550ex vs 580ex

[spcalan]

whats the difference?
more power?

[yuriyo923]

i want to know too!!!!!!!????????

[Bob_A]

GN for the 550 is 55 and the GN for the 580 is 58 ... so yes, the 580EX has a bit more power. The following web page has a table showing the differences between the 550EX and the 580EX.

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/eosfaq/ex_speedlites.html

AFAIK the 580EX II updates the 580EX to add better weather sealing, faster recycle time (20%) and quieter operation. Not certain if there are any other upgrades.

[yoshiguy]

Plus they don't make the 550Ex no more

[CyberDyneSystems]

580 more power, much faster recycling time, lighter and smaller, and easier to use.

I haven't used the 580 II yet, but I understand it is even easier to use (menu systems)

[Welby]

The 580 has a PC port and i'm pretty sure the 550 didn't also.

[Moppie]

I haven't used the 580 II yet, but I understand it is even easier to use (menu systems)


Not if you want to use the master slave set up its not.
On the 550 and 580 its the flick of a switch. For the 580 II its a hold and wait button combo, then harder to get to ratio controls etc.
Control wise the 580 is an improvement on the 550, but the 580 II seems to take a step backwards.

As Curtis keeps saying, the guys at Canon who design the flash units clearly don't ever use them.
The probably all shoot Nikon.

[Jim G]

580 more power, much faster recycling time, lighter and smaller, and easier to use.

I haven't used the 580 II yet, but I understand it is even easier to use (menu systems)

So long as you don't want to muck around with master/slave it's nicer :p

[GerBee]

My major gripe.

I drop into remote slave on a whim, this 580EX II takes a long, long, long 2 seconds to turn on remote ...

but the 580 II seems to take a step backwards. .

[GerBee]

The 580EX II has the PC socket, neither other flash have. :)


The 580 has a PC port and i'm pretty sure the 550 didn't also.

[john dm]

real world? It depends on how you use the flash and how much you want to spend.

I wouldn't disregard the 550; it's easy to operate, throws as much light as the 580 (those guide numbers are as accurate as the EPA mileage figures), and the recycling time depends in large part on the type of batteries, their state of charge, and the power setting of the flash. I'm usually on a manual 1/4 power setting with a 550 and lighting half a dim hockey rink, and the recycling time is a second or two (until the cold eats away at the NiMH batteries).

The 580EX II is good if you buy the 1D Mk. III. Nikon still shines brightest in the flash department, unfortunately.

[René Damkot]

Control wise the 580 is an improvement on the 550, but the 580 II seems to take a step backwards.

Quoted for truth.
550 to 580 is a *big* improvement IMHO.

[Moppie]

I drop into remote slave on a whim, this 580EX II takes a long, long, long 2 seconds to turn on remote ...


I just read that, and realised that its not really all that often your going to need to jump from group to single flash shooting in a real hurry :lol::lol:


Quoted for truth.
550 to 580 is a *big* improvement IMHO.


As above, it's only really an improvement if it makes it easier to access things you tend to change on the fly.
The buttons are certainly easier to get to and press on the 580, but I don't know if they are a lot better.

[René Damkot]

access things you tend to change on the fly.

Like master-save ratios or manual power setting :p