Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter as focus assist?

Manfr3d

Howdy!

I'm considering to buy the ST-E2 and would
apreciate your comments on how useful it is -
not so much as a flash trigger - but more as
a focus aid (it has this powerful ir beam, right?)

I want to use it for available light action
photography (concerts, possibly sports)
where I find my camera frequently hunting
for focus. With a dim viewfinder (Canon 10D here)
its not very easy to get the focus correct
in dark areas manualy...

Anybody using the ST-E2 as a focus assist?

LuckyBob

Another possible idea: if you already have a flash with a focus assist beam (or would spend the extra cash to get one), setting custom function 5 to value 3 will "turn off" the flash but still use the AF beam, if I remember correctly. I've got a Rebel with the upgraded firmware and that particular function doesn't work, so I can't test it to confirm with my 550EX. If you do wind up needing to buy something, at least you'd get a flash out of the deal that way

Manfr3d

Thats a nice option as well! Altough it seems that
the AF assist beam of the 580ex for example only
works in OneShot but not in AI Servo or AI Focus
mode. I've found this interesting piece of information
on canon cps

http://www.cps.canon-europe.com/kb/detail.jsp?faqId=1003


that suggest using oneshot in low light for better
focus regardless of af assist. I couldn't find information
on whether the ST-E2 sends its af assist beam in
one of the two other modes.

pathfinder

That is an informative link about AF in the dark with different camera bodies. Good find!!