Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras
Customer Review: The Best Flash Ever Made by Canon; or Anyone Else for That Matter
Summary: 5 Stars
I got this excellent flash for a great price here on Amazon! I had been researching this flash for several weeks. It received rave reviews here on Amazon and so I decided to purchase it for myself. All I can say is, I completely agree with all of the rave reviews I have read. I have used many flash devices in the past, some cheap and some rather expensive, and this Canon 580EX II is definately the best flash ever made!
There are so many possible settings for this flash unit, so there is a bit of a learning curve. However, the instruction manual is very informative and straight forward. The easy to read manual is full of illustrations and step by step instructions. I have mated this great flash with my Canon EOS 40D, and find that the communication between the camera and flash are perfect. I have also been using the Gary Fong C4 Cloud Lightsphere II, Inverted Dome Flash Diffusion System with this flash. I can't speak highly enough about the lighting effects produced by the Speedlite 580EX II and the Lightsphere II. This combination makes for a perfect substitution to a set of umbrella lights.
The flash is quick to respond and refreshes instantly after a full discharge. The inclusion of a quick disconnect latch for hot shoe mounting is pure genius! Four AA batteries provide a large number of shots with this flash. The included padded carry case is a nice touch as well. My only complaints with this flash, although minor, would be the pull out, flip down diffuser, which sticks so far back into the flash head that it is hard to pull out unless you have long fingernails. I also don't care as much for the power switch, which has a lever type action, as I prefer a simple slide type switch. These are very minor complaints and don't lessen my complete satisfaction with this Canon 580EX II flash unit. Just don't pass up the opportunity to save a great deal of money by purchasing this flash from a local electronics retailer. Amazon has been offering this flash at a deep discount off the recommend retail price, and I highly recommend buying it from Amazon. Their shipping is fast, their price is great, and their return policy and customer support are second to none.
Customer Review: Highly Recommended
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the 580 EX II as a replacement for my 430 EX. That flash now serves as a slave for my new 580 EX II.
The 580 has several features I really like and only one that I don't particularly care for.
The Pros: It's powerful, cycles quickly and quietly, has a considerable number of programmable options, built quality is excellent, it's weather resistant, it allows you to individually set the power of the slave flashes (for example you can set one - 1/3 stop an another + 1/3 stop) using the controls on the 580. (In other words you don't have to touch the slaves.) I should also mention that the size of the flash is not a problem at all.
The Con: The process of setting the 580 as the master requires holding the zoom button down for 2 seconds, then dialing to select master and then pressing select. A simple switch like previous models would be better. You can't just leave the 580 in master mode all the time because it will default to 24 mm and stay there regardless of your lens setting. So you have to repeat the process of turning it off and on each time you want to use a slave. It's not like it is a big deal as long as you can remember the process. So now my 430 has a simple switch and my 580 has some buttons to press. Not the best but no reason to avoid buying this flash. It's just something Canon could have done better.
New to photography? If you are buying your first flash and want to know if the 580 EX II is worth the extra money I would say yes. The 430 EX is a good piece of equipment and served me well but over the past couple of years there have been enough times that I missed the extra power the 580 offers that I wished I had paid the extra money and started with a 580. If you have an inexpensive camera and miss a shot it's disappointing but if you have a good quality DSLR and miss a shot because of the flash it's real disappointing!
One more thing: I used my Amazon Visa to buy this item. Anytime you do that the original warranty is doubled and no cost! You can also buy an extended warranty from Visa at very low cost. It's really a good deal. Just call the 800 number for details.
Customer Review: Amazingly fills the room with light - Flash Synch input a BIG plus
Summary: 5 Stars
Very powerful, and accurate in ETTL II mode. I also own the original 580EX, and I was thrilled to see that the diffuser for my original one also fits the new 580EX II. The new 580EX II definitely seems stronger (especially at the shoe), and appears to be better sealed. Also, the battery compartment door is simple to open and use, which is a great improvement over the original.
Also, the PC Synch chord attachment is a very nice addition, so now it's compatible with wireless pocket wizards or industry standard flash synch cords. For fully automatic ETTL II, then I also love using this as a master, and my original 580EX as a wireless slave. It also works great with the ST-E2 wireless trigger for fully automatic operation, and control of flash power ratios from the camera. The ST-E2 does have a fairly wide spread which does bounce, so the "line-of-sight" issue doesn't give me trouble too often. The fully automatic operation makes up for the "line-of-sight" requirement, I think. Of course, you could always use a pocket wizard or a sync cord in manual mode, if you can't do a line-of-sight remote trigger.
I like the bar on the back that tells you how many feet are in the flash's range, based on your camera's settings, which are automatically given to the flash. It even gives the flash focusing distance information from the lens, on the higher quality Canon lenses. I love seeing the feet range bar move when I change the aperature on the camera, or change the zoom on the lens. I love watching it move all the settings automatically as quickly as it changes on the camera. I also love the auto power off/power on that is in sync with the camera.
All those above mentioned features justify the cost of this flash over any thing else I've seen, including the 430EX, or any other brands that are supposedly Canon compatible. Yes, it's expensive, but this new quality design, and stronger shoe lock, will help ensure this flash lasts a long time. Plus, the quality of the photos it creates, hopefully, will help it pay for itself.
Customer Review: You need to upgrade to the flash, esp if you shoot with a MkIII
Summary: 5 Stars
I just picked up the newer "II" model today after using several 580EXs for years. I know the 580EX as well as I know any piece of gear in my bag, and I was reluctant to change, even though I knew about the better features.
I want to jump in by refuting some things the most popular "negative review" says. First of all, if you are shooting with an EOS 1D MkIII - RUN, don't walk to get this flash. The in-camera function changes you can do with the flash are incredible. So, back to the negative review - you will not miss the master/slave switch if you use the "II" for more than 30 minutes. I use off-camera flash A LOT and I didn't think twice about pressing a couple buttons vice flipping a switch.
The newer model just feels like it's more well-made. The extra rubber strips are great and I love the new, sturdier locking mechanism for the hot shoe. I have had NO issues connecting the flash to my light stand brackets or super clamps (think Strobist).
I mean, what do you need a flash for? To provide light, right? Well, this thing is so head and shoulders above my older 580EXs, that I'm buying two more immediately. The refresh rate is incredible and I just whipped off a full 14 continuous shots on my EOS 1D MkIII and THE FLASH WENT OFF ON EVERY SINGLE SHOT at f/3.5 200. That is nuts, folks - my older 580s would have flashed maybe three times in that string, leaving me with a bunch of black photos.
Holy crap - I just remembered that I am now able to throw away the stupid patch cords I've been using to shoot with my 580EXs and pocket wizards, thanks to the PC jack that is blessedly returned.
I just checked it out with my RadioPoppers, too - works great.
Seriously, why are you still reading - this flash is the best piece of gear for your Canon other than fast, L-series glass. Buy it. I remember buying the 580EX for about 550 bucks when it first came out....this thing is a steal.
Customer Review: Read my recommendations on how to get light-wrapped portraits with just this flash
Summary: 5 Stars
I did what you are never supposed to do: bought this flash less than 24 hours before an important shoot. I chose this model because it was going to be the only light source for a portrait, and I wanted maximum light output available.
I got instructions for a DIY diffuser/bounce card from youtube, basically a trapezoidal sheet of heavy white paper (I used inkjet glossy photo paper, with the back (matte) side facing the light). I bent the bounce card into a U shape around this flash, pointed it at the ceiling, and got amazing, shadowless portraits. This unit has power to spare while wrapping the subject in light. I used a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro Lens for the portrait, it turned out great.
I used the feature on our Canon EOS Rebel T1 that shoots a test flash to set the flash power, and manual exposure mode on the camera. At 1/40th and f5.6, I was getting perfect results with minimum ambient light. No tripod required, image stabilization kept things steady. I mention this because although the camera, lens and flash weigh quite a bit, they can still be held steady enough for sharp shots at 1/40th.
I'm getting great battery life on Rayovac Rechargeable Hybrid NiMH Batteries. No complaints-this unit does everything required. Even the manual is clear and concise, although it focuses on features and functions rather than how to get the best quality photos. If you want help learning the latter, I recommend searching youtube for flash photography videos, there are many. Watch a video, try the technique, you'll learn fast.
Five stars for flawless performance, no deductions. Highly recommended.