Just another rant....580EXII

Two of my 580EX II's are little over two years old with average use and they are both going strong. I have zero problems.

Sheesh I think I have bad luck then.... I seldom shoot full power consecutively and never dropped them either.

My fav camera store are straight up with me too so there is some truth to the Canon's flash being less robust to nikon. I sure wish my 580exII's have held up like some of the POTN members. Then again there are alot of "used" 580exII's on the market. My assumption is people use it for a year or so then sell them and get fresh batches. People buying used equipment cant complain since they are buying used. Or perhaps this is just my assumption....

Odd here on the POTN 'cause Ive spoken to other canon users locally having the same "under exposure" issues. Once I get my speedlite repaired I hope it holds up.

Huh, the two 580EX IIs Ive had for almost three years have never given me any problems.

FWIW EVERY local mom and pop camera shop is a nikon store. Always have been. Thats just the way it seems to be everywhere. Doesnt MEAN anything though, except thats what those owners know and have used all their lives. The world has changed though and Canon caught up and passed in many ways. I can name five in my area and all are that way. That being said, I hope youre not buying gear from them, they are usually drastically over priced!

I wasn't please with my speedlite either, picked up a Alien Bees B800 and couldn't be happier. They are awesome units with amazing customer service.

AlanU, what batteries do you use? Which camera was it on when it happened?

mchong75 wrote in post #10563300
Two of my 580EX II's are little over two years old with average use and they are both going strong. I have zero problems.

+1 - zero problems here too with my x2 580exII's.

Alan -> give Canon hell over this!
Seems like the Quality Control standards/processes/pr​ocedures have lapsed!
I would be fuming if this happened to me.

apersson850 wrote in post #10562932
I've heard from professional Nikon users that the SB-900 burns too.

My partner switched to Nikon and his biggest gripe about the SB-900 is that it gets hot pretty fast and takes awhile to cool down. Not good if you are a wedding photographer.

Anytime You put a modifier on a flash, you are asking for trouble. . I do, but I'm VERY considerate of how the flash is being used. Bright sun, I don't use a modifier. Shade or indoors, yes. Also, even without a modifier using hss GREATLY reduces range, and......causes the flash to have to work super hard.
I'm still curious about the exif info for the few shots before the breakage.

AlanU wrote in post #10562099
I wasn't even using my external battery packs. The flash had an enormous amount of time to cool shot after shot.

Less than 3mths of use on this particular flash. This was my 2nd outing using the 580exii/BD combo.

I wonder when they are gonna ditch the 580exii for a revision.

Sound like you fried the main circuit board in the flash. This happened to me while using my knockoff cp-e4 battery pack + 580ex ii+ PW Flex setup. You never know with electronics, you are alway one power surge away from disappointment.

what is NFG?

I had 3 580ex2 for over 2 years, no problems so far as I have shot in the rain, at a beach during a hot day, and dropped a few times (by accident)

ben_r_ wrote in post #10563821
FWIW EVERY local mom and pop camera shop is a nikon store.

This is true to a point and I'll bet money the ones making fun of your bad luck are Nikon users . I even find camera stores in my area a bit "brand biased " to a degree if you get to know them good enough and get into talking shop . A lot of it has to do with the person standing on the other side of the counter .
I'm sure some Nikon owners get the same from Canon biased shops too .

I agree with some comments that there may be a reason for your multi failures .

ecub wrote in post #10563845
AlanU, what batteries do you use? Which camera was it on when it happened?

Sanyo Eneloops.

I was using my 5dmk2 for this particular E session.

All of my photos are underexposed and my sync seems "off" but the flash still fires extremely bright. Infact in ETTL mode I can dial down the FEC and the light reduces and when I ramp it up to +1 2/3 the light increases intensity. I should have used my light meter to measure the light but I was disgusted and just dropped the flash off to the store. They will ship it out for me to Canon.

I should have brought out my Nikon speedlights and cybersyncs and shoot manual but I wanted to shoot at wider apertures.

Still not sure why I am having bad luck. My 2 other 580exii's that have died seldom ever been used in a softbox/BD. I typically bounce flash indoors.

As a hobbyist I earn little to no money doing what I enjoy. My wifes friends were shocked as I told them my $500CDN flash just died. They said "aren't you mad?????" I'm so numb to this stuff that I just dont see the point in raising a brow anymore.

I'm bummed for you.... I have 580 ex's and they have worked flawlessly for years.
At least they will fix it for you at no cost, Right?

does Canon replace the flash bulb ?

what other parts that could have burn out ? I am curious.

AlanU wrote in post #10568118
As a hobbyist I earn little to no money doing what I enjoy. My wifes friends were shocked as I told them my $500CDN flash just died. They said "aren't you mad?????" I'm so numb to this stuff that I just dont see the point in raising a brow anymore.

It's just the way the cookie crumbles, you just can't control it. I look forward to what canon will do with your flash. let me know alan.

I am waiting for my 24-70L to be returned from Canon. I am quite optimistic about this repair. I hope everything goes alright.