Canon 580EXII Review
February 22nd, 2010This weekend I had the pleasure of sharing my knowledge with another attendee of my private workshop. On the second day we went out of the studio to learn how to light at any time of day with minimal gear.
So I attach my favorite speed light, the Canon 580EXII, to the hot shoe of my Canon 5D Mark II.
It was a sunny day under a blue sky scattered with big white puffy clouds and a beautiful model sitting on a white country wood fence.
So I proceed to show Jeff, my workshop attendee, how to set up the 580EXII in order to capture the beauty of our fashion model while still maintaining details in the blue sky, puffy clouds and green grass. The model was facing the harsh sun so I had Jeff scrim her with a 60 inch shoot through umbrella. I then set the flash to ETTL and high speed sync mode, dialed up the flash exposure 3 whole stops and zoomed the flash head to 105mm. I was standing about 8 feet from the model with an 85mm lens on the camera.
Now this is the awesome part! I then set my shutter speed to 1/1250th of a second! My fstop was 4.5 and my ISO was 200. I shot away and this was the beautiful result even under a mid day sun. I LOVE this flash!
The possibilities are endless. The high speed sync mode is my favorite feature. I now am not limited to syncing at only 1/250th of a second! I can capture details in my background and control my contrast by using a very fast shutter speed.
Now, my only warning is have a good amount of double A batteries or use an external battery like a Quantum Turbo 2×2. Also very important is that you can’t shoot fast because you will end up blowing up the flash because of all the power your asking it to pump out by pushing it 3 full stops and zooming the flash head to it’s max at 105mm. Which is another great feature. Being able to zoom the flash head from 24mm all the way to 105mm gives the photographer so much control and room to play with.
The Canon 580EXII is one piece of gear that is always in my bag. 
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:39 pm
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March 10th, 2010 at 3:12 am
Great technique. I always had an impression that flash only can produce harsh light. The photo that you posted shown otherwise. The photo is very natural. Thanks for the tips Jason
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Jason Christopher Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Hey buddy, thank you. Ya if you have that flash try it out. It’s an awesome function. And you’re very welcome. Please don’t hesitate to comment or ask questions. I encourage you to let me know if there is something you would like me to cover as well.
Cheers
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April 28th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
This is a beautiful shot and like VS says it is very natural. I ordered two 580exII in the hopes it would get me out of the studio due to its lightweight; thus its non hassle portability.
Have you found any need to use any sort of modifier with the speedlites? I’ve seen a few blogs where modifiers are being made for them such as beauty dishes and diffusers.
Any comment on modifiers?
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Jason Christopher Reply:
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:49 am
Thank you Will. I have not used any modifiers for my speed lights although I would like to try some out just to see what they do. So far I have managed to get the results I want without them. Everything is subjective so if you feel like you wanna try some modifiers out, then go for it ! You might discover something new.
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May 23rd, 2010 at 12:20 pm
iirc the EXII, unlike its predecessor, has a thermal cutout to shot you overheating it. Though that does mean it will be out of action for a bit whilst it cools off.
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Jason Christopher Reply:
May 26th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Hi Ian,
I believe you are correct.
Thank you
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July 3rd, 2010 at 1:54 pm
But could’nt a high sync mode of 1/1250th of a second overheat the flash?
Why would one zoom a flash head
“Zooming the flash head from 24mm all the way to 105mm gives the photographer so much more control and room to play. May i ask in why would one zoom a flash head? Forgive my primitivity.
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Jason Christopher Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 3:23 pm
It’s not the fast shutter speed that will overheat the flash, what overheats the flash is shooting too fast and pushing the power of the flash to three full stops. This will happen with any flash you use no matter what shutter speed you use. So just make sure you don’t shoot at faster than two frames per second. That is what I would recommend.
Let’s say you are using a 24mm, 35mm lens or even a 50mm lens and you are up close to your model in order to capture more of the background. You have a choice to push the flash up to three stops or zoom your flash head all the way up to 105mm which is like moving your flash physically closer to the model without actually having to move your body closer to the model. Or if the flash is off camera on a stand you don’t have to physically move the flash closer. You don’t have to zoom it all the way to 105 but at least you know you can. I would rather zoom the flash head rather than ask the flash to use more power by pushing it 2 or 3 stops.
Thank you for your question Yaseen.
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July 3rd, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Bought an SB800. I’m worried about it overheating. Heard that if u take too many shots in a row it could overheat. Apparently I’m spose to wait 2-3mins after doing 30 shots?
Quote “Also very important is that you can’t shoot fast because you will end up blowing up the flash because of all the power your asking it to pump out by pushing it 3 full stops and zooming the flash head to it’s max at 105mm”
Sounds important ? So I’ve basically gotta be careful of zooming the flash and setting the flash’s exposure. Im trying to make as much sense as possible, i promise
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Jason Christopher Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Yaseen you are doing fine bro. Your questions are totally valid. You don’t have to wait 2-3 min after shooting 30 shots. Just don’t shoot faster than 2 shots per second. If you’re shooting fashion there is no reason at all to shoot that fast or faster. The photographers that blow up their flashes are the paparazzi. Yes they don’t go by the rules of electronics and actually can go thru many flashes in a single week. But if they capture that great shot of a fat Brittany Spears in a bikini, they will be able to buy many many more flashes with the amount of money they will earn from getting that one shot that our society cares so much about lol. You get my point though right ?
I mean dude, I never shoot more than 1 shot per second. I’ve never needed to. Maybe wedding shooters have to shoot faster than this but they gotta be careful.
Did I answer your question ? Do you understand this better now ? Please let me know if you still don’t understand.
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August 24th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Hi very nice shot using a flash, I have always used natural light but want to try out flash as well, so I bought the 580 EX II Speedlight.
Now in my 5D II menu should I have it set to Auto, or the 1/200th sec? I usually have it set to the 1/200th and in AV mode
thank you;)
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Jason Christopher Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Hi Chris. Thank you for the compliment. I have mine set to auto but that is because I am ALWAYS in manual mode. If you want to use AV mode I would set it to the option 1/200 – 1/60 sec. auto.
However I really encourage you to shoot in manual only. You will see a world of difference. Thank you for your question Chris. In my private workshop I cover this as well as tailor the workshop to your level and what you want to learn.
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August 26th, 2010 at 2:09 am
Ok thanks, but in manual you mean set the camera mode to M? if so I tried that and my evaluative compensation is way to the left and when I get it in the center the shutter is way to slow for hand held shots.
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Jason Christopher Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Hi Chris. Yes set the camera mode to M. I’m not sure what you mean about what is happening with your evaluative compensation. But if your shutter is too slow then you need to open up your aperture or use a faster ISO. You can also increase your flash exposure compensation up to two full stops. Have you tried that ? You have a Canon 580 EXII right ?
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Chris K. Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Hi Jason, I will try again tonight as I just started using flash, I do have the 580 EX II with the 5D Mark II and 7D, now on the 7D it has wireless on the camera and the 5D II does not, what is a good wireless remote for the 5D? thanks again;)
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Jason Christopher Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Are you asking me about wireless remote to fire the flash from the camera like Pocket Wizards ?
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Chris K. Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Yes so the flash can be not on the 5D, but I think I need 2 pocket wizards for that right?
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Jason Christopher Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Ok then yes you need a Pocket Wizard set. It comes with a transmitter which goes on the hot shoe and the receiver connects to the flash.
August 26th, 2010 at 7:51 am
Hi Jason.. “Donno what time of day its over there, so i’ll leave out the formal greetings and go South African on u, and say, Howzit Jason
”
I keep in mind what ever you’ve told me thus-far. Very much appreciated and it’s working !! I’m marinating my brain in information, also practicing. Buying a mannequin today to practice with my flash in my room
I’m getting this “spotlight” or “gotcha” effect on lots of my photos, since I’m using flash, especially indoors. They just look fake and staged. Is there a way to really soften the light and widen the spread of it so it looks more natural while still being able to shoot from a reasonable distance? Would love to hear some comments/suggestions on this… Aiming at getting this issue outa the way firstly.
I’m using 1 Flash(SB800) on body, if that makes sense. I shoot in iTTL mode.
Thanx J
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Jason Christopher Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Hi Yaseen ! Good to hear from you and I am happy my advice is working for you.
Using a speedlight / flash indoors can be really tough. It’s harsh light and a small source. What you can do to avoid that “spotlight” effect is use the white card that pulls out from the top of the flash head. You tilt the head up a bit and the light will bounce off the white card. If that doesn’t help, try pointing the flash head up to the ceiling, hopefully the ceiling is white otherwise if it is a different color you will get that color cast in your shot. You could also try using the zoom feature on the flash to zoom the inside flash head out wider so it gives a wider spread of light. Some people like to use the Gary Fong Lightsphere. Check this link I found for you, http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/lightsphere/ I would love to see an example of one of your shots. Send to jason@jasonchristopher.com
Thank you Yaseen !
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August 28th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Great lesson Jason, and a well needed one as well. The only part that throws me a little is this sentence >> “dialed up the flash exposure 3 whole stops”
Forgive mt ignorance and please tell me exactly how you do that. Did you meter the models face and then add 3 stops of flash?
Thanks,
Tony
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Jason Christopher Reply:
August 30th, 2010 at 11:43 am
Hi Tony,
Do you know how to increase your flash exposure with the small dial on the back of your flash ? I don’t meter. I look at my image on the LCD and based on my experience I just know how much I need to increase the flash exposure. If you aren’t at that level yet then yes you could have the model hold the meter and take a shot with an increased exposure and see what the hand held meter reads. There are actually a few different ways to do this. I really encourage anyone to take my private two day workshop. I teach you these things and much more hands on with a model. You come out knowing so much more and with a much better understand of the whole process.
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August 30th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Love to take your class…..I’m in Buffalo NY,….where are you?
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Jason Christopher Reply:
August 30th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
I’m in Los Angeles. I’ve had MANY photographers come from all over to take my private workshop.
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September 10th, 2010 at 1:14 am
Hi Jason, sir.. couple of questions if i may :
Dialing down = faster recycle time, means what?
“faster shutter speeds= less output=shortr recycle time?” Is that a good thing? What does this mean?
14-24” lens- is this lens better for full length shots?
On what mode do I need to have my camera on to adjust shutter myself? Manual?
Cos when I’m on Aperture Priority (I think) outdoors with my flash on, my shutter seems “concrete”
I’m I supposed to be exposing for my background and filling subject with flash? Cos I think exposing for my subject is more important…I’d like to think subject is king?
How’s this possible, to set your flash aperture (F4.0) and exposure (F5.6) separately? Thought that with your flash I on, you can only adjust aperture?
So far I understand that flash (depending on look u going 4) shouldn’t overpower ambient light eg flash @ f5.6 and camera @ f8. These are to different apertures? Can 2 different apertures only be attainable on manual mode?
I generally soot in manual mode, but playing with AP recently. Regarding avoiding overpowering ambient, what would an example of ones settings look like on manual and aperture priority?
What does it man to flag your flash so there no direct flash falling on my subject?
How does one take a meter reading with the flash on cos once the flash is on, I’m battling to get the pins centered when I’m looking into my viewfinder/LCD.
What does it mean to max out your sync speed?
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Jason Christopher Reply:
September 15th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Hi Yaseen, whew ! a couple of questions ? LOL my friend this amount of information can be covered in a work shop or a photography class not in one reply in a blog post. How are you learning photography ? Have you bought any books ? Are there classes offered over there ?
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September 10th, 2010 at 1:16 am
Thanx Jason
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Jason Christopher Reply:
September 13th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
You’re welcome buddy !
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September 15th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Hey Jase
Lol. Sorry man, i did it again. Please disregard. I think currently, cos I’m lil bit obsesses, truly.. I’m just tryna catch up on “lost time” and tryna get up to speed..faster than i can absorb sometmies. Also cos i know my work does’nt look “professional”. I wanna get to the point where i can go on location and take control… understand the light and the conditions and adjust my settings to accomodate the lighting conditions. Ya, i started going to someone whos “technically” sound.
sorry bro, jus get ahead of myself sumtimes. Won’t happen again : )
Thanx for always being so diligent in responding.
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Jason Christopher Reply:
September 16th, 2010 at 10:50 am
Hey buddy. No need to apologize. I totally understand
Here is what you should do. Ask me two questions at a time for each post. After I answer those, then ask me another two questions and so on. That way I won’t feel overwhelmed either lol. So start over. Ask me two questions. And make sure each question is asked in the correct category. That way no one will get confused. Remember that when you ask questions it benefits everyone who reads my blog. Same goes for anyone who asks questions. We are all learning from each other
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