Saturday, March 24, 2007

Canon Announces Speedlite 580EX II Flash


Canon’s popular Speedlite 580EX Flash is being replaced by the new Speedlite 580EX II Flash, which features a host of improvements including a metal hot shoe with an improved locking mechanism, an external metering sensor for non-TTL automatic flash exposure control and a PC socket for use with non-dedicated slave triggers.

The new unit offers E-TTL operation with all EOS digital SLRs, the PowerShot G2, G3, G5, G6, and Pro1, and the following EOS film cameras: EOS-1v, EOS-3, Elan 7N series, Elan 7 series, Elan II series, Rebel T2, Ti, K2, GII, G. TTL operation is available for all other 35mm EOS SLRs and the Canon T90.

The new strobe features 20 percent faster recycling and a maximum ISO 100 guide number of 190 at the 105mm setting (standard 50mm setting not specified). Lens zoom settings and white balance are automatically communicated between flash and camera on compatible digital cameras. The head swivels 180 degrees, and an AF-assist beam is compatible with all autofocus points in EOS SLRs, covering a distance range of two to 32.8 feet at center and two to 16.4 feet at periphery.

Recycling time is 0.1 to six seconds with fresh AA alkalines, with 100-700 flashes on a set of four. Alkaline, lithium or rechargeable Ni-MH batteries can be used. Fourteen Speedlite custom functions are built in and set on the LCD panel. The flash is 3x5.3x4.5 inches and weighs 13.2 ounces without batteries, or 16.7 ounces with batteries. The flash is gasketed for dust and moisture resistance, making it more reliable in dusty or wet environments.

For details from the Canon web site, click here.

Copyright 2007

2 Comments:

At 11:03 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

Having a EOS Rebel XTi/400D, what does this flash offer me over the "old" 580EX? Not sure which one too buy, but at $100 extra, it better be something....

 
At 7:50 PM, Blogger Nikon vs. Canon said...

The faster recycling might be a benefit if you shoot a lot of manual, but won't make much difference on auto at close distances. A metal foot is good in heavy professional use, but that's not an issue with a Rebel. Bottom line -- the extra $100 might be worthwhile to a professional shooter but probably not in your situation.

 

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