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04/06/2006 03:12:43 PM · #1 |
OK... I'm breaking down and buying a flash... Price (as always) is a concern. I'm debating between the 550EX and the 580EX. My question is, which should I buy? Is the 580EX worth the $80 price difference. I will mainly be using for candid and eventually a fill flash in conjunction with the AB's I plan to buy soon. I might do an occassional wedding. I know that as far as studio/portraiture work is concerned, recycle time won't be that big of a concern... For $80 I can be patient.
I searched the forums and found a couple of threads discussing the difference, but there wasn't that much info so I'm throwing it back out there... Please advise!!! |
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04/06/2006 03:21:41 PM · #2 |
well I own the 580 and it has a catchlight which will save you the price of the lightsphere when you realize you need one. that said, I have no idea how much a lightsphere costs or much about the 550. so I'm basically no help at all. :0P
(but I do love & use my catchlight 95% of the time!) |
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04/06/2006 03:33:07 PM · #3 |
I have been using a Metz54 (bought used off fredmiranda.com for $300 including a lightsphere).
I got to use a 580 last week - it sucks, it's junk it a useless piece of crap - compared to the Metz. Well, that was my experience.
An option would be the sigma EF500DG Super - $180 or so and 99% as capable as the 580.
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04/06/2006 03:39:38 PM · #4 |
I love my 580 you can set ETTL or have full control. Just found out there's a rebate FYI... (only $20 tho...)
//consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=PromotionsAct
you know I remember someone saying to go for the 430 until you're ready to have more than one flash. makes sense- let me see if I can pull up that thread...
Message edited by author 2006-04-06 15:40:50. |
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04/06/2006 03:40:19 PM · #5 |
I had to make an evaluation recently between the 550 and 580 and I chose the 550. I couldn't justify the extra price for the features you get on the 580... not worth it IMO.
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04/06/2006 03:43:13 PM · #6 |
The 580 recycles faster than the 550 and does eTTL2 (not sure the 550 does)
I tried a 580 on a 5D and my 300D - i got crappy unpredictable results in both cases. My metz is 10 times better in repeatibility.
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04/06/2006 03:45:46 PM · #7 |
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04/06/2006 03:46:35 PM · #8 |
I have a Sunpak 555, which is a handlemounted flash, but it's been great so far. It comes with a bracket so you can mount it on the camera via the tripod mount if you want, or you can hold it off to the side or use sync cords/pocket wizards and put it on its own tripod to make the light look more natural. Having a few of these would be good for weddings I think, pretty portable and battery powered, and with pocket wizards you could just set them up and move around and etc.
They should be like $180 new, but I bought mine used for less. |
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04/06/2006 03:48:39 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
An option would be the sigma EF500DG Super - $180 or so and 99% as capable as the 580. |
I'm intrigued!!! That's a heck of a lot cheaper and would allow me to get my AB's sooner. I'm just skeptical about that big of a difference in price. How does the sigma stack up in comparison with the canon? Pros/cons, etc. |
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04/06/2006 04:13:30 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by MadMan2k:
I have a Sunpak 555, which is a handlemounted flash, but it's been great so far. It comes with a bracket so you can mount it on the camera via the tripod mount if you want, or you can hold it off to the side or use sync cords/pocket wizards and put it on its own tripod to make the light look more natural. Having a few of these would be good for weddings I think, pretty portable and battery powered, and with pocket wizards you could just set them up and move around and etc.
They should be like $180 new, but I bought mine used for less. |
what he said. basically get a nice manual flash, sunpak 555, 554, 622 or a sunpak 285. They have so much power and the auto modes work just fine. Get a few 285s and bounce em for the price of a 580 ex.
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04/06/2006 04:38:18 PM · #11 |
I believe there's an article in POP Photo about this very thing on the newstands right now.
All the flashes are compared. |
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04/06/2006 04:46:05 PM · #12 |
| Thanks for all the input guys... I'm looking at the Sigma now... need to do more research and get approval from the wife ;-) |
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04/06/2006 05:07:34 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
I have been using a Metz54 (bought used off fredmiranda.com for $300 including a lightsphere).
I got to use a 580 last week - it sucks, it's junk it a useless piece of crap - compared to the Metz. Well, that was my experience.
An option would be the sigma EF500DG Super - $180 or so and 99% as capable as the 580. |
comments like this says nothing about the flash but plenty about the photographer..
I have used Metz flashes and I own the 580 and the 420, the 580 is a great flash.. if you know how to use it..
by your comment I draw the conclution that you just didn't bother to read the instruction before use and didn't know the proper way to use the 580 flash !
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