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580EX II vs 430EX I/II
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Guys n’ Gals,
Am thinking about getting into flash photograph a little bit more… just broadening the horizons and looking to learn something new.
Owning a Canon it seems to be a throw up between the 580EX II and 430EX I/II.
Can anyone out there give me the Layman’s Guide to why I would select one over the other… other than cost?
Appreciate it.
J
I read this thread… and found it quiet useful… as might anyone else in the same dilemma:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=229978
The 430 has plenty of power, and is considerably smaller and lighter than the 580. It gives you full ETTL, or full manual. It has fast recycle times (with good batteries), and it saves you some money. Once you feel comfortable with using one flash, and want to begin to explore multi-flash setups, you can then pick up the 580, and keep the 430 as a slave.
I think I’ll roll with the 430 for now… as I’m just a hobbiest… and then someday can use it as a slave if I decide to upgrade to a 580 or whatever the equivalent model is when that day comes.
its nice to see someone answering their own questions. Dont meddle too much with flash John,so can’t help you there. I just have the old 420EX and an older 430EZ and hope to try some strobist stuff in the near future.
I was thinking similar a while back. I had a couple of manual flashes to use off camera, but wanted something to use in TTL on camera. I found a very lightly used 430 going cheap so I went with that. I don’t regret it.
The new 430 II has much faster recycle times so go with that if that is a priority for you. It also offers 1/3 stop increments in manual mode.
I borrowed a 580 and used it with my 430. Its a good combo. Great for adding another layer to quick portrait pictures.
The biggest reason, other than the power, to go for the 580 is the thumbwheel on the back. It is faster and more intuitive to make quick adjustments to flash exposure or power output. Its the same idea as on the 40D. But its pretty much double the price.
The 580 II also has a PC sync socket so if you ever want to use it with pocket wizards, that’s something else to consider. The 430 requires a less elegant (and less reliable) hot shoe adaptor.
Can’t recommend http://www.strobist.com enough for getting your head around flash. If that tickles your fancy, then cheaper manual flashes may be the way to go… just to throw another spanner in the works.
Cheers lads.. thanks for the feedback/info.
I was dead set on the 430.. but now you have me thinking again Pete.
But then again like I said earlier… I could go with the 430 now… and still make good use of it if I ever decided to upgrade.
A 430 is always good to have in your bag. I was just pointing out the advantages of the 580. If they’re not a high priority for you, then the 430 will be all you need….for now. ;)
I was just about to post and ask this very question…. but thankfully someone with a bit more wit asked it for me.
I am a few leagues behind most people in this hobby and I am only really starting, but what really seems to interest me is people/candids, and at the moment my indoor shots are very poor (due to lens and light)… so am I right in thinking that a 430/580 will help? Any advice would be appreciated.
NFL/John – out of curiosity, what did you end up going for? and more importantly do you think you made the right choice?
Thanks,
Kieran.
Hi Kieran,
Having read the post I linked to earlier in this thread and factored in my needs (casual user) I decided the 430EX II was better suited for my requirements.
The 580 is more powerful, has better recycle time and can act as a master unit… all probably nice to have if you’re a pro with heavy demands.
I’ve used the 430 a number of times now and must say I was pretty happy with the results considering I didn’t have a feckin clue what I was doing. I also bought a Stofen Diffuser from eBay to accompany same. Good combo.
In the event that at some stage in the future I want to upgrade I can get the 580 (or it’s future equivalent) and still have the 430 as a off camera slave unit if required. So, no loss there.
J
Thanks for getting back to me.
I’m not sure that I even have the basics at this stage, but I do think that a flash will help and it will be another great toy to play with. Much like you I don’t believe that I need pro kit.. not while I am learning and (as noted) if I ever push further I will likely want a slave unit anyway and keep the 430.
I was tempted by a 420 EX second hand (going for about £140), but it seems that the recycle times on the 430 are better, so I might just bide my time and wait for santa :) .
I bought my 430EX II here… arrived in 3 working days:
£156 + £18 shipping = £174
At the time I only paid £145 + £18 shipping = £163
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