Is there any cheaper alternative to Canon ST-E2?

[darthdeus]

When I first saw the price tag on Canon ST-E2 Wireless Remote Transmitter, I thought it's a joke. I just got myself a 430EX, which is only about 20% more expensive than just the remote.

Is there really no other alternative than buying a remote that costs basically the same as another flash?

[RichardTaylor]

Just do a search on Ebay.

"remote flash trigger"

Lots of them - however some of them may not offer E-TTL.

(I am a Canon ST-E2 owner) However it doesn't see a lot of use..

[archersdad]

I have not had opportunity to use one nor have I seen any reviews yet, but YongNuo recently released a clone of the ST-E2. It looks like it's around $110 shipped.

yongnuo st-e2 items - Get great deals on Cameras Photo, st e2 items on eBay.com!

[MOmilkman]

I know a lot of folks on here use Cactus V4 (pretty reliable from a hobbyist standpoint) & V2 which are not quite as reliable (not from personal experience but just what I have heard). So far I love my V4's. Quite cheap and rarely a misfire. Quality isn't the greatest but if your careful with your gear it shouldn't be a problem.

The V5's are the newest and I'm sure a step above the V4's but I'm sure are also a bit higher in price.

They are radio transmitters not infrared, which is a huge plus. I think the ST-E2's are infrared. (not sure)
Also the Cactus transmitters are not ETTL if that make a difference to you.

You can check them out at Gadget Infinity

[inkista]

+1

cheap radio triggers like the Cactus V5s or the upcoming Yongnuo RF-603s might be your best low-cost bet, but you will be giving up eTTL II and all the goodies that entails (like remote commanding, high-speed synch, and automatic power-level setting based on metering). All you'll be able to transmit is the signal to fire, and the 430EX will have to be used in manual mode.

The Yongnuo ST-E2 clone is a little less expensive and actually slightly more usable than the Canon ST-E2, but you risk build quality/copy consistency with them. The reviews have been good, though, and it has the advantages of using AA batteries (instead of the funky 2CR5), and the head swivels. But I have no idea if it does the autofocusing-in-the-dark thing the ST-E2 does.

It probably is also reverse-engineered based upon the ST-E2, so its capabilities are probably similar: only A:B groups and only ratios, not manual power levels. The master capability of the ST-E2 is the same as the 550EX's, not the 580EX II's. Thankfully, Canon have put masters in the pop-up flashes in nearly all their current APS-C dSLR bodies, now (7D, 60D, 600D), so the days of the ST-E2 are definitely numbered. Unless Canon doesn't add a pop-up to the 5D Mark III...