The Canon 580EX II, released in 2007 as a replacement to the 580EX, offers 20 percent faster recycling times than the 580EX and replaces the old screw mount system with a lever latch that locks the flash to the camera hot shoe much easier and faster. The 580EX II also has improved weather and dust resistance.
Initial Use
The 580EX II operates on four AA batteries; lithium AAs are recommended for better performance. Load the batteries according to the specifications, and slide the flash on the hot shoe of the camera and throw the lever latch to the right to lock the flash to the camera. Turn on the power to the flash, and wait for the pilot light to cycle to red to indicate it is ready for use. Push the pilot light in to fire a test flash.
Automatic Mode
The 580EX II has an ETTL mode compatible with all shooting modes on the camera. To use ETTL, press the mode button on the flash until ETTL is displayed on the flash. Turn the mode dial of the camera to "Auto" or "Program," then depress the shutter halfway to focus. Make sure that the flash icon is lit up in the camera display, then take the picture. If a correct flash exposure was obtained, the flash exposure confirmation light below the pilot light will light for three seconds.
Manual Exposures
When shooting in the manual exposure modes (aperture, shutter and manual on the camera), ETTL functionality will work with the settings the photographer choose. In shutter priority, the photographer chooses shutter speed and the camera will set the aperture for a standard exposure. In aperture priority, the photographer chooses the aperture to control depth of field. If the background is dark, the flash will give standard exposure for the main subject and the camera will choose a slow shutter speed to get an even exposure in the background, so a tripod should be used. In manual mode, the photographer sets both aperture and shutter, and the flash will give standard exposure for the main subject while the shutter controls the background. If the aperture display blinks in shutter mode or the shutter display blinks in aperture mode, the scene is either under- or over-exposed and settings need to be changed.
Tags: pilot light, standard exposure, aperture shutter, camera ETTL, camera will