Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras

Pros:
- Uses 4 AA sized batteries
- E-TTL
- Solid performance
- Built-in pop-up catchlight card and wide angle filter
- Can be used for line of sight infrared remote triggering
- Numerous aftermarket attachments
- Solid metal hotshoe and locking mechanism
- Weather sealed
- FEB bracketing
- Manual control dial as well as in-camera settings
- Backlight and indicator lights
- Silent operation
- Comes bundled with a soft velcro case and off-camera hotshoe mount
- Variety of swivel and tilt settings

Cons:
- Bulky
- Feels solid, but not rugged; the main joint does have a little play
- Lack built in wireless infrared capability of rival flash units in same price range

Thoughts:
I have not shot this for sports yet, so I cannot comment on the high speed firing. 1/250s is the fastest it will sync. It does have high-speed and trailing flash operation. I do not own any other flash units so I cannot say on the comparison to the 580ex or 430ex. Does not have an operation for wireless flash like the Nikon SB-900 Speedlight with the wireless commander operation. To use a feature similar to this, a separate $200~ item is required (STE2 Speedlite Transmitter). For this, I would like to take off a 1/2 star, but amazon only allows in increments of 1. The Nikon SB-900 just offers more features for about the same price.

Regardless, having a dedicated flash unit is the way to go! The 4 AA sized batteries makes it easy to maintain. I use Sanyo Eneloop 2000mAh batteries. These are a type of hybrid NiMH that retain a charge longer (I can carry more of these without having to constantly maintain them). I do not recommend alkaline, lithium, or li-ion (14500) as the last 2 types will probably fry the 580ex II in an instant. I have 5 sets of Eneloops for use with my 580ex II. 4 are stored in a Tamrac MXS536801 battery wallet and the 5th inside the 580ex II ready to go. I recommend using rechargeables without reservation as dedicated flash units use up a lot of juice. Having an even numbered batteries is easy for maintenance. I recommend the Maha Wizard C9000 or the La Crosse BC-900.

The light quality is magnificent compared to the pop-up flash in every lighting scenario. Dedicated flash is the way to go in eliminating red eye. Having the wireless infrared line of sight flash is a good option but that should be skipped and gone straight to the next level, which is off-camera radio flash (Pocketwizard Plus II, multimax, etc). Diffuse lighting is great when natural light is not around. If you're choosing between a flash or new lens, a dedicated flash unit offers best performance for the price. Paired this with a Stofen Omnibounce or Gary Fong Lightsphere and you're ready to tackle almost any occasion.

Recommended with:
- Sanyo Eneloop AA (or any NiMH rechargeable)
- La Crosse BC-900
- Stofen Omnibounce
- Gary Fong Lightsphere
- Tamrac MXS536801 Battery & Memory Card Wallet

Bottom line:
Recommended! Whatever you do, if not this one, at least buy a dedication flash unit.Get more detail about Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras.