Canon's Speedlite 580EX II flashgun is the manufacturer's top-of-the-range offering. It's a powerful Speedlite, offering a host of options for photographers. Most pro photographers use this flashgun.
Description
- Guide Number: 58m (190 feet)
- Coverage: 24-105mm, 14mm
- Tilt / Swivel: 360 degrees
- Recycle Time: 3 / 6 seconds
- Custom Functions: 14
- AF Assist: Up to 45 points
Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash Review
If you're looking to make a career out of photography, or if you simply are lucky enough to have some spare cash, then the 580EX II is the flashgun to buy. It's not small, and it will take up a fair amount of room in your camera bag, but it's worth it for the vast number of features it offers.
Controls
The 580EX II is an upgrade from Canon's 580EX, and Canon has changed the controls a little. The flashgun retains the brilliant dial for accessing features such as exposure compensation for the flash. The on/off switch rotates instead of sliding, which feels more secure. For some unknown reason, Canon has removed the Master/Slave switch that used to sit at the bottom of the unit. You now have to hold down the Zoom button for two seconds to access this. This is annoying, but it's pretty much the only issue about this flashgun!
Batteries and Power
The battery compartment is a little difficult to open. It requires you to push down hard and slide the compartment at the same time, and it really can't be done in a rush! On the plus side, it locks automatically once closed. Battery life is excellent with the 580EX II, as you'll be able to shoot between 100 and 700 shots from new AA batteries. Recycling time takes between 0.1 and 6 seconds.
Body
The 580EX II is weather-sealed, which means it should be fairly resistant to rain. However, it's a beast of a flashgun, weighing nearly a pound with the batteries installed. Additionally, it will take up a fair amount of room in a camera bag ... but, then again, it does have a lot of features to cram inside the flash unit!
Flash Head
The 580EX II has a tilt/swivel of 360 degrees, which really does cover every eventuality. The unit comes with a wide-angle diffuser, to use with lenses down to 14mm, and it has a white reflector card as well. The latter is meant to help soften the light, but, to be honest, you'd be far better off investing in a Sto-fen for this purpose.
What is the Guide Number?
We've talked about how the 580EX II has a guide number of 58m (190 feet). But how does this translate in practical terms? The guide number follows this formula:
Guide Number / Aperture at ISO 100 = Distance
To shoot at f8, we would divide the guide number by the aperture to determine the appropriate distance for the subject:
190 feet / f8 = 23.75 feet
Therefore, if we are shooting at f8, our subjects shouldn't be further than 23.75 feet away.
Obviously, with such a high guide number, the 580EX II gives photographers a huge amount of freedom when shooting with flash.
Modes and Custom Functions
The 580EX II features Canon's E-TTL II flash exposure metering system. This is the automatic mode, and it is extremely good. It's particularly useful in helping to provide accurate white balance (something than can be a problem for Canon cameras in certain lighting conditions).
A new feature is the Auto and Manual External Metering. Tell this flash your ISO and and aperture, and it will set the correct flash output. You'll need a compatible camera to use it in Auto mode, but those with older Canons can still use it in Manual mode.
Manual flash mode can be controlled in 1/3 increments (1/1 down to 1/128th). The unit also has Stroboscopic flash, where the flashgun automatically fires a series of flashes. This is great fun! And, as you'd expect with a top of the range Speedlite, there are all the usual features such as High Speed Synch, First and Second Curtain Sync, FEL (Flash Exposure Lock), and FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing). This is an advanced unit.
Canon included 14 custom functions.
Wireless Mode
The 580EX II works as a master or slave unit, and it will work with compatible Speedlites and wireless transmitters. Four slave channel IDs also are available to prevent conflict with other photographers. Using the flashgun off-camera will prevent your pictures from having red eye, and it will help to avoid them looking flat.
Conclusion
This is the ultimate Canon Speedlite, and you will notice its advantages. It has a host of features, and it will take you a while to work through them all! If you can afford it, then this is the flashgun to purchase. It's strong and reliable, and it produces good results.