2 580ex II die a week apart from each other

PacAce wrote in post #13138362
I'm going to quote that in my sig box. There are a few people ribbing me about my not buying used.

Ha ha Im honored PacAce.

Ya know whats funny is I first got that attitude with cars actually. Ive only owned one used car and it was my first that my parents gave me when I graduated high school. Since then Ive never owned anything but brand new ones, never had a car die on me, never done anything other than regular maintenance never had a beat up old car, and it forever changed my perspective on things. Now I have to second, third and fourth guess any time I even for an instant think about buying something used.

Base price for repair is $110 plus $10 shipping. If you are a CPS member it will be $77 shipped.

enginyr wrote in post #13128445
anyone know how much it will cost to send it to canon?

enginyr wrote in post #13140738
psxindo. What exactly was the problem and do you have a link to the DIY?

I dropped both my 580ex2 about 1 month apart. System turns on and zoom works fine, only no flash.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1033751

Buying directly from canon parts is cheaper than from other vendor.

enginyr wrote in post #13140510
Both were sent to canon yesterday. not happy! Clearly a defective product.

First, I'm sorry to hear about your issues - that can be very aggravating. But is it fair to call it a defective product?

Even though your used flashes "looked new" when you bought them, how do you know the prior owner didn't drop them, subject them to extreme conditions, rapid fire and overheat, or do any number of things that could have shortenned their lives? Strobes are somewhat rugged - but at the same time they have fragile components. You simply don't know how he took care of them. I have had two 580ex units now for 5 years..........knock on wood, so far so good.....

My wedding and other work is too critical to chance on certain electronic components. This is why I purchase them new. I hope the repair price is modest.

There are two things that I would replace right off the bat when purchasing used. Flashtube and the fiber optic sensor. Had to do this with the 550EX flash. Total cost for the tube - $6.04, fiber optic sensor was around 3 dollars. This was through Canon parts dept.

You only need to replace the fiber optic sensor if you're getting nothing but full power flashes all the time...and it's set for a much lower value.

They're not that hard to work on. As for the capacitor, it rarely goes bad unless they've been really abused. Or if you present a dead short to it. Most of the time the tube will go bad first.

120 each to fix.

ben_r_ wrote in post #13133768
Huh, thats very interesting. The one Ive had the longest is four years old and hasnt given me an issue yet. For you to have two go out is pretty crazy. How are you storing them? How often do you use them? What batteries are you using in them? Are you firing them on camera or off? If on, are you using the Canon brand off shoe camera cord? If off what are you mounting and triggering them with?

sorry...just revisited this thread.

At this moment in time I'm barely using flash. I shoot more with fast primes now with no flash. I use to practice and use flash for everything.

I'm extremely particular about my gear and store things in a gentle manner. I use Sanyo eneloops, Rayovac hybrids. I have a yongnuo and another china knockoff OC-E3 ettl cord but use it when I shoot with my PW flex.

All I say is I just cant wait for Canon to revise the 580exii. I think in most cases with on shoe flash bouncing I dont think I'll have a major issue since I dont hammer the flash hard with alot of FEC.

Virtually all of my gear is purchased new. My first 580exii died with regular use but on shoe bouncing flash. OMG come to think of it I've killed 3 of those crappy 580exii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've lost count. I guess I shouldn't complain...those flashes are only close to $600 including tax when I purchased them in Canada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now you can see why I am disgusted!!

Be sure and clean the contacts on the camera and flash units. A pencil eraser works well.

AlanU wrote in post #13192277
sorry...just revisited this thread.

At this moment in time I'm barely using flash. I shoot more with fast primes now with no flash. I use to practice and use flash for everything.

I'm extremely particular about my gear and store things in a gentle manner. I use Sanyo eneloops, Rayovac hybrids. I have a yongnuo and another china knockoff OC-E3 ettl cord but use it when I shoot with my PW flex.

All I say is I just cant wait for Canon to revise the 580exii. I think in most cases with on shoe flash bouncing I dont think I'll have a major issue since I dont hammer the flash hard with alot of FEC.

Virtually all of my gear is purchased new. My first 580exii died with regular use but on shoe bouncing flash. OMG come to think of it I've killed 3 of those crappy 580exii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've lost count. I guess I shouldn't complain...those flashes are only close to $600 including tax when I purchased them in Canada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now you can see why I am disgusted!!

You are aware that the Pocket Wizard Flex units are known for damaging 580EX II flash units right? See this thread: LINKand many more out there. Its pretty well known and Pocket Wizard has been trying several different solutions to try and get past it. If anything, Pocket Wizard Flex units are the crappy over priced units...