Canon 5D and 580EX Flash Problem

[bob_carpenter1]

My wife owns the 5D she just upgraded from the 20D. Shes having problem with the regeneration speed

on the 580EX. Shes using the canon 24 -70 and a tameron lenses. It seems she'll snap a picture and it

seems to take forever for the flash to regenerate. This was never an issue with her 20D. She shoots in M

and P mode.

 

I'm just trying to help the misses out, so any suggestions would be helpful.

[bob_carpenter1]

BTW, she said she tried opening the aperture up from 800 to 1600 just for kicks and that

didnt seem to help either.

[yanglee]

Are the batteries new?

[jeff_louie]

I am having no problems with the 5d and 580EX. BUT I do believe that the 580ex is smart

enough to take into account the APS sensor size on the 20D so there will be a wider angle of

illumination at 24mm on the 5d than there is at 24mm on the 20d, hence less light intensity.

[caesar]

Check the batteries. Battery age/strength will greatly influence flash recycle time.

[matthewkane]

I just shot a weddding with this combo two days ago. You're recycle time is BAD because

your batteries are out of wack. Try 2500 MAH NiMd batteries. "Nickle Metal Hydride".

Mine lasted for a good two and a half hours of shooting frequently.

Cheers

[mark u]

If fresh batteries doesn't solve the problem, it suggests that there is a slow or intermittent short circuit in the camera's flash shoe due to a faulty component or poor soldering. That is, assuming that a) you get similar behaviour on the 5D using a different flash, and b) the 580 still behaves well on a different body - otherwise, a fault has developed in the flash itself. Try to establish which it is before getting warranty service for the affected item.

[bob_carpenter1]

She uses energizer batteries and she replaces them right before her shoot. Would nickel

batteries make a difference?

[sravan]

Rechargeables make a huge difference. Get the 2500 ones and they will last much longer too.

[awindsor]

Bob,

 

Alkaline batteries have much higher internal resistance and slow recharge time. Rechargeables will not only be cheaper but will recycle faster.

[paul_mcevoy]

Also the crop factor may be some difference...for a given frame, the flash has to work...what?...1.6 times harder? I'm not good with math, but it will be quite a bit difference.

[rhaytana__tim_adams_]

I agree that changing batteries could make a big difference. Also -- although this might be off base -- it couldn't hurt to change custom setting 8 on the 580ex to enable quick flash with continuous shooting. Details are in the 580ex manual.

[john_schwaller]

One other possibility...most shots never use the full flash. Do you have the CF-8 on the 580 set to enable (=1) "quick flash". That way the flash will fire even if not fully charged...which many times is more than enough to get the shot.

 

John