580 EX, & recycle question

[KevinCarter]

It's funny, I got a cycler from Lumedyne which I love. bit I tested the 580ex2 with just the AA batteries and I have to say that ( just shooting 40-50 shots), the recycle time was very fast with just the AA's. Does anyone go out with just AA's? How is recycle time for you and how many shots do you get? I used to remember having to wait a second or two with just AA's but it seemed to be instant today

[MarkAlsop]

I have three of the 580EX (Mark I) units. I use PowerEX 2700 mAh rechargeable AA batteries, which are about 2-years old now (Delkin makes some that are 2900 mAh). I always recharge the batteries on the slow setting.

As I remember the only times I needed to replace the batteries on the job was at night football games where I was using two 580EX (I) units on a 1D Mk II with a 200mm lens and occasionally shooting high speed bursts. I will have taken maybe 150 images in the course of each game. Believe it or not I was getting enough light out of the two units to reach mid-field and a bit beyond from the side lines with something like 800 ISO.

These 580EX units are amazing in most respects, the amount of light they can put out and still keep going is unreal.

Their only real drawback is the IR, it does not communicate reliably over the kind of distances one might need shooting in a gym, especially a darkened gym. I’m going to get an RF triggering system that will handle E-TTL in January.

[KevinCarter]

Without getting too off subject here:
Just asking folks?
With four new normal double AA, (no charger)how is your recycing time? how long would normal duracell AA's last?

[John_DeMings]

Kevin,

Been a while since i used normal Duracells. NiMH rechargeables recycle so much faster in a flash; normal batteries are designed for lengthy--not rapid-- dumping of power that flashes require. I'd suggest NiMH batteries and a good charger (Like that by LaCrosse)

[Ashley_Karyl]

With 4 normal AA batteries I have found the recycle time on the 580EX to be OK, but I get longer life and faster recycling times from the Nimh rechargeable batteries and it saves me quite a bit of money spread over the life of the flash unit. I'd say the normal AA batteries tend to give about 50% less flashes than the rechargeable Nimh equivalents. In all honesty I can't see a good argument for using non rechargeable batteries.

[KevinStecyk]

Originally Posted by KevinCarter

How is recycle time for you and how many shots do you get? I used to remember having to wait a second or two with just AA's but it seemed to be instant today

I used rechargeables recently, and got about 200 shots at about 3/4 power. To keep the flash head cool, I deliberately waited a several seconds between shots. These batteries were not brand new, so the obvious statement that your mileage may vary applies.

A friend had difficulties with his flash after using an external power source and firing many shots in rapid succession. He had to replace the guts of his flash.

Here's the manual for a 580 EXII: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ash-Manual.pdf

On page 8, it provides the recycle time and flash count.

You'll also note that on page 25, Canon warns, "To avoid overheating and deteriorating the flash head, do not fire more than 10 stroboscopic bursts. Then allow the Speedlight to rest for at least 10 min."

While you might not be in stroboscopic mode, I suspect that if you are were to use an external power source and were to fire many rapid shots in succession without an adequate break, you too will have difficulty with your flash afterward.

[Dennis_Vied]

I have three of the 580EX (Mark I) flashes. For normal carry around flash use, I use disposable Duracells because of their long shelf life. When I am planning a shoot, I use freshly rechargeable AA cells because of their high current, fast recycle times. As long as I am going to use the flash right away, it makes sense, but they will lose charge when stored.

Sometime back I bought some Ray-O-Vac NMh AA rechargeables because they advertised a 15 minute recharge time, (with the proprietary recharger). It's true, they do recharge in 15 minutes.

Recycle times for the rechargeables are virtually instant, depending on the flash range in use. Recycle times for the Duracells are much longer, but will remain dependably charged when stored and carried in the bag. I can usually do an evening's work on one set of batteries, but occasionally have to pop in another set.