580EX II vs. ?

Kryptix

Kryptix

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I was just about to order yet another 580EX II but then I realised that all the 'tutorial' videos I'm watching, most of the 'togs shoot with old flashguns that look like they're worth £10.

I don't need ETTL or anything, just a hot shoe and the same amount of power as the 580EX II.

What do you suggest?

I'm a bit of a gear whore so I'll probably end up with another 580EX II but I really am trying hard to go for function. Convince me please?
 
It's nice to have a selection of manual outputs; tilt and swivel for the head; and a sync socket.

You don't need (and probably wouldn't get) the power of a 580 on the cheap.

There are a bunch of very similar old Sunpak flashes that'll do: 333D; 383 Super; 422D; 444D; 30DX; 36DX etc.

If buying via eBay, make sure you see a photo of the rear, to confirm the manual settings (full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16).
 
I'm gonna ruin eBay for myself now, but check out the 540EZ. Very close to the power of the 580EX II, full manual control, from 1/1 to 1/128. I paid 60£ for mine :)
 
Kryptix, I thought you were a self confessed Canon-o-holic, why the change in this case? For what its worth the 580EXII is fantastic and worth every penny.
 
I assume he needs extra flashes as slaves. He does admit he's a gear whore in the OP (not that he needs to, we all know that already). So he doesn't need TTL and other fancy features if he's only going to be using it on a non-TTL radio trigger.

He also already has a 580 II, so I'm sure is aware of the benefits of the fancy gizmos for his on camera flash.

I use a 430 as my slave flash, but will probably grab a couple of Sigma or Metz guns down the line.
 
Just buy a 580EX II.
 
Rarely will I use a 3rd flash (I have two 580EX II's already), but I mainly want it for gel's and so on but there will come a time when I'll regret not having the same power so I am actually looking for a cheap alternative 'cus I don't know how much it's gunna get used.
 
Unless you need the Canon ttl function then any flash with manual adjustment will do. Either buy one with a built in optical slave or add a five quid ebay one. The Jessops 360AFD isn't too bad, there are a couple of the Canon version up on Ebay at the moment, which probably still support ttl, I can't imagine they'll go for more than thirty or forty quid each.
 
Probably not gonna happen for a dedicated Canon-user but I used to use old Nikon SB-25s (24-26 also fine) manually off-camera with wireless triggers. Not so easy to find now strobist.com has got everyone into this but you never know.
 
if you went for a 430ex 1 or 2 then you could use the canon wireless system using one of your 580ex's as a commander unit, and the other 580, and the 430, as slaves with TTL, makes a really good run and gun setup.
 
If you need more than the power of two flashes then surely it's time for a studio light upgrade?
 
Byker28i said:
If you need more than the power of two flashes then surely it's time for a studio light upgrade?
Click to expand...
I was originally going for studio lights but I really like being able to take these out and about. It's not so much the power, but the positioning. Two 580EX II's seem OK at the moment (I'm the one holding everything back), but I need another for special effects with gels. I know if I buy a low powered one at some point I'll regret it and need another 580EX II. It just keeps adding up and up, I haven't got to a point where I think, "I don't need anything else."

I thought I was nearly there, and then bang I went to a studio and fell in love with lighting. Just spent £400 on stands, modifiers and so on and still need to find some cash for Pocket Wizards and a 580EX II but I think I'm gunna sell a lens or two, I think I need to decide which route to go down rather than trying to do more than one... :shrug:
 
Think of it this way, a new 580 EXII is going to cost you £350 - for that you could have 6 or 7 old Nikon SBs :nuts:

I have 5 old Nikon guns, I don't use them much now that I have the SB-800 and 900s, but they cost me less than one new SB-900 and they seem to be going up in value all the time - better than money in the bank :lol:
 
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