Scored a used Speedlite 550EX on CL for $175

[akshatp]

I'm an amateur SLR user, so dont want to drop $500 on the newer 580EX..

Is the 550 just an older model with the same features? Is 175 cash a good price for a used flash? Does it matter how many times the flash has been used, or will it last as long as I keep putting new batteries in?

 

[angry hampster]

550 is a little slower, a little less powerful, and has about 80-90% of the 580's features. $175 is pretty good..I usually see them for $200. Bulbs do eventually burn out, but it takes a LOT of use.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
550 is a little slower, a little less powerful, and has about 80-90% of the 580's features. $175 is pretty good..I usually see them for $200. Bulbs do eventually burn out, but it takes a LOT of use.

Thanks. Can the bulb be replaced if it burns out?

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: akshatp
Thanks. Can the bulb be replaced if it burns out?

Yes. The bulb is not all that expensive - about $12, but the procedure requires know how. Canon will do it for you for an arm and half a leg.

I have had my 580EX II for almost 2 years now - and before that, several flash units. As I recall, I sold my 580EX to Fuzzy. I've never had to replace lamp/bulb on any of them.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: corkyg

Originally posted by: akshatp
Thanks. Can the bulb be replaced if it burns out?

Yes. The bulb is not all that expensive - about $12, but the procedure requires know how. Canon will do it for you for an arm and half a leg.

I have had my 580EX II for almost 2 years now - and before that, several flash units. As I recall, I sold my 580EX to Fuzzy. I've never had to replace lamp/bulb on any of them.

Thanks for the info. So how much do used 580EX go for? I didnt realize there were two versions of it.

 

[corkyg]

OK - here's what happened. Due to a lost camera bag that was eventually recovered, I ended up with two cameras and two flashes. I had replaced the lost equipment, and the 580EX was replaced with a 580EX II in August of 2007.

I then sold the extra 580EX to fuzzybabybunny - but don't remember the price. It was a good deal. I also sold the extra EOS 5D I had.

Based on current E-Bay and other sites, I would say that a good price for a lightly used 580EX would be in the ballpark of $250.

580EX

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: corkyg
OK - here's what happened. Due to a lost camera bag that was eventually recovered, I ended up with two cameras and two flashes. I had replaced the lost equipment, and the 580EX was replaced with a 580EX II in August of 2007.

I then sold the extra 580EX to fuzzybabybunny - but don't remember the price. It was a good deal. I also sold the extra EOS 5D I had.

Based on current E-Bay and other sites, I would say that a good price for a lightly used 580EX would be in the ballpark of $250.

580EX

Gotcha.. so given that, for an amateur SLR user like myself, would you go with a used 580EX for around $250 or a 550EX which I already have a pending CL deal for $175?

 

[996GT2]

If you are a beginner to flash, consider also the 430EX or 430EX II for $150-200 used. It is not quite as powerful as a 580, but has most of the features you'll need, including manual power settings.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: akshatp
...would you go with a used 580EX for around $250 or a 550EX which I already have a pending CL deal for $175?

That all depends on how many $$$ you have and what will be the use. As was cited above, there are also lesser Speedlites. What really counts is the guide number. That is the relative measure of a flash's effective distance. The bigger the G/N, the farther you can be from the subject, and the more you can use effects like bounce flash.

Get the best unit you can afford.

 

[foghorn67]

Bulb burn outs are more typical with fashion photographers and/or those who use power and battery packs. Doing anything from 1/2 to full power flashes every second or so for minutes on end are what leads to premature burned bulbs.