580 or 600?

I am after a flash for general use. I am far from being a pro, I take family portraits and hope to get into some macro work (wife's flowe arrangements). My shortlist is 580 & 600. Advice and considerations appreciated. Thanks
(7D, 15-85 & 100L macro)

I think the 580exII would serve you just as well as the 600. The wireless benefits of the 600 are nice, but only if you have a kit capable of taking full advantage of it. I think the 580, or even perhaps the 430ex would be sufficient.

There's no real advantage to the 600 unless you plan to set up a radio-controlled system using flashes compatible with the 600 and/or have a camera fully compatible with the 600's flash system, such as the 5DIII. The 600 is the latest/greatest technology, but with your intended usage and equipment that probably will not really make a difference to you. You should be able to get a 580 for less money.

EDIT: I also second gonzogolf's suggestion about the 430EX II.

Many thanks.
As in the UK the 600 is actually slightly cheaper than the 580, if I understand correctly, there is no real disadvantage in the 600, compared to the 580. Is this correct?

hugues wrote in post #15226497
Many thanks.
As in the UK the 600 is actually slightly cheaper than the 580, if I understand correctly, there is no real disadvantage in the 600, compared to the 580. Is this correct?

No, but I would check with more vendors as that doesnt sound correct.

I am not one to quickly upgrade to the next new thing. However, the 600EX-RT is the future. The Canon RT system is absolutely the next step in the evolution of speedlights. If you can afford it, why not buy into the new system and have the capabilities available as you grow into them?

Bob

many thanks, will go with the 600 and hope the dream for a 5DIII will materialise soon

if you can get a 580 at a great price go for it. I wouldnt bother with the 600. I am after a 2nd unit and looking for a 580. The 600 doesnt appeal to me.

Go 600. Why lock your self out of the future?
You may decide to do more with your Speedlites down the road, which would require purchasing Pocket Wizards or comparable product. With the new Canon system built in, why would you want to lock out out?

even the radio triggering aside, there are quite a few differences between the two flashes.
take a look at Canon 580EX II vs 600EX

Not too sure about the prices over there. But here in Oz i can get an as new 580ex11 AND 430ex11 off Ebay for the price of a new 600. Just sayin

I chose to upgrade from a 430ex + 580exII combo to 2 600exs recently and the reason behind it was taking pictures outside in sunny weather was causing the slave flash to not fire even though the infrared meters were pointed directly at each other. I was using an ettl cable to get the 580ex off the camera pointed at the 430ex. While this worked for most occasions, if the sun showed its ugly face the setup failed. Now I am no longer tied to the first light stand and have the freedom to place the flashes where I want them to be.

If you do not think you will need to optically transmit in direct sunlight than the 580 is a perfect flash with some great power.

Oh and no matter what you get.... get the flash OFF camera =]

I shadowed the receiver on the slave with some tape and a piece of paper, on such an occasion. Solved the problem for that day.

Of course, radio is better, but I only had a couple of 580 EX II at that time. And it's the flash head of the master which needs to face the receiver on the slave. Pointing the receivers at each other will not help.

Hot Bob wrote in post #15226596
I am not one to quickly upgrade to the next new thing. However, the 600EX-RT is the future. The Canon RT system is absolutely the next step in the evolution of speedlights. If you can afford it, why not buy into the new system and have the capabilities available as you grow into them?

Bob

Because not every photographer will blossom into a full fledged flash photographer. He can pick up a flash sufficient for his purposes now and buy into future technology when and if his interest develops. By that time, prices will have fallen on today's technology and new future technology will be available.

I never believe any piece of tech is "the future." It's here today, therefore it is current. It might inspire or become the foundation for something else down the pipe, but it is not in and of itself "the future."

Nathan wrote in post #15240227
Because not every photographer will blossom into a full fledged flash photographer. He can pick up a flash sufficient for his purposes now and buy into future technology when and if his interest develops. By that time, prices will have fallen on today's technology and new future technology will be available.

I never believe any piece of tech is "the future." It's here today, therefore it is current. It might inspire or become the foundation for something else down the pipe, but it is not in and of itself "the future."

I understand that the price of the 600EX-RT is steep. Not every photographer, wether pro or amateur, can afford it or justify it. Regardless of the price, Canon has set a new standard in what a speedlite can be.

I learned long ago that buying twice always costs more than buying once. Sometimes you can't get around that and you have to buy a transitional product. That's fine but, it is much better to do it from an informed point of view than out of ignorance. That is why people ask for opinions on this forum and we all offer them.

Bob