External power for 580EXII

[Coastie72]

Now that I have decided that I am going to buy the 580EXII, what are the external battery options if any. Thanks:)

[tim]

Canon CP-E4 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/498738-REG/Canon_1947B001_Compact_Battery_Pack_CP_E4.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114). It takes 8AA cells (NiMH recommended) and cuts recharge time from 7s to 2.5s (all approx). I've never gotten close to running one down during a wedding day. Highly recommended, I have two of them.

[Dermit]

http://www.aljacobs.com/

Look for the black box. I use two of these at every wedding I shoot to power two 580EXs.

[tadrscin]

I 2nd the Black Boxes. I use them and they're great. I recommend sending the quantum cables to Al and have him put the better connectors on and also go with the option of the better connectors for both of them that come on the battery. Each battery will have two connectors. One will be the std push on that Quantum uses and the 2nd will be the better scew-on DIN type. He as an option to make both of them the screw-on DIN type. Give him a call, he's a very interesing person to talk to.

[Titus213]

If I was doing it, could afford it, I would look seriously at www.AlJacobs.com

[tim]

I have a home made version of the Al Jacobs pack - basically just a sealed lead acid battery in a nice case. It's heavy, so I only use it with flashes on light stands are receptions. It does increase recharge time a lot, and you're unlikely to ever use all the power in a battery, it'd probably power a light for a few wedding receptions for me.

The CP-E4 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/498738-REG/Canon_1947B001_Compact_Battery_Pack_CP_E4.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114) on the other hand is light, goes in my pocket (can go on a belt too), uses the high voltage port, and i've never run out of power.

[PacAce]

NOTE: The off-topic discussions that were posted here earlier were moved to a separate thread in the EOS forum:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=557259