is $227 a good price for 580EX?

I know I could just look around, but I know there are loads of you who have already done the research. It is a refurbished unit. (From a place that I trust) And I have done a bit of research about whether I should go with this unit or the EX II But I'm still having a hard time. Right now I have a Promaster 7500, but I really need something that I can rely on. So with Christmas coming and all... Maybe my husband will be in a giving mood. (Hey he'll do about anything to get out of shopping) Any thoughts?

Id get a new one. with canon's instant rebate, a 580EX II is only 359.95.

sixsixfour wrote in post #4401800
Id get a new one. with canon's instant rebate, a 580EX II is only 359.95.

350.99 at Calumet and Beach.

J.

It's a good price as long as it's in good shape and functional.

Hang on to the Promaster for its optical slave mode. It's a handy feature for when you want to get creative with multiple units.

Is the EX II better in other aspects than just recycle time? And the fact that it is new? What new features improve it over the 580 ex? Also when using master/slave function, where do you put the 2nd flash. I know that sound dumb, but maybe I am dumb, at least to the flash world. On a stand? in your other hand? where does it go?

Here's a table that lists the specs and features of both.

More info on the 580EX II. The new features are summarized in the first paragraph.

A second flash is usually mounted on a stand to provide directional lighting, though the possibilities are many.

hell yeah i'd grab that in a second.

thats the price of a 430ex of course ill take it.

Great info! I can look and look and if I just ask here, I get my answers in seconds rather than hours. Thanks so much Curtis! (My husband and housework thank you too!)

That's the key thing - how hard did the prior owner "ride" it? I'm always nervous about used flashtubes since this is a critical piece of my wedding gear. The tubes are potentially very fragile and even the most careful prior owner can have accidents. The same goes for their circuit boards.

I know it's more money, but for piece of mind I'd buy the new stuff.

Curtis N wrote in post #4401839
It's a good price as long as it's in good shape and functional..........

You can get a 580EX II for 349 at amazon.com with free shipping and no tax for most, Id save your money and get one of those.

Totally agree - when you divide the difference over the years of use you will get out of a new one it's relatively little and a small price to pay for avoiding the "risk."

ben_r_ wrote in post #4402146
You can get a 580EX II for 349 at amazon.com with free shipping and no tax for most, Id save your money and get one of those.

It's refurbished. Coming from Canon. Does that still qualify it as used, (In your opinions) Doesn't refurbished mean that it is requalified as new condition?

Some people buy new cars.

Some people buy used cars and sacrifice some reliability and lifespan.

Reliability is more important to professional shooters who can justify the cost. A wedding processional is not the time to wonder if your flash unit will work.

Hobbyists with limited budgets are often better off buying used if the price is right. They rarely wear out a flash unit. I have one that's 30 years old and still works fine.

There is no single correct answer here. It's a personal choice based on budget and risk tolerance.

Federkeil wrote in post #4402239
It's refurbished. Coming from Canon. Does that still qualify it as used, (In your opinions) Doesn't refurbished mean that it is requalified as new condition?

refurbished means whatever the seller wants it to mean. could be a new bulb and reflector or could have been wiped down with a wet nap and put back in the box. does it come with a warranty?