15 month old 580EX giving problems, is it worth repairs?

[suemccartin]

Well I'm not a really happy camper right now. Went to shoot a black belt karate test on saturday and the damn 580EX kept shutting off on me. The lcd screen went blank and no lights, turning off then on didn't help. If I pulled out the rechargeable batteries and changed them with another set I'd get a few more shots. I keep like 8 sets of fully charged nimh AA's in my bag that's just for running the electronics in the flash, I use the cp-E3 plugged into the high voltage port to keep the speed up. I had one other problem the last time I used it (also with the same nimh rechargeables) where the capacitor didn't want to take a charge using just a set of four in the flash unit (changed the batteries it was ok for the rest of the day and into the night). The way it was acting this last time was all new. If I had to guess I'd say the electronics have gone wonky on me. I finally popped in a new set of alkalines in the battery compartment and it only shut down once for the rest of the day. I don't think nimh's get tired and start outputting less voltage (that I know of) and it's supposed to work with those so that's also another reason I think there is some problem with the electronics in the flash unit.

My question is, is it worth fixing it? 200 plus isn't worth the repair in my book. I've tried some contact cleaner on the contacts but I really think this is something with the electronics in the flash. This unit has probably 25000 shots on it, are there any statistics on how long these things are supposed to last? This is one time I'm a little sorry I didn't buy the extended warranty, it would have been worth it.

Thanks for the feedback (anyone other than canon fix these?) Thanks.

[cdifoto]

Rechargeable batteries lose charge even when just sitting. Make sure all your batteries have been freshly charged before heading out to an event. It could be they were simply drained from non-use.

Before a wedding, I'll put all 8 sets through the charger the day/night before to top 'em off just in case. See if doing that takes care of it before sending it off for repair or replacing it. It sounds like it's not the flash since you say the alkalines pretty much were reliable.

[Rhys]

Quite honestly I am not that impressed by Canon flashes. I have a Canon 420EX at the moment and it's the weediest flash I've ever used. It allegedly has a GN of 42 (metric) but feels more like a GN of about 25. I think the build quality is lousy - especially the battery door. The AF illumination is handy but doesn't seem to help it to focus all that well. In fact there were times at the weekend when I was on a submarine that despite the fact I could see well enough to guesstimate focus, I had to do that rather than use the AF (even with the AF assist).

I would recommend instead of paying $200 for a cheapo Canon flash then $300 for a better Canon flash then $500 for the ultimate Canon flash, you just go for a nice Metz. More power, more reliable and flashes are what Metz does. Canon just makes cameras and lenses. They don't write software and they don't build flashes (although they think they do).

[suemccartin]

Well, Amazon had a 6 months no interest deal if I got their plastic so I ordered the metz 58 (the new one with the usb port on it) and a p76 power package. I've read on a few forums they think it does better than the 580EX and I'm hoping the metz name still means quality like it did 25 years ago when I was still shooting film. I really didn't want to lay out 800 for those two but if the damn canon units are only going to last a year the way I use them then the metz should be a better deal. I'd still like to hear from someone how many shots a 580 should last without crapping out, the new II sounds like it will have some improvements but since it's only due out in april in japan it will probably be several months after that before the rest of us can get them. I'll have a few weeks to put the metz through its paces and decide if it does what I need, the upgradeable firmware is really, really attractive considering the way canon changes their ETTL like they change their underwear. I think I'll be happy with this, now to find a photo job that pays enough to pay for it..... LOL

[suemccartin]

Rechargeable batteries lose charge even when just sitting. Make sure all your batteries have been freshly charged before heading out to an event. It could be they were simply drained from non-use.

Before a wedding, I'll put all 8 sets through the charger the day/night before to top 'em off just in case. See if doing that takes care of it before sending it off for repair or replacing it. It sounds like it's not the flash since you say the alkalines pretty much were reliable.

Well at least two of the sets in the bag had just come off the charger, I did consider that. Nimh are not like nicads in that they go flat dead if they sit a week but if it's been more than a month or so I do charge em up before I try to use them (usually the charger only goes a few minutes so they're holding the charge pretty well). Most of the nimh I've got are 1.25 not the usual 1.2 as well. I've added some alkalines to the kit now, guess I'll use it till it stops working entirely, is there any game in town besides canon for repair? Thanks.

[adam75south]

you can send it in and have it estimated at least. all you'll be out is shipping if you decide not to.

[forno]

you can send it in and have it estimated at least. all you'll be out is shipping if you decide not to.

Surely Canon would have some sort of test rig that will determine quick smart what the problem is