Breaking new ground. Integrated radio.
I won't write the specs which you can find elsewhere. Using the 600EX-RT is a total breeze. At last, Canon designed an user friendly flash. Previously, I was a Nikon user with the SB-900 and the design and user interface are on par. I have also used the 400EXII and the difference (in usage terms, capability is obviously inferior) is huge. Using radio communication is the simplest way of synchronization I've ever tried. It can be as simple as to just turn on the flashes, set one as a Master, one as a Slave and the link is immediately stablished (and with a led for easy visual feedback) and it doesn't matter where and how you put the flashes. It just works. Reliable. Simple. Fast.
My body is Canon 7D and therefore, I can only use radio with ETTL/M/ALL communication. No Group mode (really a shame) And I must tell that with this body (latest firmware installed), you can't modify parameters on Canon 7D screen because the body doesn't know about this new radio mode. If you need to edit parameters on body (External Function Flash), then you have to use Optical slave mode or standalone mode. If you enable "Wireless" from the body's menu, the radio mode will get disabled and you'll get optical mode instead. However, this is where the friendly UI comes to the rescue. I don't miss configuring the flashes directly on the master flash, except when I'm using the extension cable (to get my flash off camera and be able to position where I really need it to be) As a side note, I don't like the ST-3 controller unit because it lacks AF assist lamp and at low EV, the body struggles to find focus without AF assist lamp.
Regarding the Custom Functions, you can edit many of them directly in body (Canon 7D), but you must be aware that there are Custom Functions that won't show up in body, and you can edit those only directly on Flash. Again, the new friendly UI lets you do this easily (no more cryptic codes) even with nice icons for each function. The same happens with the new Personal Functions: you can only edit those directly on Flash.
Talking about performance, the recharge time is really fast and the capability to keep shoting even if the flash is not fully charged is awesome. I've been able to shot about 2 or 3 times each second (kids event on little auditorium) and I don't get underexposed photos. For the record, I only use Eneloop XX or Lithium batteries which you should consider to get the best out of the flash.
The carrying pouch is really nice, but you can only fit the Flash and the cold shoe mount. I wish a little more space, at least for the gels and why not, space for a diffuser. The carrying pouch for the Nikon SB-900 considers all those accessories in a larger pouch.
There are some points that could be better:
- Better compatibility with "older" bodies. I really miss the new Group mode (controlling up to 5 flashes, in every mode you wish) and some other features you can't have unless you get a "new" body (2012 and ahead) Also, I've explained that you can't configure radio mode directly on body's menus.
- Simple dumb optical cell, so I can use this flash with other systems, like Nikon. I was able to use the SB-900 in this mode (SU-4) and I really miss this for Canon.
- More gel filters. With SB-900 I got way more but not as many as you get with Rosco.
- More accessories, for example a flash diffuser, which you indeed get with Nikon SB-900
- I really like the carrying pouch, but I wish it has more space for the gels.Read full review
