Just another rant....580EXII

I just had this same exact problem with my 580EXII in the shop right now...

Joe

AlanU wrote in post #10561338
#3 speedlite DEAD

This weekend I had my 580EXII on my TT5 flex/Kacey BD.

It was working well considering the harsh sunlight. So little abuse then suddenly the flash seems to have lost sync with the camere (tested on 3 bodies). I did everything you could imagine to troubleshoot. The current flash has been repaired (completely gutted with new components).

Back to my favourite camera store so they can ship it out for me. They laughed and said they were NOT suprised. I was told this is not uncommon. Bad luck is also not a factor either. Jokingly they said I should go to the darkside and enjoy a more robust Nikon flash. The "shop" even tried a quick trouble shooting of this flash and they said "yup its NFG"

Man this flash thing irritates me. Oh well.......

I was also using the Eneloops and PW with my 580 when the circuit board blew too. The flash is so bright because you're only getting full dumps...

AlanU wrote in post #10568118
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.

Did anyone else notice that the two users here that complained about problems with their 580 EX II failing were also using PW Flex's?

AlanU, were you using HSS at the time or do you use HSS often?

ecub wrote in post #10658721
AlanU, were you using HSS at the time or do you use HSS often?

I was using HSS at the time.

Did all 3 break about the time you were using HSS? Were you also doing OCF using the PW FlexTT5 each time it happened? Did each flash fail on the same camera (5DmkII)?

I've asked for the exif information as well.

Vermin87 wrote in post #10568730
Did anyone else notice that the two users here that complained about problems with their 580 EX II failing were also using PW Flex's?

Yeah, I've just ordered 4 PW Flex's, which should be arriving Friday. I'm hoping it's a combination of the same body (5Dmk2) and the 580exII's.

ecub wrote in post #10659187
Did all 3 break about the time you were using HSS? Were you also doing OCF using the PW FlexTT5 each time it happened? Did each flash fail on the same camera (5DmkII)?

I'm not quite sure if the flash "broke" using HSS. Under exposure was noticed indoors while I'm under the max flash sync.

The flashes failed on different bodies. I shuffle the flash from body to body depending on the mood I'm in. So I cannot determine which body since I'd use the 580exii on all of my bodies I own.

My 3rd 580exii died while I used my PW flex while shooting OCF. The other two occasions I'd probably assume the failures occured on the body with bounced flash and not used in a softbox etc.

OOTSK, what info are you looking for from the exif? "fired, complusory mode" ?


My first 580exii failure Canon repair received a full CD of photos with underexposed shots yet they still sent the flash back to me saying "within specification". The camera store I deal with took the flash and gave me a brand new one.

exif information would include focal range, shutter speed, f-stop, aperature, iso, etc.
I' think what many people are wondering is if you expected a canon fash to fully light some
sort of modifier, in HSS, outdoors. I was also wanting the previous 5 or so photos before, to see the time stamp. Just curious, as I have the same flash as you do, and most of us do. I'd like to know if the problem was poor flash quality, or possibly overuse.

ootsk wrote in post #10665078
exif information would include focal range, shutter speed, f-stop, aperature, iso, etc.
I' think what many people are wondering is if you expected a canon fash to fully light some
sort of modifier, in HSS, outdoors. I was also wanting the previous 5 or so photos before, to see the time stamp. Just curious, as I have the same flash as you do, and most of us do. I'd like to know if the problem was poor flash quality, or possibly overuse.

I dont care to share the couples photos due to their privacy. As you can see this is the type of FEC I was using. The BD was close in most cases.

Next time I will only use the BD on a cloudy/shadey day an put two flashes on the BD or simply shooting bare.

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/6400
Av( Aperture Value ) 3.2
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation -1/3
ISO Speed 200
Auto ISO Speed OFF
Lens EF35mm f/1.4L USM
Focal Length 35.0mm
Image Size 5616x3744
Image Quality Fine
Flash On
Flash Type External E-TTL
E-TTL II flash metering Average flash metering
Flash Exposure Compensation +1/3
Shutter curtain sync 1st-curtain sync
FE lock OFF
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode One-Shot AF


On some photos I went as high as +2 1/3 FEC but not consecutive. Flash NEVER went into thermal shutdown. I'm extremely easy on my flash gear. I just picked up a Elinchrom 300RX and will be purchasing a 600RX for infrequent outdoor shooting.

Ootsk, as far as pushing the flash goes I'd say I'm very easy on the flash. The 3rd death is my flash no longer syncs with the body. The first two underexposed.

In my case I'd say poor quality. Over use would hardly be the case.

First off, nice lens...lol.
I'm under the impression that once you go past sync speed, our flash goes into HSS mode, where instead of a single bright burst, there's a "strobe" effect to properly expose the frame as the shutter slit passes by. I've heard, but don't remember where, that this "strobe effect" reduces the total output/range of our flashes by a TON. That reduction in range, and the effort needed to fill a beauty dish is VERY hard on your flash. When I'm outdoors and need range and brightness, I make an effort to keep my shutter speed below my sync speed. This keeps the flash at it's maximum potential output. It's your call how you use your stuff, but you say you've had trouble, and I don't doubt that. What is causing the trouble, in my opinion, is the combination of HSS and Beauty Dish.
Not sure what the solution is either...to get that 2.8 or 3.2 aperature on a sunny day requires a high shutter speed. I sometimes use my AB800 outdoors to overpower the sun, but I have to keep my speeds below 250. The 580 is just not the right tool all the time.

midnight_rider wrote in post #10561869
The SB900 is amazing.

I'm just saying.

Yea, they over heat after 5 pops on full power and take a break for 20

The only times I see 580's burn up is from people firing at full power in bursts and not letting the unit cool down.

Just got the flash back. So Canon replaced the entire board claiming its defective. Lets see how well this flash lasts.........the bill would have been 138 bucks but waived since it was less than 3 mths from the last repair.

I'll shoot all weekend so I will see how it works.

kylyo wrote in post #10563833
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.

Yeah, but the portability isn't so great with the Bees.

It'd be awesome customer service if they'd come out and transport your lights for you....