Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
Canon - Speedlite External Flash - 580EX II
Average customer rating
4.4
(47 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 47 reviews
5 Stars
32
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
4
1 Star
2
85%of customers recommend this product.
(
39 out of
46)
Customer Reviews for Canon - Speedlite External Flash - 580EX II
Customer Rating
5
Excellent flash
on November 27, 2009
Posted by: Bill
from NorCal
I use the 580EX II on a regular basis with my 50D and I find that it's built like a tank. It's been dropped a few times with no ill effects and the weather sealing works as promissed on those cold, damp nights in the stadiums. It recycles quickly which is a must when I'm shooting football games at night. I also regularly shoot rapid fire and I've never had a problem with overheating as another reviewer noted. I usually fire 5-10 shots with a minute or two in between each burst and have had no problems. Overall it's a quality flash that while a bit pricey is worth it for the bulild quality and rich feature set.
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Cons: pricey
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
A Solid, Durable Tool
on February 14, 2009
Posted by: Melvin
from San Jose, CA
I have a few 580 EX IIs and one 580 EX. I use them mostly off-camera with umbrellas, gels, grids, snoots, etc. The flashes put out plenty of consistent power, can be turned down very low (to 1/128 power), the heads swivel completely around in both directions, and they recycle quickly enough that I don't worry about them. I use mainly a third party radio trigger system but sometimes the Canon IR system (and ST-E2).
I did a test of the consistency of the flash output and color. The flash output looked perfectly accurate in my test. The color is very slightly warmer at 1/1 and 1/2, then perfectly consistent from 1/4 to 1/128 power.
Usually I select manual power settings but when I've used E-TTL it has performed well.
While I point out the lack of an optical slave, there are inexpensive third party optical slaves that work with the 580 EX II that I haven't bothered to get. An audible "ready" chirp would be handy as confirmation that all the flashes fired.
While one can find less expensive flashes, I am quite satisfied with the 580 EX IIs and expect many years of use from them.
Pros: Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, Good Exposure performance, quiet
Cons: no optical slave, no ready "chirp"
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Awsome flash
on November 6, 2008
Posted by: AZ_Photographer
from New River, AZ
Bought this to use with my EOS XSi. Does not get much better than this. One BIG gripe: There is no belt loop on the soft case. Please consider adding a belt loop in future revisions.
Pros: Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, Good Exposure performance, quiet
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Workhorse
on May 28, 2009
Posted by: VzlaFox
from California, USA
Very reliable, fast recycling, accurate exposure and temperature, lightweight and easy to use. Fantastic when used in combination with other heads (either using its internal wireless transmitter-receiver or by using pocket wizards or similar triggering systems) Totally recommended. I personally have 4 of these (and looking for more) Very portable for studio or field usage.
Pros: Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, Good Exposure performance, portability, light temperature
Cons: wireless distance
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
awesome solid flash for a 14 year old
on January 20, 2010
Posted by: Nate
from Valley Center
An amazing flash with crazy GN and great exposure performance. Great bounce head and low recycling time.
Also happens to be Canon's best flash for a reasonable price
Also happens to be Canon's best flash for a reasonable price
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, weathersealing, great design, power, best flash for good price
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
2
Dislike
on December 29, 2010
Posted by: Zuc
from Rochester, NY
I am a working professional i primarily use this 580EX 11 for wedding and event work I shoot with a Canon 7d. Ihave been a full time professional for over 30 years , so i have run the gamete on trouble shooting equipment problems, so I won't go into that. Primarily the flash is very inconsistent with exposures, I'm never sure what im going to get exposure wise , also when you zoom in the flash does not communicate very well with the camera, the shots are always blown out. This is very aggravating. I have also sent the flash in 3 times for repair
of the same problem it works for awhile maybe an hour then everything just stops LED starts flashing and the flash wont function at all.
of the same problem it works for awhile maybe an hour then everything just stops LED starts flashing and the flash wont function at all.
Bob
Pros: Fast recycling time
Cons: Poor Exposure performance
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Worth buying it. Even amateurs.
on March 3, 2011
Posted by: Brazuka
from Boston, MA
I simply cannot use my 7D without it for indoors or even some outdoor stuff. No matter what I do, it makes a huge difference.
It's mounted on my camera the whole time, and equipped with a diffuser in it, indoor pictures look great.
And believe me, you don't have to be an expert to notice the difference.
It's mounted on my camera the whole time, and equipped with a diffuser in it, indoor pictures look great.
And believe me, you don't have to be an expert to notice the difference.
I originally got it because of it's wireless function capabilities, and works great with my 7D, except that I have to make sure the built-in flash hits it with light for it to work. (well, that's another story)
Recycling time is unreal for the amount of light it outputs.
Using some rechargeable batteries, I get around 500 to 600 shots with it.
Using some rechargeable batteries, I get around 500 to 600 shots with it.
Its quiet, very quiet. I can remember in some CSI movies where detectives are taking pictures of stuff and you can hear that cool noise from the flash charging there. Not with this one buddy, sorry.
Great exposure, and love the zoom. The rotating head is very nice, you have to push a little button to unlock it, but I got used to it already. 4 AA batts only which is great.
I can't describe how many great features this peace of equipment has.
I can't describe how many great features this peace of equipment has.
It is the best from canon, so I was expecting it to be really good.
NOW, the price on it was... okay. For a flash you know?The built quality could be better. I am experiencing a little problem with it that because the head unit rotates, it seems like it's getting loose a bit. That could be from rotating it frequently.
So I guess I have to be gentle with it.
Well, It's made of plastic, some hard, sturdy plastic.
I guess it's best to keep it lightweight then TOO strong.
NOW, the price on it was... okay. For a flash you know?The built quality could be better. I am experiencing a little problem with it that because the head unit rotates, it seems like it's getting loose a bit. That could be from rotating it frequently.
So I guess I have to be gentle with it.
Well, It's made of plastic, some hard, sturdy plastic.
I guess it's best to keep it lightweight then TOO strong.
My only problem?? Too many things to learn... Full of capabilities, at least the controls are easy to use.
Now go shoot!!!
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Cons: build quality could be better, bit too pricey
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Good
on November 17, 2009
Posted by: Art
from Kellogg, Id
This is a good flash, but not the best out there. It really needs a upgrade. Less noise when working with radio slaves, a easy button to go from wireless and a increase in power. Its solid and performs well, but there are better flashes out there
Pros: Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, Good Exposure performance, quiet
Cons: over priced, lack of features
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com