Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash vs Canon 600EX-RT Speedlite Flash

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

My 580 EX ii died today in the middle of a professional shoot so I need to get a new flash soon. I looked up the new 600 EX RT and was thinking of getting it. I then compared price to the 580 EX II and it was 100.00 more which confused me a bit as I thought the 600 would be better but more expensive.
Anyone familiar with the newer one and can give me any suggestions on my purchase?
Thanks much

[Mike Milicia]

http://pixsylated.com/blog/update-de...-and-580ex-ii/

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

http://pixsylated.com/blog/update-de...-and-580ex-ii/

Thanks so much Mike. That was very helpful indeed!

[Ian Cassell]

Cheryl, I recently had the same dilemma and wound up getting the 600. I read that same comparison. The flash has a lot more capability than the 580 especially if you ever want to do multiple flash setups (it has built in radio control remote) and yes, it doesn't cost much more (although I got mine used from KEH for an even better price). And, BTW, it works great!

[Ian Wilson]

Hi Cheryl, I have been running three 600EX-RT in multiple flash set-ups for the past three months. They are very good, easy to set up, good battery life, work well with Better Beamer, trouble free synchronization. I am not sure of the longest zoom on the 580EX II but it is 200 mm on the 600EX-RT which is handy for longer shots. Cheers, Ian

[Randall Farhy]

Hi Cheryl, I switched over to the 600 EX RT's as soon as they became available and have not regretted the decision once. Main reason-the radio transmitter. I've used them up to a distance of ~200' without an issue (triggred by a camera mounted 600). While the output of the tube is the same, the 200mm zoom feature does throw the light farther out (narrower beam). Where I had to use a better beamer on the 580 exII for night shots at the local tracks, I can use the 600 without it and achieve the same results. As mentioned, battery life is good. They also come with a nifty gel filter adaptor. I've been using the better beamer on these units for birds, both for ~stationary and in flight shots with good consistency. (same as the 580exII so no need to purchase another if you already have one.) Highly recommended.

[Craig Markham]

The flash tube in my 580ex II died several months ago too. I bought the 600EX-RT because of immediate need (and it does serve very well), but I also had the 580ex II repaired for about $100 so that I could continue using it in multi flash setups. I use Pocket Wizard radios, so the RT feature is not a necessity for me, and I can use all my older flashes in multi flash radio-controlled setups.
Craig
http://cpmarkham.zenfolio.com

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

The flash tube in my 580ex II died several months ago too. I bought the 600EX-RT because of immediate need (and it does serve very well), but I also had the 580ex II repaired for about $100 so that I could continue using it in multi flash setups. I use Pocket Wizard radios, so the RT feature is not a necessity for me, and I can use all my older flashes in multi flash radio-controlled setups.
Craig
http://cpmarkham.zenfolio.com

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and input. I just received my 600 and will be testing it out. I am confident that it will be great. Craig, I am considering fixing the 580 as well for a back up. Thank You