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Customer Reviews for Speedlite 580EX II
Speedlite 580EX II
Flagship Speedlite for professional photographers
Dust- and water-resistant, including a metal foot for higher rigidity
Max. Guide No. 58m at 105mm setting (GN 190, feet)
Improved communication reliability, and faster recycle time
Average Customer Rating:
(47 Reviews) 47
Rating Snapshot (47 reviews)
5 stars
33
4 stars
7
3 stars
1
2 stars
4
1 star
2
40 out of 47(85%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Speedlite 580EX II
Review 1 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: Freaknasty07
Location: Memphis, TN
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: Less than 1 year
Product replacement: Yes
Great Product for my T3
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:October 9, 2012
Pros: Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Cons: price
Great Product works well with my T3, the only fault I have is the Price, you can get an after market version of this unit but its nothing like the Original!!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: I Stumble
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: Yes
Great when it works properly
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
1
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
1
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:June 2, 2012
Pros: Good Exposure performance, Fast recycling time
Cons: Poor build quality
I've owned the flash for about two years now and I absolutely enjoyed using it. Matter of fact I own two 580's along with a 430ex II. My gripe is that this will be the third time I'm sending the flash in to be repaired.
About 8 months ago, while using the flash I was wondering why my pictures were dark and blurry in the camera preview screen and confirmed at home on my laptop. My subjects said the flash was firing.
Ramone at Canon Tech support helped me confirm the pre-flash was firing but the main flash was not. He asked me to take a picture facing a mirror. The pre-flash did fire but the image captured confirmed the main flash did not fire.
Again this will be the third time I will be sending this particular flash in for a repair. I'm just wondering if this particular flash was defective from the start. I have not had a problem with my other two flashes.
About 8 months ago, while using the flash I was wondering why my pictures were dark and blurry in the camera preview screen and confirmed at home on my laptop. My subjects said the flash was firing.
Ramone at Canon Tech support helped me confirm the pre-flash was firing but the main flash was not. He asked me to take a picture facing a mirror. The pre-flash did fire but the image captured confirmed the main flash did not fire.
Again this will be the third time I will be sending this particular flash in for a repair. I'm just wondering if this particular flash was defective from the start. I have not had a problem with my other two flashes.
6 of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: Doctor
Location: Athens
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: No
All you need in a Flash
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:May 12, 2012
Pros: Fast recycling time, weather proof, good wide cover
Cons: nothing realy
I have used this flash for over year now. There are very litle things to say about it except that it is all anyone could want or need in a flash, plus it is weather poof! If you can afford it, just buy one... Or two! You just can't go wrong with a flash that advanced. If, on the other hand, you have a tight budget, buy the 430 instead.
4 of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: Mike
Location: Savannah
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Excellent
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:January 10, 2012
This item is better equipment than I am photographer - and by God's grace, I'm very good.
8 of 18 people found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: angel
Location: San Francisco, CA
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Inconsistent
Overall Rating
Features
2
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:December 17, 2011
Cons: loose lock, poor exposure quality, Poor build quality
The flash was working fine for the first year I used it. Afterwards, the hotshot was not working and the flash would not fire - when I was on a job. The flash was freaking out, flashing like a stobe light. After that, nothing. I sent it into Canon for repair and that helped resolve the problem. But, I then noticed that the flash would not stay on ETTL. It would shift to TTL resulting in a very overexposed frame, one that was not salvagable. I would wiggle the connection and then the setting would go back to ETTL. I realized that the connection was loose. This has happened sporatically throughout shoots. I find that this product's lock needs to be tightened. I will be sending it in for repair and testing it afterwards. If this doesn't help, I'm getting a new flash. I am going to look into a used 580EX since it is tightened with a wheel lock.
8 of 14 people found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: OsKy6116
Location: Minnesota, MN
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Great Build Quality
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:October 22, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality
Cons: Slow recycling time
This is my first flash and I never expected something like this.
You won't regret about buying it at all.
You won't regret about buying it at all.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: Dinosaur Jr.
Let there be light...
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:September 8, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, nice feel
This is a great speedlite. Very powerful. Great swivel head. Nice feel. Easy to navigate. A lot of nice features that aren't on earlier models. At first i thought i was buying something much more powerful than i would need, but quickly learned that it's the perfect speedlite for everything...
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: Ben
Location: Bossier City, LA
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Great Flash
Overall Rating
Date:September 2, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Absolutely Love It!
I haven't found anything I don't like about this flash. Can't believe I waited so long to buy it.
I haven't found anything I don't like about this flash. Can't believe I waited so long to buy it.
9 of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: hjoseph7
Location: Washington DC
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Business
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Why so expensive ?
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:July 1, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, rugged
Cons: external metering
This is a great flash, but there are some nuances that you have to put up with that makes one ask why they paid so much for it. I purchased this flash to shoot weddings but the ETTL has been inconsitent to say the least. I was hoping to use the external metering which is the tried and true Thyristor metering method to compensate but that does not work very well either. The flash under exposes by 2.5 f-tsops in Automatic/External metering mode. The only other alternative is to set the flash to Manual which to me gives you the most consistency. However that's not what I paid all this money for. Some important functions are hidden under a bunch of menus and the flash is missing a battery guage which other manufacturers offer. The ON/OFF switch is kind of flimsy and it's very difficult to tell whether the unit is on or off in dim lighting situations. Other than that it is a great flash, a bit over priced for what you are getting.
28 of 29 people found this review helpful.
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Review 10 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: AlvisMedia
Location: VA
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Business
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: Yes
Worth the buy.
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:June 15, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
I really like this flash, but to use off camera you really need to buy a radio popper or similar product the line of sight just does not do the job. I like to place flashes in odd places where there is no line of sight for more interesting lighting. Wish canon would make a flash with built in radio so you would not have to buy so many other products to get the exposer you want. The control is good but oddly placed. Everything else is mentioned in other reviews so I won't bore you. Simply put it is a great flash and worth the price.
9 of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: feeblefool
Location: Illinois
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Business
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
It works!
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:June 6, 2011
Pros: Superior build quality
Upgraded to the MkII version for the weather sealing (same for the CP-E4) and I am impressed. Quality of plastic is better over the MkI version as well. No recycle whine takes the cake! Flash gets 4/5 Satisfaction stars because the OC-E3 off-camera cord (excellent product) is one foot too short if you hand hold, but is just right if you use a bracket.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: zoomerv8
Location: Nor Cal
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
Easy to learn best settings
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:April 21, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, learn it and you should be pleased
I added a 580EXII to my bag which includes a 430 ex( second generation) I shot with a 30D and 50D...
The secret to both flash units...is getting the cameras themselves to work with the info your giving them...Indoors or out..if you target is moving...mount the flash...TURN IT OFF!!
go with the activity/sports mode on any of the better Canons..
It will force the camera to open the lens as wide as it should be...it will continue to shoot frames very fast and not add too much light to the shot...
as with any ANY camera body..the money goes to the lens...(GLASS)... strap a red strip on any canon...with the top shelf flash that even turned off...and you will..see better results
7 of 24 people found this review helpful.
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Review 13 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: Jzzman
Location: NYC
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Business
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
What happened?
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
3
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:April 19, 2011
Pros: quiet, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Cons: Poor Exposure performance, not easy to use
There seems to be a compatability issue associated with Canon Speedlites and Canon camera software that can result in inconsistent exposures. As a professional, I require a degree of consistency when shooting any event and I don't always have time to adjust my flash while clients are waiting to be photographed.
I do like that the 580EX II a tad smaller and that it offers more power and a faster recyling time than the previous models but there are more fundamental issues Canon needs to address with this product.
8 of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Review 14 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: JIN
Location: New york, Brooklyn
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Great Speedlite!!
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:March 29, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
very outstanding speedlite! no complain on the product at all.
for the price, it is a little over price I think.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Review 15 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: Brazuka
Location: Boston, MA
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Worth buying it. Even amateurs.
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:March 3, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Cons: build quality could be better, bit too pricey
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!!!
22 of 24 people found this review helpful.
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Review 16 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: Marusya
Location: Arizona
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: No
Speedlite is great
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:February 9, 2011
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Cons: a little awkward to manipulate up/down angle
I bought the speedlight on a friend's recommendation. It is great and the pictures turn out wonderful. I am not a pro...I only take photos of animals for adoption and as a hobby.
One change I would make is to allow the speedlite to move the flash up and down from both sides to be more handly and comfortable.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Review 17 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: Flashmaster
Location: Los Angeles
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Portraits
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
A Few Steps Forward, One Big Step Backward
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:December 29, 2010
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Cons: inferior lcd panel !!!!!!
I own the 580 EX and it was quite good, so I bought the 580EX ll for a second flash.....the new battery door is a HUGE improvement over the old ! The new weather seals if you subject your equipment to rude weather,
BUT ONE REALLY BIG DETRACTOR ! The new LCD screen is dull, greenish-yellow in color, as opposed to the bright clear blueish screen on the older 580EX......Plus the new screen is unevenly lit !!!!!! Unbelievable ! If you place the two (old and new) models side by side and illuminate the LCD the EXll ' s panel looks like it is 6 generations behind the EX's panel......I can not understand why more people are not complainiing about this ! It really looks cheap in comparison !
BUT ONE REALLY BIG DETRACTOR ! The new LCD screen is dull, greenish-yellow in color, as opposed to the bright clear blueish screen on the older 580EX......Plus the new screen is unevenly lit !!!!!! Unbelievable ! If you place the two (old and new) models side by side and illuminate the LCD the EXll ' s panel looks like it is 6 generations behind the EX's panel......I can not understand why more people are not complainiing about this ! It really looks cheap in comparison !
30 of 30 people found this review helpful.
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Review 18 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: Zuc
Location: Rochester, NY
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Dislike
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:December 29, 2010
Pros: Fast recycling time
Cons: Poor Exposure performance
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
23 of 25 people found this review helpful.
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Review 19 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: TODZILLA
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
loving flash photography now!!!!!!
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:December 20, 2010
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
forget about using on camera flash,they give you red eye and washed out unnatural lookin pictures.the 580ex2 brings flash photography to a whole new level! for best results bounce the flash off ceiling or if not possible use a diffuser and your picture will look great! gives nice even lighting and natural look to your pics. no more red eye and deer in the headlights look. i will use the 580ex2 alot! for low light and even daylight to get lower ISOs and as fill light to cut down on harsh shadows.works great with my 7d! even though 7d has great high ISO performance,i still like using this flash to keep my ISOs down to 400 and below.used the 580ex2 at a party in a bar and this flash filled the room with light and the low light autofocus on this flash works great! glad i spent the extra on this instead of the 430ex2 now i have enough power for all my uses. mainly used as on shoe camera flash for on the go photography. very happy with my purchase!
13 of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Review 20 for Speedlite 580EX II
Nickname: Stan
Location: Ridgecrest, CA.
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: No
What a Flash!
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:December 3, 2010
Pros: quiet, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time
Cons: none yet.
It has been a long time since I owned a stand alone/shoe flash. Most all of my other cameras just had pop ups and I did not invest in a flash. Was that ever a mistake! I just bought a 5D and had to buy a flash so I felt it is in your best interest to buy the top of the line. In the past week I have been testing out the flash, its settings and how to use it. I have found out that this flash is great, easy to use and I am going to buy two more. These things do most all the work for you. This is a must have flash.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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