I predicted 9 months ago that this was going to become an issue for more people. Looks like I was right. I've sent my 580II into Canon under warranty for this problem. They couldn't find anything wrong with the flash but changed the shoe and suggested I send in my camera also next time, even though I explained to them that the problem happens with two 20Ds, a 30D, and now it just happened with a 40D. I have two other original 580s that work flawlessly on these cameras. I'm going to send it in again and see what happens.
All I've got to say is THIS SUCKS!!! To purchase Canon's top of the line flash, only to be too afraid to use it on critical shots When it happened to me the other day, I switched the flash to manual and dialed it down and was able to get through the shoot. But I did miss an important moment.
My review from FEB 11, 2008-
Review Date: Feb 11, 2008 Recommend? no | Price paid: $350.00 | Rating: 5
Pros: Fast recycle. PC synch port. Weather proofing.
Cons: Locking shoe not as fool proof as manual screw down shoe. Exposure seems to be off a lot more than my 580 I flashes.
I have two 580 flashes, one of which needs to go in for service due to a messed up zoom mechanism. So I decided to purchase the 580II. I shot with it this past weekend and was very disappointed. Numerous times the flash switched from ETTL to TTL and was blowing out everything. I finally figured out the locking shoe mechanism was losing contact. Exposure also seemed to be very inconsistant. Far from being an improvement over the 580 I. I spent the night chimping every single shot. I think this shoe issue is going to become an issue for many more people. Time will tell.
I just had a shoot with the 580EX II on my XSi, and luckily I didn't notice this problem... I was also using it with a 580EX I in a wireless master/slave config, and the slave 580EX I also says ETTL on the LCD... We will see...
Obviously this isn't happening to the majority of people, but it is becoming more common. I'm hoping Canon figures out a solution. Until then, those of us who have this bug need to be LOUD!!!
It also happened to my 430 ex several weeks ago. My daughter was taking pics at a family gathering, after a while she came up to me and asked what's wrong with the camera (30d); several shots were all of sudden over exposed.
I checked the camera setting, it was the usual M mode, then I saw the display on the flash, it showed TTL. Removing the battery and restarted the flash didn't help, it stayed on TTL, so I removed the flash, clean the contact and put the flash back on. It changed back to ETTL. In my case, perhaps it's dirty contacts or the flash wasn't propely locked.
i have two 580exIIs and it's happened to both of them in various occasions. I'll take them off of the hot shoe and re-mount it to no avail. Ended up shooting manual for the rest of the sessions. Annoying. Didn't realize that it was such a common ordeal for the product. Quite disappointed now.
my advice is to clean the contacts on the flash and your body before every session...hopefully that will lower the probability of the eTTL --> TTL ridiculousness!
I guess since my 580EX II is still brand new, I haven't experienced this yet...
By the way, next time this happens, can someone take a picture of the "dirty contacts" so I can know just about how bad it need to be before it changes to TTL. Thanks!
tell wrote:
Obviously this isn't happening to the majority of people, but it is becoming more common. I'm hoping Canon figures out a solution. Until then, those of us who have this bug need to be LOUD!!!
I am not sure I agree with this. I bet most people don't even notice when it changes. Remember, an FM member is not your average photographer.
If its the shoe mechanism, I wonder if its gonna be the same with 430EX II. I have a 580 II and never noticed this happening with mine while I was working. I wanted to buy another one but now Im reconsidering it and if the 430EX II doesnt have the same issues, I think Im gonna go with it. Does anyone know something about that?
I am not sure I agree with this. I bet most people don't even notice when it changes. Remember, an FM member is not your average photographer.
I don't see how one couldn't notice, as the flash emits a full power flash. EXIF data will show "flash did not fire" when in this pseudo TTL mode.
If anyone hears anything further about this bug, from Canon or else where, could you please post it.
I've yet to send mine in for service a SECOND time. I'm using it purely as a manual flash for the time being. Of course I could have saved myself $300 and just bought a Vivitar
I had 4 580 EX II's suffer from identical symptoms as posted above. Sent the units in to Canon Irvine and they repaired them under warranty. The service details state "We have examined the product according to your request, and it was found that the flash assembly had shorted. The flash HEAD assembly was replaced. Other electrical adjustments and parts replacements were carried out." I have not experienced any more full power dumps since they were repaired. Could the 580 EX II suffer from defective factory parts similar to the submirror issue in the 1DMkIII
realmunseen wrote:
I had 4 580 EX II's suffer from identical symptoms as posted above. Sent the units in to Canon Irvine and they repaired them under warranty. The service details state "We have examined the product according to your request, and it was found that the flash assembly had shorted. The flash HEAD assembly was replaced. Other electrical adjustments and parts replacements were carried out." I have not experienced any more full power dumps since they were repaired. Could the 580 EX II suffer from defective factory parts similar to the submirror issue in the 1DMkIII
4 of them?!!! You must have been really pissed. Thanks for sharing this. I'll send mine into Irvine this time.
When it happened to me the other day, I switched the flash to manual and dialed it down and was able to get through the shoot. But I did miss an important moment.
