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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Q. - 580EX worth the diff on the Digic2?
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 08/02/2005 01:08:48 PM · #1
I just ordered a 20D as my 2nd shooter camera for weddings and I'm wondering if the 580EX is worth the $80 difference over the 550EX on the Digic2 based camera. The intended use of this body is for weddings. It will be the available light camera (for those ceremonies where flash isn't permitted) and I plan to start using it for the ambiance photos that just don't seem to turn out the way I plan with the 1Ds due to its low-light limitations.

One thing that I'd also like to get opinions on: I have a LightSphere II for this rig, does that affect how efficiently the Digic2 and 580EX conspire to produce good lighting? Anyone tried this setup?

Thanks for your experiences and help.

Kev
 08/02/2005 01:40:16 PM · #2
Not sure that Digic2 has anything to do with anything flash related.

The 20D is e-TTL2 - it is supposed to be a fix for canon's flash exposure related isseus, mostly realted to wedding photography (white dress, black tux).

The LS is good, great actually. It mimics an open bulb flash, ala Quantum or Lumedyne for less cost, and you still have your regular flash capability.

most wedding photogs use quantum or metz (54 or 70). Run them on Auto mode and the camera on manual. e-ttl (1, as i have a 300d) is not that great and underexpsoes a LOT of the time.

One option is a vivitar 283 head married to an open bulb flash and run it on auto, the camera on manual. i saw this done when i assisted (2 of these units). Not sure who makes them - i have not seen them new, but have seen 3 different conversions by different companies (including the one i got off ebay for $55).

I am currently running a metz 54 MZ4 w/ LS on Auto on the camera (it reads the exposure settings) and the 283/lumedyne as a secondary light, open bulb, on auto. Checking the histogram for results, but the Metz on auto will 'read' the other flash and cut it's power down to help make a correct exposre with not too much effort. at this point i am optically triggering for portraiture/testing...need to get a radio slave set up for wedding work.

Another option would be a Sigma EF500DG super, but the LS may not be available for it - was supposed to ship in July.
 08/02/2005 02:42:26 PM · #3
Originally posted by KevinRiggs:
I just ordered a 20D as my 2nd shooter camera for weddings and I'm wondering if the 580EX is worth the $80 difference over the 550EX on the Digic2 based camera. The intended use of this body is for weddings. It will be the available light camera (for those ceremonies where flash isn't permitted) and I plan to start using it for the ambiance photos that just don't seem to turn out the way I plan with the 1Ds due to its low-light limitations.

One thing that I'd also like to get opinions on: I have a LightSphere II for this rig, does that affect how efficiently the Digic2 and 580EX conspire to produce good lighting? Anyone tried this setup?

Thanks for your experiences and help.

Kev


There is NO question that the 580EX is better than the 550EX, faster much faster recycling times, much more accurate exposures, compensates for sensor size, so save power this way by illuminating only the portion of the scene thatw ill be captured on the sensor. For wedding photography that's a huge advantage over the 550EX. I have both and now the 580EX is almost exclusively used on my 1D II, the 550EX is used as a 2nd flash for fill in studio settings...
 08/02/2005 03:00:08 PM · #4
Yeah, I meant the E-TTL2 instead of the Digic2 (forgot which technology was at work on this problem).

Good to hear, though. I'll get the 580EX for the 20D.

Thanks for the feedback on this.
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