550EX vs 580EX

[MegaHurtz]

I've been trying to find a decent price on a 580EX for a while now, and haven't had much luck. Today however, I found a used 550EX at a nice price that I was thinking of picking up. Currently I use a 430EX and I find that at times when I do rapid indoor shooting, the recycle time isn't fast enough. I wanted to upgrade to the higher series so that I could use an external battery pack.

Does this sound like a good combination for the type of shooting that I mentioned? What is the recycle time like on a 430EX compared to a 550EX, both on AA batteries?

Is the CP-E3 battery pack compatible with the 550EX?

Also, I've done a bit of searching and can't seem to find a great description of the differences between the 550 and 580. If anybody knows them and would care to enlighten me, it would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Ryan

[In2Photos]

See if this helps:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1889545&postcount=3

[MegaHurtz]

Helps a fair bit, thanks!

Still would like to try and find out what the recycle time on AA batteries is compared to the 430, but I guess that is a moot point if I am using a battery pack, and I need to try and find out of the CP-E3 works with the 550.

[tim]

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=123694

The 580s main advantage is the one button head rotate, but the controls are easier to use too. The CP-E3 works with the 550 and 580 but not the 420 or 430. 430 recycle time will be quicker because it stores less charge, the specs are available at B&H on the flash's spec page.

[ootsk]

I had the chance to buy a 550 that was used exclusively with the off-flash quantum. I don't have one, so I used AA bateries, and the recycle time was horrible. It was a deal-breaker for me. Not sure if the Quantum was bad for the capacator, or what, but it took forever to cycle. It still cycled fine with the Quantum though. Before I buy a used flash, I'd be sure to put it through it's paces on YOUR camera doing the kind of shooting you plan to do.

[tsaraleksi]

I would be concerned that I may get a flash that will soon burn out if I was purchasing a used flash, but that may be unfounded.

When I was considering getting an older 550 (new) vs. a 580, I eventually concluded that I wouldn't be saving that much, and from what I gathered the advantages of the 580 were worth the extra money. I love my 580, it does exactly what I need in a flash :) .