580ex II or 600EX-RT

[CanineCandidsByL]

I need some external ideas here.

I currently have a 580exII and a 30 foot TTL cord. I have been desperately wanting to go RF wireless.

So, as I see it, I have two options...

1. Pick up 580exII's for cheap(er) as people switch over or companies dump inventory; Then I have to add an RF wireless system (+$100 per flash as I see it)

2. See off my 580exII and start over with the 600EX-RT and a commander.

So, can anybody offer me some thoughts on this?

 

[smirkypants]

Soooooooo overpriced. You can do ETTL with Phottix Odins and a couple of 430 EX IIs. You can put the two 430s together and get a way faster recycle or separate them for more flexibility. If you want more of the Canon system you have to buy more overpriced 600s. Crazy.

One Canon flash and one transmitter is $1000!!!!

One Odin transmitter + 2 receivers + 2 430 EXs = $1000.

Additional Canon flash = $630
Additional 430 EX II + receiver = < $400
Additional 580 EX II + receiver = $590

Not to mention it's not hard to get Canon flashes used.

 

[CanineCandidsByL]

Thanks smirkypants,

You helped me make up my mind, but not in the way you probably suspect. As I was reading your response I started forming counter arguments to each point. Then I realized, "I just want the 600". Sometimes you just got to go with the feeling.

Your quite right that the 430's are a better deal, unless (maybe) you need the full power of the flashes most of the time. $ per watt second, the 580 & 600 aren't much different from the 430. However, I don't normally use full power, so I can't make that argument.

 

[briansquibb]

Soooooooo overpriced. You can do ETTL with Phottix Odins and a couple of 430 EX IIs. You can put the two 430s together and get a way faster recycle or separate them for more flexibility.

Put 3 580EXIIs on a trihead for the ultimate in recycling - 3fps is possible

 

[smirkypants]

Thanks smirkypants,

You helped me make up my mind, but not in the way you probably suspect. As I was reading your response I started forming counter arguments to each point. Then I realized, "I just want the 600". Sometimes you just got to go with the feeling.

Your quite right that the 430's are a better deal, unless (maybe) you need the full power of the flashes most of the time. $ per watt second, the 580 & 600 aren't much different from the 430. However, I don't normally use full power, so I can't make that argument.

I actually said to get the two 430s and put them both on a single head. You get about 30% more power than the 600s and WAY faster recycling time. I hate waiting several seconds for a flash to recharch.

 

[briansquibb]

Thanks smirkypants,

You helped me make up my mind, but not in the way you probably suspect. As I was reading your response I started forming counter arguments to each point. Then I realized, "I just want the 600". Sometimes you just got to go with the feeling.

Your quite right that the 430's are a better deal, unless (maybe) you need the full power of the flashes most of the time. $ per watt second, the 580 & 600 aren't much different from the 430. However, I don't normally use full power, so I can't make that argument.

I actually said to get the two 430s and put them both on a single head. You get about 30% more power than the 600s and WAY faster recycling time. I hate waiting several seconds for a flash to recharch.

A 580EX2 recycles quicker than several seconds .....

 

[smirkypants]

A 580EX2 recycles quicker than several seconds .....

On a full blow Squibby? Canon lists .1 to 6 seconds as the time to ready depending on flash power used.

 

[justsomedude]

+1 for 430's because of the alleged design flaw in the 580EXII's.

I've fried out my pair of 580's twice now. Already sold em for 430's.

 

[RC]

Im not changing to radio controlled any time soon. I have 1 580 EXII, 2 430 EXIIs, and a 33' ETTL cord. Too much invested and the 600EX is very pricy.

 

[briansquibb]

A 580EX2 recycles quicker than several seconds .....

On a full blow Squibby? Canon lists .1 to 6 seconds as the time to ready depending on flash power used.

6 x 580EX on full power? Wow the mind boggles at the light output How many 430EX would you need to competer - 12?

I have two stands with 3 flash to take birds on the feeders and I get near instantaneous recycle - I only use eTTL so have no idea what % I am shooting at - I only care that I have enough light which during the day is always 8) 8) 8) 8)

When doing portraits recycle is not an issue - just enough to drive the 2 x 7 foot umbrellas and one 40inch hair light - usually 2 flash per stand. Fast enough recycling for fast single shooting.

 

[briansquibb]

Im not changing to radio controlled any time soon. I have 1 580 EXII, 2 430 EXIIs, and a 33' ETTL cord. Too much invested and the 600EX is very pricy.

Ah - the Syl Arena approach

 

[RC]

Im not changing to radio controlled any time soon. I have 1 580 EXII, 2 430 EXIIs, and a 33' ETTL cord. Too much invested and the 600EX is very pricy.

Ah - the Syl Arena approach

Yip, I'm a big fan of Syl. His Speedliters book is my Bible.

 

[briansquibb]

Im not changing to radio controlled any time soon. I have 1 580 EXII, 2 430 EXIIs, and a 33' ETTL cord. Too much invested and the 600EX is very pricy.

Ah - the Syl Arena approach

Yip, I'm a big fan of Syl. His Speedliters book is my Bible.

Before I do a shoot I often flick through his book when planning the lighting. I like all the illustrations as it helps to visualise the effect.

Tomorrows shoot will include 2 backlights with blue gel (it is a shoot of a boat ride indoors through caverns) with a wa (probably the TSE-24 on the 1Ds3)

 

[smirkypants]

Before I do a shoot I often flick through his book when planning the lighting. I like all the illustrations as it helps to visualise the effect.

Tomorrows shoot will include 2 backlights with blue gel (it is a shoot of a boat ride indoors through caverns) with a wa (probably the TSE-24 on the 1Ds3)

I'll show you mine if you show me yours. I'm shooting a hot blonde at the Cathedral of Polo in Buenos Aires.

 

[briansquibb]

Before I do a shoot I often flick through his book when planning the lighting. I like all the illustrations as it helps to visualise the effect.

Tomorrows shoot will include 2 backlights with blue gel (it is a shoot of a boat ride indoors through caverns) with a wa (probably the TSE-24 on the 1Ds3)

I'll show you mine if you show me yours. I'm shooting a hot blonde at the Cathedral of Polo in Buenos Aires.

I got the bike racer in the leathers .... ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[gmrza]

Soooooooo overpriced. You can do ETTL with Phottix Odins and a couple of 430 EX IIs. You can put the two 430s together and get a way faster recycle or separate them for more flexibility.

Put 3 580EXIIs on a trihead for the ultimate in recycling - 3fps is possible

And you have the benefit, if you do need to use one on camera, that the 580EXII has 360 degree head rotation.

 

[CanineCandidsByL]

Funny, but I think it was Syl's reviews of the 600 that made me want to switch. It will be interesting to see what his "standard" gear ends up being in another year.

I also forgot there are several reports of a module that you can stick on your 580s and 430s to control them with RF. Guess I'll hang onto my 580 for now AND get a 600.

 

[briansquibb]

Soooooooo overpriced. You can do ETTL with Phottix Odins and a couple of 430 EX IIs. You can put the two 430s together and get a way faster recycle or separate them for more flexibility.

Put 3 580EXIIs on a trihead for the ultimate in recycling - 3fps is possible

And you have the benefit, if you do need to use one on camera, that the 580EXII has 360 degree head rotation.

Indeed - although I tend to use my 430EXII on the hotshoe

I got this number of flash lights for weddings where I would have three lots of two lights set up

I use PW mini and flex to fire them

 

[smirkypants]

Funny, but I think it was Syl's reviews of the 600 that made me want to switch. It will be interesting to see what his "standard" gear ends up being in another year.

I also forgot there are several reports of a module that you can stick on your 580s and 430s to control them with RF. Guess I'll hang onto my 580 for now AND get a 600.

I love Syl, but the dude is getting paid to say nice things about the 600. The ONLY thing I see that it does that the Odins or Flexes don't is give feedback as to when the flashes have recycled. He spent the whole video comparing the 600 to the non-radio system used before, which is your classic strawman fallacy. The real competition comes not from there.

 

[briansquibb]

Funny, but I think it was Syl's reviews of the 600 that made me want to switch. It will be interesting to see what his "standard" gear ends up being in another year.

I also forgot there are several reports of a module that you can stick on your 580s and 430s to control them with RF. Guess I'll hang onto my 580 for now AND get a 600.

I love Syl, but the dude is getting paid to say nice things about the 600. The ONLY thing I see that it does that the Odins or Flexes don't is give feedback as to when the flashes have recycled. He spent the whole video comparing the 600 to the non-radio system used before, which is your classic strawman fallacy. The real competition comes not from there.

+1 No point in comparing the previous IR with the new RT

The real competition is in the third party RT suppliers.

I wonder if PW will reduce the price of the minis and flexes now - I cant see a long term future for these in a mass market