580EX vs. 550EX - on 1D mrk2

[CeeCee]

Hi ya all

I have never been quite happy with the 550EX, - i believe that the flash has malfunctions in its software/hardware. I owned both the 420 and 550 so far, and to me the 420 was the far better choice.

So now, since i´ve sold the 420 - and the 580ex in the shops - what would the arguement be to replace the 550 with the 580.

What are the differences except the slightly more powerfull outlet.

I own the 1D mrk.2 and have been amazed by the ETTL-2

[MrChad]

I think the 580EX has features just for digital.
-It knows what white balance you are shooting.
-It knows what crop factor if any your DSLR has. (20D and Mark II's with firmwire update I think.)

-I guess the 580EX is to be the digitals mate as the 550EX was the Eos-3 mate.

I have as yet to hear of the 580EX working as above on the 300D, maybe Canon will put out a firmwire update to support it?

Then again is the 580EX even instock yet? I'm not sure I'd sell any speedlites to buy it right off the bat, but I'd keep an eye on the 580EX for sure.

[JX]

I am going to purchase the 580EX when it is in stock. If you have the money to buy a 580Ex. then I would not sell your 550EX. Buy a slave and use it as your second flash. I wish I could affort that set up right now.

[scottbergerphoto]

The new features of the 580EX are only available to camera bodies with ETTLII. Currently that short list includes only the 1D Mark II and the 20D. The 580EX will function in ETTL for other camera bodies. Canon will not update older models to have ETTLII functionality based on past history.
I have two 550's and a 420 as part of a portable light kit. I have no intention of rushing out to buy a 580EX. More technology doesn't always mean better results. I often use my flashes in Manual Mode and get consistent results. In addition many photographers get great results using Auto Mode(thyristor controlled)flash on non-Canon flashes like Quantum.
Just my 2c,
Scott

[Hellashot]

In Canon's description, the 580EX is designed for digital - but maybe only for the 10D, digital rebel, and 20D because it said it will acknowledge their magnification factor and compensate for it in its distance factoring.

Hellashot

[evilenglishman]

-It knows what white balance you are shooting.

what relevence is that? I mean the flash can't change the colour of its output can it?

[MrChad]

I don't recall Canon ever stating the crop factor function of the 580EX working with the 300D.

Per BHphoto...
The Speedlite 580EX flash is compatible with Canon's E-TTL II (Evaluative Through The Lens) auto exposure technology. When combined with a compatible Canon camera (EOS-1D/s Mark II, D-20, Elan 7N/E) and compatible lens....

I think other reviews also state the Mark II needs a firm wire update to use all the features. Thus I assume the 300D/Rebel-D would also need a firm wire update, will Canon release one?

Also seems wrong to buy the 580EX for the Elan 7N/NE, the flash costs more then the camera :P Oh well, so too for L-glass.

[MrChad]

-It knows what white balance you are shooting.

what relevence is that? I mean the flash can't change the colour of its output can it?

I think it does, well, it's intensity. Do a search for reviews, this is a key feature of this flash, it communicates with DSLR white balance. I think Rob Galbrith (spelling?) has a good review, but I can't recall exactly.


edit:
Digitally Optimized
The Speedlite 580EX flash is compatible with all film and digital EOS cameras as well as G-series and Pro-1 PowerShot digital cameras. The flash includes two features especially for digital photography. EOS 20D and EOS-1D Mark II** digital SLR users will especially appreciate the Speedlite 580EX flash’s ability to auto-compensate for the size of the CMOS sensor, and zoom the flash head automatically to match the effective focal length conversion. This feature allows the Speedlite 580EX flash to maximize the efficiency of its light distribution and produce more flashes from a set of batteries. When used with the EOS 20D or 1D Mark II** digital SLR cameras, the flash and camera communicate to make fine adjustments to auto white balance by electronically monitoring the charge level of the batteries and the duration of each flash burst, resulting in consistently accurate color for every shot.

http://www.dphoto.us/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid= 393