Battery Pack for 580 EX II, 550EX and 540EZ

[MT Stringer]

I picked up a battery pack from flash zebra for my 580EX II. It is one of the Chinese knock offs, but works really well.Made by Yongnuo, it is model SF-18 and holds 8 rechargeable batteries. It is basically a clone of the Canon CP-E4 battery pack, just a little cheaper in price.

Another plus is Flash Zebra ships from Kentucky or North Carolina or somewhere in that area so it came to me pretty quickly.

I have been using the pack with the 580 EX II when shooting night football. The flash recycle pretty fast and I usually don't have to wait. Everytime I look at the flash, the ready light is on.

Over three hundred shots with the Flash in ETTL and it was still going strong at the end of the game.

The battery pack fits the 580 EX II, 580EX, 550EX, 540EZ and the 430EZ. I tested it in a 540EZ that I have and it worked just fine. Haven't used it for any length of time because it is a backup flash.

You can get a better look at the battery pack here.

Note: There are also two other models for the Nikon speedlights.
Mike

[Roy]

Sure looks a lot like my CP-E4 for more than a little cheaper. Good find Mike.

[kayumangi]

I've been advocating for this knock offs for quite sometime, but apparently some folks think I'm a heretic.

Glad I'm not the only one who like them =)

[andyz]

I've been pleased with my purchases from Flash Zebra in the past, so I just ordered one. If it works out I'll get a second and will still be spending what one costs from Canon.

[dracula02]

+1 to the equipment list

[toverman]

That's a LOT cheaper than the CP-E4. I've been wanting a pack for my 580 EX II, but the price had knocked it further down my list.

[Peacock]

Now on my wishlist for Santa

[CaptainTom]

This is going on my Christmas wish list for sure.
I have the Canon pack and it is OK. I don't have a back up and this would be great to have, also for a stand mounted flash, etc.

Thanks for the review.

[49884]

Nice find. It's on the list.

[Chimper]

Originally Posted by MT Stringer

I have been using the pack with the 580 EX II when shooting night football. The flash recycle pretty fast and I usually don't have to wait. Everytime I look at the flash, the ready light is on..
Mike

Mike,

How many times per typical football play can your flash fire with this pack? I've been using a Quantum pack with the 580 EX II and can only get one fire per play, unless it a very long play. The Quantum pack's charge will last all game, but I'm not happy with its recycle time.

[MT Stringer]

Greg, if the play comes to my side of the field, I can get two and sometimes three shots. But most of the time, the third one is a little dark. That's with the ETTL and the camera in "One Shot" mode.
Mike

[Chimper]

Thanks! I'll give it a try.

[Redmouse]

Just ordered one. Thanks for the heads up.

[Michael_ky]

Thanks Mike for the tip. I've been looking for one like this. Thanks Again.

[The Loft Studios]

You can also find these on eBay for $49.95.....

I just wouldn't trust them with the electronics of my Flash. Even over the years when several of my Quantums would die, for the most part I would just purchase another Battery Cell for them and install them myself. And again, for the most part they would work. But every now and then, the unit just had to be sent in to Quantum for Calibration and Electronic Testing. During this time, I spoken in some length with the guys from Quantum Batteries, and there is some "sophistication" that should go into the making of these different type of Packs that you plug into your speedlites in order to prevent "Feedback" as well as "Overload". The guys also told me that he wasn't trying to sell me on their gear, but if I didn't go with Quantum, at least get something reliable, that have been tested and will pretty much guarantee against the harm of my Flash. The Chinese Knocks-Offs can't make this claim. I'm not trying to prevent anyone from this purchase, but am saying "just be careful....." Since these Packs aren't the best manufactured items on the market, all it takes is a simple arc or bad soldered piece inside to mess up the whole pack. And that can trickle down to your Flash and really screw things up. It's just not worth it to me..... even the $80.oo Grips that are going around. These items are just in too close of contact with my expensive gear. I'd rather spend the extra $40.oo and get a used Genuine Canon Pack or spend the extra $100.oo - $150.oo and get a used Genuine Grip.

But anyway, Good Luck, guys... I wish you the best!
These are some pretty good financial deals.