Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras: Customer Reviews & Product Details

I have the 580EX II & 430EX and the STE2 transmitter. If you want to learn how to really make these strobes "paint with light" - subscribe to [...] - they have so many articles, videos & tricks of the trade to get the most out of your speedlights.
My 580EX II is the 1st flash I bought and it is a matter of me getting the most out of this light and not the other way around. As long as I control the power, etc on the light, I get consistently great photos. Battery life is also very good as I can pump out quite a few pics in a hurry at some events I shoot.
I dont like the battery door and the thunbscrew for the hotshoe is sometimes a bit finicky but the flash itself works like a charm. I have also dropped this flash several times and I haven't broken it yet...
I also have a complete Alien Bee lighting setup and amazingly enough, I can great shots with my speedlights that are very comparable with my AlienBees.
The 580 will act as a master to the 430 and the STE2 can trigger both of them for when I set my speedlights on stands with umbrellas, etc.. I have had my 580 for about 5 years now and I would be lost without it :)
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Carlton

I did what you are never supposed to do: bought this flash less than 24 hours before an important shoot. I chose this model because it was going to be the only light source for a portrait, and I wanted maximum light output available.

I got instructions for a DIY diffuser/bounce card from youtube, basically a trapezoidal sheet of heavy white paper (I used inkjet glossy photo paper, with the back (matte) side facing the light). I bent the bounce card into a U shape around this flash, pointed it at the ceiling, and got amazing, shadowless portraits. This unit has power to spare while wrapping the subject in light. I used a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro Lens for the portrait, it turned out great.

I used the feature on our Canon EOS Rebel T1 that shoots a test flash to set the flash power, and manual exposure mode on the camera. At 1/40th and f5.6, I was getting perfect results with minimum ambient light. No tripod required, image stabilization kept things steady. I mention this because although the camera, lens and flash weigh quite a bit, they can still be held steady enough for sharp shots at 1/40th.

I'm getting great battery life on Rayovac Rechargeable Hybrid NiMH Batteries. No complaints-this unit does everything required. Even the manual is clear and concise, although it focuses on features and functions rather than how to get the best quality photos. If you want help learning the latter, I recommend searching youtube for flash photography videos, there are many. Watch a video, try the technique, you'll learn fast.

Five stars for flawless performance, no deductions. Highly recommended.

What a wonderfull flash! I really enjoy bouncing the flash. Getting rid of the harsh shadows is a joy for my photography. I can't wait to get another one to use as a remote flash. I'm still working on using the strobe function. I will get some great photos with that.
Gene

My sister loves this thing! She bought this flash to go with her Canon Rebel Xti. It took some playing around with but she loves the performance of this unit and the outcome of the pictures. She actually forgot it on the back of her vehicle and found it crushed on the road. She liked it so much she bought another one just like it.

Short and sweet: The reviews claimed this flash was a great value and would be a huge asset to my photography and it was and is.