How long is a flash good for?

[MikeMike]

Hello,

I own the Canon 580 flash (the first one), but lent it to a friend about a year ago. For one reason or another this "hey could I borrow your flash" turned into a year of miscommunication and since getting back a few days agp I'm wondering about the possibility of it nearing the end of its life?  This is the only flash I have ever owned, but I know that flash heads need new bulbs every now and again. Is this the case with the 580 as well?

Let me know so I could spent the next year getting the guy to pay up.

Thanks,
Michael

[Jonathan Wienke]

The wear and tear on the foot, battery door, and switches is probably more likely to cause a failure than the use of the flash tube. When the flash fires, a very small amount of the surface of the electrodes is vaporized by the flash arc. The flash tube goes bad when the electrodes erode past a certain point. Battery-powered flashes typically don't have enough power to erode much of the electrode material, so the flash tube will last a long time; more flashes than a high-power studio strobe. The maximum number of flashes also depends on the power setting of each flash; higher power settings will use up the flash tube faster. But it really isn't a big deal; you should get years of use before having to replace the tube.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider billing him for a year's worth of rental...

[lightstand]

I had a Canon 540 that went belly up never could get a full pop out of it after about a year working at a daily. The 580 should have a guide number along with a light meter you should be able to tell whether your SOL

[MikeMike]

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider billing him for a year's worth of rental...

Lol,

Thanks guys.

The flash cosmetically/physically is perfect, looks new, so if thats where I should place my worry then I guess I'm good.

Until the next question,
Michael

[schrodingerscat]

Hello,

I own the Canon 580 flash (the first one), but lent it to a friend about a year ago. For one reason or another this "hey could I borrow your flash" turned into a year of miscommunication and since getting back a few days agp I'm wondering about the possibility of it nearing the end of its life?  This is the only flash I have ever owned, but I know that flash heads need new bulbs every now and again. Is this the case with the 580 as well?

Let me know so I could spent the next year getting the guy to pay up.

Thanks,
Michael

Actually, the flash tubes do burn out over time with a fair amount of regularity, but you weren't that specific as to what the problem is. I've seen much newer units with bad tubes, especially the camera built-in ones.

An original 580 could have been through many discharge cycles and is well worth repairing if it still meets your needs. If it's just not firing, it could also be the main capacitor or the trigger circuit. If it just sat for a year, probably the capacitor. Does the ready light come on?

[MikeMike]

Actually, the flash tubes do burn out over time with a fair amount of regularity, but you weren't that specific as to what the problem is. I've seen much newer units with bad tubes, especially the camera built-in ones.

An original 580 could have been through many discharge cycles and is well worth repairing if it still meets your needs. If it's just not firing, it could also be the main capacitor or the trigger circuit. If it just sat for a year, probably the capacitor. Does the ready light come on?

It works and looks as new, but it is a few years old and has been used fairly regularly for that duration. I dont know much about flash units, so you guys tell me! is it possible to replace parts in the unit or should I need to, would be better off getting a new one?

Lemme know,
Michael

[schrodingerscat]

It works and looks as new, but it is a few years old and has been used fairly regularly for that duration. I dont know much about flash units, so you guys tell me! is it possible to replace parts in the unit or should I need to, would be better off getting a new one?

Lemme know,
Michael

If it works and looks as new, what's the problem? The only reason to replace it is if it lack features that you need and are found on the new ones.

The 580 is repairable. Not only by Canon, but independent techs as well.

[DarkPenguin]

If it works and looks as new, what's the problem? The only reason to replace it is if it lack features that you need and are found on the new ones.

The 580 is repairable. Not only by Canon, but independent techs as well.

http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index....st&p=284529