External Battery Pack For 580EX MkII

Hi Tim - I didn't realize the port on the side of the 580EX MkII was a high voltage port. What sort of voltages are we talking about? I didn't see any reference to this in the handbook.

Are we now saying that the output of the CP-E4 is high, and not low battery voltage as I had believed?

Thanks.

Hi again lads

Just searched the Canon web site and this was the sum total of the lack of info available.

New battery pack
Developed with working professional photographers in mind, the new external compact battery pack CP–E3 improves flash recycle times significantly and increases to approximately 432 the number of firings before batteries need to be replaced[2]. The pack takes optional rapid-change magazines that can be loaded with eight AA-size batteries prior to a shoot to ensure fast, smooth transitions from one battery set to the next – important in critical shooting situations or to keep up momentum in studio environments. The CP–E3 battery pack is also compatible with the Speedlite 550EX, MR-14EX and MT-24EX.

Not even updated to the CP-E4 - or perhaps it is so well hidden I couldn't find it - Why the hell can't Canon make thier web site more searchable?

Ray.Petri wrote in post #5768050
Hi Tim - I didn't realize the port on the side of the 580EX MkII was a high voltage port. What sort of voltages are we talking about? I didn't see any reference to this in the handbook.

Are we now saying that the output of the CP-E4 is high, and not low battery voltage as I had believed?

Yes it's a high voltage port, and the CP-E3/CP-E4 has circuitry to multiply the voltage. You don't wanna mess with that. I have no idea of the specs, I just bought the Canon pack so I don't need to worry about it.

Tim - thanks for that confirmation - I might eventually consider the canon battery pack - although I don't know why they don't give a better description of it on their site.

The battery pack is well worth it IMHO, especially for a pro. Great value too.

I have no idea, but it is too expensive for my blood, especially when I would need 2 of them.

MIke

OK Guys

Thanks for all the replies - I will put it in my 'things to buy in future' list.

Regards

It takes 300+ Volts to charge the 580s capacitor. So if you just have four batteries in the flash, or are using the battery compartment with a Black Box you still have to wait for the ciruits in the flash to convert the voltage up to 300+.

When you use a the High Voltage port the flash circuits are by passed beause the battery pack is doing the conversion, so the recycle times are reduced.

You can buy the High Voltage cables from several different makers for about $30, but that still leaes you with designing a safe and reliable way to get the voltage up to 300+.

Thanks Wilvoeka

It now begins to make sense.

Regards

Ray

wilvoeka wrote in post #5771622
It takes 300+ Volts to charge the 580s capacitor. So if you just have four batteries in the flash, or are using the battery compartment with a Black Box you still have to wait for the ciruits in the flash to convert the voltage up to 300+.

When you use a the High Voltage port the flash circuits are by passed beause the battery pack is doing the conversion, so the recycle times are reduced.

You can buy the High Voltage cables from several different makers for about $30, but that still leaes you with designing a safe and reliable way to get the voltage up to 300+.

Personally I wouldn't even try that, but would consider buying a CP-E4 and moding it for batteries that are nicer than AAs....