580EX replacement?

[SunTsu]

I did a search and found that the 550EX was released in 1997 and the 580EX in 2004. That gave the 550EX a good 7 year run. So do you think there is any chance that the 580EX is going to be replaced any time soon?

[fstop11.net]

I cant see what they can do to really improve it to be honest.. I don't know a great deal about the flash system but the 580 is just great.

[Four Winds]

I'm sure they'll replace it very soon...because I bought one this week. :wink:

Isn't that they way it always goes?...just about the time you're ready to shell out big bucks for product X, a replacement comes out shortly thereafter.

[SunTsu]

I just bought one today, so that would be pretty much suck.

[farrukh]

It can be replaced soon as it got some kind competition now by Metz 58 AF-1

[NickSimcheck]

Sure wish they would set it up with a multi channel radio wireless system and a real battery back-up system.

[SunTsu]

It can be replaced soon as it got some kind competition now by Metz 58 AF-1

Do you really think that people compare the Metz to the Canon? It almost seems to me that everyone on this board uses Canon flashes...or at least a good 90% of the people.

[farrukh]

Do you really think that people compare the Metz to the Canon? It almost seems to me that everyone on this board uses Canon flashes...or at least a good 90% of the people.

Obviously most of them use orignal party products. But this Metz 58-AF1 annoucned on photokina last year and it got some interesting featues that a Canon flagship flash suppose to have.

Metz 58-AF1 got all the features of 580ex and some major additional feautes such as...

1-firmware through USB upgrade
2- Auto mode (flash exposure controled by flash sensor)
3- Secondary reflector.

[René Damkot]

Yeah, but IMHO (from what I've read) the UI sucks big time...

[farrukh]

Yeah, but IMHO (from what I've read) the UI sucks big time...

Yes but may be because the reviewers are not used to this UI so...

[Rokkorfan]

To the OP, there is no likelihood of the 580EX being replaced in the short term. The only flash accessory that may be replaced this year is the ST-E2.

[cdesperado]

Im curious Rokkor... why do you think Canon would replace the ST-E2 if they were not going to release a new flash as well?

I don't think the product lifecycle of the 550EX can be compared to the 580EX since the 550EX existed many, many, MANY years prior to the launch of the digital revolution. (Heck, the 550EX dates to the beginning of the Internet revolution, for that matter.)

Don't get me wrong... the 550EX is a great flashhead - I have several and all of them still work. The 580s are even better, but there is still room for improvement. The cycle times are definitely faster than the 550, but that doesn't mean Canon couldn't improve the UI, further reduce the recycle times, or even reduce the overall weight.

We should also remember the 420EX and 430EX. The 420 was released in August 2000 and the 430 was announced in August 2005, giving the 420 series a 5-year model run. But again, the 420EX existed prior to the digital revolution. Will the 430 be replaced anytime soon... probably not, but anything is possible.

My point here is that as digital technology progresses, Canon most definitely would be motivated to introduce new, more powerful products with a shorter product lifecycle.

Personally, I think it is certainly possible Canon would introduce a new flashhead to coincide with the new cameras it is likely to announce next month.

[Exit]

Canon needs to make a weathersealed flash. I took out a 580EX this past summer in the rain and Canon wouldn't repair it.

[l3it3r]

I don't see them replacing the 580 already, but if they do, that's just one more reason for me to get another flash ;)

[SunTsu]

Haha. The last thing I need is a reason to buy more camera equipment. I'm already broke after all I just spent.

[Rokkorfan]

Im curious Rokkor... why do you think Canon would replace the ST-E2 if they were not going to release a new flash as well?



The ST-E2 does not have the same functionality as using another 580EX as master. For starters there are only 2 groups enabled, and then there is the lack of manual control of the slave units from the controller. This is a serious drawback to the use of the ST-E2.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I did a search and found that the 550EX was released in 1997 and the 580EX in 2004. That gave the 550EX a good 7 year run. So do you think there is any chance that the 580EX is going to be replaced any time soon?

Your logic escapes me ???

Is the 2 year run the same as the 7 year due to the fact that our attention span has more than halved in those few years? :lol:

[lostdoggy]

Obviously most of them use orignal party products. But this Metz 58-AF1 annoucned on photokina last year and it got some interesting featues that a Canon flagship flash suppose to have.

Metz 58-AF1 got all the features of 580ex and some major additional feautes such as...

1-firmware through USB upgrade
2- Auto mode (flash exposure controled by flash sensor)
3- Secondary reflector.

Item #2 is a step backward not forward. Before there was TTL flash most thyristor flashes had some form flash sensor on board but was not very accurate. But with onset of newer TTL technology such as ETTL-2 on complimented lenses its capable of reading more info which translate to better control.

[René Damkot]

which translate to better control.

Are you sure you are talking about Canons ETTL? ;)

[calicokat]

Let em replace it, I am after a QFLASH :)

[cdesperado]

Speedlite 580EX II is OFFICIAL!!!

Read this :-)
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelFeaturesAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=14999&pageno=3

[cdesperado]

For your reading pleasure... WFT-E1A and 580 are updated officially!
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-8736-8850

Speedlite 580EX II Flash
The popular Speedlite 580EX Flash is being replaced by the new Speedlite 580EX II Flash, which features a host of improvements, including a metal hot shoe with an improved locking mechanism for added durability, an external metering sensor for non-TTL automatic flash exposure control and a PC socket for use with non-dedicated slave triggers. Fully compatible with all EOS SLRs, the new Speedlite 580EX II is gasketed for dust and moisture resistance, making it possible for users of EOS-1 class digital SLRs and many L-series EF lenses to use flash safely when shooting in dusty or wet environments.


Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2A
The new accessory dedicated Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2A allows wireless transfer and backup, as well as remote control of the camera in Live View mode. The new transmitter is much smaller and lighter than its predecessor and more affordable as well. The WFT-E2A has many useful capabilities besides wireless transmission of digital photos. In addition to supporting the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR’s Remote Live View functions, it can also be connected to various Hi-Speed USB 2.0 external storage devices such as high-capacity hard drives or convenient flash drives with much larger storage capacity than the memory cards in the camera, for instant backup as images are captured. Whats more, the WFT-E2A can be connected to portable GPS devices to record GPS information (longitude, latitude, altitude, UTC) which is added to file metadata and displayed on the camera’s LCD screen below the histogram.

[AdamJL]

I'm sure they'll replace it very soon...because I bought one this week. :wink:

Isn't that they way it always goes?...just about the time you're ready to shell out big bucks for product X, a replacement comes out shortly thereafter.

Lol, how prophetic!

[SunTsu]

Oh for Pete's sake. Why? Why? Does anyone know when the 580EX II might actually hit store shelves?

[SunTsu]

The Canon site says the 580EX II is available April 2007, but I wonder if that means you can actually buy one then.

Also, I wonder if anyone has an idea what the street price for the 580EX II will be (i.e. the price that B&H will end up selling it for)?

[ryleung]

Of course, Canon releases an updated 580EX to go along with the 1D MkIII:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=141&modelid=14998

[JaertX]

Your logic escapes me ???

Is the 2 year run the same as the 7 year due to the fact that our attention span has more than halved in those few years? :lol:


I almost agreed with this post yesterday!

okay, I still do...but it looks like a nice little upgrade they did with the 580.

[snoopstah]

Any word on a price for this? My company are paying me my Christmas bonus in a couple of weeks (yes, I know, I should buy them a calendar...) and I've been promising myself a 580EX - now I need to decide whether to get a 580EX II or wait for the corresponding drop in prices for the old model.

Also, does anyone know (or have any opinions) on whether the metering sensor will work when the flash is off-camera (i.e. triggered by a pocketwizard or similar), or will you still only have the choice of manual control only?

[cdifoto]

Item #2 is a step backward not forward. Before there was TTL flash most thyristor flashes had some form flash sensor on board but was not very accurate. But with onset of newer TTL technology such as ETTL-2 on complimented lenses its capable of reading more info which translate to better control.

I find my Sunpak 383 Thyristor Sensor to be more accurate than my 580EXs' Thyroid Glands. Control-wise it isn't much of a loss/gain. ISO up or down for the corresponding FEC you'd make on a Speedlite if you want to maintain the same working aperture. Not that you have identical freedoms but everything's a compromise if you're not Dante.

[Rokkorfan]

To the OP, there is no likelihood of the 580EX being replaced in the short term. The only flash accessory that may be replaced this year is the ST-E2.

Well go figure - I'm no Nostradamus. Thank goodness I don't dabble in the stock exchange.

[Redfish]

The 580EX II will have a retail price of $499 - according to my local shop