Power pack for Canon 580 EXII

I need an external power pack for the 580 and there are several models at B&H. What power pack are you using and why did you select that model. in other words, what power pack will you recommend. I intend to use it for red carpets and press conferences.
Thanks

I'm using Canon's CP-E4. It works fine. I've heard about some people breaking plastic tabs in the battery cassette, but that has not happened to me.
I think there are cheaper solutions that does the same thing. I tend to stick with Canon stuff, since they most often fit well together.

Canon CP-E4.

I have canon cp-e4 and now two pixel packs. Pixel packs are workig nice and cheaper. I got mine from Edward of Cheetah Stand.

thanks, any comments on non Canon branded packs, like:
Quantum , which model or Lumidyne, which model?

bobbyz wrote in post #11873344
I have canon cp-e4 and now two pixel packs. Pixel packs are workig nice and cheaper. I got mine from Edward of Cheetah Stand.

what are pixel packs?

It will be the Pixel TD 381 - a cheaper than the canon option that actually offer a faster recharge rate because it works in two groups of 4 batteries (in the single 8 battery pack) rather than one unit of 8. That means you can use it with 4 or 8 and with two groups (ie 8) working your recharge is all the faster:

Some additional viewpoints here:

http://www.flickr.com …iscuss/72157625​992754702/

I can't compare it to the other market options, but it works very well for myself with both the 580EX2 and the MT-24EX

Here's a thread where we discussed the Pixel TD-381

Overread wrote in post #11875015
It will be the Pixel TD 381 - a cheaper than the canon option that actually offer a faster recharge rate because it works in two groups of 4 batteries (in the single 8 battery pack) rather than one unit of 8. That means you can use it with 4 or 8 and with two groups (ie 8) working your recharge is all the faster:

Some additional viewpoints here:

http://www.flickr.com …iscuss/72157625​992754702/

I can't compare it to the other market options, but it works very well for myself with both the 580EX2 and the MT-24EX

Thanks for this link.

I've got one of these for my Nissin Di866 (which has the same electrical plug as the Canon CP-E4)..

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1298197​816&sr=1-5

Works great.

The Yongnuo one has done me fine for the last year (I have and use three of them). The pixel gives you a few advantages over the yongnuo if that matter to you, which is direct copy of the Canon version.

I got this one

http://cgi.ebay.com …ories&hash=item​3ef8871c9a

It only holds 6 batteries (Canon one holds 8 cells) and does not come with any case or belt clip, just a thumbscrew to go into the bottom of the camera. I had heard the reports of the new Canon ones having tabs that break and so I thought I would try cheap this time before I went with something that seemed to cause more than a few people grief. It is doing fine and not only works better than I expected it to but it works quite well despite being from a company called "Apurture".

I would guess that Quantum or Lumidyne are excellent products though and would last until cells are no longer available (or about 20-25 years when capacitors start to fail). That is just a guess though based on company reputation and track record.

Thanks for feedback on low end packs, I now need to know which of the high end model is best.

tonyniev wrote in post #11878492
Thanks for feedback on low end packs, I now need to know which of the high end model is best.

As far as the higher end models go, I personally like the Quantum Turbo 2x2 because it has two power ports which allow me to power two flash units simultaneously, a flash and a camera simultaneously, or power one flash or camera twice as long. One disadvantage of it is that it requires a separately purchased power cable for the specific flash or camera you have. But it's also an advantage in that you can use the battery pack with just about any supported brand of flash or camera, as long as you get the proper cable for it.

As a side note, I also have the Canon CP-E4 which I also like (not that it's a high end pack).

PacAce wrote in post #11878595
As far as the higher end models go, I personally like the Quantum Turbo 2x2 because it has two power ports which allow me to power two flash units simultaneously, a flash and a camera simultaneously, or power one flash or camera twice as long. One disadvantage of it is that it requires a separately purchased power cable for the specific flash or camera you have. But it's also an advantage in that you can use the battery pack with just about any supported brand of flash or camera, as long as you get the proper cable for it.

As a side note, I also have the Canon CP-E4 which I also like (not that it's a high end pack).

Thanks Leo, do you use rechargeable on your CP-E4, it would be a good starter and then can serve as a back up when I know more about the higher end packs.