Yongnuo ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter Review

Stuart-MStuart-M Registered Users Posts: 157 Major grins
edited April 11, 2011 in Accessories
This is a Chinese alternative to the Canon unit, I've put together a short review for anybody interested in this item (on Sarah's site):

http://sarahmcdonnell.co.uk/photo-gear/yongnuo-st-e2-speedlite-transmitter-review/
Liverpool Wedding & Event Photographer

Comments

  • Dan7312Dan7312 Registered Users Posts: 1,330 Major grins
    edited March 24, 2011
    If you have the time try adding a distance test. The Canon ST-E2 does not put out as much light for the control signal as, say, the 580EX does. The 580Ex can fire a remote flash at a greater distance (and bounce off more walls) than the ST-E2 does. If the Youngo is putting out more light that may be another reason it takes longer to recharge.
    Stuart-M wrote: »
    This is a Chinese alternative to the Canon unit, I've put together a short review for anybody interested in this item (on Sarah's site):

    http://sarahmcdonnell.co.uk/photo-gear/yongnuo-st-e2-speedlite-transmitter-review/
    Dan

    http://www.danalphotos.com

    http://www.pluralsight.com

    http://twitter.com/d114
  • divamumdivamum Registered Users Posts: 9,021 Major grins
    edited March 24, 2011
    I presume it's a bunch cheaper than the STE2?

    Sorry to hear the AAs don't work as reliably - that CR battery is about the only thing I DON'T like about the STE2; they're a pain (and expensive) to replace.

    I actually like my ste2 and use it all the time, but then most of my flash shooting is indoors. When I've used it outdoors, I've made sure I have line of sight and don't shoot it in bright sun, so it's been pretty good for me there, too. If I needed 100% reliability in any conditions I'd definitely opt for radio triggers, but as of now the STE2 does the job I need it to do. One of these days somebody will come up with a more affordable way of using radio triggers w/ETTL, and then I'll be all over it, I suspect, but until then.... :D
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  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited March 24, 2011
    divamum wrote: »
    I presume it's a bunch cheaper than the STE2?

    ...

    For now it looks like EBay is the only place to find these units and they do appear to be around half of the Canon unit price.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • Stuart-MStuart-M Registered Users Posts: 157 Major grins
    edited March 24, 2011
    It's not so much that it's less reliable, just that the recycle time is a lot slower. It's ok if you you're not in continuous shooting mode. I do suspect the strength of the transmission flash is a factor in this, but I suspect the battery is as well, which would explain why the canon engineers opted for the lithium battery.

    Yes, eBay is the place to find them., and they're quite a bit cheaper.
    Liverpool Wedding & Event Photographer
  • RicRic Registered Users Posts: 1 Beginner grinner
    edited March 25, 2011
    YN ST-E2 FEB Mode
    I am running a YongNuo ST-E2 on a Canon 450D with a remote 580EX II. Not able to get FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing) mode to work. Any suggestions/experience from others?

    The 450D can do a three shot flash bracket. If I shoe mount a 580EX II, set FEB, pump the shutter release 3 times I get three shots with the flash compensation adjusted as set. I am assuming that if there were more Speedlites off camera that they would perform as commanded. Visually and EXIF review confirms that it is basically working OK. Also, unless a custom function is set the FEB mode clears after the one-time use. When I replace the 580 with the Y-ST-E2, set FEB the menus all look OK, but then it just takes 3 pictures at the base exposure, and also stays in FEB mode. Has anyone tested YongNuo ST-E2 FEB mode on any Canon EOS body?
  • Stuart-MStuart-M Registered Users Posts: 157 Major grins
    edited April 9, 2011
    Here's an update. We used the fake ST-E2 at weddings last week and today. Last week was overcast, but today was very sunny, and we would have expected some problems with our Canon ST-E2.

    However, the Yongnuo unit was fantastic. The range and power of the trigger is definitely much greater. The refresh rate is still about 1s, much much slower than the Canon, but I've come to the conclusion that for most circumstances it's a price well worth paying. I would go as far as saying that any Canon user thinking of buying radio triggers, should try one of these first, for most people it will find it does everything they need, and it's so much cheaper!
    Liverpool Wedding & Event Photographer
  • JohnRogJohnRog Registered Users Posts: 173 Major grins
    edited April 9, 2011
    Very nice to hear.... I posted a question about these a while back, and nobody had any info on them...

    Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
  • hgernhardtjrhgernhardtjr Registered Users Posts: 417 Major grins
    edited April 11, 2011
    Stuart-M wrote: »
    However, the Yongnuo unit was fantastic ... I've come to the conclusion that for most circumstances it's a price well worth paying ... for most people it will find it does everything they need, and it's so much cheaper!

    FWIW, I agree and that has been my experience also with the Yongnuo ST-E2. clap.gif Only wish it came with a padded case and not a drawstring bag.:cry
    — Henry —
    Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est.
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