Canon Speedlite 580EX any good?
 

Does anybody here use the Canon Speedlite 580EX? Is it any good? Any tips?

Yes it Does. Seen some sample images captured by it?

No I have not... right now I got the 420 EX... but only borrowed until my 580 gets here...

Think I will notice a difference?

lol, I actually just purchased one of those only a few hours ago. I can't offer you any comments yet, it's my first "off camera" flash so I have some learning to do. :)

Ah right on, have fun and report how it went.

I got the 20D and the flash on it is red-eye happy for some reason. I get really bad red-eye shots when using it. I hope the big flash will fix that problem.

Dunno if you're still watching this thread, but using it indoors in indirect bounce flash mode is amazing. No harsh shadows, unless you're a couple of feet away from the subject you wouldn't even know a flash had been used.

Just bear in mind that in Av or Tv mode the camera meters for ambient light, rather than the output of the flash. It's as if you are taking the shot without the flash. I ended up using M mode since P likes to leave the lens wide open when there isn't much light... there's very little DOF available at f2.5 or f2.8! (Another gotcha, M mode also meters for ambient so the light meter is useless. You just have to experiment to get the correct exposure.)

I've also used it for fill flash in outdoor daylight shots. Again, very natural looking, and it really brings out some features.

http://satin.sensation.net.au/rowan/sm_F9N1913.jpg

http://satin.sensation.net.au/rowan/sm_F9N1915.jpg

i have three of them - use them as my lighting set up for anything anywhere - nice equipment

Im a alien bee guy myself dont like flashes on the camera

yes it is good

Good flashlight, take some time to learn how to use it.

That flash should help your problem significantly :thumbsup

Also....try not shooting in darkened areas...that'll help as well. If your shooting pics in the house...turn on some lights. The more lights you have on in the shooting area, the smaller the subjects pupil will get. The smaller the pupil gets, the less likely your going to have red eye problems :winkwink:

i've used the same 550EX since late '02
no problems yet