430EX good enough?

[krusnof]

Please do not blame me for asking the same question, as it has been asked several times - but I need clarification!

I'm doing a lot of different shoots and basically like the walk-around principle - so I don't know what situation I end up in. Furthermore I have started an interest in skateboard-photography, but often needs a bit more light (evening time).
I could borrow me father's equipment as stated in the signature, but I'm leaving for Hong Kong soon (6 months), so that is not an option.

I've talked to my dad, but still want a secound opinion. I'm considering the 430EX flash, but will it fufil my needs?

I hope you all can help me in giving a good advice. I'm willing to buy the flash instead of saving up and invest in EF-S 10-22 (great for skate)!

Thanks

[Connor Hughes]

For shooting skating, I would HIGHLY recommend the 580EX. I got the 580 and 430EX with shooting skating mostly in mind, and I LOVE the setup. Putting the 580 on camera and the 430 on a lightstand can produce some amazing results.

If you can only afford one flash, I would save up the little bit extra for the 580EX. That way, in the future you could get a 430EX like me and have yourself a nice wireless setup.

Here are some shots that I've done with the multi flash setup(I'm just an amateur)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/elemenohpee12189/_MG_2161copy.jpg
---------------
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/elemenohpee12189/Chubbys%20March%2019/_MG_8772copy.jpg

..and about the 10-22mm for skating, you might be a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, its an amazing lens with lightning fash focus, but It might not suit you for skating. I have it, and I find myself wishing I had gotten a fisheye sometimes. But you can be the judge, look at my album (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v654/elemenohpee12189/). The majority of the skateboarding shots were taken with my 10-22.

[krusnof]

Cool pictures and thank you for the 10-22 guide. You would recommend the 15mm fish?
But still why is it better to use the 580 over the 430? What about buying 430 first and then if needed, then buying the 580? Am I wrong?

[Connor Hughes]

Cool pictures and thank you for the 10-22 guide. You would recommend the 15mm fish?
But still why is it better to use the 580 over the 430? What about buying 430 first and then if needed, then buying the 580? Am I wrong?

Yes, you could get the 430EX first. It really depends on your budget and your needs. The 580 has a little bit more power, and it has more options, like the Stobosopic(sp?) feature, thought I have only used that a couple times. The controls on the 580 are much easier to use, since it has a scrolling dial instead of two buttons, which the 430 has.

The bottom line is I think the 580 is alot more user friendly than the 430, but I'm sure other people will have other opinions.

..and for a fisheye I would recommend the Sigma 8mm fish. The 15mm isn't wide enough on a crop camera.

[krusnof]

I don't like sigam ;-) Only Canon! HAHA

Well I see your point, but one question - what is the Stobosopic function and what to use it for?

[Connor Hughes]

I don't like sigam ;-) Only Canon! HAHA

Well I see your point, but one question - what is the Stobosopic function and what to use it for?

The strobo. function emits a burst of extremely short flashes. You can change the rate, flash power, and the amount of flashes that fire. I'm sure somebody else would be able to explain it better, but here are a few examples of the types of pictures you can take with one exposure.

These are all one exposure, with no photoshopping done to them

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/elemenohpee12189/_MG_9732.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/elemenohpee12189/_MG_9740.jpg

..and again about the fisheye...you should really check out the Sigma 8mm, its a great lens and really well built. And the canon 15mm just wouldn't give you the wideness or distortion that you want

[blue_max]

The 430ex would probably be fine. It's a bit lighter to carry too.

Also, you could borrow one of your fathers 580's when you get back to have a multi-flash
setup (or buy your own).

Graham

[krusnof]

I think I will go for the 430. I cannot justify the price difference at the current moment. Would rather spend my money in Hong Kong on taylor clothes, parties and junk ;-)
Thanks for advices guys.

[AmericanFirst]

No... clothes wear out and go out of style... gear first and always! :lol:

Besides, white cotton t-shirts are eleven bucks for three in a bag. ;)

[krusnof]

HAHA true true, but still... There are also some investments to be done in hi-fi (NAD) and interior when coming back - so expensive!!!