly modify the light setup to capture a moment without stepping out from behind the camera.
I would prefer radio control but this setup is very compact and I did not have any problems with the Speedlites not firing even if they were not quite in direct line of sight. I even turned my shoot-through umbrellas around to act as reflectors, effectively blocking the line of site between the camera and the Speedlites, and they still fired so apparently there is a bit of flexibility in that line of site.
Update 5/25/2007: Although the STE2 worked well for portraits in relatively small rooms, I recently tried to use it for some wedding formals in large churches, reception halls, and outdoors and found it didn't work so well. Even after putting in brand new batteries, I was quite limited on where I could position my flashes so they would still fire. I had to have the flashes in front of me and just off to the sides for it to work. I have since decided to purchase some radio slaves for my wedding work. The other thing I noticed is that if you are shooting a bride in a white dress, E-TTL will tend to underexpose the shot so its value is diminished which makes non-TTL flashes and old-school metering for off camera formal work much more desirable.
Customer Review: Good entry into off-camera flash control
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been reading the Strobist (www.strobist.blogspot.com) for inspiration to take my flash off camera. I have been using one of the Gary Fong Lightspheres with great results in casual portraits at gatherings or events. But for more formal portraits, I'd like to be able to do some side lighting, and yet keep it simple and mobile. Goal 1 was to get the flash off the camera, and onto a stand. I debated whether to go the more expensive route of radio control, but decided that for the first round, this would be fine. So far, in experiments around the house, it works great - there are limitations as to range and visibility, but it is not as if there needs to be direct line of sight between the STE2 and the flash.
As mentioned in another review, the battery CR25 is a little unusual, but I found it at BestBuy - just be aware that you can't get them at the hardware store.
What's neat is that you can adjust flash compensation through this unit, via your camera, if it is capable. So if you shoot manual or in assist modes, you can easily dial the flash up or down by two F-stops by changing the setting on your camera (check whether your camera is capable of this - I know the 40D and 5DMkII are).
So I would say that for a modest price you can get the flash off the camera, and have some fun with better light setups. Next for me will be a second flash, and then you can also adjust ratios between the two flashes on the STE2 without touching the flashes.
Customer Review: A must have item!
Summary: 5 Stars
Straight on lighting from a camera mounted flash is unnatural and unflattering. The Canon STE2 Speedlite Transmitter is a must have item if you own a compatible Canon Speedlite (580EX/550EX/420EX/430EX). Your subject will really appreciate not having the flash pointing directly into their eyes. Plus, with the right angle, you can cast natural looking shadows that will greatly improve the look of your portrait shots. With this transmitter you can place your Speedlite anywhere you like to get the perfect lighting for the shot. It's a really great system when used with two or more Canon Speedlites. I own two Canon 430EX Speedlites that I use with this transmitter. One flash I use as the main light source is fitted with a unidirectional diffuser to soften the light. The other flash used as a fill flash is fitted with an omni-directional bounce diffuser. This transmitter allows you to easily set the balance of light between two Speedlite groups (group A and group B). You simply press a button on the back to adjust the balance. A lighted meter on the back of the transmitter shows you the balance setting. This allows you to easily balance the light between both flash groups without having to touch or move any of the flash units. Very handy! With this setup, you can create professional portrait shots with ease, and not have to worry about lugging around a bunch of heavy lighting equipment. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT!Customer Review: Expand your lighting creativity
Summary: 5 Stars
First off while the name given by Amazon only lists the 580EX, 550EX and 420EX speedlites, the STE2 transmitter will also work with the 430EX.
I got this transmitter after being inspired by the potential an off camera flash can have after reading Strobist. I got two 430EX flashes to get a very portable and easy to set up lighting system.
The STE2 Transmitter allows you to control an unlimited number of flashes in a few different ways. As long as the visual signal can reach the flashes, they will fire (indoors this is easy because the signal bounces off walls).
The STE2 lets you control the relative flash output between two flashes (or groups of flashes) through a simple control on the back. For example you if you set it to 1:8 between A and B, B will get 8 times the 'power' as A.
Even without two flashes, the STE2 lets you move the flash away from where the lens is and creates more pleasant lighting. Additionally, if you take photos of people with glasses or of objects within glass, you can angle the flash so that glare is eliminated.
All in all a great investment, I doubt I will mount a flash directly to the camera ever again.
Customer Review: A great little product, but...
Summary: 5 Stars
While this item performs flawlessly, I will agree with those who say it would be an even better value if it were radio-controlled instead of having the 'line of sight' requirement.
I have been fortunate to find a rechargeable battery and charger for the 2cr5 power source it requires at [...], which was at a resaonable price too. Why pay $[...]a battery when you can get a rechargeable version for $[...] which will last you much much longer and save you lots of money.
This item is a MUST if you own one or more of Canon's speedlights, be they the 430EX, 430EX-II, 550EX, 580EX or the 580EX-II. This tramsmitter attachment will control them ALL... at once if you so choose. Very handy gadget which has performed perfectly in every test I have thrown at it thus far.
My only suggestion to the manufacturers, would be for them to re-release this item with the new quick-lock feature found on the 580EX-II Speedlite flash. :)~
I tried it out with Gary Fong's flash diffusers and it was amazing how much they enhanced my portraitures using the ST-E2. I am really really glad I got this item.