New Speedlite 580EX II

jdryan3

I was going to upgrade and buy the 580EX when I saw the news release for the 580EX II. The current model is 'listed' at about $470 and you can get it for $390.

Any opinions on the new features or the flash? Since the current model will be discontinued, any guesses on the price of the new one? It seems the list should be about the same but the discount via B&H will not be as much. Pure speculation. Given the cost, it seems that I should wait for the new one. $80 isn't really that much given the overall costs. :dunno

From press release:
Speedlite 580EX II Flash
The popular Speedlite 580EX Flash is being replaced by the new Speedlite 580EX II Flash, which features a host of improvements, including a metal hot shoe with an improved locking mechanism for added durability, an external metering sensor for non-TTL automatic flash exposure control and a PC socket for use with non-dedicated slave triggers. Fully compatible with all EOS SLRs, the new Speedlite 580EX II is gasketed for dust and moisture resistance, making it possible for users of EOS-1 class digital SLRs and many L-series EF lenses to use flash safely when shooting in dusty or wet environments.

Link to product description

pathfinder

I own and use a 580ex, but the new features of the 580ex seem very worthwhile to me.

A metal mounting foot should make the flash foot much more durable. The composite foot is a potential weak point on the currrent 580ex altho I have had no problems with it. A photojounalist shooting in a flock of hungry pjs, might have more concerns about the weakness of the current mounting foot.

The lack of a PC connection has been one of the features that Nikon has had in their speedlites and Canon has not, that has been used to beat Canon up with. The addition of a PC connection now means you can use Pocket Wizards to trigger your speedlite. If you frequently use your speedlite off camera ( as you REALLY SHOULD for best lighting) then a PC connection is very worthwhile.

Added dust and moisture protection just make sense for a working Pro.

My advice - my next strobe will be a 580ex II. I may, or may not, then keep my old one.

David_S85

Some nice improvements. The metal foot alone makes it worth it. Why a PC connect was never part of the older 580 was a mystery. Even my 25 yr. old lowly no-name $75 strobe had that.

The water-resistant housing is OK, but if it's raining or snowing, you won't see me out shooting, so that's a non-issue for me. However, if the battery compartment door has been improved, then everybody will be happy. The 580ex II has been in my dream goodies section since last week.

Nikolai

What Path and David said
580EX was a good strobe with only a few things missing.
Version II seems to address them (and yes, the fixed battery door would be awesome! )
I will most likely get me one (but only after I get Mark III first:-)

patch29

I like my 580EX, but would not mind upgrading my 550EX's to 580EXmII's.


Has anyone read anything about the CP-E4? I am curious what changes they have made. My only complaint with the CP-E3 would be the tabs in the battery magazine break easily.

christulk

Silly question
Silly question, but will the 580ex and the exII work (all functions) with the 20D?

Thanks

David_S85

christulk wrote:

Silly question, but will the 580ex and the exII work (all functions) with the 20D?
Thanks

No, not silly. I asked the same question over at F.M.

According to the geeks, yes it will -- inheriting features of the original 580. The new 1DIII offers enhanced communication with the 580exII, and my guess is future Canon bodies (40D?, 6D?, 1DsMkIII?) will duplicate the controls in-camera that the 1DIII offers.

christulk

David_S85 wrote:

No, not silly. I asked the same question over at F.M.

According to the geeks, yes it will -- inheriting features of the original 580. The new 1DIII offers enhanced communication with the 580exII, and my guess is future Canon bodies (40D?, 6D?, 1DsMkIII?) will duplicate the controls in-camera that the 1DIII offers.

Thanks for that David...now I'm sneaking out without the wife knowing, searching for the right price

David_S85

christulk wrote:

Thanks for that David...now I'm sneaking out without the wife knowing, searching for the right price

Be careful. Cheap places = bad places. And it won't be out for about a month. :cry

rebelxtnewbie

I also like the silent recycling. Not a deal breaker, but nice to have non the less.

Paulcao

Anybody know about the availability? I was going to order it online, but I don't know when the shipments are coming in.

jdryan3

Paulcao wrote:

Anybody know about the availability? I was going to order it online, but I don't know when the shipments are coming in.

I heard from a reputable contact at a nationally known photo equip supplier that it seems like mid-May is the target date. I wanted to order/pre-order one and that was the best he could do. But I don't think even he could give me a firm commitment.

Paulcao

jdryan3 wrote:

I heard from a reputable contact at a nationally known photo equip supplier that it seems like mid-May is the target date. I wanted to order/pre-order one and that was the best he could do. But I don't think even he could give me a firm commitment.

yeah, I hear a lot of different dates...samys camera told me mid april, but i think that's just a guess from the guy that was working there.

David_S85

new 580ex2 now has a stock number.
$499 at B&H, just listed but not yet available.

z_28

Canon 580EX TWO Buyers Beware !
Buyers Beware !!!

Be very alert about exact NAME of new 580EX !
Now and even much more in the future.

Even before lamp release it's very confusing !
580EX II vs. 580EX2 vs 580EX 2 ???

Thank you Canon and Canon authorized resellers !!!
Thank you future 580EX second hand resellers !

It will be a total mess.

jdryan3

David_S85 wrote:

$499 at B&H, just listed but not yet available.

Yeah, I saw that yesterday. Calumet had it like week or more ago on their website, w/5-6 week lead time. Same (list) price.

ivar

z_28 wrote:

Buyers Beware !!!

Be very alert about exact NAME of new 580EX !
Now and even much more in the future.

Even before lamp release it's very confusing !
580EX II vs. 580EX2 vs 580EX 2 ???

Thank you Canon and Canon authorized resellers !!!
Thank you future 580EX second hand resellers !

It will be a total mess.

I'm missing the point a little bit here I think. Are there different versions that are named 580EX2 and 580EXII?

jdryan3

Actually I think the Old one is the 580EX E-TTL II

The new is 580EX II (per Canon's website and Calumet's).

I did see where B&H has it as 580EX2, but probably only because the old one is still availlable. Maybe Henry knows why.

hydro

Bump because I've been looking to find out if the 580EX II actually allows flash control through the 40d menu. I read many pre-release specs for the 40d saying that would be the case, but nothing post-release. Canon's website says nothing in that regard, but only mentions the 1D MkIII having that particular feature. Anyone used a 580EX II w/ the 40D and know for sure?

Thanks,

Michael

jdryan3

I can't answer the 40D question (I have a 5D), But I can tell you I love the 580EX II. I got it from my a local retailer the week it came out, and love using it.

I have to work on my reduced power fill flash technique (I shoot with an off camera cord), but that gives me all the more reason to pull it out.:photo

hydro

I finally found the answer in the manual for the 40D. Seems that it does indeed have the ability to control the 580EX II from the camera since it is based on the new 1D menu system.

Maksimus

580 Ex Ii
Welcome everyone,
I just got my Speedlite 580 EX II.
Nice piece of "art" ,I will be using it at the company x-mas party tomorrow.
I have a very few hours to learn to operate it.
Can you give me some quick advise what to do or not to do w/this flash.
My camera is Canon xti .Thank you.

Paulcao wrote:

Anybody know about the availability? I was going to order it online, but I don't know when the shipments are coming in.

ziggy53

Maksimus wrote:

Welcome everyone,
I just got my Speedlite 580 EX II.
Nice piece of "art" ,I will be using it at the company x-mas party tomorrow.
I have a very few hours to learn to operate it.
Can you give me some quick advise what to do or not to do w/this flash.
My camera is Canon xti .Thank you.

I would recommend the use of simple modifiers, which you can make:


http://www.fototime.com/inv/908195739C4C0D3

http://abetterbouncecard.com/

Joe Demb also makes an interesting device for sale (reasonable), although you probably can't get it in time for the party:

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/flipit/

I own a FlipIt product and it works well and is very well made.

Candid Arts

I've had this flash for awhile now, first on my 40D and now on my 50D. It works great, I just need to learn how to use it. I have many issues with the terminology and angles it provides and ways to use flash the way I want it. I've used it many times in many different situations, but once that I can remember where I've got superb (IMO) results from fill flash.



It's great, but for my minimal flash skills and usage time, I think it turned out pretty good.

I really need a course on flash use or something, it's so flippin hard.

photogreen

Maksimus wrote:

Welcome everyone,
I just got my Speedlite 580 EX II.
Nice piece of "art" ,I will be using it at the company x-mas party tomorrow.
I have a very few hours to learn to operate it.
Can you give me some quick advise what to do or not to do w/this flash.
My camera is Canon xti .Thank you.

I would definitely recommend some sort of flash diffuser. Demb products are good. Lumiquest http://www.lumiquest.com/ offers variety of diffusers. I have a very good experience with Gary Fong's WhaleTail also. It is expensive though and cuts the flash output big time but the results are very good. You may want check these articles out to see what it is:
Gary Fong WhaleTail flash diffuser review
and how to use it:
Gary Fong WhaleTail flash diffuser test

Maksimus

Canon Speedlite 580EX II
Thank you all for all answers and recomendations.
I was shooting at the x mas party last Saturday,some pictures turned out some could be better.
I also bought Gary Fong LightSphere II and tried taking pictures of my wife with and without the Sphere. I was very nicely suprised.
The Sphere worked great ,helping me to light up the space around my wifes face.It really worked very well.
The Speedlite 580ex II is very nice ,I have to spend more time learning how to use it with all those options I have there..
My next assignment will be a big New Year's party here in Minneapolis.I am going to use my Speedlite and my diffuser,we should see the result.
I also have a different question,since I am just entering the field as the photographer for hire ,could someone help me or direct me to the web site how to set up the photography bid for a big medical firm to shot candit/portrait pictures of the physicians( 85) for their new web site.
I would appreciate for any adviseed.
Thank you.:D

ziggy53 wrote:

I would recommend the use of simple modifiers, which you can make:


http://www.fototime.com/inv/908195739C4C0D3

http://abetterbouncecard.com/

Joe Demb also makes an interesting device for sale (reasonable), although you probably can't get it in time for the party:

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/flipit/

I own a FlipIt product and it works well and is very well made.

sherijohnson

I just wanted to comment since I bought this flash. I am brand new to Canon EOS as in I just bought mine in November and purchased this flash with my new 50D. I still have to take the time to learn all the ins and outs of the flash, but straight out of the box it has been a GREAT experience. With instant rebate I was able to get mine for $370 from B&H.

Shima

Maksimus wrote:

I also bought Gary Fong LightSphere II and tried taking pictures of my wife with and without the Sphere. I was very nicely suprised.
The Sphere worked great ,helping me to light up the space around my wifes face.It really worked very well.

I have a Gary Fong Lightsphere photojournalist (cloud) and love it as well, it really makes the face lighting look much better and even w/out that harsh effect. I often get people who tease me for the "tupperware" on my 580 EX II, but the results speak for themselves! They can call it whatever they want!

Maksimus

Hi,
thank you for your post.
I have to say it ,you have very nice equipment.
I am just getting my real portfolio,I have to do a bidding for a big job .They want to see my photographs outside my website.
I will let you know how my Lightsphere will work this Wendsday night.
Happy New Year 2009 to all of you.

Shima wrote:

I have a Gary Fong Lightsphere photojournalist (cloud) and love it as well, it really makes the face lighting look much better and even w/out that harsh effect. I often get people who tease me for the "tupperware" on my 580 EX II, but the results speak for themselves! They can call it whatever they want!