Upgrade from 380EX to 580EX?

[DionM]

Hi all,

I have a 20D and various lenses (see below). My flash is my old 380EX, a hang over from my EOS3300 (Rebel 2k) film setup. I have mostly been happy with the 380EX for the limited use it has had, though I always felt more power would be nice.

In a month I will be shooting my wife's PhD graduation ceremony. Family will be there etc so the pressure is on for some good shots. I will be using the 70-200 f2.8 and the 17-40 f4.

Shots will be a mixture of indoors and outdoors (daytime). I don't expect to need it for anything more than fill-in flash, though the indoors may be sufficiently dark to mean the flash becomes the main source. To be honest in the indoor shots will only be 'for record' type shots (her walking to collect the piece of paper etc), whilst the outdoor will be the portraits.

Will I see a benefit of the 580EX in terms of improved metering, fill-in flash etc? I think I should be right for power with the 380EX (ISO400) in most situations but I am not sure about outdoors fill-flash with large groups. I know this needs a lot of power and I don't know if the 380EX will deliver the goods?

Talk me into justifying getting a 580EX for this little assignment ;)

[KevC]

The biggest thing I'd miss from a 380EX would be the swivel. I have a 420EX, and it's fine for me. You have a 20D, so it has Flash Exposure Compensation. If you only plan to have one flash, the 550EX or 580EX would be good, lotsa onboard controls! But if you plan to expand your flash setup, then you might get the 420EX first then the 580EX later. I don't know too much about flash photography, so I wouldn't mess with the controls on the 580EX anyway hehe.

[DionM]

That's a good point. The 380EX has tilt, but no swivel. In portrait orientation it blasts the sidewall, rather than the roof.

[Dante King]

580 is an incredible flash. Head swivels so you can blast the ceiling. :) The setting on the 580 are incredible. ITs well worth its price in my book. I just shot 4gb of pics for my sons b-day party. It did an outstanding job with just the built in difuser pulled down. Its alot of money but it complements my 20D extremely well.

[lancea]

Hi Dante - I like your posts. Always make sense. I've got a 580EX on the way, have read the instruction book 2 1/2 times, and the stickies. The article on photonotes.org was really useful. But can you tell me what flash settings you used for the party? Tv, Av, M or P? You'll probably tell me "all of 'em", but I'll take my chances ;) Thanks.

[crusher420]

I just got my new 580EX and I took a ton of pictures with it and my EF 50mm f/1.8....and I have to tell you that this thing was worth every penny. Dante is right about that drop down diffuser....it is such a simple little thing but it does wonderful things to shots. I am sure glad that I spent the money on this.

[lancea]

I have to tell you that this thing was worth every penny
Thanks for the reassurance. I just checked my Visa statement yesterday and what with shipping and exchange rates it did come to quite a few pennies :shock: