What to do ? 550 - 580

[JuStDaVe]

i had a 300d with a 550ex

now i bought a 20d

should i sell the 550ex and get a 580 ?

is there much difference

thanks dave

[David1943]

I would say that if your 550 does the job that you need it to do adequately, then keep what you're familiar with and use the spare cash to buy another goodie.

On the other hand, if you want less weight, more power and smaller size, go for a 580.

I've just ordered a 550 because I need an external flash and I can get one at a very good price.

Regards, David

[PacAce]

i had a 300d with a 550ex

now i bought a 20d

should i sell the 550ex and get a 580 ?

is there much difference

thanks dave
No, there isn't much of a different to warrant getting rid of the 550EX in favor of the 580EX. The 580EX has a little more power output but I don't think it's that significant, expecially at the focal ranges and aperture you'll probably be using. The 580EX is a little lighter and a little thinner but overall, it's not that much different from the 550EX as one would think. They both stand the same height, which surprised me since I thought the 580EX would be smaller.

About the only thing that's really nice (IMHO) about the 580EX compared to the 550EX is the faster recycling time.

[JuStDaVe]

i heard that the 550ex doesnt hi speed sync

i shoot drags at night time .... ?

[JuStDaVe]

well doesnt hi speed sync with 20 d

[PacAce]

i heard that the 550ex doesnt hi speed sync

i shoot drags at night time .... ?
Totally untrue. Whatever any EX flash can do, the 550EX can do as well (except for maybe adjusting for DSLR crop factor which the 580EX does with certain cameras). Remember, before the 580EX came along, 550EX used to be the king of the hill!

[robertwgross]

i heard that the 550ex doesnt hi speed sync.

Is this something you read on the Internet?

The 550EX most certainly does do high speed sync.

The issue is whether that will be effective on a drag strip at night. With high speed sync, you typically do not have near as much range as you do on a regular one shot.

---Bob Gross---

[David1943]

One major reason for my buying the 550 is to use high speed sync and I can assure you that it most certainly does!

David

[tim]

The 580EX is more efficient, because it knows about the sensor crop factor. If you use a diffuser you lose this advantage. I wouldn't sell a 550 for a 580, but if I bought a new flash now i'd get a 580 in addition to the 550. The single button to control up down and side-to-side movement of the flash head would be handy.

[ericrudd]

No, there isn't much of a different to warrant getting rid of the 550EX in favor of the 580EX. The 580EX has a little more power output but I don't think it's that significant, expecially at the focal ranges and aperture you'll probably be using. The 580EX is a little lighter and a little thinner but overall, it's not that much different from the 550EX as one would think. They both stand the same height, which surprised me since I thought the 580EX would be smaller.

About the only thing that's really nice (IMHO) about the 580EX compared to the 550EX is the faster recycling time.


When you are using the 550 or 580 as a master transmitter, is it possible to disable the unit's flash output? i.e. use it as a transmitter/controller only?

Eric

[robertwgross]

When you are using the 550 or 580 as a master transmitter, is it possible to disable the unit's flash output? i.e. use it as a transmitter/controller only?


Yes. It can be the wireless master and then set its main light off.

---Bob Gross---