580 EX II Failure -- Confirmed Diagnosis

I have no idea how effective this would be, but how about wrapping the head in some white fun foam - the stuff that better bounce cards are made from - as an insulator and to reflect the sun's rays rather than absorbing them? For extra reflection maybe wrap a layer of aluminium foil around that to reflect the sun away even more. With a bit of engineering creativity you could probably even retain an air gap between the flash head and the wrapped insulator/reflector. A few strategically placed straws might do the trick.

MSIGuy wrote in post #6308508
I have read the manual, and am well aware of the thermal shutdown. What I was saying was that the contributing factor of the shutdown was most likely the ambient temperature rather than the internal build up of heat caused by the discharge of the flash.

I guess when it comes to my expectations of my equipment during their intended use is that if I need to use it I will. If the equipment can't take my use, well, that's what warranties and insurance is for. I"m certainly not going to baby my equipment in order to keep it from getting hot at the expense of missing shots. If I use it hard and it breaks, oh well, time for different equipment.

But the 580EX has never claimed to have any thermal protection sense and activation. I know only of failure of the flash, this thread is the only suspicion of 'thermal sense and protection' activation. There is no mention by Canon in sales literature or the owner manual about a thermal safety activation. Firing as fast as internal AA can recycle is one thing (not that fast), firing as fast as Canon or Quantum external battery pack can recycle (2 sec) is 4-6x faster and can exacerbate the thermal overload issue. In fact, another POTN member just sent me email about his wife's unit failing after heavy cycle load usage at a wedding! With the attitude of "I will '(ab)use it because I need to", you will become one of the multi-unit failure owner!

Wilt wrote in post #6309435
But the 580EX has never claimed to have any thermal protection sense and activation. I know only of failure of the flash, this thread is the only suspicion of 'thermal sense and protection' activation. There is no mention by Canon in sales literature or the owner manual about a thermal safety activation.

580EX II manual: "To avoid overheating and deteriorating the flash head, do not use stroboscopic flash more than 10 times in succession. After 10 times, allow the Speedlite to rest for at least 15 min. If you try to use the stroboscopic flash more than 10 times in succession, the firing might stop automatically to protect the flash head. If this happens, allow the Speedlite to rest for at least 15 min."

I took it that "stop automatically" meant specific provision, and not simply "fail". I would expect such provision to be made, and this may have coloured my reading.

White 580EX II please, same powder coat finish as the telephoto Ls.

What...it really does help! Honest! >.>

Wilt wrote in post #6309435
But the 580EX has never claimed to have any thermal protection sense and activation.

This is Page 7 of the 2 580EX manuals .......

CliveyBoy wrote in post #6315355
580EX II manual: "To avoid overheating and deteriorating the flash head, do not use stroboscopic flash more than 10 times in succession. After 10 times, allow the Speedlite to rest for at least 15 min. If you try to use the stroboscopic flash more than 10 times in succession, the firing might stop automatically to protect the flash head. If this happens, allow the Speedlite to rest for at least 15 min."


I took it that "stop automatically" meant specific provision, and not simply "fail". I would expect such provision to be made, and this may have coloured my reading.

As msowsun's post shows, too many continuous bursts -- not merely stroboscopic usage -- can damage the flash if not given a period of rest. I had not seen that 'stop automatically' wording, which I'll admit might connote a protection circuit.

Wilt wrote in post #6316149
I had not seen that 'stop automatically' wording, which I'll admit might connote a protection circuit.

Might? No, defiantly.

MSIGuy wrote in post #6318437
Might? No, defiantly.

It appears that the 580 had NO protection, but the 580EXII added the protection!

Canon must have realized how many users never read the instruction!

1/1 for "fill" flash?
Im curious.

AdamLewis wrote in post #6327803
1/1 for "fill" flash?
Im curious.

Full sun, ISO 100; 1/250s; f/11; subject at 8 meters would do it...

René Damkot wrote in post #6328626
Full sun, ISO 100; 1/250s; f/11; subject at 8 meters would do it...

I would have to say that about summed up the conditions.

Which weren't ideal, but could not be helped.