Canon Speedlite 580EX Flash Light

The Canon 580EX flash is far...

Strengths: Amazingly fast flash recycle times, compact, light weight, built-in catch light reflector, many professional feature and professional results on full auto. Amazingly long battery life.

Weakness: Initially my battery door was a little sticky when opened about 1/2 way, but after months of use it was no problem.

The Canon 580EX flash is far better than I expected! The flash recycle times are amazing. I am glad I spent a little more, it is well worth it. This flash is a great addition to my 20D. I can't stop smiling. The built-in catch light reflector built-in white card to bounce flash) is very much appreciated. Use Pricegrabber.com's Get Pricing Alert feature to save some money. Pricegrabber.com emailed...
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The Canon 580EX flash is far better than I expected! The flash recycle times are amazing. I am glad I spent a little more, it is well worth it. This flash is a great addition to my 20D. I can't stop smiling. The built-in catch light reflector built-in white card to bounce flash) is very much appreciated. Use Pricegrabber.com's Get Pricing Alert feature to save some money. Pricegrabber.com emailed me about a Dell deal that must have been a mistake (price jumped back up the next day to $420 range). I got mine for $361! Pricegrabber.com is my first choice for pricing and picking a company to use. Keep up the great work! Thanks Dan Vincent Zanesville OH

By danvincent - Dec 21, 2004

Most of my photography is done...

Strengths: Fast recycling time. Good wide angle coverage.

Weakness: None so far

Most of my photography is done during the day. I purchased a new digital camera and figured I might as well upgrade my flash. All I want from a flash is what we all want--light on the subject!! The 580 does that quite well! Covering outside gatherings is a piece of cake for this flash! Where the camera's built in flash is ok, the 580 has so much more power that you, the photographer, don't have...
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Most of my photography is done during the day. I purchased a new digital camera and figured I might as well upgrade my flash. All I want from a flash is what we all want--light on the subject!! The 580 does that quite well! Covering outside gatherings is a piece of cake for this flash! Where the camera's built in flash is ok, the 580 has so much more power that you, the photographer, don't have to move as much (closer) to get good light on your subject. Get out that telephoto lens and knock yourself out! Also, no one wants to wait a long time for the flash to be ready for the next photo, and the 580 is very quick in this regard. It's as though the flash is saying, "I'm ready. Let's take another photograph!" I am very pleased with this product and even though Canon has a couple of models below this one, if you are going to go to the expense of a new camera, go for the best and get the 580! Highly recommended!!!

By imn2vb - Mar 20, 2005

Flash with plenty of features and good range

Strengths: Relatively compact for a full feature flash, good cycle time, 180 degree coverage

Weakness: Battery compartment door (new) gets stuck all the time, catch light reflector is good but can use some more design tweaks

My first flash, so can't really compare it to anything except what my expectations are... This flash definitely has every feature I think anyone would want, or need on a flash, at least it satisfies all of my needs at the moment. It's pretty big, but not as large as older Canon flashes (comparing specs only), and honestly, I think it's not a big flash at all considering the guide no. and features...
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My first flash, so can't really compare it to anything except what my expectations are... This flash definitely has every feature I think anyone would want, or need on a flash, at least it satisfies all of my needs at the moment. It's pretty big, but not as large as older Canon flashes (comparing specs only), and honestly, I think it's not a big flash at all considering the guide no. and features it has. Construction is nice and solid and sleek looking. The head tilts and swivels nicely 180 degrees and also up and down. Cycle time between flashes is fast. Since you can read all the good things this flash does in other people's review, I'll just point out some of the minor things that bug me about it.

First, the battery compartment is a bit hard to open all the way. Perhaps my flash is still new and needs to be broken in. The door would open half way, and then it would get stuck on something. Seeing that it's only pivoting on a plastic piece, I was somewhat reluctant to force it all the way open. However, I found out that if you work it, it will open pretty easily, so I guess it's just a matter of finding out the best way to open the door without getting it stuck.

The built-in catchlight reflector feels kind of flimsy and the way you pull it out along with the wide angle diffuser can be annoying. The manual does say that this is a delicate piece of the flash so don't be too rough with it. The wide angle diffuser is a nice addition, though I've seen my friend's Nikon flash and the design for that piece is better, with better finger grip.

Overall, all the negative points I made about this flash is really minor, definitely does not take away from this being a great flash and addition to your camera gear.

By j_yeung - Jul 28, 2005

this is a great flash. it really...

Strengths: excellant flash, array of features, gives a very natural presence to the subject(s)

Weakness: price! it's quite expensive but you do get what you pay for, and there is no flash for canon that is better than this.

this is a great flash. it really gives a natural apperance to the subject you're shooting. i love the quality, and the build. it's not as bulky as i thought it would be. it's definitely worth every penny, and if you want the best flash this is it.

you won't regret getting it.

By iddy92 - Jul 5, 2005

The flash is extremely easy to use...

Strengths: Easy to use. Fully automatic with my 20D camera. Easy to synchronize at different shutter speeds.

Weakness: The flash is somewhat expensive.

The flash is extremely easy to use with my 20D camera. I've shot group pictures, wrestling pictures and portraits. All the pictures came out very good. For the wrestling pictures, I was able to synchronize the flash at 1/250. This allowed me to freeze the action shots. The pictures came out beautiful. I've been using rechargeable batteries and the flash works very well on single charge.

By rdutto01 - Jan 18, 2005