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: Simply amazing...
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered this Handycam to take with me on a family vacation to Disney. I was sick of my old camcorder running out of tape (at all the wrong times) and having to carry a large camera bag full of extra tapes. This camera is much smaller than my digital 8 (also a Sony) and replaced that old camcorder AND my digital camera on the trip. The product arrived on time and in perfect condition. It performed amazing at Disney, greatly exceeding my expectations. I snapped over 500 pictures and recorded over 3 hours of high definition video- all without needing to change a tape or memory stick. The pictures and video came out awesome. We took advantage of an opportunity while we were in Florida to go over to the Kennedy Space Center to see the shuttle launch. I videoed the launch (from about 8 miles away from the KSC)- zooming in and recording the whole thing until it was out of sight. I was again pleased beyond belief when I played back the video (on my computer) and could see much more detail of the solid rockets and orbiter than was visible to the naked eye. I can't wait to see it on my HD TV. I was also able to freeze the video and print out a snap shot of the image as a picture. Another awesome feature of this product. The resolution and quality of the videos and pictures we brought back were simply amazing. I'm so glad I bought this camera. I highly recommend purchasing an extra battery if you're going to use this camera like I did at Disney. I brought the OEM battery and a replacement NP-FH70 (both have about 60 minutes of recording time). Between the two batteries, they lasted all day and were recharged at night for the next day. I had enough battery to take all those pictures and video (noted earlier) over the course of four days and never ran out or battery life.Customer Review: ALMOST ROBOTIC THE WAY IT MERGES WITH MY CANON EOS T2i.
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm not going into great detail in reviewing this speedlite. Other reviewers have already done that very well. Every complement made is true. I have never seen any other flash that is near this good. Most of the work in setting flash exposure is taken care of automatically. This is done mostly automatically, but also by simple Canon camera settings (or by settings made directly on the flash). The flash automatically identifies the focal length of the lens and the distance to the subject. It becomes one with the camera. The flash can make all the best settings for 90% of cases. Yet the photographer has a free hand to override and utilize every lighting setup that is possible. In this way the 580EX II is a robot that that can handle most photo opportunities automatically, but accepts human input as Gospel. It is an excellent choice for the newcomer to photography - and it is an equally excellent choice for professional photographers - even for the best trained and most artistic.
I mount my flash on the camera with a Stroboframe QuickFlip Bracket. This works very well for me outside and inside. Outside I shoot head on to fill in the shadows. Inside I use bounce flash a lot. If the walls and ceiling are not white I bounce the flash off a large white foam board. I'm not a great artist. (By the way, do not follow the published instructions and mount this bracket to the left of the camera, especially if you are using a Battery Grip. To take a vertical shot you would have to turn the camera the wrong way. Oddly, setting the bracket up on the right side turns the logo upside down, but everything else becomes perfect. You need only a Phillips screwdriver to make this adjustment.)
Customer Review: Canon's best flash ever, by a good margin
Summary: 5 Stars
I had heard many good things about this flash while waiting for this flash to become available (and the price to come down :O).
My expectations were exceeded. This flash unit is very robust and confidence inspiring. A metal foot finally, with a twist-lock that holds it totally securely to the top of the camera, yet removes in less than a second when you want to take it off. Excellent build everywhere, recharges nearly instantly, great oomph of course.
It is totally silent which means no curious head turning just before you're about to get the money shot. The flash head twists easily and quickly in every direction to do wall or ceiling bounces for vertical shots.
I have had many Canon and other flash units over the years, but today this is the one to get. If you shoot with a flash regularly, scrimp on something else and get this one, you will not regret it.
Its high light output makes many otherwise impossible shots possible, especially with wall/ceiling bounce or with a Gary Fong C4 Lightsphere which is often my favorite combo.
This flash unit also has a lot of features that work with newer Canon DSLRs. Autozoom (from 14mm) is old now, but how about the flash sending its current color temperature to the (high-end) camera body as it is recharging to full? That makes for perfect color balance even in ultra-fast shooting.
And there is lots more, such as a choice of flash metering from the lens focus distance setting or based on reflection from the subject.
I haven't seen any other flash unit at any price that can compete with this puppy, and I looked quite carefully before spending this amount of money.
Customer Review: Great Investment
Summary: 5 Stars
First off there are a lot of comments on how expensive the Canon 580ex II flash is. I don't think so. It is really a best buy. Look at it this way: in the 1970's a Vivitar 283 cost around $70. Vivitar sold a boatload of these flashes. Now fast forward to 2007. A 580ex II is $350-$400. Compared to 1970 dollars with inflation and dollar valuations in 2007, that is right around $72. And look what you get:
Fast recycling times
ETTL II
Weather sealing
Master/slave control
Focus assist
Zoom head
and on and on...
The 580ex II works great with my 5D. I have used the 580ex II in conjunction with my older 550ex in multiple flash setups for formal lighting. If you use multiple flash with the Canon systems, please review Chuck Gardner's Canon flash tutorials (Google in on the web). Canon's instructions can be confusing on multiple flash but Gardner puts it all in perspective.
Over the 550ex the 580ex II has a few new features. The new flip lock shoe mount is great and quick. I do miss the one switch to change it to a master or slave flash. And getting the flash out of master/slave mode is confusing. I find the best way of getting it back to single flash mode is to open the battery compartment while the flash is on. This factory resets the flash. I believe another way is to push the reset button on a compatible Canon EOS camera.
Oh yes, as with the 550ex I find I have to increase flash exposure by +1 stop with the 580ex II. I don't consider this a fault of the flash, just my preference. And once the flash is set you forget it, the flash does all the work.
Customer Review: Very Impressive.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have the 420EX for my Rebel XT. It's a decent flash, but doesn't produce amazing pictures. I promised someone I would take pictures of their wedding and knew I had to get something better. I was very much eyeing the new Sigma EF-530 DG Super. Unfortunately there was not much definite information available, so I found it hard to make an educated decision. In the end I decided to pay the extra money, know that this flash will be compatible with future cameras without hassles and will reliably control my 420EX.
Without a doubt, this flash takes excellent pictures. It also has enough power - the 420EX pictures always seemed like it was on its limit. I am quite the electronics geek and figured most of the controls out without consulting the handbook. I was worried about having to sit down and learn all abouth the MASTER/SLAVE options it has, but to my relief, I switched it into Master, the 420EX into Slave, and wow, the resulting pictures are simply stunning with the 580EX II as Master with the Catchlight Panel and the 420EX bounced.
Yes, this flash is not cheap, but now that I have it, I don't regret spending the money one bit. If you're trying to decide, I recommend to spend the extra money. I can't imagine this flash will disappoint you.
I should mention that the battery panel door is a new design compared to the 420EX and seems very sturdy.
I submitted a few close up pictures here. Especially of the rear panel which seems to be hard to find pictures of.