Canon Speedlight 580EX - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/19/2006 03:17:29 AM · #1

I bought one in a moment of impulsive weakness. I have discovered that with the manual being thicker than the manual for my 300D that I will be futzing with it for a couple months before I know what I am doing. Then I will read the manual.

I bought it for mostly indoor portraits and outdoor fill-flash. I think I will like it. It was expensive. I WILL like it! Anyone have any simple, quick-reference-card type advice for using it?

ps: I bought it when I bought one of those Canon backpacks someone posted a thread about last week - that I definitely like - and it was cheap.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

01/19/2006 03:39:20 AM · #2

you'll have a ball with it, ken!

tip 1: get gary fong's $35 lightsphere II to go with it. can't live without it!!

tip 2: don't forget the high-speed sync button--it's great when you have an active subject.

tip 3: it eats batteries, so get some good rechargeables (seach the threads for recommendations)

i did what you're doing, played with it a few months, then read the manual, played with it some more, and have since gone back to basically using it in automatic mode...i'm just not that creative with it. it really does get the job done, and i'm sure that in the right hands, it can do even more ;-)

shot with the lightsphere...amazing lack of shadows on the walls!

Message edited by author 2006-01-19 03:41:05.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/19/2006 03:48:22 AM · #3

Skip, you are a friggin psychic. Someone posted that thread about gary fong's light sphere at the same time as the backpack and I went to his site and watched all the videos and that is exactly what prompted me to buy a speedlight! So, then I try to find his site again and couldn't even remember his name and for some reason I thought it was a hispanic name like "Fuego" (too many Japanese burritos and too little sleep, I guess).

Now I am off to buy that light sphere! I hope he doesn't have any other cool things to entice me while I am in this weakened state.

I don't care what all the others say about you behind your back, Skip, I think you're one helluva great guy! Thanks man! I'll post some great un-shadowy pics soon.

Rikki

Canon EOS-20D

01/19/2006 03:52:08 AM · #4

If you're talking about the one from Amazon didn't I post that? LOL!

Ken tell me how it is. I've been wanting to get one too although I already shelled out money last year buying my Sigma Super 500DG :(

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/19/2006 03:54:25 AM · #5

Originally posted by Rikki:

If you're talking about the one from Amazon didn't I post that? LOL!

You are correct - that was the one. I shall tell my wife it is all your fault that Riley now has no money for college. :)

Seriously, though - thanks for posting that Rikki!

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

01/19/2006 03:56:40 AM · #6

you're welcome!

one other thing i've just started playing with is using it as a master to my 420. you might also want to look into getting a flashcord, so that you can move the light off the camera.

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

I think you're one helluva great guy!

isn't that what brutus used to say to julius ;-)

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/19/2006 08:40:56 AM · #7

Have fun with your new toy. It's a helluva flash. I still haven't figured out everything, I usually have it on auto and simply adjust the output depending on if I have the LS on there, ceiling bounce, etc. Like Skip said, get a cord to take it off camera and then a bracket. You're gonna have to dip into Jr's college fund a little more, but at least he'll have some nice photos to look at now since he'll be living with you until he's 32. ;-)

Also, I just looked at Gary's website, and he has his 4 dvd training system on sale for $129, regular $249. I've never used it personally, but been thinking about getting it, especially now that it's cheaper. Looks pretty good. No, I'm not a marketing rep for him, but here's a link: DVD set Good luck and have fun!

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/19/2006 08:52:13 AM · #8

oh, hello! marc just reminded me of tip #4...flash compensation!

learning out to make the most of this control is invaluable. it can make a huge difference in the quality of your shots, and especially as you move from indoors to outdoors.

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/19/2006 09:38:28 AM · #9

Tip #5: When the wide-angle difuser is out & down. If you point the flash up to the ceiling. IT WONT FIRE! It will blink and drive you crazy, make you change the batteries three times, nearly weep as you $400 flash won't fire. You'll try the test button.

Finally, someone will tell you 2 days later that occurs when the wide screen difuser is out. You'll be relieved. A tad annoyed & embarrased.

So I add that to rule #5 or we can call it Tip #1

Marjo

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/19/2006 10:12:09 AM · #10

I've got both the 580ex and the LightsphereII, also. Love them.
Just checked out the dvd series on sale and was going to buy it. Looked pretty good. With dial-up though his movie clip on the site keeps bogging down my system. Anybody have the toll free number?

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/19/2006 10:19:02 AM · #11

I don't see a toll-free number on the site or in the video. I think it's online ordering only.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

01/19/2006 10:23:12 AM · #12

Originally posted by scalvert:

I don't see a toll-free number on the site or in the video. I think it's online ordering only.

That is correct.

Marjo

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/19/2006 10:24:29 AM · #13

Originally posted by scalvert:

I don't see a toll-free number on the site or in the video. I think it's online ordering only.

Thanks for checking for me. I think the same thing happened when I ordered my lightsphere. They have a problem with Discover Card online and I had to order by phone...guess I'll have to backtrack my records for the number.

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/19/2006 10:33:22 AM · #14

Couldn't find a toll-free number, but here is the number to his studio, maybe they can help: 310-823-3589.

Or, here's an email address I found, might get some help there as well:
flashsizes@garyfong.com

I'll keep looking for you.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/19/2006 10:38:38 AM · #15

now you need one of these !
i use it all the time...

//www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=164264&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

hankk

Canon EOS-5D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

01/19/2006 10:56:24 AM · #16

Originally posted by soup:

now you need one of these !
i use it all the time...

//www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=164264&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Or get a 430EX (about $25 more) or 420EX if you can still find one. Both can be slaves to the 580EX, and the 580EX controls three sets of flashes, as opposed to the two sets the ST-E2 controls.

BTW, the flash manual is thicker than the 300D manual, but the flash manual is written in four (IIRC) languages, so the English part is a lot smaller than the English 300D manual. And a lot of the manual deals with master and slave mode, so you can ignore that 'till you buy another flash or ST-E2. Just start taking pictures and learn one new thing about your flash a day (or a week or a month...)

Message edited by author 2006-01-19 10:57:36.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

01/20/2006 03:47:59 AM · #17

Thanks for all the input! I think I will have to wait on spending another $200+ for more flashes.

The lightsphere (P4) for the 580ex is not available for some reason - I add it to my cart but then it says unavailable. I emailed them - hopefully will get one soon.

Yeah, I know the manual is in 4 languages and that the English section is smaller than the 300D manual. I was just being overly dramatic. ;-)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

01/20/2006 01:42:57 PM · #18

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

YOU? "Overly dramatic"? When did this happen, you laid-back puppy, you? Oh, have fun with your flashy too. I hate flashes, Hate 'em, hate 'em, HATE 'em! And I bought the 430EX and I love it, love it, LOVE it! So go figger...

R.

Skyarcher

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

01/22/2006 02:27:08 AM · #19

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Ken, have you heard anything back yet?

I've been following the thread (congrats on the 580EX, btw)... as I'm interested in these also.

-Christine