Setup for two 600EX-RT speedlites with ST-E3-RT

[Kay]

I ordered two 600EX-RT Speedlites and a ST-E3_RT Speedlite Transmitter  I heard it's complicated to set up.  Can someone give me pointers/instructions how to set up off camera flash with this system.

Thanks in advance.

K

[7D5D]

It is not complicated especially if you have worked with the 580s or 430s. Start with Syl Arena's PixSylated site, go to the "how to" section, its a bit scattered but there is some great info there. http://pixsylated.com/blog/

Also go to the Canon learning center: http://learn.usa.canon.com/resources/products/speedlite_600exrt/speedlite_600exrt.shtml?categoryId=1...

Download the PDF manuals, they're quite good. Finally, when you get your stuff, set the custom and personal functions on all three devices to be the same--I know it sounds like a no brainer but forgetting to do this will cause headaches. Enjoy, I love the new RT system.

http://photo.tutsplus.com/articles/hardware/how-to-use-your-canon-speedlite-600ex-rt/

[p4pictures]

I had this system until I started adding more Speedlite 600EX-RTs and have four plus the ST-E3-RT now.

My approach is leave the radio on auto channel selection - on switch on the flashes and transmitter will find the best free channel - it works painlessly for me.

Secondly on each device set the same ID, by default it's 0000 but with 9999 other choices don't use the default. I'd also avoid 9999, 0001, 1000 too. If you keep the default ID and use auto radio then someone else can use / fire your flashes over radio. It'll take them a while to go through the 10,000 IDs!

I'd also suggest that if you are only going to use radio, switch off the pulsed light mode on the 600EX-RT by setting P.Fn 06 to 1 on the 600EX-RTs. It makes sure you are only using radio and reduces the button pressing to change modes from master to slave and back to normal.

I also makes sure my 600EX-RT flashes don't flash the red confirmation they are charged. C.Fn 23 set to 1. I do set the ST-E3-RT to beep when all the slaves have recycled.

Otherwise the rest is as simple or powerful as you want it to be.

Brian / p4pictures

[digital]

Everything is complicated when it is new and after reading the instructions several times and aftter playing around with it for a few days it becomes simple. The new menus and button layout is very user friendly. Tons of videos on You Tube, etc.

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/technical/syl_arena_new_speedlite_system.do

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsJE5xVBihk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsJE5xVBihk

If you can ignore that salad bowl he has on the flash this a decent video.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbGp1ouI8TY

http://pixsylated.com/blog/?s=600Ex-+RT+&submit.x=16&submit.y=9

If you have a lot of time on your hands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMQ7_phvAOE&feature=related

[TCampbell]

It's actually REALLY easy with the new 600 technology.  Unlike the 580s and 430s which required that you press-and-hold the "zoom" button until the master/slave/off display starts blinking, the 600's make it much easier and a bit more obvious.

There's a button with a lightning bolt on it.  Pressing that button repeatedly cycles the flash through it's various link modes (stand-alone, RF-master, RF-slave, IR-master, & IR-slave).   There's also a link light which glows amber if the flash is in a mode which _wants_ to be linked but it cannot establish a link -- and green if it has established a link.  The backlight color on the LCD will also change to indicate if a unit is in master vs. slave mode.

If you're out shooting by yourslef with these, then they'll "just work" by using the link button (lightning bolt icon) to set them in the RF commander & slave modes.  If, on the other hand, you're shooting near other Canon photographers who own similar radio gear you can give your flashes individual channels and ID numbers to avoid conflicts.  

There are four buttons below the LCD which are "soft" buttons (the LCD display tells you what each button does.)  Press the right-most button to get to "MENU 3" page and you'll notice that the left two soft-buttons can now control the channel and ID values used by your gear.  This will avoid YOUR remote flashes being triggered by someone else's commander and likewise avoid your commander from triggering someone else's remote flashes.

Canon has a video series done by Syl Arena... located here:  http://learn.usa.canon.com/galleries/galleries/tutorials/syl_arena_speedlite_600exrt_seminar.shtml

[digital]

Yeah I'm really impressed with the button layout, the menus and the best part is the LCD illuminates when you press any button, not liek the 580 where you have to press a specific button. You can also set it to stay illuminated. I love that that feature.