The Canon 580EX II can put out about 75 Ws of energy and the flash tube produces about 40 lm/W. Assuming this full power is dumped in about two thousandth of a second, the peak light output is about 75 Ws * 40 lm/W / 0.002s = 1.5 million lumens! You will need about 3000 Zebralights each putting out 500 lumens to produce the same visual effect. Even with those you can't match the CCT and CRI of the flash light
Nice!!! Regarding this I have a few questions:
1/ Where can I find such data as the Ws of Canon Speedlites and others eventually? I have both 430 & 580 and would love to know about the 430's power as well.
2/ How is the assumption about the time release made. I mean it is surely made based on some experienced. Could you please elaborate a little?
3/About those 1.5 million lumens: Your calculations are made based on 5 sec infinite full power dump? I believe that I am wrong. Could you please explain it to me.
Thank you in advance. I am noob on that.
As for the question: I use the 580 as main gun and the 430 as a second. The 580 can control (master) the 430 through infrared (not good if you shoot on a sunny day though). My advice: First buy 580 and at some later stages one, two or more 430s. I would also suggest not to count on that wireless feature from CANON.
On the other hand the new 660 XRT (no need to buy them) They are a LITTLE bit more powerfull and yet MUCH MORE expensive in comparison to the EXII generation.
If you go for wireless (and you should - then you will see what it means to draw with light) use
Tuff TTL Wireless Flash Trigger – Canon instead. Cheap, durable, great distance coverage.