Another 580exII failure (underexposing)

Sorry..... Looks like you already looked for loose screws
If Canon can't find a issue I would run it by Michael before purchasing another.

J Kacey wrote in post #9934629
Sorry..... Looks like you already looked for loose screws
If Canon can't find a issue I would run it by Michael before purchasing another.

Thanks Jerry for the info. I honestly dont know how I can be on of the minorities on this under exposing 580exII. I cannot see what I am doing wrong or if bad luck is just happening.

I'll update my status. I'm looking at about a month time to hear from Canon Canada about my flash.

Locally the 580exii's are around $569. ouch!

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=761807

Sounds like the issue I had with mine. BUT Canon said it was broken and fixed it up fine for me...

Good luck!

egordon99 wrote in post #9935459
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=761807

Sounds like the issue I had with mine. BUT Canon said it was broken and fixed it up fine for me...

Good luck!

That's promising to hear. So far my experiences with Canon Canada is good to horrible.

Thanks for the tidbit.

Could you send it to Canon USA - Jamesburg? Tell them "egordon99" sent ya!

AlanU wrote in post #9934462
Hey Bob,

Thanks for chiming in again. The pilot light does operate like it should. All of my batteries are freshly charged too so power isn't the issue.

I'm using the SF18 Yongnuo battery pack(x2). I've always followed the instructions of installing the cord then turning the "on" switch.

Hope it's not it but maybe page 48 of the manual is a bit more than a disclaimer for the 580EX II:

"If a non-Canon external power pack is used, it may cause malfunction."

It would make more sense to me that one of your Yongnuo packs is frying your 580EX's than getting two defective Speedlites in a row.

I've always felt that when in doubt, exclude any and all third party items. Then troubleshoot.

any updates on this, would like to know how it was resolved....

Hello everyone. I just joined this forum in search of an answer to this issue. I bought a brand new 580exII today and it is doing the exact same thing. Tried on 2 different cameras, 5D and rebel XTi. Regarding the comment about Flash mode - compulsory, are you sure about that? Any help is greatly appreciated.

egordon99 wrote in post #9936518
Could you send it to Canon USA - Jamesburg? Tell them "egordon99" sent ya!

I'm from Canada and I always send my stuff to NJ.

AlanU wrote in post #9936515
That's promising to hear. So far my experiences with Canon Canada is good to horrible.

Thanks for the tidbit.

I'm from Canada and I always send my stuff to NJ. Vancouver Canon USA would get you to ship it to Irving. Canon USA does not ship back to Canada. If you are interested I can tell you how I do it.

If you look at some other threads, the 580's are not known for long-term reliability.

There is also an issue with many of the 580EX II's where the flash tube was not set in the metal reflector holder as part of the flash holder lamp assembly in exactly the correct left to right position, causing electrical arcing from the flash tube to the metal reflector at one end, and possibly a reduced or altered flash output. Even getting new tube assemblies doesn't always solve the problem, as the tube needs to be reset within the assembly so this arcing doesn't repeatedly occur.

Unfortunately, the flash head must be disassembled to even see if this is an issue, and if the arcing has ocurred, pitting of the shiny reflector or the flash tube will usually be evident. Cracked and pitted flash tubes will often still flash, sometimes giving the correct output, and sometimes not. If no pitting has ocurred, the tube can be reset, or the entire assembly can be reset and replaced.

These issues have not been seen on the newer 430EX II, as likely the flash tube holder assembly has been made or assembled differently. Unless the flash tube is totally broken, or far off in the output, it probably will not be noticed on a Canon service. Again, just replacing the flash tube holder assembly is not enough, as the tube must be reset within the holder to prevent future arcing.

I hate my 580 II for this exact reason. ETTL is useless with my flash. All it ever does is underexpose. Even if I set the FEC to +1. If I decide to shoot manual flash I cant run and gun since the exposure changes so often. My worst purchase in photography was buying a 580 II.

Are you a cps member? I just had a 580 EXII repaired through CPS services and they paid overnight shipping both ways and turned it around in one day.

Canon Canada CPS program

Regards,
Jim