Testing second-hand flash before buying

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swift412

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I'm considering buying a second-hand Canon 580EX Mk I for my 350D. Anything specific I should check/test for on the flash? I've never used an external flash unit before. Thanks :)
 
swift412 said:
I'm considering buying a second-hand Canon 580EX Mk I for my 350D. Anything specific I should check/test for on the flash? I've never used an external flash unit before. Thanks :)
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Just check that the lens over the flash unit is not yellowed - a sure sign that the flash has been over-driven by an external power supply. (Of course you are going to check that it actually works on your camera!) I bought a 2nd-hand 580ex for an amazing price and am happy enough with it.
 
Thanks BigAl

I tested it out and it works perfectly. It fires fine, and the flash picks up the focal length and aperture set on the camera. The lens is still clear, the battery compartment and hot shoe are all in good condition, so I decided to buy it.

Thanks for you help :)
 
If you done mind - How much does a second hand 580EX go for?
 
BigAl-sa said:
There's one on the ODP classifieds for R3.6k neg. I paid R2.7k about a year back.
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Ouch - r3200 or a new MkII from B&H or r3600 for a used MkI. This SA market is crazy :eek:

I wonder if there are any [-]suckers[/-] discerning buyers who might be interested in a used 400D . . :)
 
Bwana, how close to falling apart is that 400D of yours? I might entertain the idea of trading for my like-new Sigma EF 530 DG Super ;)
 
Paid R1500 at Tothills in Cape Town CBD. Was about time I get some good luck for a change
 
swift412 said:
Paid R1500 at Tothills in Cape Town CBD. Was about time I get some good luck for a change
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I'm not sure how to spell this, but v0k that is an excellent price, providing the dealer didn't get it through someone's affirmative shopping!
 
koffiejunkie said:
Bwana, how close to falling apart is that 400D of yours? I might entertain the idea of trading for my like-new Sigma EF 530 DG Super ;)
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Actually its in pretty good nick all things considered which is why I'm going to keep it for those times I dont want to lug the new one around.

Why dont you want to keep the flash anyway? They're so much better than the little pop up ones its not even funny.
 
bwana said:
Why dont you want to keep the flash anyway? They're so much better than the little pop up ones its not even funny.
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Doesn't work on the G9.

EDIT: I should be more specific. It works in fully manual mode, which is a bit too fiddly for times when I want to use the G9 with a flash. I want to at least be able to make use of TTL (which the G9 has in some form). I could just get the 270 EX for it, but for the trouble I might as well get the 430 EX II or 580 EX II and have only one flash to carry around.

The sigma is nice, works pretty well. I was using it today in the office - having a bit of an event here and I was asked to take some pictures. Our office has large windows (about two feet high to the roof) right around the building, and there are skylights all over the place, so it can get a bit bright in here. No problem for the Sigma - it's a powerful beast.
 
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I've also got a sigma but they dont have as high of a sync rate with my camera so I figured I'd try a canon flash.
 
bwana said:
I've also got a sigma...
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Why do you think I was hawking it to you? ;)

bwana said:
but they dont have as high of a sync rate with my camera so I figured I'd try a canon flash.
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What sync speed is the 500 DG Super capable of? This extract from Sigma's website is suggests the 530 DG Super does have high speed sync (although they call it "FP"). Not sure if I'm reading it right:

Sigma said:
For focal-plane shutters, the flash synchronization speed is limited to coincide with full shutter opening, thus limiting the use of high shutter speeds with flash. The FP Flash function makes flash photography possible at shutter speeds greater than the normal synchronization speed. When the lens diaphragm is set to larger apertures to limit depth of field in synchronized daytime shooting, high shutter speeds can be used to balance the daylight and the flash light, at any shutter speed. This function is not available with some cameras models. For details please refer to compatibility table.
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TBH, I'm not really that keen to sell it. It's a good flash, it's pretty powerful, and if I ever get into multiple heads lighting, I can still use it regardless of what I'm shooting with. But I can't justify spending money on a new flashgun without selling it - I just don't use it often enough.
 
BigAl-sa said:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=187717
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True that. However as it happens it may have been the kit lens that was causing the fault. Still. The camera has the probably exceeded the actuations the XXDs are reportedly good for (100k) let alone the measly 50k it was rated at so no complaints from me if it is the body.

I did get the extended three year warranty from hifi so perhaps I should take it in for them to have a look at it.

The XTi (US 400d) in my bag has probably only done a tenth of what my 400D has done.
 
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