cgardner
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 p.1 #13 · New Speedlite for Canon to Combat 580ex II problems? | |
Cordell must be working too hard to follow the forums much. There actually have been far more complaints about the 580exII model since its introduction about intermittent failures and switching to TTL (film body) mode due to contract problems relating to the redesign of the foot, and failure of the internal circuit boards than was was never the case with the 580ex model. He also added the word "serious" in quotes twice, but nowhere does the OP use that word, what the convention of using quotes implies.
I think the OP's concerns are well founded. I own two 580ex flash and am considered by some an authority on how the EX system works (even Chuck Westfall has recommended my web site to his readers) but if given the choice of buying a 580ex or 580exII I'd skip the new one and buy the older 580ex instead. I exchanged e-mails with Mr. Westfall shortly after the introduction of the 580exII about the new features and relative functionality of the new and old models. I felt the removal of the Master/Slave switch was a mistake which made switching from solo / dual flash mode far less convenient. At the time the main focus in the forums was the new thermal cut-off which stops the flash dead without warning if over-used. CW stressed the fact this was a safety feature so strenuously and repeatedly I assumed he must be reading a script prepared by the Canon risk assessment lawyers.
I suspect the contact problem is related to the way the pins on the foot were changed from rectangular to bigger and rounder: there isn't as much tolerance for mis-alignment. The new locking mechanism may also be a factor as is the fact Canon hot shoes also can loosen (they apparently haven't discovered Locktite yet.) The combination those variables causes far more problems with the 580exII than with the 580ex. The flash will switch to TTL mode, intended for film bodies only, which is normally set only by CF.n., causing the flash to fire at full power.
There are also far more reports of circuit board failures on the 580exII. They were virtually unheard of with the 580ex: the flash tube would typically fail due to overheating before the PCB would fail. That seems odd considering that the mkII upgrade added thermal protection. But there have also been related reports I've read of other PCB failures relating to the reformulation of the solder used on the boards. Apparently EU environmental laws required removal of the lead and the substitutes are more brittle and subject to stress cracks at the solder joints.
Fixing either of these problems in any overt way would require Canon to admit the design is flawed and retro-fit the flashes already in use. It did that in the case of the MkIII camera AF issue only as result of some very negative reviews from well respected sources such as Galbreith. I doubt the problems with the flashes will reach the critical mass needed for Canon to issue a re-call and retrofit, but hopefully feedback from the repair centers will eventually translate into fixes in part manufacturing and the assembly line.
As for new offerings in 2009? Let's hope for a replacement of the long obsolete ST-E2. But don't hold your breath waiting.
As far back as 2004 even Mr. Westfall, Canon USA's official spokesperson, opined in an e-mail reposted by the recipient on a forum that the ST-E2 was severely limited and need of replacement. Achilles Heel of the Canon wireless system is closer to the mark IMHO because anyone who uses one will not get near the performance they would using a 580ex as master instead. The ST-E2 more than anything else is responsible frequently heard complaint that the Canon wireless system is flawed because it uses IR and has a limited range like an IR television remote (the frame of reference most seem to have for IR devices). In fact the ST-E2 is near IR an while it has a limited range, than was apparently by design to make it small and light.
I'm not really sure who the Canon designers are listening to when sitting around the table cooking up ideas for new flash features: apparently people who shoot in thunderstorms using Pocket Wizards to trigger their flash. You might assume Canon Japan would heed the suggestion from its US mouthpiece and upgrade the ST-E2, but instead Canon has added features like auto mode which is the functional equivalent of setting flash metering to "average" via CF.n on the camera, and doesn't work at all in multi-flash configurations. Even the PC socket, hailed by many as a great leap forward so they can cripple their TTL flash with radio triggers made little sense to me because it didn't solve the other problem: mounting the off camera flash to the stand: a generic hot shoe extender does both jobs with fewer small pieces to loose. Even the control of flash functions via camera menu makes little sense unless like Nikon the in-camera flash can be used to trigger slaves. Since Canon opted not to put flash on its pro bodies don't hold your breath for that feature either.
So to the OP, if you want to get a flash which is totally worry free try to find a used 580ex. They are tough to find because they are still in great demand due to the convenience of the master/slave switch and lack of the thermal nanny mode for controlling how fast you can shoot. If something better arrives on the scene later -- it always does eventually - that 580ex will still do yeoman duty as a slave and will no doubt retain its resale value.
Chuck
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