Opteka EF-600 DG Super EO-TTL II Speed Blitz Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Camera

by Canon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.8 x 4.9 x 3.9 inches ; 9.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• ASIN: B001GD3Z02
• Item model number: EF-600-II-C
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 19, 2008

Product Description

The Opteka EF-600 DG SUPER ETTL-II is designed to work with the newest Canon EOS digital SLR cameras, for advanced flash photography. It has a maximum guide number of 148 feet or 45 meter at 85mm focal length (ISO 100).The projection angle of the flashgun is set automatically to match the lens' focal length ranging from 24mm wide-angle to 85mm medium-telephoto. It also incorporates a built-in reflecting plate and diffuser that can be slid out from the top of the flash head for soft lighting effects. The bounce flash head can be tilted 90° upwards and can be swiveled 180° to the left and 90° to the right. In addition, the flash can also be set manually at 6 different power output levels or can be utilized as a wireless slave.Bounce & swivel head.AF Assist Autofocus auxiliary lamp helps the camera to focus in low-light. LCD Display: Features an Illuminated LCD panel. Built in Reflecting Plate and Diffuser.Reduce strong light to create soft lighting effects. Front and Rear Curtain Synchronization. Useful at slow shutter speeds to give a realistic impression of movement. Auto Power Off Battery-saving mode shuts down power after 5 minutes. Specifications Type: Shoe Mount Guide No:148' (45 m) at 85mm AF Illuminator: 3.3ft-20ft/1-6m (50mm Lens) Flash Duration: 1/1000 to 1/20,000 second TTL Dedication: Yes. Bounce Head: Yes. Swivel Head: Yes. Recycle Time: 0.5-9 seconds (based on fresh alkaline batteries & full power).Power Source: Four 1.5-Volt "AA" batteries (alkaline, lithium, Ni-cd & Ni-MH). Dimensions: 72.0 x 100.0 x 125mm WxHxD. Weight: 270g (without batteries

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars See my posted pictures..., January 1, 2009

By 

Just a Toy "Tony1" (TX, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Opteka EF-600 DG Super EO-TTL II Speed Blitz Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Camera (Electronics)

I only have this flash for few days.
I currently own Canon 580EX-II and 420EX, so this will be my 3rd flash to complete my home studio.
This flash, in general speaking is BETTER than average.
Do I recommend it? Such a features flash for under 100... YES.
Pro:
ETTL works with my Canon XSi. (The Amber light ETTL will light if it's on)
Manual power output: From 1/1 to 1/16
Zoom head: From 24mm to 85mm
Auto off: The "OFF" will display on the LCD. Press any button to active it
Slave mode: Work right together with my Canon 580EX-II
Body material: Feel like those of Canon Speedlite flashs
Con:
Battery door feel like a toy once it open, very "loose".
Those soft rubber buttons, it's ok but "too silence". I prefer a little "click" on Canon 580EX-II.
The Diffuser plate looks cheap compare to Canon 580EX-II
No green LED light after each good shoot, only the "OK" flash up on the LCD display.
Illuminated LCD looks cheap. It makes me remember those LCD watch in the 80's.
Noise: Motor zoom head and recycle time, but not too bad.
Other:
The Bounce & swivel head do not require to press any lock button.

Update:
After couple weeks of testing it as a slave flash for my home studio, here is some bad thing that you may need to know:
This flash declared as compatible with Canon ETTL-II DSLR. Well true if you mounth it on your camera, but NOT when use it as a slave ETTL.
(This may be the advantage for those Canon Speedlites and which you have to paid for a premium price).
When I press the shuttle release button on my XSi, all 3 fire at the same time (Speedlite 580EX-II, 420EX and this Opteka flash)

When I set to ETTL mode on the Master flash (or on XSi camera) picture TURN DARK. But if I turn the Opteka flash off and leave the other 2 Speedlite on, picture look good (They work ETTL together)

When I set to MULTI mode on the Master flash (or on XSi camera) The Opteka flash work fine with other 2 Speedlites. The inconvience is you have to run around and set the output power for each flash and for each scene of studio (1/1 to 1/16 for Opteka, 1/1 to 1/128 for 580EX-II, etc...)
Bottom line:
If money is not an issued, paid a couple hundred extra, get the 430EX-II flash and enjoy the benefit of ETTL feature during the studio. Because not only they work well together, you can control the function of each flash from your camera (Canon XSi) without run around because... kids don't want to wait :)
I hope this help to some Canon users.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Flash for the price! But be careful! NEW UPDATE, October 27, 2009

By 

Scott Findley - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Opteka EF-600 DG Super EO-TTL II Speed Blitz Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Camera (Electronics)

I have shot professionally for several years now. Unfortunately the gear is owned by my boss and therefore I don't have access to his Canon arsenal and must rely on my low budget Canon rig. Although I shoot professionally with a 580ex II mounted on a 5D, I was shooting an XTi with the built in flash until I sprang for this unit. The flash works quite well with the XTi, the power zoom head works flawlessly and the metering is always on cue. In addition, the camera is able to focus quickly in the dark with the built in red focus projection that the flash puts out. The photos turn out beautifully and the recycle time on the flash is fast when Lithium Ion rechargeable batteries are used. However should you choose to use alkaline batteries the recycle time is painfully slow. In addition, you can get a good number of photos on each battery charge, I won't quote a number however as the number depends on the flash power settings for individual photos and can vary greatly depending on those settings.

Overall I highly recommend this flash for an amateur looking for a great flash at a great price.

***UPDATE*** 1/5/2010

After having this flash for several months, it got knocked over with it attached to my camera. Because the boot it plastic it broke instantly. I contacted Opteka and they sell replacement boots for only $10.00 including shipping. Not a bad deal and it should be somewhat easy to replace. If I have installation issues I will add another update to this review.

***UPDATE*** 3/37/2010

I have been in contact with Opteka several times in the past few months. I paid the $10.00 for the flash boot and have still not received it. They keep telling me the item is on back order. I now must NOT recommend this product, because of their poor service. They eventually refunded the $10.00 I paid for it, and said they'd give it to me for free when it arrived. However I am still without my flash and would much rather have it fixed than have it sitting broken in my camera bag.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Flash, November 18, 2008

By 

Andy "Computer Enthusiast" (Jersey City, NJ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Opteka EF-600 DG Super EO-TTL II Speed Blitz Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Camera (Electronics)

This flash is a steel, I give it a 5 based on price. You can pay more but I doubt you'll do much better. It was recognized by my camera right away in the E-TTL mode. It works great with my rechargeable batteries. I'm using it on my Canon S5IS. I'm getting great results. You quickly learn how to bounce the flash off white ceilings. My favorite feature is the two built in flash reflector and / or the diffuser. It's great because you'll never misplace these items. I also like the flexibility of the swivel in all directions, it allows me to take some great angles.