Canon 580EX III - What improvements?? When ??

[harcosparky]

Seems like we are due for a new speedlight for Canon considering past releases.

Model.......Introduced.......Discontinued -

550 EX ....... 1998 ........... 2004
580 EX ....... 2004 ........... 2007
580 EX II .... 2007 ........... 20??

What improvements could they make to improve on the 580 EX II ?

[Tiberius]

Add more groups to the wireless, as well as not putting the master into group 1 by default.

My suggestions for channels and their possible uses would be...

Master: for control of other flashes and any on-axis fill required
Group 1: key light
Group 2: Rim light
Group 3: Hair light
Group 4: Background

And the ability to have second curtain sync while using the wireless mode!

Zoom to 200mm.

Oh, and upgrade that wireless control system to RADIO!

[hunter440]

I would like to see them last longer than a day or two.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=942663

[harcosparky]

Originally Posted by hunter440

I would like to see them last longer than a day or two.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=942663

What has Canon told you about the failures?

[hunter440]

The first unit failed the first time I used it. I sent it back and it was repaired and back to me in about a week. The only thing they said was the power supply was replaced.

Not sure if they have a bad batch or what is going on. Again, I bought two new flashes (from B&H) and both of them have "went bad" within a month.

I will be sending the second flash back in the AM.

[HighSnobility]

Wireless radio.

[JelleVerherstraeten]

I hope something better the infrared.

Integrated Pocket wizards communication or something.

[mrmarks]

2.4GHz wireless integrated

200mm zoom

[ecub]

I would like to see custom user configurable settings, like the C1,C2, & C3. So if you have multiple uses for your flash, you won't have to spend time reconfiguring it. There are many times I've overblown a shot at a party, after grabbing it from a product shoot. Then coming home, I forgot what settings I used for the product shoot. and I would have to spend time reconfiguring it again.

[BaghdadFred]

+1 on the Wirless built in and the 200MM zoom.

Also it would be useful to have some kind of battery meter or flashcount displayed. After heavy usage of the flash it tends to start not flashing when it should be flashing and it ruins shots. It always seems to leave me guessing when the batteries are starting to give out.

[whiteflyer]

2.4GHz wireless integrated would be nice, but work with which system. There is now a huge range from top price PW to cheap as chips ebay 603s. Or are we thinking Canon will launch a 2.4GHz ST-E2 which would be my bet.

[MOkoFOko]

Originally Posted by harcosparky

Seems like we are due for a new speedlight for Canon considering past releases.

Model.......Introduced.......Discontinued -

550 EX ....... 1998 ........... 2004
580 EX ....... 2004 ........... 2007
580 EX II .... 2007 ........... 20??

What improvements could they make to improve on the 580 EX II ?

Oh nerts, had I looked at and considered this list, I wouldn't have bothered "upgrading" to the 580exII only recently. This is no indication that we'll see a new flash before 2013, but this makes you wonder

[silvex]

set the WB on the flash besides 6000K from the camera.

[danekurb]

I use these flashes a ton. I've probably got 40,000+ shots spread out between the two 580 EXII that I own. I use them wireless and on camera for a bounce/fill, often at the same time.

My problem is that they get hot and need to cool down briefly, after about 75-100 shots of continuous firing. I'm glad I have 2 because at wedding ceremonies and receptions I often can't go without a flash and having the spare has saved my ass. After letting the unit cool down for about 45 minutes it's able to handle a load again. I'm usually running it at +1 1/3.

Hence, make it more efficient! Having wireless would be awesome, too, but may dramatically increase the price. Keep it in the $500 range. 200mm isn't important to me but would be nice. Everything else about the unit is great for me, but ignorance is bliss. I'm always still learning.

[danekurb]

Oh, flash white balance would be amazing, i'd pay extra bucks for that!!!