Can a Canon ST-E2 let you adjust off-camera flash power from the 5D Mark III menu?
Asked 6/4/2016
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I’m using a Canon 5D Mark III with an ST-E2 transmitter and want to control a Canon 430EX II off-camera in manual mode. I know the ST-E2 itself doesn’t offer manual power adjustment for slave flashes, but can the camera’s External Speedlight Control menu override that and change the slave’s manual output?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
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No, you can't. The ST-E2 is like a headless 550EX--it doesn't grok/speak the commands from the camera menu. You'd need a 580EXII or later hotshoe unit as master to have that kind of control.
If you don't have the cash to spring for the RT flash system or you want a small optical master, your best bet is probably to ditch the ST-E2, and get a 90EX instead. It's contemporary with your 5DMkIII, understands and can relay the flash menu commands, while being an optical wireless eTTL commander.
However, TTL/HSS radio triggers, like the Yongnuo YN-622C, Phottix Odin, etc. etc. might be better yet, since you won't have to deal with the range and line of sight issues of optical slaving, and will give you full manual and even Groups mode control (where you can mix TTL/ratios, manual settings, and strobe groups together).
Originally by user27440. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user27440
10y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
No. The Canon ST-E2 cannot relay the camera menu commands needed for remote manual flash power control. Even on a 5D Mark III, the External Speedlight Control menu won’t add that capability when an ST-E2 is attached.
The ST-E2 is an older optical commander and doesn’t support the newer command set required for in-camera adjustment of a slave flash’s manual power. To get that kind of control, you’d need a compatible master unit that can communicate those settings, such as a newer Canon master flash. Another optical option mentioned is the Canon 90EX, which can act as a commander and work with the camera’s menu system.
If you want more reliable remote control overall, TTL/HSS radio triggers were also suggested, since they avoid the line-of-sight and range limitations of optical wireless systems and can provide manual power control and more flexible group settings.
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