Canon Speedlite 680EX | New Flash coming in fall 2010

I think the long wait for the new Speedlite from Canon is coming to an end, finally though.  CanonRumors posted about a 680EX to replace the 580EXII.  No official details are out yet, but people are not surprised, Canon’s flash technology was already lacking the features needed for the latest DSLR cameras especially the full frame ones.

A lot of people weren’t entirely happy with the 580EXII when it came out.  Some even ran out to buy up remaining 580 Speedlites before they were all gone.  Canon Speedlite 580EX II has been around for quite some time now. While being a great flash gun and bringing the users the features like weather sealing, PC sync port, external metering, lever lock, and other improvements, it has left some photographers wishing for more. With all the third party flashes coming to the market these days, it is probably the time for Canon to raise the bar even higher with a new flash. Will it be Canon 580EX III, Speedlite 680EX, or something else? It looks like the answer is coming soon.

With the 7D, T2i, 1D MkIV, 60D and coming 1Ds MkIV, it makes sense that Canon would update their flash technology to match the advances in the new camera line-up.  Canon has always taken a backseat to Nikon when it comes to flash technology.  Nikon flash just works.  Canon flash works sometimes. Is it a myth or reality, different people, different opinion. But 580Ex II has been the best seller for canon.

Could the 680EX be the answer Canon shooters have been waiting for?  Is Canon one step closer to perfecting their flash system?  I’m sure there are an awful lot of crossed fingers as wait to see if the 680Ex becomes a reality.

Canonrumors.com has posted an article stating that the new Canon flagship would be called Canon Speedlite 680EX.

According to the web-site, the new flash gun is going to have a range increase of about 17 percent (68 Guide number). Well, a power boost is always welcome in any flash gun, especially if you use diffusers that tend to eat up a lot of energy.

Another supposedly coming improvement that some professional photographers were crying for is the return of the dedicated Master/Slave/Off wireless mode switch. The switch is crucial in situations when you control a multiple flash setup with a master unit on camera and suddenly have to capture a moment that is outside of your setup. In these situations, you need to be able to quickly turn the wireless mode off and shoot with a single on-camera unit.

Other things, like zone control and improved menus, are also expected to be seen in the new flash model.

It is also said that users would see Canon Speedlite 680EX released by the end of the year 2010. The 580EX II model will not be discontinued.

Some of the features of Canon Speedlite 680EX as mentioned by Canonrumors.com are

• Master/Slave
• GN 68 @ 105mm
• Separate Master/Slave switch previously found on 580EX
• Zone Control
• Better switches and improved Screen and Menu
• Fully Weathersealed
• Scheduled Launch Date: July-Dec 2010
• New Generation of Flashguns to be compatible with 40D onwards with Generation 2 Menu Interface.

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