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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Flash Question: 580ex vs. 550ex
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 01/02/2005 06:48:35 PM · #1
I'm looking at these two flashes trying to decide which to purchase. I am not very knowledgeable about flash photography and I was hoping someone could explain what I would gain with the 580ex. I realize the 580 has a bit more power, I'm not exactly sure how to read the guide number but I think thats what it refers to. I also realize there is a bit quicker recycle time with the 580ex. Where I'm getting confused is the E-TTL and the E-TTL II? What exactly does this refer to?

If it makes a difference, I currently have the 10D but will be upgrading to a 1D Mark II with a 20D backup.

Thanks in advance for any info.
Russ
01/02/2005 10:05:50 PM · #2
Anyone?
 01/02/2005 10:15:13 PM · #3
Here is a review doing a comparison

580EX Review
 01/02/2005 11:49:40 PM · #4
Hi-ho,

I can only offer an opinion on the 580, as that's what I got, but from a 'which one should I buy' prespective I thought it was a no-brainer..

The 580ex is only $70 NZ more here, so I assume the difference is similar in the US? Or are you looking at a 2nd hand 550?

As for differences, before I got mine I found some reviews that said it was slightly better built than the 550, had a better swivel/tilt head setup, and didn't have the annoying battery door that could lead to lost batteries in the dark. The build quality is good, although not as solid as the 20D, the head is fine, and the door is as well, I can't compare them to a 550.

ETTL-II gives you some more whizzy functionality with some lenses (Ring USM lenses from memory, and some new model micro-USM ones). The camera does the normal pre-flash metering as per ETTL, but also takes into account the distance the lens focuses at.

This means that if there is heaps more light coming back in than the cameras flash formula says there should be, it assumes you're taking a photo of something light/reflective and compenstates with more flash to give correct exposure of the light object. Ditto for less light coming back..

This fixes the 'under exposed white dress' syndrome that many Canon event photographers have complained about (Apparently, I read that in a magazine...) and the I suppose the over exposed black suits as well.

I can't report on the usefulness of ETTL-II as I've not really played around with it much yet, although all the flash photos I've taken have been well exposed, and I've not noticed any oddness. I do have one lens that's compatable with the ETTL-II setup, so I might give it a go.

Also the flash zooms to take into account the sensor size with the 1D MkII and 20D. If your lens is a 50mm prime the flash picks coverage for 65mm and 80mm respectively. Not a huge deal, but means you're wasting less light from the flash, and therefore will get more from a battery charge..

On the purely 'what I think' side:

It's a great bit of kit, worth every penny etc... It's powerful enough to cover anything I'd want to do, and seems intuitive to use. It's got enough manual functionality to keep me happy as well, as I often use my flashes manually on tripods with brollys, and a light meter. With the 580ex as the 'master' using a hard cable it works fine... You can't use it with cheap optical slaves at all. (long story, there's a thread on here about that..)

Don't even consider using non-rechargables in it. I'm using 2200mAh NiMH's and get probably 200 flashes in average conditions (not full power). It eats dry cells for lunch.

This is my first EOS dedicated flash, and I'd have to say I'm impressed with the auto-fill functionality, although it does irk me that I don't know the formula behind it.. (This is an ETTL/ ETTL-II thing, not unique to the 580ex)

Just my 2c worth..

Cheers, Chris H.
 01/03/2005 12:06:20 AM · #5
Hi , for 10d B&H recomend flash 550 not 580
580 grate for digic 2 procesor on 20d and Marc2 with white balance
I, now this couse i bot mine on B&H 4 days and they told me not to by 580
 01/03/2005 12:34:40 AM · #6
In Canada the 580EX is the same price as the 55oEX. I'd get the 580EX especially since you plan on getting the 1D Mark II
 01/03/2005 03:47:42 AM · #7
Originally posted by oksamit:
20d and Marc2 with white balance


Oh yeah, and it does some weird stuff with white balance/colour temp.. Although that's academic if you shoot raw..

:-)
 01/03/2005 10:35:35 AM · #8
I got a 580 for a New Years present. I had been reading about it and had seen several references to it's ability to adjust for distance-to-subject data fed to it by the the camera when using a compatible lens, however it was never explained which lenses had this compatibility. The guy at the photo store told me all Canon EF lens were compatible, even the older ones. When I asked about third party lenses he said that if it has the same connection pin pattern as a Canon it probably is compatible with this feature. Hope this is helpful, and reliable, info.
 01/03/2005 12:32:58 PM · #9
Thanks for all the info.

I was wondering that about the third party lenses... anyone have any definate answers about sigma lenses and whether any of them are ETTL II compatible?

01/03/2005 12:50:45 PM · #10
Originally posted by coolhar:
references to it's ability to adjust for distance-to-subject data fed to it by the the camera when using a compatible lens, however it was never explained which lenses had this compatibility.

You can find a list of Canon lenses that supply distance data here (there are many that don't, so the sales guy was incorrect. That doesn't mean the flash won't work, just that the distance portion of the E-TTL II stuff won't be in effect when using those lenses). The extensive Canon Flash Photography guide (which I linked to) is a must-read for anybody who wants to understand flash.

Message edited by author 2005-01-03 12:52:15.
 01/03/2005 01:00:16 PM · #11
TY Eddy.
 01/03/2005 03:29:30 PM · #12
Originally posted by EddyG:
You can find a list of Canon lenses that supply distance data here


That's intersting.. The EF-S 18-55 is in that list, but isn't in the list I found on Dpreview.

I might have to do a comparison of exposures using the 18-55 and the 50 mkII with white/black objects and report back if ETTL-II actually works. :-). I might compare them to manually metered shots as well for comparison, as the 18-55 is hugely different to the 50 anyway.

It's raining, and it'll keep me occupied later on today.

Cheers, Chris H.

Message edited by author 2005-01-03 15:30:46.
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