What Accessories To Get With The 580EX II ?

[CameraLens]

Hello,

I've never owned an external flash before but am looking at getting the 580EX II for my XTi. Can anyone recommend what accessories to get with it? I understand there's something called a flash card or a diffuser. I'm not sure what those are or why you need them.

Thanks.

[Kafn8td]

The 580 comes with a built in catchlight panel and a built in "wide" panel. A great flash that will take you a long way without any accessories.

[Stefano7]

For an introductory view of a DIY modifier for the 580EXII see:

http://super.nova.org/DPR/DIY01/

Also, good information in the EOS Flash sticky at the beginning of the forum.

[woffles]

Also, look up "A better bounce card" and start with that. You can make your own. Strobist.com will help you get up to speed using it also.

[smorter]

CP-E4! Makes you look pro ;)

[Naturalist]

Since you have never owned an external flash before just get the flash alone and use it. As you are learning, research flash brackets, diffusors and gels to a better idea on where to look to enhance the work that you are doing with the flash.

For the most part, the results of your work will tell you what you need: Redeye - get the flash off the camera and onto a bracket & Harsh Lighting - start looking into a diffusor.

That's my .02 cents.

[e r y k]

imo the 580ex II is overkill for the xti, you cannot use the on camera capabilities that was made for the 40d/mark3.

unless you really need the 580, the 430ex would be a cheaper alternative.

[Riff Raff]

I'd get the 430EX and maybe the Sto-fen Omnibounce.

[CameraLens]

Thanks to all for the advice. If I get the 430EX instead, what are the pros and cons versus the 580EX II on an XTi?

[medic-on-fire]

+2 for the 430EX and a Sto-Fen diffuser -- Save that extra $$$ for some nice glass. IMHO, the 430EX will deliver the right amount of flash for 99.9% of all your great exposures.

Also, I rarely shoot my 430EX without the Sto-fen attached; It has been a great addition. With that said, I know there are a lot of users on the forum who like their Gary Fong diffusers. I just don't have any personal experience with the Fong diffuser to offer a valid opinion / comparison.

Good luck! ;)

[e r y k]

Thanks to all for the advice. If I get the 430EX instead, what are the pros and cons versus the 580EX II on an XTi?

well the 580ex line can be a master flash to set off other canon flashes like the 430ex, but seeing as to how this will be your first flash, i dont think you'll have to worry about a master flash :)

the 430 is pretty powerful for its size, and for its price its not bad at all. dont worry about buying a diffuser yet. a simple 3x5 index card should suffice for now.

i never understood gary fong, and i think hes a big joke. the light sphere throws light everywhere, even behind you when its not needed.

[Roach711]

I've used both the Sto-Fen and Gary Fong's Lightsphere diffusers and I much prefer the Lightsphere. It's quite a bit larger than the Sto-Fen but the open-top design of the Lightsphere does a much better job when bouncing flash. I have the older version of the Lightsphere which tends to fall off easily but the newer version has a much more secure design.

[CameraLens]

I'm looking at the 580EX II on Amazon and there's 2 very different prices. Is there some difference I'm not seeing?

$356.95:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Speedlite-580EX-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000NP3DJW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1203223167&sr=1-1

$560.76:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0002XQWCK/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1203223167&sr=1-4&condition=all

[wilvoeka]

the lower price is coming straight from Amazon, the other is a shop in Texas.

[Ze.Dong]

I'm looking at the 580EX II on Amazon and there's 2 very different prices. Is there some difference I'm not seeing?

$356.95:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Speedlite-580EX-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000NP3DJW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1203223167&sr=1-1

$560.76:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0002XQWCK/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1203223167&sr=1-4&condition=all
they are from different sellers. use the first one, also there is a link below for 580ex II +stofen diffuser for only less than 370

[Ze.Dong]

if you only need 580 II, use this link
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=ps1107etgul&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=productlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t
it is a little cheaper and bh is more trustable than others

[Stefano7]

B&H has the 580EXII for $359.95

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/486706-USA/Canon_1946B002_580EX_II_Flash.html

The 430EX is $240

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397664-USA/Canon_0298B002_430EX_TTL_Flash.html

[fastdiablo]

you won't have much fun with your new flash without these........

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=ShowProduct&Q=&sku=519466&addedTroughType=replacementLink

[CameraLens]

Indeed, you're right that batteries are important. I've got money already invested in a bunch of MAHA 2700's and they work pretty darn good. I haven't heard of that brand though, but those 2900's sure look tempting. :twisted:

[contaxgary]

I have the 430EX, 580EX and 580EXII. The advantage of the 430 is that it is smaller and lighter. I really like to use the lightsphere with the flash and this greatly reduces the effective flash output, so the larger strobes are the ones that I prefer. The lighter/smaller strobes were for my wife and she never used them, so I'm selling them. If you want small, direct flash (read harsher light), or bounced/lightsphere/omniflash at distances under 9 foot then the 430EX works great. If you want greater reach, then the larger flash is probably the better choice. The 580EXII allows some of the newer Canon bodies to modify the flash setting from the camera and the hotshoe is metal. The 580EX will provide most of the performance..possibly very slight reduced recycle time.. but you can find it for less used. I'm going to be keeping my EXII since I just purchased a camera with body control, but otherwise both are great. I've used the 580EX to control up to three other flashes wirelessly, but this isn't a feature that I use regularly. The 430EX has the ability to be a slave, but not the master..mounted on the camera. They are all fine flashes. You must decide how much flash you want to pay for.

[MT Stringer]

CL, don't be skeered of the 430EX. On your camera, it should do just fine.I've shot birthday paries in the bowling alley, pics in my home, and night football using the 430EX on a Canon 20D. The flash is a little smaller and should fit your camera well. It's not quiet as powerfull as the 580EX but that won't be a problem for you. Just increase your ISO a notch or two.

Here's an example of using the 430 for night football. It worked out well for me.
I had the camera set on manual, 1/250th sec shutterspeed, ISO 1600, f/4. However it was connected to the camera with the Canon Off Shoe Cord2, which allowed me to use the ETTL. Basically, the flash was used as fill flash.

Good luck.
Mike

[CameraLens]

if you only need 580 II, use this link
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=ps1107etgul&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=productlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t
it is a little cheaper and bh is more trustable than others

Just out of cusiosity, your link is cheaper than Stefano7's link. They're both the exact same item from B & H, am I wrong? How come the price is different?

[pacdzyne]

CL,
The cheaper one is using the cupon from super cupon...I bought one just recently with it myself however the web site shows a price of 329.00 but that is not correct it will be $339.00 also not sure if these cupons are still good maybe though.
pacdzyne

http://www.supercoupon.com/Coupons/Electronics/B%26H_Coupon_for_Canon/

[fiveFPS]

nice coupon thread.. Thanks.. those are not bad prices

[svfoto]

eryk,
would your recommendation for the 430ex vs 580exII hold true for the 20D as well?