Canon 580EX Speedlite
Mark II TTL
The new
Canon 580EX is, certainly,
E-TTL (and E-TTL II)
compatible, and it has a guide number of 58 meters at ISO 100 and 105mm focal
length. It's both smaller and lighter than the 550EX which it substitutes. One
most important new feature for digital shooters is that the flash now knows the
sensor size of the EOS 20D and zooms the flash head to give full exposure over
only the area seen by the sensor.
The
Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash features a more-rugged
build excellence with a metal foot being one of the mainly noticeable changes.
But the good news is that the metal foot is attached to a plastic mount inside
the flash. Bad in that it will still be the part that breaks, but good that
your camera likely will not be the part that breaks. Visible dust and water
resistance indicators symbolize another update this flash has received. This is
Canon's first weather-resistant flash. Dust and water resistance is a quality
that is going to be in intense demand from sports and photojournalism
photographers.

Canon 580EX Speedlite
Mark II TTL Flash
Speedlite 550EX flash,
Canon has further improved the new
model by plummeting the full-power recycling time by about 25 percent, while
increasing the utmost Guide Number power rating by about 50 percent. These
developments are possible because of flash head optimization, circuit
resistance reductions and alteration in circuit design.
The
Canon Speedlite 580EX Flash also features an AF-assist
beam, which is now better matched to the different focusing point arrangements
of various EOS SLRs, compared to previous models. The unit comprises a swivelling
flash head that turns a full 180 degrees in both directions, while a single
release lock controls tilt and swivel adjustments. A wide-angle diffuser found
on the
Speedlite 580EX flash covers focal lengths as short as 14mm.
The
Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash can control and be
controlled by compatible
Canon Speedlites as well as the Canon ST-E2 Wireless
Transmitter for a very transportable and flexible lighting system. The
Canon 580EX II
is capable to control ratios in up to 3 groups (A/B/C - C is for background
light only). |