Is this normal for Canon 580ex speedlites?

[Sonny]

I am noticing that the power output of speedlite #2 is more powerful than speedlite #1 & #3. I bought all three speedlites used at different times. Is it normal for the same type of speedlites to have varying power outputs?

Let me set some parameters.

• All three speedlites are using freshly charged AA rechargeable batteries.
• Manual power set at 1/128.
• Zoomed to 105mm so the output would not bleed over to one another.
• All three speedlites are equal distance from the wall.
• All three wireless receivers have freshly charged AA rechargeable batteries.
• Camera settings: 5D2, Sigma 50mm, Manual, ISO 400, f/16, 1/125 sec.

1. First test shot and #2 seems to have a higher output than #1.


2. Swapped wireless receivers (#2 & #3)


3. Swapped the speedlites' rechargeable batteries (#2 & #3)


4. Swapped positions of speedlites (#2 & #3)

[KenJulio]

Interesting...I'd be interested in the different conclusions.

I almost responded by asking about swapping batteries and position, luckily I scrolled.

[PhotoByLeal]

Sonny,

DO you remember when all 3 were bought and how much usage did they get before you bought them and how much have you used them?
The only thing that comes to my mind, is that flash has not been used as much as the other ones.......

later.....

[SpeedRacerSlots]

LOL Sonny... I was going to joke with you on the first image and tell you that it had to do with the wireless antenna pointing to left vs straight ahead!... LOL
Dont have any answers for you but makes me curious about 580s.

[ronocnikral]

a couple questions,

1) does this really matter? is it affecting your images?

2) manual flash or ETTL?

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by KenJulio

Interesting...I'd be interested in the different conclusions.

I almost responded by asking about swapping batteries and position, luckily I scrolled.

Originally Posted by PhotoByLeal

Sonny,

DO you remember when all 3 were bought and how much usage did they get before you bought them and how much have you used them?
The only thing that comes to my mind, is that flash has not been used as much as the other ones.......

later.....

I do not remember when I bought each speedlite but I would guess about 2-4 years ago. Each one had moderate usage at the time of purchase.

Originally Posted by SpeedRacerSlots

LOL Sonny... I was going to joke with you on the first image and tell you that it had to do with the wireless antenna pointing to left vs straight ahead!... LOL
Dont have any answers for you but makes me curious about 580s.

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

a couple questions,

1) does this really matter? is it affecting your images?

2) manual flash or ETTL?

1) Yes Ron it does matter. I need to trust my flash is putting out the power it say it is on the back of the LCD. I first noticed it when I was shooting portraits of my daughter. I was using two speedlites and one side of the image was darker than the other.

2) I was shooting in full manual both in camera and the speedlights.

[Ricks Canvas]

I don't know if this will help, but the Pocket Wizard Flex TT5 with the zone controller will allow you to adjust each zone independently from the camera. So if one zone is too hot... you can just dial it back.... Pocketwizard® - Wireless transmitters and receivers Check out the videos. You did not say what brand or model of transmitters/receivers you are using.

[picman]

Do you get the same results at other power settings?
Not that it will solve anything, but try all the power settings on #3 to see if the output is actually changing at each setting.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by Sonny

1) Yes Ron it does matter. I need to trust my flash is putting out the power it say it is on the back of the LCD. I first noticed it when I was shooting portraits of my daughter. I was using two speedlites and one side of the image was darker than the other.

2) I was shooting in full manual both in camera and the speedlights.

So...what are you trying to solve here? why is the power output different? or how to cope with it? these are two very different questions, which aren't made clear in the OP.

on the "why are the different" front, are these 580 ex or exii? what type of trigger are you using? and if 580 ex, are you triggering via pc hot shoe adaptor or via the IR system?

on how to solve, as long as it is consistent (which it seems to be), can't you just mark the anomalous flash and use it accordingly? either stop it down or move ever slightly for smaller changes. or use the other two speedlights for your main, and use the other for background, gridded hair light, etc where having the light close isn't as important.

this is sort of similar to what some people do with their film cameras. there are so many variables, trying to normalize each to their own respective standard is a masochistic exercise. instead, why not wrap them all up into one, and adjust accordingly. there was a fella here a while back trying to get his shutter speed and lightmeter to read "correctly," to which many replied, why?

since this is a qualitative exercise to begin with, why not try to see how much it is off by moving the flash and using the inverse square law? is it half a stop, a full stop to your eye? and if using radiopoppers, why not try a trigger like a PW?

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Ricks Canvas

I don't know if this will help, but the Pocket Wizard Flex TT5 with the zone controller will allow you to adjust each zone independently from the camera. So if one zone is too hot... you can just dial it back.... Pocketwizard® - Wireless transmitters and receivers Check out the videos. You did not say what brand or model of transmitters/receivers you are using.

I am using 1st generation RadioPopper P1 trigger and receivers.

Originally Posted by picman

Do you get the same results at other power settings?
Not that it will solve anything, but try all the power settings on #3 to see if the output is actually changing at each setting.

That is a good suggestion. When I have some time I will try different power settings. Thanks Brian.

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

So...1. what are you trying to solve here? 2. why is the power output different? or how to cope with it? these are two very different questions, which aren't made clear in the OP.

on the "why are the different" front, 3. are these 580 ex or exii? 4. what type of trigger are you using? and 5. if 580 ex, are you triggering via pc hot shoe adaptor or via the IR system?

on how to solve, as long as it is consistent (which it seems to be), 6. can't you just mark the anomalous flash and use it accordingly? either stop it down or move ever slightly for smaller changes. or use the other two speedlights for your main, and use the other for background, gridded hair light, etc where having the light close isn't as important.

this is sort of similar to what some people do with their film cameras. there are so many variables, trying to normalize each to their own respective standard is a masochistic exercise. instead, why not wrap them all up into one, and adjust accordingly. there was a fella here a while back trying to get his shutter speed and lightmeter to read "correctly," to which many replied, why?

since this is a qualitative exercise to begin with, why not try to see how much it is off by moving the flash and using the inverse square law? is it half a stop, a full stop to your eye? and if using radiopoppers, why not try a trigger like a PW?

1. I want to know if the power output for any speedlite, be it a Nikon, Canon, Metz or any name brand, are equal. If not, is the variance I am showing in my photos normal.
2. I want to know WHY the power outputs are different.
3. These are 580ex.
4. RadioPopper P1.
5. RP converts the IR signal into a RF signal.
6. Yes I could and already have done so.

[KdLaneJr]

What, no link?

[wondershots]

Don't have the answers but now I want to test this with mine. LOL

[Abel]

I'd mark flash #2 with some green gaff tape or something and specifically only use that for your main light and use the other two (which are equal) and secondary lights..