Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT, a review from the reader Radozhiva

Speedlite 600EX-RT flash review specifically for Radozhiva prepared Roman V. Tomchenko (https://www.facebook.com/trphotovideo/).

Sooner or later in the life of every photographer (or imagining himself as such), a moment of realization arises that the basis of photography is primarily light. And the “man with a SLR” is thinking about acquiring a flash.

Speedlite 600EX-RT

Speedlite 600EX-RT

The 600EX-RT is Canon's top-of-the-line flash range. The flash is designed for use in harsh reporting conditions, as well as for leisurely staged shooting with the most predictable result.

Specifically, this copy was purchased in the summer of 2014 already pretty used, which had a beneficial effect on the main disadvantage of such outbreaks - the price.

Contents of delivery

Speedlite 600EX-RT

Speedlite 600EX-RT

Speedlite 600EX-RT

Speedlite 600EX-RT

The classic Canon white and red box contains:

  • Actually flash Speedlite 600EX-RT.
  • Soft case with fastenings on a vertical belt or carbine.
  • Stand - “leg” for the flash (plastic thread for the tripod).
  • Plastic holder for complete filters with a storage bag (there was no bag in my kit).
  • A set of two correction filters (again, without me).
  • A set of documentation.

Major TTX

  • Guide number - 60 (with zoom 200 mm, 100 ISO, f1.0)
  • Head zoom - 20-200 mm (14 mm with the lens extended)
  • The angle of rotation of the head horizontally - 360 °, tilt up - 90 °, down - 7 °
  • Manual power adjustment -
  • Flash modes:
    • TTL / E-TTL / E-TTL II (depending on the camera) - ± 3 EV correction
    • Manual - 1 / 128–1 / 1 of full power
    • Stroboscope - up to 500 Hz
    • Automatic (Ext.A) and manual (Ext.M) flash metering modes - allow you to use it almost fully on any camera with a central contact in the shoe.
  • AF illumination - LED “smart” grid that adjusts to the used focus point
  • Remote Management Support:
    • Optical Canon E-TTL compatible protocol (up to 3 groups, group C - in compensation mode, 4 channels, can be either master or slave)
    • Radio control (Canon RT protocol - 2.5 GHz frequency, up to 5 full-fledged groups with a separate mode for each, 15 channels, can be either master or slave)
  • Powered by 4 batteries or AA batteries, alkaline batteries, NiMH or lithium batteries are allowed
  • Number of shots in E-TTL mode per charge:
    • Panasonic Eneloop Pro 2450 mAh - about 250
    • Ansmann maxE 2500 mAh - about 200

Constructive and build quality

Speedlite 600EX-RT

Speedlite 600EX-RT

The flash is made of high-quality durable plastic, slightly rough to the touch. It feels monolithic in the hands, does not creak, does not play and does not hang. The movable elements (head, hot shoe lock, battery cover, retractable diffuser and reflector) are tightly fitted and there is no play even when open. The only complaint - the rubber bands covering the connectors - for a year of use, the flashes are swollen and now do not fit into their slots.

Speedlite 600EX-RT

Speedlite 600EX-RT

At the moment, the Canon 600EX-RT is the only on-camera flash that has dust and moisture protection out of the box. All joints are equipped with rubber gaskets. Also, special elements protect the hot shoe and the battery compartment.

Speedlite 600EX-RT

Speedlite 600EX-RT

A special mounting design cleans the shoe contacts with every connection.

Flash control

The management concept has not changed much compared to the previous flagship - 580EX II. All the same wheel for selecting parameters, all the same buttons.

Speedlite 600EX-RT

Speedlite 600EX-RT

Of the improvements can be noted:

  • Separate wireless control button
  • Lock position on the power lever (allows you to lock the buttons)
  • Large backlit dot matrix display (activated by pressing any button)
  • The function of the buttons below the screen now depends on the mode selected
  • Non-TTL modes included in a common range of modes
  • Generally improved interface logic

However, there are some incomprehensible points:

  • In wireless modes, piling up items on the display makes reading more difficult
  • Disabling the master flash is hidden at menu level 3-4
  • The control wheel is subjectively tighter than its predecessor
  • In Gr mode (radio control of 5 groups of flashes), 3-5 button presses and wheel turns are required to enter exposure compensation of a separate group or change its mode
  • Limited compatibility with popular cameras released between 2009-2012

In general, reading instructions is always welcome.

Use experience and tests

The flash was used as the main light source in numerous reportage and production shootings, both on camera and in conjunction with the Yongnuo YN-E3-RT radio transmitter. Compared with non-native counterparts, it is distinguished by reliability of execution and predictability of the result in E-TTL. The company’s attention to details is pleasing: blocking the tilt of the head, cleaning contacts during fixation, dust and moisture protection.

For comparison with other flashes, following the example of Western surveyors, I cite the shape of a light spot at different zoom values ​​(I apologize for the non-white wall, I haven't got a studio yet)

It can be seen that with increasing zoom the uniformity of the spot decreases, but the center intensity increases. Actually, as it should be.

The recharge speed feels slightly inferior to its predecessor and is about 2,5 seconds after a full pulse on a fully charged battery. With discharged batteries, this time increases and can reach 5-6 seconds.

Sample Pictures

Minimum processing + crop, the shooting parameters are sewn.

Prices

You can see the real price of flash hereor in the price block located below:


All Canon 600EX-RT Prices


Conclusions

Main advantages:

  • Reliability
  • Pulse power
  • Built-in Radio Sync
  • Weather protection
  • Predictability of Result
  • Reload rate
  • Convenient control both from the camera menu and on the flash itself

Known shortcomings (features):

  • Pretty overloaded wireless interface
  • Sometimes car lures white balance to the warm side
  • In wireless mode, it is not possible to control the zoom of remote flash units; auto zoom is also not available.
  • Dimensions, weight, price (not a disadvantage for everyone, but still)
  • Non-disableable protection against overheating (sometimes it is necessary to get a frame even at the cost of a burnt out flash)

An excellent professional flash that can work both in reporting and in productions. Reliable, fast and, alas, quite expensive.

If photography is not your main income, it may make sense to look at the “younger sister” - Speedlite 430EX III-RT, with which at a lower cost, sacrificing weather protection and pulse power, you will get the same image quality and almost the same features (including radio synchronization , both as a master and as a slave flash).

Well, and finally - a selfie of the flash itself)

Speedlite 600EX-RT

Speedlite 600EX-RT

A list of all reviews from readers of Radozhiva will find here.

Add a comment: Novel

 

 

Comments: 25, on the subject: Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT, a review from the reader Radozhiva

  • Alan Grek

    flash of canon, photo from canon, and Nikon in the pictures))

    • Novel

      Here people want to be reprimanded.
      It's not my fault that Nikon's stand at that exhibition was three times larger and more beautiful than Canon's ...
      Shaw Bulo, then knowing)

  • Alexander

    I would say that such a flash format for a leisurely reportage shooting :)

    • Novel

      I agree. All the same, it will not pull 7-12 frames per second (except perhaps 1 / 64-1 / 128, when it’s not very good from it). Although you can attach the battery pack (either native or with Godox / Nissin lithium), and then even at 7 fps you can snap a couple of episodes)
      But for a reportage from the series “I made a shot, I saw that it was good, the camera was under my arm and went further” - an ideal solution)

      • Gene jb

        overheats

  • Iskander

    Nikon 910 is better.

    • Alan Grek

      but you can't put it on the canon .. but changing the system is such a thing ..

    • anonym

      they'd put the radio module in, otherwise the light synchronization protocol looks like cavalry in a tank battle - spectacular, but not always appropriate.

      • Novel

        So there is a radio module)
        A flash on the radio can be either a master or a slave, 15 channels, 5 groups, and this is written in the review.
        And there is also a separate transmitter. I would have done a review, but I wrote already on another site - I don't like duplication - http://mysku.ru/blog/china-stores/32814.html

        And a light protocol is needed - for compatibility with the previous flagship (580). not all owners of 3-4 top-end puffs will decide to change them all at once. And so I bought a new one, and it works out of the box with the old ones - class! )

        • Arkady Shapoval

          Most likely it was meant that the Nikon SB-910 (like any other Nikon flash) does not have a radio module.

          • anonym

            yes, that’s exactly what is meant. This is the answer to the post about the fact that 910 Nikon is better.

            • Novel

              Then litter, just the location of the comments turned out a little illogical))

    • Lynx

      Does 910 have a radio ignition of 5 flash groups ??

  • Sergei

    Good puff, I wanted to buy, counted and bought a sigma, while satisfied, I collect and buy one.

  • anonym

    But the buttons on the flash of plastic or soft rubber?

    • Novel

      Plastic

    • Novel

      They are highlighted with the display (you can see in the photo in the review), which is more difficult to implement with rubber ones.

  • Pastor

    Good flash, but for myself I did not find any differences from the 580th. Protection, power, convenience - everything is about the same. But the 580 is more interesting in comparison with the 430. As for the reportage, a week ago I was shooting at 7d from 580th and a series of up to 5 frames every couple of seconds I could hold easily. I knocked out at least 500 shots on one charge of average wart batteries. So for a reportage 580 and 600 is a great option. They shoot weddings, reports, corporate events. Here 430 would not be enough for me, although I took it just in case. Thank God, it was not useful.

    • Novel

      The main difference - for a mobile studio, it is a built-in radio synchronizer for 5 groups.
      As a camera, there are essentially two pluses: slightly more accurate colors in the auto white balance mode and a slightly more uniform light spot when using 200mm lenses.

      • Pastor

        Thanks for the answer. Once again I was convinced that personally, the replacement of the pluses will not bring me.

  • orenkomp.ru

    A versatile flash with integrated radio control designed for professional photographers.

  • Mario

    That is why, in this review, there will be virtually no comparison with the flash from Canon. Let's try to consider this model as something new in the market, without adjusting for the fact that it is a high-quality copy.

  • Alina

    Good people, please tell me the button !! Manual Zoom Control !!

    • anonym

      Near the lightning, right Alina

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