580 to replace the 550?

Just a quick question...
I did a little searching already and have read a few posts. But I can't seem to find the answer to my specific question....probably an "older" dilemma.
I have had the 550 for years and have had no problems. However, I just started wondering what, if anything, I would gain by getting the current 580.
Just wondering....
Thanks.

Faster recycle, smaller package, single button to unlock and change the head's direction (550EX has one for tilt, one for rotate)

I upgraded a little while ago and love the 580EX I.

The 580EX also has the really nice scroll wheel to change settings, like the XXD cameras.

The 580 is actually on it's second generation already....the 580EX II.

I'm sure there is a whole list of 'new features'...but off the top of my head.
The 580 is slightly more powerful.
The 580 recycles faster, the II even more so, and is supposedly quieter.
The 580II is weather sealed.
I'm not sure if it's just the camera or the flash, but newer combination can tell what the camera's sensor size is, and adjust the zoom head accordingly...thus not wasting light by illuminating beyond the lenses field of view.
The 580EX II has a self contained auto mode, sort of like the Vivitar Auto Thyristor flashes.
I think the hotshoe locking mechanize has changed, either with the 580 or the 580II.

I used to have a 550EX about 5 years ago and I was never happy with its output, mine also constantly had color shifting issues, really weird. I now have a 580exII and I LOVE this flash. it's just fantastic, I'd like to get a battery pack for it, and honestly I'd like to buy at least 1 more, but I'd say it is definitely worth the upgrade.

In addition to what they've posted the following are good enough reasons to upgrade:

1) Much quieter "whine" noise.
2) The head swivels beyond 90deg to the right.
3) In-cam menu controls
4) Smaller size...

And don't forget the updated ETTL master features.

With the 580exII, you can have 3 groups : A, B, and C; and you can wireless set manual power levels to slave flashes. Oh, and a PC sync port. And a new locking mechanism.

Ah... but there is one really nice feature the 550EX has, that the 580EX II doesn't....
Lower RF Noise interference with PocketWizards. Now that my AC-5 has come in, the 580EX II performs much better at long distances.

I've got both and still use both. There are a couple of things that haven't been mentioned yet.

The diffuser on the 580EX II allows head to be "zoomed" to 14mm.
The 580EX II also has a retractable bounce card.
Newer camera bodies can control it via the body (settings, custum functions, etc)

There is one downside though... especially if you like to set your settings by pressing buttons on the flash. Setting it in slave mode requires pressing a couple of buttons instead of just sliding from master to slave.

Definitely worth the ugprade, but if money is tight, the 550 is still a great flash.

Oh yeah... forgot about this...

The 580EX II has an overheat protection circuit that will help out when rapid firing your flash. Probably not important if you don't use something like the CP-E4 or a Quantum pack to help with recharging your flash so that it can rapid fire.

Austin: The 550EX has A:B + C as well.
IMO, the 580EX 1 is a better option if you're doing wireless ETTL, the 580EXII menu access is just plain clunky.

I have both - all three actually. You gain a head that's easier to move and simpler controls. Unless you need those features don't waste your money.

I sold a 550 for the 580EX MK I and couldn't be happier.I've used the 580 MK II and just don't feel the upgrade is woth the $$.Find a nice,used 580EX MK I would be my advice.

Oh I didn't know that. I always thought the 550ex was like the ST-E2 in that it didn't have a C group. Learn something new everyday.

The 550/580 works better than the ST-E2 IMO, the latter can only send TTL signals via IR, severely limiting its coverage distance and width, compared to the flash master units that use the pre-flash to send out signals as well using the large flash tube. (sorry OT).

theveed wrote in post #9231563
The 550/580 works better than the ST-E2 IMO, the latter can only send TTL signals via IR, severely limiting its coverage distance and width, compared to the flash master units that use the pre-flash to send out signals as well using the large flash tube. (sorry OT).

The fact of the matter is that what you posted is not the whole story and not entirely correct. I've posted the details of how they work in another thread so I'm not going to retype it here but please have a look at that thread:

https://photography-on-the.net …php?p=9171486#p​ost9171486

BTW, here are excerpts from their respective manuals of the wireless coverage of the 580EX and the ST-E2. According to Canon, their coverage are identical.

580EX II:

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