Q about the 580 EXII

Chaz Photos

Chaz Photos

Jack Elam
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Chaz
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Had the 580 EX II on the 50D yesterday and it stopped firing. It would do the red light for focus and the menu was all working but no red green/light coming on could not work out what was going on Only after changing the batteries did it all work again.
Anyone an Idea.
 
Chaz Photos said:
sound odd way of doing it how you meant to know are all flashes like this
Click to expand...

If the flash ready light takes longer than normal to come on or doesn't come on it is time to change the batteries, really is as simple as that. Nikon's flashes are the same.
 
It can be an annoying 'feature' of the580EXII....... everything seams fine but the flash doesn't fire unless the power's dialled down or you put fresh batteries in (or just stick with longer and longer recycle times.)

Just one of those things. I generally alternate 2 sets of AA's at the same time, keeping one set in my pocket and switching each time there's a break. Yes, its another thing to do but it only takes a couple of seconds.
 
What you need to do Chaz is start another thread asking what batteries to use in your flash! :lol: ;)
 
Yep - agreed - I have 2 x 580 mk 2's - both the same - will run everything, but not flash if the batteries are too low. Now use a rechargeable external battery to keep them powered.
 
I think all flashes are like that. It takes half a millewatt to get the thing to wake up, and ten trillion gigawatts to actually do anything.

Rule of thumb - check the recyle time on manual full power with your own freshly charged batteries. When you switch on, fire a full power manual flash and if the recycle time has doubled the batts are on the way out. NB, this is an extremely unreliable test method, but I've been using it for many years and it works for me :)

My other rule of thumb is that rechargeable batteries are a complete pain in the bum and will let you down. Always have a spare set of alkalines in your bag. If you use a rapid charger, that will be sooner rather than later. I've given up on them and buy big packs of good alkalines when I see them - bought a stash before Xmas in Boots. You can get them down to around 30p each without too much trouble - frankly not worth worrying about.

Some alkalines (Duracell) have a power indicator on them which sounds neat, but I find that whenever I think I need to check it the answer is always the same - knackered!
 
HoppyUK said:
I think all flashes are like that. It takes half a millewatt to get the thing to wake up, and ten trillion gigawatts to actually do anything.

Rule of thumb - check the recyle time on manual full power with your own freshly charged batteries. When you switch on, fire a full power manual flash and if the recycle time has doubled the batts are on the way out. NB, this is an extremely unreliable test method, but I've been using it for many years and it works for me :)

My other rule of thumb is that rechargeable batteries are a complete pain in the bum and will let you down. Always have a spare set of alkalines in your bag. If you use a rapid charger, that will be sooner rather than later. I've given up on them and buy big packs of good alkalines when I see them - bought a stash before Xmas in Boots. You can get them down to around 30p each without too much trouble - frankly not worth worrying about.

Some alkalines (Duracell) have a power indicator on them which sounds neat, but I find that whenever I think I need to check it the answer is always the same - knackered!
Click to expand...

Not much of an eco-warrior, Richard? :p

I've found that Eneloops are just as good as alkalines and are rechargeable, obviously. I use them for everything in fact (TV remotes etc etc).
 
I have found std Duracells to be the best, always buy them from a superstore, like Morrisons or Asda when they are on an end aisle, never cheapy shops. No science to this but I am guessing from previous performance that the cheapy shops are older units.
 
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