The 580EX II is Canon's top-of-the-line, professional grade external flash and it is packed with features. Accessory flashes are one of the most important pieces of equipment in a photographer's tool bag. As is often the case it is not so easy using a flash gun at first and this particular ... Read review
Further development of Canon's flagship Speedlite has led to theproduction of the ... more
580 EX II. This is the premier Speedlite for allphotographers including professionals. Newly designed to matchwith the EOS-1D Mark III in terms of improved dust- an...
Postage & Packaging: £3.46 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Further development of Canon's flagship Speedlite has led to theproduction of the ... more
580 EX II. This is the premier Speedlite for allphotographers including professionals. Newly designed to matchwith the EOS-1D Mark III in terms of improved dust- an...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Sophisticated Flash Technology Disadvantages: Perhaps too sophisticated for many
...them.
The Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash is slightly larger than the previous models in the series and heavier at 375g. But I found the unit overall not to much of a strain to use and quite comfortable in the hand - the flash body has a nicer textured feel to it. Overall I really like the solid build quality of the 580EX II.
Compared to the earlier lenses, it has a reshaped structure and the IR wireless slave sensor ... ...using just one button, the Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash rotates 180 degrees to both sides as well as 90 degrees upward and 7 degrees downward. One feature that might appeal to some is that the unit can be used as a wireless E-TTL master when paired up with other Speedlite Flashes. This means that you can essentially use it in conjunction with other flashes.
I have taken some decent photographs using this flash with my Canon EOS ... more
The 580EX II is Canon's top-of-the-line, professional grade external flash and it is packed with features. Accessory flashes are one of the most important pieces of equipment in a photographer's tool bag. As is often the case it is not so easy using a flash gun at first and this particular model might be a bit of a challenge for those who are new to flash photography. Using a new flash apparatus always takes a bit of getting use to. That is where the digital camera has one of its main advantages over earlier film cameras: you can have a few goes until you get it right by checking it in the view finder and if the images look trashy you can just delete them.
The Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash is slightly larger than the previous models in the series and heavier at 375g. But I found the unit overall not to much of a strain to use and quite comfortable in the hand - the flash body has a nicer textured feel to it. Overall I really like the solid build quality of the 580EX II.
Compared to the earlier lenses, it has a reshaped structure and the IR wireless slave sensor is in a different place. The new power switch design now allows for rotation instead of sliding. The AF assist beam emitter is also reconfigured so that it has a small round hole containing the Auto and Manual External metering sensor. The AF Assist Beam is a very useful feature as it improves the autofocus in low light conditions. This aligns the beam to the focal point and projects itself as a red IR spot on the subject. Something which I've never seen before is a white catchlight reflector. This is situated just above the diffuser panel. This is a semi-rigid piece of white plastic that you can pul out so as to create a catchlight in your subject's eyes when using the flash in a vertical bounce position. This little device really does make a difference. The catchlight throws much more natural looking light onto your subject.
The flash has a metal foot that is attached to a plastic mount inside the flash. This metal should reduce the wear and tear of repeatedly mounting and dismounting the lens from the camera. Although I've not put it to the test the flash is also dust and water resistant. By using just one button, the Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash rotates 180 degrees to both sides as well as 90 degrees upward and 7 degrees downward. One feature that might appeal to some is that the unit can be used as a wireless E-TTL master when paired up with other Speedlite Flashes. This means that you can essentially use it in conjunction with other flashes.
I have taken some decent photographs using this flash with my Canon EOS 300D - the unit will generally support all EOS cameras. One major improvement I found with this Flash compared with results from cheaper apparatus was the lack of over exposure with backlit subjects. Overall I found this flash to be much more reliable.
According to the manufacturers the 580EX II recycles about 20% faster than the 580EX. It takes 4 normal AA batteries and the flash is ready to use straight away. I have found alkaline batteries to be the most efficient and longer lasting. I can usually get about fifty shots out of one set of batteries, you might get more depending on what settings you use. The really fast recycle time is a major plus factor with this unit. What is also apparent is the quiet battery recharging phase that always takes place after you've taken a picture. There is no whining noise as the batteries recharge. It is important to mention though that the flash is noisy on occasion because it comprises a zoom flash head that makes a bit if a buzz every time you use it.
In conclusion I would say this is a petty advanced flash unit that gives excellent results. It might be a bit too confusing if you're as beginner and it's not exactly on the cheap side. However, for those wanting to move up a grade, this flash should light up the way.
Technical Details Product Description: Canon Speedlite 580EX - hot-shoe clip-on flash Camera Flash: Hot-shoe clip-on flash Dimensions (WxDxH): 7.5 cm x 11.4 cm x 13.4 cm Guide Number (m / ISO 100): 58 Lens Coverage: 24mm - 105mm Supported Exposure Control: FP Flash, TTL, E-TTL, E-TTL II Zoom: Automatic, manual Features: AF illuminator, illuminated LCD display, flash +/- compensation, wireless off-camera control, modelling flash capability, flash exposure bracketing Required Battery: 4 x battery - AA type Carrying Case: Soft case
Advantages: Very powerful and flexible advanced users flash gun, easy full-auto use. Disadvantages: Expensive, complicated parameters setting, can cause subjects to blink.
...the build quality of the Canon guns are very good, plastic but much better than the sometimes cheap mouldings of the others. The 580EX II improves on this further by including a metal hot shoe foot and weather sealing for use in the rain (when used with a suitably weather-proofed body).
Conclusion
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Great performance at a premium price - good if you've got deep pockets and want to use the built-in wireless slave features with other ...
buyer991 03.01.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Canon Speedlite 580EX Hot-shoe clip-on flash
Advantages: Excellent range, ease of use, full integration with EOS digital cameras Disadvantages: Battery compartment hard to open and close.
...can get these from the Canon website, but if your camera supports it, the best one is the E-TTL II metering system, which uses distance info from your lenses. The result is an extremely accurate exposure, be it with mixed light (ambient and flash) or just flash.
The ability to light up the LCD is one I didn't really pay any attention until I had to cover a Halloween party... It was pitch black and I wanted to change the flash exposure compensation ... ...are very easy to use and change. I had grasped most of them in 10 minutes of reading the manual and trying them out on the unit. Anything from flash exposure compensation to stroboscopic flash can be set via the very useful dial on the back of the unit. Also custom functions can be selected, as you do on any EOS cameras. You can select second curtain sync, manual mode, etc....
CONCLUSION
For anyone with an EOS digital camera, this is the best flash ...
Yoguko 30.10.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Canon Speedlite 580EX Hot-shoe clip-on flash
Advantages: Power, control Disadvantages: You're never sure you're getting the most from it
Canon's successor to the might 580EX is heralded only by the addition of a little 'II' after the model number, but brings much in the way of useful improvements.
Firstly - and most importantly in my view - weather sealing. Now, you may be thinking that flash is really only used indoors, and therefore weather sealing is an irrelevance, but you'd be wrong, on two counts. Firstly, it protects the flash from flying beer (which did for my first 580EX) ... ...for creative effect than you may have previously thought. Since the flash sits atop your camera, it will always take the brunt of any falling moisture, and since I live in Scotland, this is quite prevalent.
Secondly in the changes, a lot of the controls have been re-sited, including those for controlling (or being controlled by) other flash units, meaning that it's pretty much impossible to accidentally adjust these settings. The hotshoe connector ...
GilesGuthrie 28.03.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Canon Speedlite 580EX Hot-shoe clip-on flash
Advantages: Fast recharge time, handy in use, plenty of light. Disadvantages: Price, battery insert.
The Canon speedlite 580ex is the best flash unit i have worked with until this date. I photograph a lot of weddings, children and birthdays, so it's important that i relay on a good flash.
You can turn the flashhead 360 degrees sideways, 90 degrees up and a few degrees down (mostly for macro photo). The guidenumber on 105 mm. is 58 and on 50 mm. it's 42, so compared to the older 550ex it is a good improvement and gives you lot's of light. The 580ex ... ...angel lenses such as the canon 17-40mm usm. the 580ex completely shares all information with the camerabody you use and will set the flashlight after it. the recharge time is 6 seconds on normal and 3 seconds on quickmode, but you cannot allways count on that becuase if the flash decides that the flashlight needs to be lower then normal, it will simply save the rest of the energy.
The first "outta the box" expiriense was that i coult not open the ...
Silent_freak 31.10.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Canon Speedlite 580EX Hot-shoe clip-on flash
Product Information for "Canon Speedlite 580EX Hot-shoe clip-on flash" »
Manufacturer's product description
Combining the strengths of its predecessor 550EX while providing additional functions at higher speeds, the SPEEDLITE 580EX is Canon's new flagship flash unit featuring a higher maximum guide number, shorter recycle time, autozoom control for image sensor size, and design improvements for easier handling by digital SLR users ranging from professional to advanced amateur.
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