5D and 550ex vs 580 ex

I am upgrading from my 3 1/2 year old 10D which has done 125 000 actuations to a 5D. I am ordering tomorrow. I am getting the battery pack and 2 4GB Sandisk extreme iii cards .

My question is whether the w/b and distance info of the 580ex very much puts that flash in another league over my 550ex . Should i bite the bullet and buy the 580??

please help

They are definately in the SAME league. 580ex is nice, but just a small upgrade from the 550ex.

I have both flashes and they are great. The 580 is just a little more and it is better for battery life. Get yourself a bunch of rechargeable batteries as well. Whichever you choose, they are powerful flashes.

thanks for the reply. i already have the 550ex!

With the rebate, go for it! I use both of mine with the remote transmitter and they are amazing.

Hey, Suzie - why did you keep your 550EX after getting the 580EX? Thx.

If i remember right, with the double rebates, the 580EX will end up costing you next to nothing over the long run, if you can afford to pick it up at the same time as your 5D.

My understanding is the 580 has slightly more power, adjusts its zoom for APS C sensor cameras (not needed with a 5D ) and, having used both, has a better user interface.
Its also a little smaller, slimmer and generally more compact.