topic Re: 600 EX-RT radio problems in Speedlite Flashes

600 EX-RT radio problems

bruceplotkin — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 15:19:33 GMT

I've been having problems while shooting weddings with my 600EX-RT flashes not firing as slaves (radio mode) consistently. I've talked with CPS and we ran through all the possible issues including channel changing but other than trying to upgrade to the newer flash version we can't seem to come up with a solution. The master-slave firing works fine in my office but when at an event the slaves might start off firing but then stop working, even as I move closer to them with the master. Again I've tested out looking for the strongest channel and changing them accordingly. My other photographer, ,using the Chinese versions, has no problems. This has happened multiple times/. Wondering if anyone else experiences this.

Re: 600 EX-RT radio problems

rs-eos — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 15:33:59 GMT

Only thing I can think of is interference of some kind at the events. For those events, was there a local WiFi network (hotspots) set up? How many people were there? Other folks with camera equipment too? Depending upon the traffic on I believe the 2.5 GHz band, that could cause issues.

Having said all that, I know that other types of older equipment have been flaky on the newer types of networks. e.g. our older iPads really don't like the new mesh WiFi network. They worked better when directly connecting to either an explicit 2.5 GHz or explicit 5 GHz network. So perhaps the first-gen 600s are just not dealing well?

Finally, for controlling your 600s, are you using another 600 on camera or the ST-E3-RT? Curious if there'd be any differences for you.

Re: 600 EX-RT radio problems

Hazel_T — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 00:53:49 GMT

Hi bruceplotkin,

I agree with the information in RS-EOS's reply. Since this isn't happening in your office, but is happening at events that does look like it is related to interference. Typically if it was an issue with the flashes or the transmitter themselves we would expect them to have the same issue everywhere you use the equipment. Setting the flashes and transmitter to the strongest channel helps in most cases. Sometimes if there are enough wifi devices or other radio transmission devices you can still see issues like this.

One thing to check would be to set the flashes for infrared optical transmission and check to see if the same thing happens. As long as the red jewel for the transmitter flash and the red jewels on the receiver flashes have direct line of sight they should fire. That type of connection isn't effected by wifi and radio interference, so it is a good way to narrow down if the issue is with the flashes or with interference in the environment.

Re: 600 EX-RT radio problems

bruceplotkin — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 12:33:20 GMT

Thanks. I would imagine interference must somehow be coming into play and I will next time try firing them optically to see if that changes anything. I use a 600 on camera as the master. What's so frustrating (besides the incosistency) is that my assistant (second shooter) has the same set up with his Chinese knock offs and they work every time. Thanks for your input.

Re: 600 EX-RT radio problems

bruceplotkin — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 12:34:35 GMT

Thanks so much. I will indeed try this optically next time but I know how much that will limit me. Hate to have to buy new equipment since individually these all work fine. Bought all new batteries and chargers at the start of the new year.

Re: 600 EX-RT radio problems

jhamm15 — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 14:33:44 GMT

I think the whole reason why Canon moved away from optical and went to radio triggering was because optical sucked big time. More unreliable than RT, it probably works fine in a small room, but not a large event space.
I wish Canon would just own up to this whole radio/dropped link issue. I called CPS the other day to complain and they acted like I was the only person to have encountered this issue. This is hapening not just with 600ex series but with my EL-1 flashes.

Re: 600 EX-RT radio problems

rs-eos — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 16:33:23 GMT

Please start your own thread rather than adding replies to very old threads.

Re: 600 EX-RT radio problems

Jcups03 — Sat, 12 Aug 2023 23:27:08 GMT

This WiFi interference issue is prominent and well known. I wish Canon would own up and fix it. They are about to lose their street cred and brand loyalty.

Re: 600 EX-RT radio problems

westeleven — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:29:42 GMT

Canon,

We beg you to do something. There are zero manufacturers struggling with this except you. Someone take ownership. At this point no one’s expecting a recall but at least be willing to service them at our expense. Just fix the problem.

Regards,

Disgruntled 20 Year+ Canon User

Re: 600 EX-RT radio problems

jhamm15 — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 19:37:20 GMT

Is there any correlation with why the EL-1 Speedlite is always on back order?

Re: 600 EX-RT radio problems

PamM — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 09:38:14 GMT

I also have been having issues with my Canon flashes dropping their link to the transmitter, this started about 5 years ago and has got progressively worse such that my last shoot the link dropped out hundreds of times and I wasted 3 hours to get 3 shots. Originally I found this with my MK III but has got worse since I purchased my R5 3 years ago. I rang Canon support Australia and they just said bundle up my transmitter, flashed and Camera and post them all interstate and they would look at them. This was an unacceptable solution, I then rang Sun Studios here in Melbourne where I purchased the camera and the person (Rob) who answered the phone knew exactly the problem and indicated that the ‘interference’ was due close proximity to , mobile phone and 5G. This makes sense as this issue is sporadic, location dependent and unpredictable. His solution was to set the Channel of my transmitter and all the flashes to ‘Auto” and ensure that I reset the ID of each of the above to a PIN that I would remember and would be unique. Apparently’Auto’ enables the units to optimise themselves to dynamically choose a Chennel that has minimal interference. I can report that THIS WORKS!!!! I did a shoot today and did not have one link drop out at the previous location where it dropped out after very shot. This problem was causing me such grief I had been professionally embarrassed so many times for ‘wasting’ clients precious time and losing what would have been winning shots, and consequently this has cost my business. I cannot believe that Canon did not know of this problem and its solution and did not let registered camera owners know of this issue and the very easy solution. So good luck and especially a big thank you to Rob from Sun Studios!!!

Re: 600 EX-RT radio problems

BillWayToday — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 18:54:12 GMT

Yes it's RF "interference". 2.4GHz is massively over-used by millions of IoT devices - including our beloved speedlites. You should see what my spectrum analyzer shows! Optical is a solution, but with limitations of course. In studio I've converted to continuous light (which has some nice advantages anyhow).

Apparently other brands of trigger systems work better. See other posts here.

Re: 600 EX-RT radio problems

7thWheel — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 22:45:04 GMT

It's a shame that due to the issue that Canon refuses to fix I am now expected to spend my money twice on a new set of flashes and triggers. Lame.

Re: 600 EX-RT radio problems

BillWayToday — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 00:58:42 GMT

I don't understand Canon's silence in the face of this disaster.