DanInPhx

I am looking for some suggestions about which Canon Speedlite I should consider purchasing. My camera bodies are Rebel T6 digital and an EOS 630 for film. Mostly hobby use but I did shoot a couple of weddings for friends. I’m considering either the 580EX or 580EX-II. I can’t justify the expense of the newer 600EX series units for my usage but have seen the flashes I am looking at for about $100.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Yongnuo - 1/6th the price and work well.

Drive by Shooter

my yongnuo did not last 6 months of light use. a frequent story.

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

I use the 580exll, it is a good solid flash.

TheStarvingArtist

The 580EXII is an excellent flash. The Eveready rechargeable batteries from Walmart seem to last forever in it. I carry one extra set with me and never run out of battery power.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

If you have your eye on the 600 EX but are worried about the expense, get the 600 EX-RT from Yongnuo, its about a hundred bucks and almost the same as Canon's. They work the same (sure don't last as long as the Canon's but at that price - they are not bad)!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Whatever you get, make sure it's an EXll, not the non ll. I don't believe the non ll is ettl. Definitely you want ettl.
The advantage to getting a Canon is you can call Canon Tech for anything. Any problem or setting. These flashes are complex.
I imagine with Yongnuo you're stuck with uTube or the Chinese directions for everything! Good luck
SS

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

I've got a 580EX II that works incredibly well with my Canon 7D and have had it for several years... I'm not professional, but, I couldn't ask for a nicer flash... also use rechargeables with it...

I generally use a Canon SX20IS for taking photos on building sites and the strobe functions perfectly well on that relic. Should have added that the strobe is nearly as large as the latter camera... looks 'funny'.

Dik

agillot

walmart sell 2 dedicated flashes , one for nikon , one for canon , sunpak brand ? , around $ 65 . probably relatively low power ?

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

Although it's not meant for it, I've used my 580 strobe to about 75'... with my old Metz, by blocking off the sensor, I've stretched it out to nearly 100'... the latter is an old one that generates enough heat to nearly cook an egg <G> If you hold your hand over the strobe part it does get quite warm...

Dik

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The 580EX II recycles a lot faster than the previous model. Both would work fine on your cameras, although the older film camera won't be able to take full advantage of some of the flash's features.

BTW, the earlier 550EX is a very good flash, too. And all of them can be sped up recycling by using rechargeable AA batteries in them and/or using a Canon CP-E(series) auxiliary battery pack, which plug right in to the 550/580/600EX series models (and only those models.... don't work with 400/300/200-series models).



EDIT: ALL 500-series EX FLASHES ARE ETTL. In fact, I think all EX flashes are ETTL... period... regardless of series. Some of the newest models are ETTL II. The difference with that is that when used with certain newer and possibly with specific lenses ETTL II is a modest refinement of the already very good ETTL. Original ETTL (all EX type Canon flashes) provides "through the lens" metered control of flash output.... ETTL II does the same, plus it can utilize distance info generated by the lens focus with certain lens and camera combinations... However, I'm not sure about either of your cameras and don't know what lenses you are using on them, so might not matter in your case. When camera and lens don't support ETTL II, the flash automatically reverts to standard ETTL.

The 500-series flashes also can act either as master or slave in multi-flash setups (most 400/300/200 series can only be used as slave... one exception I know if is the tiny 90EX, which can act as a master controller).

500/600 series Canon flashes are pretty large and powerful. If you have chance, compare in person with 400-series and others, to be sure you are okay with the size.

Most third party such as Yongnuo, Godox, etc. emulate and are similar size/weight as 500/600 series models (3rd party can be cheaper, but are not as well made as the Canon).

There are add-on modules available from third party to be able to remotely radio control and trigger the 500 series (instead of optical), same as the "R" series models. This is much more versatile than the "optical" remote control/triggering built into the 500-series and similar.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Sorry to hear that!
I have 9 and no failures yet...

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

[quote=amfoto1]EDIT: [u]ALL ETTL II does the same, plus it can utilize distance info generated by the lens focus with certain lens and camera combinations...

I got the 550EX back when I purchased a then current Canon XT. I still use it most every week, as I have for years, now with my 80D. It DOES adjust for focal length as I zoom my lens. It goes from a 24 to 105mm setting (hmmm, sounds familiar, just like their popular lens). It also has a diffuser for wider shots or as a reflector. It adjusts up & down as well as left to right.

I can't imagine why a lens model enters into it, as long as the body knows the focal length, it can tell the flash.

HalcyonAndOn Loc: Austin, TX

I would suggest you take a look at Flashpoint/Godox:

https://www.adorama.com/fplfsmzl2ca.html

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Someone in the Buy and Sell Classifieds section has the Canon 580EX, Yongnuo powerpack and Yongnuo transceivers for sale for $150.
Link HERE
Woops! Already sold!!!!! Good deal.

As HalcyonAndOn noted above, Godox would be my choice for an inexpensive 3rd party brand.
I have 2 (though not the same model as the link) and am impressed.
Very extensive line of flashes and accessories.