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Author Topic: Canon 20D flash  (Read 7657 times)

DarkPenguin

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Canon 20D flash
« on: July 19, 2005, 11:21:53 pm »

The 580 is smaller, more powerful, recycles faster, supports ettl ii, has better controls and is just a better flash.

That said the 550ex will work as well on a 20D as it would on any other camera.  But the 580 is nicer.

I don't own one.  I just have it perpetually in my shopping cart.  (I liked my old sunpak pz5000af which worked great until I put it on a 20d.  After I sold it I found out how to mod it so it would work.  Oh, well.)
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Jonathan Wienke

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Canon 20D flash
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2005, 12:19:30 am »

Both the 550EX and 580EX (as well as any othe EX flash) will fully support E-TTL-II, as the differences between -II and the original E-TTL are only in the camera programming, not the flash or the camera-flash communication protocol. If you already have a 550EX, there's absolutely no reason to get rid of it. If you need more flash power, you might want to get a 580EX to use in addition to the 550EX, and if that isn't powerful enough, your best bet is to get some Alien Bee strobes.
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Jonathan Wienke

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Canon 20D flash
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2005, 01:39:40 am »

You are correct. The advantage of that is that the 580EX uses less power as a result, but some people have reported that flash vignetting (due to not covering the entire frame) becomes more of a problem due to the 580EX overcompensating for the crop factor.

But that has nothing to do with E-TTL or E-TTL-II flash exposure calculation, only the selection of the flash head zoom amount.
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1hart1

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Canon 20D flash
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2005, 09:08:13 am »

so interesting.
The accessories sheet for the 20D that came with the camera cals for the Speedlight 580EX. Guess its a mis-print?
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llama

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Canon 20D flash
« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2005, 09:30:29 am »

Can't comment on the 550, but I have the 580 and it's a great little unit that can conserve power while putting out massive light.

While it is pretty costly, I still recommend it and would probably buy it again.
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1hart1

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Canon 20D flash
« Reply #5 on: July 22, 2005, 03:30:06 pm »

Thank you all for the education. Discontinued items with newer and better keeps most of in the poor house   :-)
I guess I am just addicted to things that work better, cleaner with greater simplicity. hahaha good luck!
Thanks again,
Stephen
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1hart1

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Canon 20D flash
« Reply #6 on: July 19, 2005, 11:03:06 pm »

I have a Speedlight 550EX that I originally got for my Canon D30. The Canon 20D calls for the Speedlight 580EX.

What is the difference?
Can I use the 550EX on the 20D?
Potential problems?
Thanks,
Stephen
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1hart1

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Canon 20D flash
« Reply #7 on: July 19, 2005, 11:56:28 pm »

Thank you,
That said, what is the best/right flash to get for the 20D.
And, what might be some of peoples favorits accessories.

equipment
D30
20D
Elan FE
Canon EF 50mm 1:1.4 Ultrasonic
Canon EF 24-85mm Ultrasonic
Canon 28-90 1:4 5.6
Sigma 14mm 1:2.8
SpeedLight 550EX
Speedlight Transmitter ST-E2
Quantaray Tele Converter 2X AF for Canon
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DarkPenguin

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Canon 20D flash
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2005, 12:39:46 am »

I also recall that the 580 is supposed to know if it is on a digital so it zooms in a bit more.
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Canon 20D flash
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2005, 06:56:50 am »

>> The Canon 20D calls for the Speedlight 580EX.

Wrong.


>> What is the difference?

Rather minor and pointed above.

>> Can I use the 550EX on the 20D?

Yes.

>> Potential problems?

Not having AF assist to all AF points.

Happy shooting,
Yakim.
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boku

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Canon 20D flash
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2005, 09:25:46 am »

Quote
so interesting.
The accessories sheet for the 20D that came with the camera cals for the Speedlight 580EX. Guess its a mis-print?
No - just marketing. The accessory sheet is advertizing, not specification.

If you were to go and buy a new flash, they want you to get a 580EX. That doesn't mean it won't work with others, only that the 580EX will work with the 20D and if you buy it they will make the most money. Why would they try to get you to troll the used market for a 550EX (no longer in production, I believe) when they won't increase their revenue?
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Bob Kulon

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Pete

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Canon 20D flash
« Reply #11 on: July 21, 2005, 05:09:36 pm »

And don't forget that, with the introduction of the 580EX, the 550EX is now discontinued.  Of course, you might find one used.  I own both; the 580 does seem to give more consistent exposures with the 10D and the 20D than had the 550 given.  However, both will work with any canon camera -- film or digital.  

The 580, as noted elsewhere, is a bit more compact, does give more output, and gets more out of a set of batteries--at least these are my experiences.
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boku

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Canon 20D flash
« Reply #12 on: July 22, 2005, 09:48:54 am »

If I used flash much (I have a 550 that mainly sits at home), I would definately compare the 580 to the higher-end Metz units. A lot of folks like their stuff for the Canon cams. Anyone out there with any first-hand knowledge of these units?
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Bob Kulon

Oh, one more thing...[b
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