Canon 580ex vs Quantum T4D

I've got a Canon 580ex and am thinking of switching my flash system from the 580ex and

550ex (both with Gary Fong Lightspheres) and with CP-E3 to a Quantum T4D with a Turbo

Z pack. Does anyone have any experience with these two and can you list any thoughts

between the two? The Canon system seems lighter and better integrated but the T4D

seems to have more power.

 

Also, I've read that people really enjoy the "light quality" from the bare bulb flash units like

the Quantum and Sunpak 120J. Can anyone describe this "light quality" improvement or

show some comparisons?

 

Lastly, how much more power does the T4D have over the 190GN of the 580ex? Thanks

for taking the time to read and respond. :)

I would recommend Metz 54-mz4, METZ 70-MZ5 or Metz 76-mz5 over Canon or Quantum.

 

Me and my friend have tested the Canon, Quantum, and Metz flash. The result is that both Quantum Auto and Metz Auto mode are more accurate than Canon-Ettl or Canon Auto flash, but the Quantum have trouble for close-up. Quantum Auto mode seem to over-exposure within 1-3feet, but the Metz Auto mode is accurate all the way from minimal focus to over 15feet or in range of flash power.

 

My conclusion is to choose Metz because of it accuracy.

I saw a photographer at a wedding last year using a canon camera with a metz flash. couldn't see the model of the flash, but i saw some of the pictures and the flash seemed right on.

 

i own the 580 ex with the canon 20d, and i usually have the flash set at +1/3 to +2/3 flash exposure compensation just to get good exposure. if it's set at zero, it usually underexposes. that's frustrating.

 

i may look into a metz as well.

http://www.shootsmarter.com/infocenter/wc031.htm

 

You may have to register to read this, but it's a simple process and well worth the time. Once you're in the site, look around. There's a wealth of helpful information there.

I should add that I recently bought a Metz 54MZ-4. I have been using a 550 for 2 years and decided to upgrade to the Metz instead of a 580.

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00EuCN&tag=

 

 

Probably going to stick with the Quantum for the power , when needed, > and the Nikon flash on the EOS. The QUantum should be "almost" a stop more than the 580.

KELVIN :: " Quantum Auto mode seem to over-exposure within 1-3feet, but the Metz Auto mode is accurate." Unfortunately there are seperate settings for close "1-3 feet" with the QUantum --It is accurate but, one has to click a preset button.

Perhaps you've seen the following thread?

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00CBy9&tag=

 

What is the main reason you are thinking of switching? And what camera are you using? Tom Meyer has posted some negative experiences with Quantum's digital flash response. Everyone universally agrees that the Quantum's auto thyristor flash is great. If the main reason is power, you have to compare the guide numbers at the 50mm or normal focal length. The 580EX's 190 is for the 105mm position. It is more like 138 at the 50mm position. The Quantum is listed as 160 at the standard reflector (or normal) position, and most manufacturers overrate their product's guide numbers. If it is only power, you might want to consider a Metz 60CT-4, which is about the same as the Quantum in practical terms, and the difference between the 60's large reflector and the parabolic reflector of the Quantum is zero. In fact, set at wide angle, the Metz's coverage is more even than my Norman or Sunpak 120's parabolic reflectors. There is a difference between the Quantum's parabolic reflector and a shoemount flash's reflector, but it isn't as great as some people lead you to believe. It is softer only to the extent that a 4.5" diameter light source is softer than a 3x2 inch light source (or whatever the 580EX's reflector dimensions are). I would rent a Quantum first and test it out before buying.

Hey Andrew, I've been wrestling with the same issue. So I went out and got an older T2 and been experimenting with this "quality of light" thing that I've also heard about. It sounds as if this may be your main issue. I haven't had exposure issues with the 580 on the 20D or the 5D. I think most people with exposure issues probably shoot auto mode. In my experience, if your focus point is on a neutral point, i.e. faces, you get pretty good flash exposure.

 

My experiments, with my daughter around the house, have been comparing the 2 in terms of "light quality". These have been shot in manual mode and the flash has been used as fill. Generally shot from 10-15 feet away. I see very little difference in softness with both flashes used straight on and no diffusion. Both flashes need to be adjusted down of course for flash comp., usually about 1.5 stops. If your intended use is on camera flash, I would say stick with the 580.

I think the true benefits of the quantum system in yours/my situation is consistent off camera flash. And actually, lately I've used a couple 580's with stofens for formal groups indoors with good results, not outdoors though. So really, for me I'll probably use the Quantum mainly for outdoor fill. I've been wanting to use an umbrella indoors, but the 580 isn't powerful enough for that, so i may try that as well.

Anyway, an older (cheaper) used t2 may be a good alternative.

The 580 will not have enough output @ 10 ft...in a bright 250 ~ f8 situation. I have tried them all >> The Norman 200 has a monster battery to carry around, but power to light your subjects correctly > at a great distance. But pretty much only manual --(I always carried a tape measure ) The Metz 60 is good contender, well-made, but I prefer the shoe mount units. I use the 20d on manual and just try to dial in the 580 for fill >> but never have 100% results. So in output coverage > the 580 will not perform past 10 ft. with a TRUE f8. Does help to zoom the head to 105 ~~ but, then you could not light a full bridal party.

Yes, I definitely agree with C Jo in that situation. Outdoor groups in bright situations, over 10 ft, at f8 are definately out for the 580. I've shot groups (small, parties of 8-10) indoors at f4 with a pair of 580s at about 15ft that works well. So far most of my group shots(and general success with the 580) have been indoors. My most recent outdoor groups with the 580's were underexposed by 1-1.5 stops, which is my main reason for the Quantum.

I actually have a Sunpak 120J that I've used for my medium format work and really liked the

results. It's interesting to see the responses for power on the 580ex. I didn't realize that the

high GN of the 580ex was for the zoom position. I have had some issues with lighting large

groups in a relatively dark church and thought that was due to the Lightsphere more than

anything, understandably. I'll have to run some tests with the Quantum and see how it

stands.

Regarding underexposure of outdoor group shots, I've experienced this as well. I recently read that the 20d applies fill flash reduction automatically to all modes except manual. I recently took some indoor test shots and noticed that the flash results were better when using manual mode on the camera. This avoids the E-TTL "witchcraft".

Andrew,

 

From my own experience using a metz 54MZ4 flash and the Quantum T5D unit, I prefer the T5D for portrait or any situation where high quality portable flash lighting is needed. With the T5D Quantum unit, I usually shoot with the flash unit set in the manual mode instead of TTL. I find that the manual mode of the Quantum T5D unit enables me to have much more accurate exposures than compared to the TTL mode. Yes, having to adjust the Quantum T5D flash manually does slow you down just a bit, but I'm willing to do this for much more pleasing skin tones and a softer flash output. The fact that you must mount the Quantum T5D flash much higher than a shoe mounted flash of any brand will by itself provide you with better results. I use a Custom Brackets CB-Digital T bracket to mount the Quantum T5D unit to the camera body. This CB-Digital T bracket also provides a swivel arm for those vertical shots which makes it very easy to flip the bracket back and forth. I usually use the flat diffuser with the T5D unit as I find that this attachment provides good all around results. Because a bare bulb in either silver or gold with a 360 degree reflector is available for the Quantum T5D unit, I find this accessory to be helpful in very close up type shots. The battery unit that I'm using with the T5D flash is the turbo 2x2 unit. This battery provides the largest power capacity, and the recycle rate is about one second.

 

I use the Metz 54 MZ4 hot shoe mounted flash for mainly outdoor fill flash. Don't get me wrong, the Metz unit is a high quality flash, but I prefer the Quantum T5D unit when I need the highest quality light output.

 

Kind regards,

Dale