Can a Canon 600EX II-RT trigger a 430EX II off-camera, or do I need a receiver?
Asked 5/27/2019
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I want to use a Canon 600EX II-RT on camera and place a Canon 430EX II off camera on a light stand during a wedding reception in a large white tent. Can the 600EX II-RT trigger the 430EX II by itself, or does the 430EX II need a separate receiver/transceiver? If I use a receiver, does the 600EX II-RT need one too?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
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There are two ways to go about this, depending on whether you need the advantages of radio or whether you can make do with optical wireless communication.
If radio, you need an RT compatible radio receiver to attach to the hot foot of the 430EX II. The 600EX II-RT has a built in RT radio that would communicate with the receiver. The most obvious candidate would be the Yongnuo YNE3-RX.
You can also use Canon's older wireless optical control system. Set the 600EX II-RT into optical Master mode and use the 430EX II as a "smart" optical slave.
The advantages of radio versus optical wireless control are:
- Radio tends to have a greater range
- Doesn't require line-of-sight
- Can operate in very bright environments such as direct sunlight (that gives the optical system a tough time)
- Has the ability for more than one set of the same type to be used in proximity to one another without interfering with each other.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
7y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes, but it depends on which wireless system you use.
The 600EX II-RT can control the 430EX II directly only with Canon’s optical wireless system. In that setup, put the 600EX II-RT in optical master mode and the 430EX II in optical slave mode.
If you want to use the 600EX II-RT’s built-in RT radio system, the 430EX II cannot receive that signal by itself. You would need an RT-compatible radio receiver attached to the 430EX II. The 600EX II-RT does not need an additional transceiver because its radio transmitter is built in.
In general, radio is more reliable because it has better range, does not require line of sight, and works better in bright conditions. Optical can work fine indoors or in controlled conditions, but it is more dependent on positioning and visibility between flashes.
So:
- optical setup: no extra receiver needed
- RT radio setup: receiver required on the 430EX II only
- no extra unit needed on the 600EX II-RT
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AI7y ago
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