Shanny SN600C-RT Review
A new flash has just landed, the Shanny SN600C-RT, a fantastic new offering from Shanny, a powerful slave flash to work seamlessly with Canon’s RT system.
I’ve had a Shanny SN600C-RT now for a couple of weeks, so I’ve had plenty of time to give it a good work out.
The packaging is very nice, quite Apple’esque. The outer packaging is very strong and will certainly protect the flash if coming over directly from abroad.
In the box is the Flash, flash case, flash foot, guide chart, warranty card, manual and a packet of silica gel ! All excellent quality and on par with the canon 600EX-RT.
The one thing to note straight away is that this flash is only capable of being a ‘slave’ within the Canon RT range, it can not be used as a master flash. This a radio slave flash for the Canon RT system
For the most part being just a slave flash is more than adequate for most people’s uses. The only time I like a ‘flash’ to be on camera instead of a master controller is during the first dance of a wedding, then I’ll have one flash on camera and a couple of slaves around the room.
The good bits:
Appears to be fully compatible with the Canon 600EX-RT as a master, when the Shanny is used as a slave, I have had no issues so far.
Power output is the same as the Canon 600EX-RT, I have more testing todo, but 1/1 power is the same.
Appears to be fully compatible with the Canon ST-E3-RT, I have had no issues so far.
Build quality is superb. This will get updated over the course of this wedding season, but looks rugged and well made.
Faster recycle than the Canon 600EX-RT
The price. I am awaiting for these to reach the ‘shelves’ properly but they are on ebay currently for $130 USD
The bad bits:
Not a master, only a slave (in Rt mode!)
The not so bad bits:
Cross compatibility: The Yongnuo YN600EX-RT flash will not trigger the Shanny flash, I am uncertain whether the problem is on Shanny’s side or Yongnuo.
Cross compatibility: The Yongnuo YN-E3-RT transmitter does not appear to link to the Shanny flash properly. The link lights stay red. However, if you turn the channel number on both devices to the same number then the YN-E3-RT transmitter will trigger the Shanny flash as expected…the link light still stays red though.
Summary
I shall update this as I give it more real world use, but so far…
The Shanny SN600C-RT is a great flash, same power as the Canon 600Ex-Rt, very similar build quality. The only downside for me is that it’s not a “Master capable flash” .
With that being said it’s only a small inconvenience. There are a few occasions during weddings when I like a flash on camera to give a bit of fill, whilst it still being able to control the remote flashes this is one of the major benefits of the Canon 600Ex-RT’s.
I have three Canon 600EX-RT’s, two of these are normally used as slaves and if the Shanny flash had been out when I bought the 600’s…I would have definitely bought the Shanny’s. {Saving myself about £600 GBP} The Canon 600EX-RT’s are about £400 each.
I’m going to do a range test tomorrow to see how far all the flashes fire, from what I have seen already, there are no issues with range. At most weddings I only need about 10-80ft distance.
Technical Specifications from Shanny’s website
Shanny SN600C-RT is a powerful radio slave and hot shoe flash for Canons new RT flash system. Remotely as a RT radio slave it works together with a Canon ST-E3-RT or Shanny SN-E3-RT commander or with a Canon 600EX RT master flash. Furthermore it offers manual optical slave modes.
SN600C-RT gives you a full feature set including e-TTL, HSS (high-speed-sync) up to 1/8000s, GN60, a wide zoom range of 20-200mm and many more. The big and clear LCD makes it easy to use.
Specification
Guide Number GN 60m ( ISO 100 / 200mm )
HSS up to 1/8000s
Flash Mode ETTL/M/MULTI
Built-in Slave Function 2.4GHz RT Radio System( Compatible with Canon RT System)
Optic Wireless Mode S1 & S2 Basic Optic Slave Modes
Zoom Range 20-200mm Auto and Manual Zoom (14mm with wide-angle diffuser)
Sync Mode HSS, 1st Curtain Sync / 2nd Curtain Sync
Manual Flash 1/128 – 1/1 output control (1/3rd increments)
Frequency Flash 1~199Hz
Radio Channels Auto, CH 01~CH15
Radio Transmission Distance Approximate 30 m
Radio ID 0000-9999
Multiple Flash Groups Support A/B/C/D/E Flash Groups
AF Assist Light Support
Modeling Flash Support
Full power recycle From 1.8 seconds
FEC/ FEB/ FEL Support 1/3rd Increments (±3 stops)
Bounce( Tilt)/ Swivel Angle Full 360 Degree Swivel and Tilt Head (With Tilt Lock Button)
Sync Port External Battery Port/ PC Sync Port/ Standard Hot Shoe/ USB Upgrade port
Other Features Sound Prompt/ Heat Protection/ Large Clear Dot Matrix LCD Screen/ LCD Back Light Can be Kept on/ Fast Clamping Metal Foot with Locking Pin( and Clamps Well)
Dimensions/ Weight 79.7*142.9*125.4 MM/ 420 Grams( Not Including Batteries)
Compatibility
Flashes
Canon 600EX-RT
Yongnuo YN600EX-RT
Transmitters
Canon ST-E3-RT
Shanny SN-E3-RT
Cameras
Canon 1100D, 1200D,550D, 500D/T1i,350D, 600D,650D,700D,60D,70D,7D ,7DII,6D,5D II,5DIII, 1D X/1D C
(NOT suitable for Canon 1D II,1Ds II, 1D )
the applicable of other cameras need to test
Package Content
1 x SN600C-RT flash
1 x User manual
1 x Flash Stand
1 x Year warranty card
The packaging is excellent and took the travel from overseas to the UK well !
As you can see all the functions of the Canon 600EX’s, with the added advantage of being able to be triggered by Nikon optical iTTL systems too !
Nice to see a warranty card, the case is very good quality too !
The flash head has full 360 degree movement, without having to press in the locking button on the side. To tilt the flash head up or down the flash head release button on the side needs to be pressed in. Some people like this feature others don’t. Personally it doesn’t bother my either way, my Canon’s have the locking button and my Yongnuo’s don’t.
The buttons, switches and lights are all on par with Canon’s they don’t feel cheap or that they won’t last…they look and feel exactly the same.
Shanny have popped the USB port on the inside, I like that, keeps all the dust and dirt out of it. Really not sure why Canon still don’t have a usb port to update their flashes.
As you can see from the photo above, there is a difference in the graphics on the LCD panels. Yongnuo left, Canon center and the Shanny on the right. In practice this makes no difference and is easy to navigate.
Pop out bounce card and wide angle diffuser both come out easily and work as expected.
The Canon ST-E3-RT triggers and controls the Shanny SN600C-RT as you would expect, no problems at all. I haven’t had access to Shanny’s trigger so will have to review that at a later date.
Not an exact science…but the colour temperature of the Shanny flash seemed to be around 5300.
The current pricing of the flashes:
Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT Flashgun
£399 on AmazonShanny SN600C-RT is available from a jaw dropping $130USD ! This is the lowest price I have seen on ebay, and there are some sellers selling for a lot more. Depending on the countries import laws…you may have to pay tax etc on import.
{ I have three Canon EX600’s a £400 each=I could have got 20 Shanny’s ! }
If you are looking for the Yongnuo YN600EX review it is here. YN600EX
