Styling and functionality to match the latest line
Reducing width by 4mm and weight by 30g, the Speedlite 580EX matches sophistication with handling ease. The flash head’s built-in wide panel expands flash coverage to suit wide-angle shots of 14mm angle of view. A catchlight panel generates a weakened light toward the subject for lively portraits when extended and the wide panel retracted.

Function advantages especially designed for digital SLRs
When the Speedlite 580EX receives image size data from a supported EOS digital camera, the flash head automatically zooms to match the effective angle of view. The resulting flash coverage is more accurate. When color temperature data is automatically transmitted from the Speedlite 580EX to a camera, the camera sets the color balance for the optimal flash shot.

Stress-free function selection through redesigned dial
The newly adopted Select dial simplifies the main operation interface from holding down the + or – button to turning the dial. Among other advantages, the new layout adds a high-speed synch button, centers the SEL/SET button, and relocates wireless functions to the zoom button.

Retained and upgraded functions for greater versatility
Flash exposure control system, wireless flash control with multiple Speedlites, and even distribution of light over the zoom range are retained. One new function is the expanded range of the AF-assist beam, compatible with all EOS AF cameras, including the EOS 20D. Left-right 180° bounce, one-touch bounce lock release, and improved controllability for greater exposure stability are among the upgraded functions.

What's in the box:
Canon Speedlite 580EX and soft case

Product Description
The supreme electronic-flash of Canon's Speedlite series, the Speedlite 580EX has a maximum guide number of 58/191 at ISO 100 in meters/feet (at 105mm focal length), faster recycling, more consistent color and enhanced controls are among the improvements that all photographers, especially those who shoot digital, will find useful. Ratio flash lighting of up to 8 - 1 when used with ST-E2 Transmitter & multiple 550 or 580EX's Zoom, Bounce, and Swivel Head for best positioning Angle of Coverage 84-degrees (24mm in 35mm format) to 23.3-degrees (105mm); 114 (14mm) with included wideangle adapter Uses Four 1.5-Volt AA batteries - May use alkaline or rechargeable NIMH or Li-Ion Unit Size WHD - 3 x 5.3 x 4.5 / Weighs 13 ounces Includes Pouch, Hot Shoe stand Canon USA 1-Year Warranty

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Product Reviews:

   
Good flash, way too expensive, May 16, 2006
Reviewer: S. J McCartin

I first had an original rebel 300D and a 380EX flash, decent entry level camera, flash was too slow, upgraded to 550EX, better but still not really able to handle fast continuous action. When I finally broke down and went up to a 20D I decided that eventually I may want to do multiple flash stuff so I bought a 580EX. The 580 has a better control layout than the 550 and bracket flash exposure but is really only marginally faster on the recharge than the 550 (both the 550 and 580 can handle an external high voltage battery pack such as the sunpak tr-2000 or one of the really expensive quantum packs).

What I don't think anyone else pointed out about this flash is that when mated to a Canon EOS body the EOS uses the flash's infrared system to assist in low light focusing. Normally a Rebel or a 20D with a built in flash in low light needs to strobe the subject so the camera has enough light to focus, no more of that using this baby----the infrared emitter on the flash takes the place of the strobing, a big plus if you're trying to catch a flash shot of an easily frightened subject like a baby or animal life.

I've had my 580 for over a year, take tons of karate pictures. I tend to shoot at iso3200 in shutter priority mode at 1/125 second, when shooting at 5 fps using canon's cp-e3 battery unit (8 AA nimh batteries) it keeps up pretty well, just bought a TR-2000 from sunpak I hope it'll do better than the AA pack. It's a great unit but ungodly expensive, you can do better with a sunpak unit but if you want all the wireless stuff and full interoperability with the Canon cameras this or the 550EX are the only way to go.

If you're poor go for the 550EX there's not much difference

If you want the flash bracketing modes, easier controls, and slightly faster recharge times then invest in the 580
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