Buy Used Flashes?

[wykdfantasy]

I have read alot of threads and reviews of the Canon flashes, and I have yet to see a review or information that says how long they will last. I am looking to buy a Canon 430EX II or 580EX II depending on the deal I can find, as they are both quite expensive, however is a flash one of those types of items that is better off to be purchased new, or is a used one a good deal to grab? I am pretty picky about my lenses, and I won't buy a used one just due to the possibility of getting a bad one and having nothing I can do about it. I don't imagine flashes are the same way, either they work or they don't, but what is their lifespan and is there a counter on them? Thank you all for your help in such a vast new world of expensive toys. :confused:

[tim]

Used would be fine IMHO.

[smorter]

I don't like used, my first brand new 580EXII bombed out on me after about 14 months. Too expensive to repair. Imo if you can even try and get offical Canon extended warranty on them if it exists in your country

[yokotas13]

I have two used 430 and a new 580
At least 2k uses in each with no prob yet

[tenoverthenose]

Almost all of my equipment was purchased used.

[CliveyBoy]

My 580EX II was an excellent used price, and functions perfectly.

I recently bought a second 550EX to give me a matching off-camera pair. That has not worked out. It was faulty from the start and after a main pcb replacement my total cost was US$290. With the controls now working, I set up both EX550 flashes to do ratio testing, and founf the unit just back from Canon was three stops down on power! The faulty controls hid that problem.

So now, I am faced with a replacement capacitor at US$135. Still deciding on that one. I'm well out of pocket, whichever way I squirm.

[Wilt]

An electronic flash's flash tube is rated for tens of thousands of flashes, so if a flash is fully operational there is no reason for concern that the flash tube might be 'worn out'.

[scorpio_e]

I bought used flashes and had no problems. I have 2 Sunpak J120's. I had a Metz 58AF. It was used and I was happy with the flash. I sold it to fund the 120J's

Don't be afraid of used:)

[Familiaphoto]

Purchased both of my 430EX's used with no regrets. Both work like new.

[matonanjin]

Every piece of equipment in my sig was purchased used without a problem. I figure by buying used I haved saved enough to probably buy at least one lens, if not more. All the flash equipment, which is what you are interested in, was purchased used. And there is a lot more than what is listed here.

My Metz 58 AF-1 is a 580EXII clone. I bought it for $200 and it has worked perfectly since day 1.

[Jim M]

Anything you buy has some chance of being defective after you buy it, new or used. Unless the seller is being dishonest with you, you know a used piece has worked at least for a while. However, most used pieces have no warranty. All of my studio flash equipment was bought used. Occasionally I've been stung, but overall, I'm way ahead over new.

[wykdfantasy]

Ok, I have a good question, i have spent the last couple of days, a few hours a day reading on here like crazy about the two flashes, I notice a lot of photographers, have both the 430EX II and the 580EX II, is there a reason I am missing to have both for walk around or is that more for studio work?

[Wilt]

For walkaround, you would not at all be inconspicuous nor spontaneous, having to position a second flash unit near your 'unsuspecting' subject! Second speedlight flash is more for off-camera flash, which is set up to mimic studio lighting without the umbilical to the AC outlet.

[Cyrix_2k]

I bought all my flashes used and they've been fine so far. I use multiple flashes for portable studio work.

[wykdfantasy]

OK, I did it, I bought the 580EX II used. I figured if I am going to buy one, just get the best and don't settle, so this will be my first piece of used equipment, I also bought a used lens today too, the 24-70L, so first time buying used and bought both a lens and other equipment used. I want to also thank all of you for all your help, I am very new and looking to try to learn from the vast wisdom here on the forums. Thank you for your patience, there is nothing more annoying than veterans who bash new comers for asking questions, glad to not see that here.