Beware of using 580EX II with PocketWizards?

I'm fairly new to off camera flash but it's something that I'd like to get into. But I read a post on Canon Rumors detailing a report regarding 580 EX II failure when used with Pocketwizards and possible contributing factors.

The report is a little daunting and I simply looked over the conclusions. I remember there being a post about this earlier but I can't remember which section it was posted under so I apologize for a double post.

But I wanted to know if this is something I should be concerned about or should I look at getting a 430EX II to use with a Pocketwizard.

Thanks!

Source

Here you go... It's a crap shoot with the 580EXII + tragic wizards YMMV as always.

https://photography-on-the.net …088&page=10&hig​hlight=lpa

My 580EXII has been flawless with the PW FlexTT5, with the exception of the range issue (which is solved with the AC7).

Others have not been so lucky.

No issues here and I use them all the time.

I read somewhere that pw was design to work with 430ex and they have problems with 580ex.

keyframe14 wrote in post #12315432
I read somewhere that pw was design to work with 430ex and they have problems with 580ex.

The issue is that PW didn't test the units with enough of the 580EXII units, and unfortunately they're quite variable in terms of RF noise and overall build quality.

The units work best with the 430EXII, because this flash has the lowest RF noise of any current Canon Speedlite. They also work flawlessly with the old 550EX. The 580EX mkI is also a good choice, in that it won't blow up with the FlexTT5, but it does suffer from the RF noise issue.

I blew my 580exii with the TT5. It has been sense brought back to life by CPS.

No problem here with my 580exII but I prefer to use 550ex over 430exII as 550ex has external power input. I use two 550ex using kacey's dual speedlite bracket.

I think the PW flex pushes the 580exii over the edge if you shoot ETTL in a demanding way. The 580exii is a poorly built flash to begin with interms of electronics and flash bulb setup (lack of venting).

I've killed a couple 580exii's so far with no overheating involved. The flash is labelled as a "flagship" pro flash but its failures are by far much higher than 430exii's. A friend of mine works at a camera shop and sees more 580exii's with issues and 430exii's (pro useage) seem to take far more abuse with more reliability (no external battery pack plugin)

Im waiting for the 680 to see what it brings. However, I have not had the issues others have had. Not saying it won't happen, but I have not hit a problem yet.

I've had my 580EXIIs fail, one failed again after 6 test flashes on a camera when it came back from CPS.
The AC7 solves the noise problem. I have not had any failures with 580EX, although they are noisy too.

Rob Galbraith tested the Nissin Di688 and found that it does not have noise problem. I have two and find they work well with Flex. LPA has tested them and there is a setting in the misc tab to configure the Flex to recognize them. Essentially the same power, use external battery packs, and are cheaper than 580EXIIs.

dmward wrote in post #12316120
I've had my 580EXIIs fail, one failed again after 6 test flashes on a camera when it came back from CPS.
The AC7 solves the noise problem. I have not had any failures with 580EX, although they are noisy too.

Rob Galbraith tested the Nissin Di688 and found that it does not have noise problem. I have two and find they work well with Flex. LPA has tested them and there is a setting in the misc tab to configure the Flex to recognize them. Essentially the same power, use external battery packs, and are cheaper than 580EXIIs.

does the Di688 have a good record of reliability? Just curious because I have interest.

I still prefer speedlite using my flex units with ac3 setup for running/gunning outdoors vs. einstein w/ vml packs.

Has the AC7 been updated to not cover the external power port on the 580EXII?

AlanU wrote in post #12316219
does the Di688 have a good record of reliability? Just curious because I have interest.

I still prefer speedlite using my flex units with ac3 setup for running/gunning outdoors vs. einstein w/ vml packs.

Why not get 550ex? Works like a charm with flexTT5 and AC3.

CxThree wrote in post #12317102
Has the AC7 been updated to not cover the external power port on the 580EXII?

AC57

I think it would cost them too much to retool their molds. Supposedly, they planned the AC7 that way