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Product Description
From the Manufacturer
Speedlite 600EX-RT
Canon's new Speedlite 600EX-RT is engineered to provide a new level of performance and reliability for professional flash
photography with today's most advanced DSLRs. With wireless two-way radio communication, the Speedlite 600 EX-RT allows photographers to expand their creativity using wireless speedlites with the reliability of radio triggering. The Speedlite 600EX-RT offers an expanded zoom range and a higher guide number, plus a number of improvements over its predecessor in both operation and feel. It features a new dot-matrix LCD panel for display of all pertinent shooting information, backlit controls plus an internal sound generator. Reliability is ensured with improved hot shoe contacts, improved flash head durability and the most comprehensive dust and water sealing system ever on a Canon Speedlite flash. A new color filter holder helps maintain accurate color in a variety of ambient light conditions.
New wireless multiple flash system using radio wave communication for enhanced control of up to five groups of flashes.
The Speedlite 600EX-RT represents the next generation in wireless flash systems. In addition to traditional optical wireless 
transmission, the Speedlite 600EX-RT facilitates radio controlled, two-way wireless transmission up to 98.4 feet, among up to 5 groups with a total of 15 individual Speedlites. Communicating on 2.4 GHz frequencies, the Speedlite 600EX-RT does not have the same directional limitations of traditional wireless optical transmitters. Where other wireless signals can be interrupted by physical obstacles, radio controlled systems excel. 15 transmission channels are available, selectable manually or automatically, and radio transmission IDs can be set to prevent misfiring in the event of signal interference on the same channel.
Zoom flash head covers wide range of 20–200mm; maximum Guide Number (197 ft./60m at ISO 100).
For effective flash photography in more situations than previously possible with a Speedlite flash, the Speedlite 600EX-RT has an improved guide number of 197ft. (60m) at ISO 100. It offers 20mm to 200mm coverage, and when the extendable wide panel is pulled out, flash coverage moves as wide at 14mm. Plus, to maximize power and minimize energy consumption, the Speedlite 600EX-RT can be directed to zoom in accordance with the cameras image sensor size (full-frame, APS-H and APS-C).
Redesigned contact construction, improved flash head durability, and exceptional dust and weather resistance for reliable operation.
The Speedlite 600EX-RT is the most rugged, durable and reliable Speedlite in the Canon arsenal with construction on par with high-end Canon DSLRs. The flash head is more rugged and durable than its predecessor and a redesigned hot shoe contact ensures seamless communication. Dust and water resistance has been improved significantly as well: all moving parts and areas surrounding the flashes display and buttons are sealed for uninterrupted performance in harsh conditions. A new dust and water resistant adapter for the mounting foot creates a dust and water resistant seal between camera and flash.
AF Assist Beam compatible with Canon's new 61-Point High Density Reticular AF. 
Working in conjunction with EOS SLR's, the Speedlite 600EX-RT automatically provides illumination using its built-in AF assist beam. This means more accurate AF, faster, even in dark or low contrast situations, with all lenses 28mm or longer. Compatible with the AF frame of all EOS cameras, the Speedlite 600EX-RT even works perfectly with the 61-Point High Density Reticular AF found in the EOS-1D X and the EOS 5D Mark III.
Dot matrix LCD panel and backlit button provide easy visibility.
A significant upgrade over previous flashes, the Speedlite 600EX-RT features an all-new dot matrix LCD panel (172 x 104 dots). This new LCD displays Flash status, wireless configuration and all flash settings with more detailed information in comparison to previous systems. With its new screen combined with backlit operation buttons, the Spee
dlite 600EX-RT is as easy to operate in the dark as in daylight.
Color filter holder for attaching Canon and third-party color gelatin filters.
To ensure consistent color in both the foreground and background of an image, the Speedlite 600EX-RT features a new color filter holder. By placing a color filter over the front of the flash head, the color temperature of the flash can be made to match that of the ambient light. Color information and light output decrease can be transmitted from the Speedlite 600EX-RT to the camera for proper white balance and exposure.
18 Custom Functions and 7 Personal Functions for creative flexibility.
To accommodate any number of shooting styles, the Speedlite 600EX-RT has 18 custom functions for the ultimate in flexibility. Options include Flash exposure bracketing controls, modeling flash, test firing controls, AF assist control, power and energy saving features, beep and much, much more. Personal functions, like LCD panel illumination color and Master/Slave configurations are also easily set on the Speedlite 600EX-RT.
Full swivel, 180°in either direction.
The Speedlite 600EX-RT's flash head is designed for easy bounce flash, in any direction. The head can be angled 90° up, 7° down and can rotate 180° left and right. A bounce lock with release button helps things stay in place. Additionally, when the flash head is positioned front and up 90°, the Speedlite 600EX-RT features a catch light panel to create catch light in the eyes of the subject for a more expressive look.
Product Description
Customer Reviews
With the group mode you can have up to 5 groups total and set the power levels using either ETTL or Manual mode. I use a label maker and mark my flashes as A B C (and future will be D for the fourth flash). I still have one group left if I want to go to five flashes. If you have more than 5 flashes you can assign multiple flashes to the same group and their power settings will be the same. Using the Master you can easily switch the slaves remotely from either ETTL or Manual mode and set their power settings. When you turn on the flashes they come up quickly and link up before you are ready to shoot - mere seconds. I was really impressed with how the radios worked and it's so nice to have just one set of batteries and not have to hook up a bunch of external gear. These are a huge time saver.
One thing I will mention to those who may want to mix these with Studio Flashes. You can fire these from remote triggers just like the older Canon models as they have a PC input port. Even when using the external triggers to fire in conjunction with my studio lights it's still nice to be able to set up the power levels using manual levels and group mode through the master. The one thing that I discovered and is very important to note is that if you change power settings on the master for the slaves they will not receive the changed information unless you first press the TEST button on the master and I'm sure the same will be true for the ST-E3-RT. Firing the master from the synch port or even using a hot shoe adapter does not transmit the new settings. You must press the TEST button first to get the new settings over the the slaves. This is pretty minor and easy enough to do. Keep in mind if using external triggers you will need one on each flash. I could not figure out a way to get them to fire just by triggering the master in radio mode, although I am still experimenting. It would be really nice to only have to put an external trigger on the master but from what I could find you need one on each flash. I still need to read the manuals all the way through and experiment some more so I will try to remember to update my review if I find out something new.
It would be nice to see these work in group mode with older cameras such as the 5D II and 7D and that is probably my only real disappointment with the flashes. I can't see why that can't work at least in manual mode, but it doesn't unless there is a workaround I haven't found yet.
Overall I am really pleased with these flashes and look forward to giving them more of a workout as well as testing them with an external battery pack. For photographers that are on the go and want a powerful system that is more convenient in terms of space, set up time, batteries and reliability, this is the way to go.
EDIT (04/27/2012): After some more time with these flashes I still love them. I have 5 of them now and am still waiting on the wireless controller. I did come up with a much better solution for combining these with studio lights. Not sure why I didn't think of it before as it's simple and works great. I just put my 600EX-RT on top of my camera in the hot shoe so I have full control - no need for third party radios on the 600EX-RT's. I then use the synch port on the camera to fire the studio flashes. A cable runs from the synch port to the trigger port of the transmitter for my studio lights. I now have a mixed radio system with wireless control over all my lights. Awesome!
The Good:
First off, if you're a Strobist or an off-camera speedlighter, sell everything you own and get these. The RF signaling system and fully independent group controls right from your master device will change everything for you. Already using RadioPoppers or a PocketWizard FlexTT system? Welcome to a new world of reliability, simple setup, and battery life.
Going into "Gr" mode on the master flash, I can independently tell up to five different groups to operate in full eTTL mode (plus adjust each group's FEC) OR shift one, some, or all groups into M mode with full power controls on each group. I do this right from the flash itself, or from the screen on my 5d mark III.
Shooting a party with dancing? Want to have eTTL on-camera to bounce, and an off-camera light in the background on M for a little dramatic rim-lighting? No problem. All easily configured right from your camera.
Working outdoors at night with nothing to bounce off of? No problem. Tell the master unit on your camera not to flash, and it will simply operate as a master controller for the off-camera units. (If you often need a master controller with no flash, a Canon ST-E3-RT Speedlite Transmitter might save you a bit of money. )
If you get lost in the menus, use the configuration screen on your camera instead. I find this much easier to navigate, set modes, etc.
This is too expensive, you say? Consider that here on Amazon (as of this writing) a 580exII costs $530 + a PocketWizard Flex TT5 transceiver costs $230 for a grand total of $760, and you still haven't invested in the transmitter to go on your camera. PLUS you have to do on-site assembly, AND you have to deal with the finicky unreliability of that system.
Canon claims a range of 100'. I've used these in huge reception venues, and never run out of range. I guess the lawyers were setting a target they could defend? Read around the blogosphere, and you'll find people testing them to over 1000' out in the countryside.
Other changes that I love over the previous units I owned:
-They now clearly indicate when they are overheating. Both the backlight on the screen changes from green to orange, and two little "heat wave" wiggly lines appear above the speedlight's icon. (This may not affect many users, but event photogs doing bounce-flash in high-ceiling venues will appreciate this. Keep another cooling in your bag, and cycle them out.)
-When controlling off-camera flashes, the units are now aware of each other's power states. The "ready" light on the master will not come on until ALL flashes have finished cycling. Yup, they really talk to each other that much. Pretty cool.
Yes, these work with your existing CP-E4 battery packs.
The Neutral:
If you do not do off-camera flash, then yes, this is probably a bit steep. You have to ask yourself how much the additional zoom range is worth (up to 200mm on this unit vs 105 on the 580 series.) You may not feel it's worth that much.
Be cautioned that if you do not own a 2012 generation camera or newer, you will not be able to use mixed-mode with these flashes. As of this writing this means you need a 1D-X or a 5d3. If you don't have one of these cameras, you're limited to setting all groups to M, or all groups to eTTL. I believe you can still control each group's power/FEC, but double check if this is important to you.
If you do a lot of studio work and are hoping to mix speedlights and studio strobes, be cautioned that this is a brand-new RF signaling system developed by Canon. It will not integrate with your existing PocketWizard (classic, flex, or otherwise,) RadioPopper, CyberSync, Profoto Air, etc etc system. I really hope that Canon will chose to release an inexpensive, "dumb" receiver with a generic miniphone plug that can be used to trigger studio strobes, but this is just my own pipe dream. That said, you may be able to use your studio strobes in optical slave mode and get basic integration that way.
The Bad:
If you're a gel-er, you'll hate the included gel holder. Initially I was excited. It's obviously designed to allow you to cut and use your own gels, which is a nice thought. Unfortunately, the way it holds the gel produces harsh, mixed light. The holder does not hold the gel flush against the speedlight head. Instead, it allows it to arch out in front of it. The frosted clear plastic of the holder along the edges not only allows, but encourages ungeled light out around the sides. What you end up with is a bit of an Omni-Bounce (Stofen Gold Color Omni Bounce Diffuser for Canon Speedlite 580EX Flash) look, but with CTO out the face, and daylight out the sides. It's a color correcting disaster. The provided gel holders now sit at home, and I'm back to my previous favorite combo: LumiQuest UltraStrap LQ-126 and HonlPhoto Color Correction Filter Kit
In Conclusion:
I love these for the kind of work that I do, and cannot recommend them highly enough. I'm on the fence as to whether I'll get two more, or one more and an ST-E3-RT. (I'm disappointed that Canon dropped the focus assist beam from the new ST-E3-RT. The previous ST-E2 had one, and is my only hesitation.)
it is very e.z. to use, build very strong and reliable , will recommend this to friends.
I use them with my 5D2 and aside from a slow sync speed when shooting wireless they work like nothing else. Read more
