Newbie: Canon Speedlite 580ex vs. 580ex II?

[jman995x]

I'm just getting back into photography and need some advice.

I'm going to buy a Canon Speedlite 580ex in the next week and am deciding between the 580ex and 580ex II.

I've been reading some reviews and know that the 580ex II has a better hot shoe lock, PC connect capability and a few other new features, but is it worth the price difference?

I have a chance to pick up a rarely used 580ex for under $300, so am on the fence about which one I should get. One thing that the flash MUST have the capability to do is be wirelessly triggered (which I've read the 580ex II is capable of, but haven't seen any mention one way or the other about the 580ex).

Any advice from people who have used either (or both) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

J.

 

[hotdog321]

I've got a 580ex. It can work as a master or slave unit via optical (line of sight) triggering, which is nice. You'll need a radio trigger for hidden units. I bought a couple of cheap radio triggers for under $50.

 

[Eugene Powers]

I think but not exactly sure.
1. 580 EX II recharges faster.
2. 580 EX II can take more picture on the battery charge.
3. it is not just locking mechanism but the shoe is made out of stainless steel.

4. If for some obscure reason you decided you need to attach 2 flashes at the same time and use dual cord not made by Canon 580 EX would not work. But 580 EX II will.
Setup below does not work. But later I attached 2 IIs and it worked perfectly.





--
Eugene

I use a non OEM battery in my $20,000 car so why not in my $2,000 camera.

Quote by Bob Sheldon

The only time a smaller sensor with the same pixel count is superior to a larger sensor (aka higher pixel density) is when you are focal-length limited.

Quote by Lee Jay

 

[Bearmann]

They are practically the same. The II model has additional waterproofing and is more likely to overheat if fired multiple times in succession. I think the II model may be marginally more powerful, but I'm not positive. Many people prefer the I model since it is less likely to ovreheat. The new mounting mechanism on the II model is more likely to mis-mount on the hotshoe causing a malfunction(usually a full charge burst).

Barry

 

[harry cannoli]

Eugene..

I'm intrigued. I shoot with a 580 EX II. I do wildlife and could use a faster recycle time. Two flashes with two beamers should recycle faster (I think) because the load is divided between both flashes. I want something like this. I can handle the braket stuff but I'm curious-

I assume you fire one on ETTL and slave the other. I'm curious how you pull this off.

Thanks
Rich

 

[Mike_13]

Eugene..

I'm intrigued. I shoot with a 580 EX II. I do wildlife and could use a faster recycle time. Two flashes with two beamers should recycle faster (I think) because the load is divided between both flashes. I want something like this. I can handle the braket stuff but I'm curious-

I assume you fire one on ETTL and slave the other. I'm curious how you pull this off.

Thanks
Rich

I suspect they are both slaves
and the ST-E2 on the shoe is the master