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View Full Version : Poor Battery Life on Speedlite 580EX? or Some other problems? Battery Recommendation?

EricKonieczny
12th of March 2005 (Sat), 12:03
I just got my 20D and 580EX yesterday, and lucky me I had an event I shot last night. I took my other camera along also since I am new to my 20D

But about 2 hours into the event, my flash was not firing correctly and I figured out the batteries were already dead. They are Ni-MH rechargables, they were fully charged.

I was shooting in full Manual, sometimes with Bulb -ETTL, with Auto Zoom, with 28-105 lense

I previously used them in my Sony 5000 External Flash and they lasted at least 6 hours of shooting, if not longer

What Brand of batteries do you guys use and recommened?

Anyone else notice these problems? I just want to make sure I do not have a defective 580 EX.

The Flash was not firing and the Pilot took like a minute before turning green between shots.



Thanks.
pcasciola
12th of March 2005 (Sat), 12:07
I've had really good results with plain ol' Duracell alkalines on the 580EX. I've been getting at least 80-90 shots out of a set before the cycle time goes way down, and I can leave them in the camera for 4-6 weeks without them draining down.

I would try a set of regular alkalines if I were you, which will tell you right away if your flash is bad or not.
tim
12th of March 2005 (Sat), 16:12
On my 550EX the flash light goes green when you can use it, then red when it's fully charged. I use high capacity NiMH batteries, and I always keep two sets on me. If I know i'll be using it a lot i'll also take along some alkaline batteries. I'm always pleasently suprised how long it lasts.

If it's not lasting long enough, increase your ISO from 100 to 400, the flash will last 4 times longer (I guess), beacause the sensor is a lot more sensitive in that mode, so ETTL II reduces the flash output.
DSMITH131
12th of March 2005 (Sat), 16:31
I've had really good results with plain ol' Duracell alkalines on the 580EX. I've been getting at least 80-90 shots out of a set before the cycle time goes way down, and I can leave them in the camera for 4-6 weeks without them draining down.

I would try a set of regular alkalines if I were you, which will tell you right away if your flash is bad or not.


Same here
scottbergerphoto
12th of March 2005 (Sat), 19:20
MAHA Powerex and Energizer NIMH both work very well.
Try Thomas-Distributing.com and Target .com
Scott