Speedlite 580EX

SPEEDLITE 580EX

The Speedlite 580EX is the new-top-of-the-line flashgun from Canon. Although suitable for all EOS cameras, it has been optimised for use with digital models. It provides full compatibility with the distance-linked E-TTL II flash system found on recent EOS cameras, and automatically adjusts to provide optimum coverage for the sensor size of the latest digital cameras. The guide number, at a maximum of 58 (ISO 100m), is the highest of any Canon flashgun. Wireless transmission is built-in. Accessories include a new Compact Battery Pack CP-E3 and Canon’s first Speedlite Bracket SB-E1. The Speedlite 580EX is a successor to the Speedlite 550EX.

EOS magazine,September 2004, page 65

Type: on-camera, E-TTL II/E-TTL/TTL autoflash Speedlite
Compatible cameras: Type-A EOS cameras (E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash),
Type-B EOS cameras (TTL autoflash)
Guide No.: 58/190 (at 105mm focal length, ISO 100 in meters/feet)
Flash coverage: 24 - 105mm (14mm with wide panel)
• auto zoom (flash coverage set automatically for lens focal length and image size)
• manual zoom
• flash head swing (bounce flash)
Flash duration: Normal flash: 1.2ms or shorter,
Quick flash: 2.3ms or shorter
Colour temperature Information transmission: flash colour temperature information transmitted to camera
Exposure control
Exposure control type: E-TTL II/E-TTL/TTL autoflash, manual flash
Flash range (with 50mm f1.4, ISO 100): Normal flash: 0.5 - 30m / 1.6 - 98.4ft
Quick flash: 0.5 - 7.5m / 1.6 - 24.6ft (min.)
0.5 - 21m / 1.06 - 68.9ft (max.)
High-speed sync: 0.5 - 15m / 1.6 - 49.2ft (at 1/250 sec.)
Flash exposure compensation: Manual FEB: ± stops in 1/3-stop increments (manual and FEB can be combined)
FE lock: with <FEL> button or <*> button
High-speed sync: provided
Stroboscopic flash: provided (1-199 Hz)
Flash exposure confirmation: Pilot lamp lights
Flash recycling (with size-AA alkaline batteries)
Recycling time / flash-ready indicator: Normal flash 0.1 to 6 sec. / red pilot lamp lights
Quick flash: 0.1 to 3 sec. / green pilot lamp lights
Wireless flash
Transmission method: optical pulse
Channels: 4
Wireless options: off, master, and slave
Transmission range (approx.):outdoors: 12 -m / 39.4 - 49.2ft,
Indoors: 8-10m / 26.2-32.8ft
Reception angle: ±40° horizontal, ±30° vertical
Controllable slave groups: 3 (A, B and C)
Flash ratio control: 1:8 - 1:1 - 8:1 in 1/2-stop increments
Slave-ready indicator: AF-assist beam blinks
Modeling flash: fired with camera’s depth-of-field preview button
Custom functions: 14 (28 settings)
AF assist beam
Linkable AF points: 1 - 45 AF points (28mm or longer focal length)
Effective range (approx.): at center: 0.6 - 10m / 2.0 - 32.8ft
Periphery: 0.6 - 5m / 2.0 - 16.4ft
Power source
Internal power: four size-AA alkaline
* size-AA NiMH or lithium batteries also possible
Battery life (approx. flash count): 100 - 700 flashes (with size-AA alkaline batteries)
Battery life (approx. wireless transmission): 1500 transmissions (master unit firing disabled, size-AA alkaline batteries)
Power saving: power off after 90 sec. or idle operation (60 min. if set as slave)
External power sources: compact battery pack CP-E3
Dimensions
(W x H x D): 76 x 134 x 114mm
Weight: 375g (Speedlite only, excluding batteries)
Guide No. (GNo.) (ISO 100, in meters/feet)
Normal flash (full output) and quick flash (GNo.):