Canon 580EX MkI vs MkII

[hyakuhei]

Hi all,

I've done some googling but I'm finding it hard to pin down the differences between the MkI and MkII.

I know the MkII is smaller and lighter and 20% faster to recycle. Is there any other difference?

Cheers
-Rob

 

[Canon Bob]

Rob,

From Bob Atkins site....

Canon Speedlite 580EX II

Based on Canon's earlier 580EX Speedlite, the 580EX II adds weathersealing, a stronger metal mounting foot and has a 20% faster recycling time. The main functional differences are that the 580EX II also has an external metering sensor for non-TTL automatic flash exposure control and a PC socket for use with non-dedicated slave triggers.

Bob

 

[tdodd]

I suspect this review will have a few more differences covered. At the moment the link to the full review appears to not be working....

http://www.photographyblog.com/inde...dlite_580ex_ii_review_at_the_digital_picture/

I have both the MK I and MK II versions and off the top of my head other differences are....

- weatherproof hotshoe seal;
- different design of power switch (more annoying on the MK II, but probably less easily knocked);
- no physical switch to swap between off/master/slave on the MK II. You have to press buttons and nudge through the options - more annoying and less intuitive in my opinion;
- flash head fractionally larger on the MK II. My old eBay Omnispheres will not mount onto the Mk II, whereas the fit easily onto my MK I;
- From memory, I would not say the MK II is smaller or lighter - just the opposite if anything.

 

[strobemonkey]

MK2:

Better battery door
Faster/quiet recycle time
Weather sealed
Master/slave located in menu not physical slide switch
Metal foot
Pc sync connection
Bigger not Smaller (thanks for the correction tdodd)

 

[tdodd]

MK II is bigger!!!!!

Why are people saying it is smaller?

Weighed on my rather rudimentary mechanical food scales the MK I weighs about 480 grams with batteries and the MK II weighs 500 grams with batteries. Those figures may or may not be accurate but the MK II is unquestionably heavier.

 

[hyakuhei]

Interesting, So now I'm in a little predicament.

I want a decent flash for weddings and more winter press work. Preferably I'd like a flash that can take an external battery pack (I probs don't need one but I think they're ace!).

I'm not too fussed about the weather sealing because my 30D (iirc) isn't particularly well weather sealed.

However manual metering is interesting (I like strobist stuff) and the faster recharge looks interesting.

Any opinions on which to get? N.B I've seen a MkI in top condition for 185gbp...

 

[sportysnaps]

It may not be the answer you are looking for or expecting but the most reliable (in terms of flash output)flash i've used is the old metz 45cl4

I want a decent flash for weddings and more winter press work. Preferably I'd like a flash that can take an external battery pack (I probs don't need one but I think they're ace!).

hook it upto a Quantum turbo battery pack and you have a very fast (8fps)flash system that will run all day, and if you look carefully you can get the used pair on ebay for £150-180....