Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flashlight

Canon Speedlite 580EX II

Strengths: Canon's best flash for your DSLR!!!

Weakness: A little bit bulky and heavy.

This flash is much better than the built in one from my DSLR. My camera automatically detected this flash and adjusted to the flash without any problems. You might want to get a diffuser as well. It uses 4 AA batteries and comes with a paded case. This flash upgrade is definitely worth it. Highly recommended.

My first external flash unit - great product!

Strengths: Quick recycling time, flash power, weather sealed...

Weakness: Big/heavy, expensive, there is a learning curve to take nice flash pictures

I am not a pro, but I am an enthusiast and have been using a film SLR since the mid 90's. This is my first external flash unit and I can say that if you have the budget for it - it is worth the purchase. This can make a huge difference in not only indoor photography, but outdoor as well (used as a fill flash). I have pretty "fast" lenses which are capable of doing indoor shots (canon ef-s 17-55...

Read Full Review

Worthy upgrade for $100-150 more

Strengths: more range, master mode, works with external power source

Weakness: Drains the battery quickly

I bought this unit after playing with one that belongs to my friend. If you are not a hardcore enthusiast, there is a tough decision between this and 430EX. Both are very good for their respective prices. While I wouldn't have been complaining if I had 430EX, I went for this one because the price has come down very much in recent weeks. It offers more flexibility, more manual control. I can be...

Read Full Review

Solid flash with great performance!

Strengths: Weather sealed, easy to operate, a lot of features, latest technology.

Weakness: Haven't discovered any yet.

This is my first external flash that I bought for my brand new Canon EOS 40D. After dropping in batteries and mounting on my camera the flash unit was ready to fire in no time. The camera automatically recognized this flash and made all the internal adjustments automatically. When you start shooting with this flash you will automatically recognize sheer power, speed, and precision of this flash....

Read Full Review

Much Better than 580EX

Strengths: outstanding battery life fast recycling time excellent TTL comes with hot shoe quick release mount

Weakness: bulkier than 420ex

I would say that this flash is worth every penny, and well worth the price premium compared to the 420EX. It beats it hands down in every single category, has an outstanding battery life, and is completely silent .I am not a professional, just an enthusiast, but I can definitely justify its cost, at my level. In other words, you don't need to pair it to a 5D or a 1D Mark III to notice how much...

Read Full Review

580ex II

Strengths: Canon's best

Weakness: n/a

Worth every cent - this flash will give you a better exposure accuracy over other flashes - even if you shot this thing into a reflector (and I like shooting this way) - first time I tried this flash (about 5 month ago) did not believe it's possible - very powerful and recycling is fast, super fast without drop in flash strength - highly - highly recommend!

Excellent Flash

Strengths: faster recycling time, significant better exposures control, outstanding battery life

Weakness: a little bigger and bulkier than the 420EX

I upgraded the flash from Canon 420EX to 580EX for my Canon 5D. This is simply the best flash for wedding and portrait. Compared to the 420EX, the advantages are huge. The recycling time is amazingly fast. The quality of the ETTL exposures is also significantly better. The 580EX is capable of serving as the master in a master/slave relationship with other Canon flashes. Gary Fong's Lightsphere II...

Read Full Review

Nice and powerful flash

Strengths: Weather Sealing, Power, Features

Weakness: Alot bigger and heavier than my 430ex, another diffuser kit to buy.

Powerful flash with master features to be used with my 430ex. Weather sealing is a nice addition. The flash feels very well built including the battery door and even the head rotation feels alot more solid than my 430ex. Overall, very good product by Canon. I still use and like my 430ex but this one is just better.

Still exploring it

Strengths: Very flexible flash angling and output, Outstanding battery life fast recycling time

Weakness: Haven't discovered any yet

It's really bulky but manageable. It can shoot as fast as my camera can shoot. The flexible angling is quite useful. Also, it's using AA battery which is cheaper but may be heavier.

Excellent Flash

Strengths: Very Good Quality

Weakness: removed slave>master>off switch

I exchanged my old 580EX for this new one 580 II version, it has slightly improved sensor, and photos are a bit better, than from the old one. Now Canon has also promotional price, that makes that flash unit even much worth to buy :)