tscheung Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Hello,Want to buy a battery pack for 550 and 580 speedlites, because need faster recycles times for indoor events, which one is better 1) CP-E3, 2) Qflashes SCAny suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed_k__north_carolina_ Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 The Canon CP-E3 is hard to beat. It's not as expensive as the other solutions and uses AA batteries. Remember, batteries don't last forever and HiMH much less expensive to replace (about $20 for eight). You can get an extra battery tray, load it with 8 batteries and you can switch it when you need it, after roughly 800 - 1000 flashes. I regularly shoot High School Wrestling events and the 580/CP-E3 combo work very well for me. Recycle times are very fast and it's not very bulky. The only down side is the lack of a belt clip on the pouch (I added onr to mine from an old cell phone case). Ed K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phule Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Ed K, of course, means NiMH :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elliot1 Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 I have used a Pulsar unit which holds 16 AA batteries or 4D batteries, giving fast recycle time and longevity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed_k__north_carolina_ Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 I only claim 98% accuracy of typing. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveyboy3 Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 It appears as if the Cp-E3 has been replaced with the CP-E4Does anyone know if I can use it with the original 580EX?How it mount to the camera?Thanks. I'm ever so interested now :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jchinphotography Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 +1 for the CP-E3, they work great with my 580EX flashes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_hoffmann Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 I suggest the <a href="http://www.aljacobs.com/THE%20BLACK%20BOX.htm">Al Jacobs Blackboxes</a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimstrutz Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 The CP-E4 has a new power plug that is supposed to be water resistant when used with the new flashes, but it works fine on the old flashes too. They are all interchangeable. The Quantum Turbo is a little faster than the Canon packs. Full power recycles in 1.0 seconds with the big Turbos, and a little longer with the compact version. The CP-E3 does this in 1.2 seconds. That's faster than the Al Jacobs Blackbox, but the Pulsar 16 AA version claims to be faster than them all. I still have a hard time believing that one though. The Al Jacobs and Pulsar are low voltage units and should be faster with a 580EX II than the older 580EX, since the new flash has a more efficient DC to DC step up converter. The Turbos and the CP-E3(4) use their own converters so there is little or no improvement when changing flash models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_holland Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I have the CP-E4 and it works fine with my 550 and 580 II. There is no reason to think it wouldn't work with the older 580 I, as the main difference is in sealing. Both chargers have a coiled wire like a telephone wire attaching the battery to the flash. Both come with a belt loop that allows you to tie it to your belt. When I mount it on a tripod I use ball-bungees to hold it fast, with a second wire as a safety holding it all together. The CP-E4 is fast, but the biggest change for me was the transition to NiMH batteries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tscheung Posted November 8, 2008 Author Share Posted November 8, 2008 Thanks all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now