[Gary Bagshawe]

Hiya all, please find below 2 examples taken with different flash units, (similar lighting conditions) both with the relevant flash set at ettl auto straight out of the box with no exposure compensation.
The 580ex really does it's stuff, unboxed it, stuck it on the camera and whollop.

550ex



580ex

[silkstone]

Aye, but do you think the black clothing fooled it on the first one?

[Gary Bagshawe]

Not really, I was chatting to a couple of guys last month, 1 from PA and 1 from rueters and they explained that they had similar problems with the 550 ex, it is an intermittent problem so you have to keep chimping at the screen, In their experience the 580ex is just so much more reliable and consistent. When your doing press stuff it's very rare you get a 2nd chance. Don't get me wrong the 550ex is a very good flash unit and I have used it with great success on many occasions, however I feel that the 580 ex will make things a little easier as it will be 1 less thing to worry about and set.
That said watch this space, I should be a destructive tester for Canon as if it is breakable in any way shape or form, I will break it or find something wrong with it.

[silkstone]

Thanks for that. It's just that I have a 550EX and also a cashback voucher for a 580EX, and I was wondering how much difference there was.

[Gary Bagshawe]

Originally Posted by silkstone

Thanks for that. It's just that I have a 550EX and also a cashback voucher for a 580EX, and I was wondering how much difference there was.

I was given £125.00 for trading in the 550ex and Ive got a £35.00 cashback voucher. The 580ex was £300.00 inc vat.

[silkstone]

Thanks again Gary. Bristol Cameras have it for £269 - I may keep the 550EX as a slave, or it may just sit in a cupboard and become yet another technological antique!

[tommy]

I love my 580ex, it works brilliantly and very rarely requires anything more than just being switched on. It knocks spots off my aging 420ex.

[dod]

I just picked up a 580 yesterday to replace my Sigma 500. Initial results are very impressive indeed, really nice unit

[Dave]

Sounds like a decent flash When you guys have had more time to play, any chance of adding your opinions here please, to help other members spend more money

[P-E]

I am looking for a Flash so I will keep my eye out for further updates in here.

The guy taken with the 580ex sold me a 16-35L the other week