topic Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power in Speedlite Flashes

speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

vencislav95 — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:00:29 GMT

HI, everyone 🙂
I have a canon speedlite 580ex II. But suddenly when I had made photos it started to flashes at full power. Help me. What could be the problem?

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

hsbn — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:15:54 GMT

More information would be helpfu. What camera? what is your shooting mode? what is the flash mode? What make you think it shoot out at max level?

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

vencislav95 — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 17:36:41 GMT

My camera is Canon 5D mark 2. Shooting mode was AV or M. The flash was in manual mode. That day I used all flash modes and it worked. But after that, they did not. My photos was overexposed. 😞

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

Skirball — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 18:11:23 GMT

I don't understand the issue. If you're in manual mode then it's up to you to select the flash power. If it's over-exposing then simply move the power down. If it's over-exposing in eTTL then check your flash exposure compensation on your camera.

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

hsbn — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 18:39:30 GMT

Like Skirball said, if you shoot manual, then you are in control of the power out put. If it is overexposure, then lower your flash output. When shooting moving subject (or you move around), you'll to reduce the flash power if the distance between you and your subject decreases.

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

vencislav95 — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 18:55:39 GMT

No, no, no... I have made a few photos with this options. Everything was fine. But suddenly my flash is going crazy.

1/16 or 1/2 no differance = full power/ full flashes.

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

Skirball — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 19:11:47 GMT

Ah, got it. Does it work properly in eTTL?

First thing I would do is pull it off and have a look at the contacts; any gunk or rust? And re-install it on the camera, sometimes if it's not firmly lined up and locked on weird things happen even though it still fires. Finally, I'd put in new batteries, odd things happen when the battery is low too (though if the batteries are low it wouldn't be able to fire at full for very long).

A final last ditch effort is to use it in full manual. If you put tape over all the contacts except the center then the camera won't even recognize it other than to fire. See if that works as a temporary solution then we can work backward to maybe figure out the problem.

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

vencislav95 — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 19:39:35 GMT

Both eTTL and manual mode does not work. The flash works on full power. Contacts area are clean. I have changed batteries several times but no result. I have tested it on canon 30d but it`s the same.

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

hsbn — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:45:55 GMT

Do you use pocket wizzard or other radio trigger by any chance?

I found this document "http://lpadesign.com/580EXII.pdf" I don't know if it could be your problem or not. But here is the excerpt:

"The symptom of the failure is that the 580EX II will no longer output controlled amounts of light. It will
only output full power dumps. This full power dump will happen even on a pre‐flash, therefore leaving
no stored energy within the capacitor left for a main flash exposure.
The testing quickly revealed that an IGBT (transistor) within the flash is damaged. This part is made by
Renesas (part # RJP4301).
The IGBT is used to turn off the flow of current through the flash tube when the desired amount of light
has been reached. This IGBT is also used to control (modulate) the brightness of the light when in HSS
(High Speed Sync) with the help of a fiber optic cable feeding a light sensor within the main body."

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

vencislav95 — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:22:38 GMT

Hi 🙂
Thank you @hsbn. I have changed part #RJP4301 as you said and now the flash works correcly. Thank you so much 🙂

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

Skirball — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:23:52 GMT

That's interesting. Glad you got it fixed. Nice find HSBN.

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

vencislav95 — Sun, 30 Jun 2013 15:40:55 GMT

HI 🙂
I have this problem again. My flash failed. I used yongnuo 622c. And after that, it suddenly started to flashes at full power. Can yongnuo 622c to cause this problems?

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

vencislav95 — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 08:47:22 GMT

Hi, again.

After shortly research I found that 580ex II has a factory problems. When HSS is turn on, IGBT-burned out. Which part I should replace to fix the problems?

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

Rez — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 19:24:16 GMT

Hi,I have orderd the part you mentioned ,Could I do the replacment or should be done by a qualified electronic engineer? thanks already

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

Rez — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 11:40:34 GMT

Hi Could you please direct me as where and how I can fix this capacitor in 580 exii ? thanks already

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

Stephen — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 13:17:37 GMT

We just wanted to let you know that we don't recommend do-it-yourself repairs. So, if you’re experiencing a problem with your Speedlite 580 EXII, it’s best to let a professional Canon Factory Service Center Technician do the work to keep you and your gear safe.

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

jarl69 — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 15:15:20 GMT

Hi ..... I have the very same problem as you... i have down loaded a manual, but it is way above my experience. could you tell me where and who did this for you ? ? or did you do it your self. really don't want to pay canon prices, well really cannot affford canon prices. Thanking you ion anticipation of your reply. Regards Karl

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

Rez — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 18:05:04 GMT

I think someone has to be kind here and draw a sketch showing how one can do the repair,its not fair I pay that much to canon when i bought this new only 15 month ago with little usage .

The cheapest repair is around £200 ,WTF

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

vencislav95 — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 20:00:16 GMT

Hello there!
I bought an IGBT (transistor) (part # RJP4301) from ebay. After that I changed it. It`s cost me 5$.

PS: But after that i had to change and my bulb and some other elements.

Re: speedlite 580ex II flashes at full power

Rez — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 22:51:09 GMT

Hi,Got my part a month ago but dont know where is it in the circuit ,could you direct me where and how to get there,would be a big help to many like me-thanks already