Canon 580EX Speedlite or the 430?

[joegolf68]

I have looked and looked, but in the specs, I don't see any differences except size and weight. Is the 580 really worth the extra few bucks and ounces? Or... is it "I want the best, so I bought the 580'? Just wondering before I make my order. Thanks for your opinions, except those that say, do more searches, which I have done with no luck. BUT, if there is a link discussing this, that I missed, I'd appreciate the link. :)

[MegaHurtz]

There are other differences... the 580EX I believe is slightly more powerful. It also has the option of using an external battery pack, where the 430EX does not. The 580EX also has the ability to be a wireless master or slave, whereas the 430EX can be a slave only. The 580EX also has a built in bounce card. The 580EX can strobe, the 430EX cannot. Those are just differences I can think of off the top of my head, I'm sure there are more.

[nburwell]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=229978&highlight=580ex+vs.+430ex

It really depends on what you plan on using the flash for. I just recently purchased the 430ex because I don't don't much flash photography. I primarily purchased it for family get togethers and I'm shooting a wedding for a friend of mine this upcoming weekend and the pop-up flash on my 20D was not going to cut it. So with the little times that I do use flash photography, the 430ex was a no-brainer for me. The 580ex will give you more, but again, you have to think of what you're going to be using it for. I hope the link I gave you above is helpful.

[aacmckay]

I think your best bet it to also set a budget. If you can afford the 580EX then get it. You won't regret the purchase. I just got one and I absolutly love it. I'm also only an amateur photographer, so I'm not a pro telling you to get. I believe the 580EX works out to 1 stop of light over the 430EX if you look at the guide numbers. One thing I've learned so far is that if you don't have the fastest lens or most powerful flash, you'll be in a situation where you really want it. Never a good situation to be in. So like I said, decide on a budget and get what you can afford. The 580EX is a beauty, but 430EX owners think the same thing too. You won't go wrong with either unit. :D

[StealthLude]

I had a 420ex, and bought a 580ex and another 420ex. I used my 580ex unit as a Master to my slaves. Its a great flash unit if you are actually going to use the higher end features it comes with. They have a strobospopic feature that throws out a burst a flashes in a single exposure to capture an object in motion. very fancy stuff if you ask me. Its about the most advance ETTL flash unit ive seen to date.

I almost crap myself when I saw the price, but after buying it, I realized it was jam packed full of features. Most impressive and "worth" the money for someone who really like flash photography. Or simply needs the power.

I know the 580ex also has quick recycle times, power is always a big deal, white balance, and one of the reasons I bought it, is for my 10-22 wide angle. I LOVE the fact i can get full flash coverage with the 580ex using a 10mm lens on the camera indoors.

[StealthLude]

I think your best bet it to also set a budget. If you can afford the 580EX then get it. You won't regret the purchase. I just got one and I absolutly love it. I'm also only an amateur photographer, so I'm not a pro telling you to get. I believe the 580EX works out to 1 stop of light over the 430EX if you look at the guide numbers. One thing I've learned so far is that if you don't have the fastest lens or most powerful flash, you'll be in a situation where you really want it. Never a good situation to be in. So like I said, decide on a budget and get what you can afford. The 580EX is a beauty, but 430EX owners think the same thing too. You won't go wrong with either unit. :D


580ex, 430ex, shoot, I even have a 420ex that im VERY happy with. The 420ex for what it is, is an excellent unit and still yeilds pro results.

ANYTHING beats the onboard flash.

[dgcorner]

Had the same dilemma as you... ended up with the 580EX

[airbutchie]

I believe another benefit of having the 580 over the 430 is range... The 580 has a range of about 70 feet whereas the 430 is set about 40... When you add any diffuser/bouncer to them, it cuts the distance by half... If flash range is an issue, then I'd recommend getting the 580... Of course if it's a budget issue, then get the 430...

I've got the 430 and it suits the things I need to do... If I need something stronger down the line, I'll get the 580 and use the 430 as my slave unit... Good luck in your decision... Lates!

- airbutchie

[joegolf68]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=229978&highlight=580ex+vs.+430ex

It really depends on what you plan on using the flash for. I just recently purchased the 430ex because I don't don't much flash photography. I primarily purchased it for family get together and I'm shooting a wedding for a friend of mine this upcoming weekend and the pop-up flash on my 20D was not going to cut it. So with the little times that I do use flash photography, the 430ex was a no-brainier for me. The 580ex will give you more, but again, you have to think of what you're going to be using it for. I hope the link I gave you above is helpful.

Thanks for the link, and thank to all of you for such a quick and helpful response. I am going to order the 430, and not look back! Great people here, thank you!

Joe

[joegolf68]

I think your best bet it to also set a budget. If you can afford the 580EX then get it. You won't regret the purchase. I just got one and I absolutly love it. I'm also only an amateur photographer, so I'm not a pro telling you to get. I believe the 580EX works out to 1 stop of light over the 430EX if you look at the guide numbers. One thing I've learned so far is that if you don't have the fastest lens or most powerful flash, you'll be in a situation where you really want it. Never a good situation to be in. So like I said, decide on a budget and get what you can afford. The 580EX is a beauty, but 430EX owners think the same thing too. You won't go wrong with either unit. :D

Dang, thsoe are good points, I didn't see yours before I posted. My budget is not an issue, at least for this level of a purchase. You gave me more to think about/ Due to my back, weight is an issue, a big issue, but I am only looking at just shy of two ounces, but all those ounces keep adding up. lol thanks. I am a man, but still reserve the right to change my mind. Hehehehe. :lol:

[joegolf68]

Had the same dilemma as you... ended up with the 580EX

I am back to the 580. lol I have always found that when I buy the best, most powerful, etc., I have never regretted it. The weight and size are the only issues left. Is there much difference in size. Is the weight difference almost negligible? I know it is only a couple of ounces, but sometimes that makes a difference due to it being balanced on top of the camera. I think I will order the 580 tomorrow. Sleep on it, yep, and see if there are any other responses about the weight and size. SIZE??? Any comments about the size differences? Please. :)

[joegolf68]

I believe another benefit of having the 580 over the 430 is range... The 580 has a range of about 70 feet whereas the 430 is set about 40... When you add any diffuser/bouncer to them, it cuts the distance by half... If flash range is an issue, then I'd recommend getting the 580... Of course if it's a budget issue, then get the 430...

I've got the 430 and it suits the things I need to do... If I need something stronger down the line, I'll get the 580 and use the 430 as my slave unit... Good luck in your decision... Lates!

- airbutchie

Thanks for the great feedback.

Joe

[aacmckay]

580ex, 430ex, shoot, I even have a 420ex that im VERY happy with. The 420ex for what it is, is an excellent unit and still yeilds pro results.

ANYTHING beats the onboard flash.

No doubt. My dad has a Braun Autoflash from his film days that I used with my Digital Rebel quite successfully. It took waaaaaay better pictures than the onboard flash. Just having the flash moved up 4 inches helps so much in reducing that direct reflection that causes photos to blow out. Some days I don't know why Canon bothered with the onboard. In a lot of ways it's a bit of a tease. I kept putting off my flash purchase because I kept saying that my camera body had a flash built in, and it was good enough for the amount I use a flash. Boy was I mistaken. Now that I have a external flash, I look for reasons to use it instead of avoiding it.

[gkuenning]

It's also worth considering the Sigma EF-500 DG Super. It costs about the same as the 430, but has most of the power and goodies of the 580. The build quality is lower, and it doesn't support external packs. OTOH it can be an optical slave.

So may options, so few dollars...

[YKZ]

You can turn it left, right, up and 45degrees? Do you have to press a button first?

[Curtis N]

Hopefully this thread will get moved to the Small Flash & Studio Lighting section (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=35) where it belongs. The second sticky thread at the top of that section has a link to a web page (http://photonotes.org/lookup/) with a wealth of information and specifications on various Canon Speedlites.

[John Sims]

I haven't looked at the linked posts but, in this thread no one has mentioned that a 580 will remote fire another Canon Ex Speedlite where as a 430 can't. This may not be an issue to you now but you may, in the future, want this facility. I bought a 420EX (prior to the 430EX) and wished I'd bought a 550EX (the forerunner to the 580EX) as I could then have bough a (reasonably cheap) 220EX to use as a remote fill.

I almost bought a 550EX on fleaBay recently but am now playing with radio releases.

[Reefbone]

This kind of bugs me... Someone mentioned that the 580EX has a built in bounce card. That is not true. The built in white card is intended to be used as a catch light. It gives your subjects eyes a sparkle or reflection from the flash. A bounce card bounces a signifigant amount of light to illuminate the subject . The built in catch light reflector does not do this.

[aacmckay]

This kind of bugs me... Someone mentioned that the 580EX has a built in bounce card. That is not true. The built in white card is intended to be used as a catch light. It gives your subjects eyes a sparkle or reflection from the flash. A bounce card bounces a signifigant amount of light to illuminate the subject . The built in catch light reflector does not do this.

'tis true. The built in reflector is a catchlight, it won't bounce enough light itself for a good exposure. It does make the subject's eyes twinkle though. :D

[Curtis N]

I could then have bough a (reasonably cheap) 220EX to use as a remote fill.The 220EX does not have E-TTL slave capability.

So far there are two Speedlite models that can be used as T-TTL master:
550EX, 580EX

and four Speedlite models that can be used as E-TTL slave:
420EX, 430EX, 550EX, 580EX

[picturecrazy]

The way I see it is...
if you got the cash, get the 580.

If budget is of any concern, get the 430.

The feature differences between the two aren't that big. The 430 has never disappointed me in the power department either... I've shot at ISO100 F/22 and the 430 did the job.

Yes, the 580 can be a master... BUT... you need TWO flashes to use one as a master. A lone 580 by itself is no more useful as a master than a 430. If you want to get into muti flash setups, get the 580 later. It DOESN'T matter which order you get them in because you need two.

And personally, I find the size and weight differences to be significant. 430 is more compact and lighter. And for a unit that does 90% of what the 580 does, I usually grab a 430 over the 580 when I go out. (really, how many of you use the stroboscopic mode?)

[John Sims]

The 220EX does not have E-TTL slave capability.

So far there are two Speedlite models that can be used as T-TTL master:
550EX, 580EX

and four Speedlite models that can be used as E-TTL slave:
420EX, 430EX, 550EX, 580EX


I stand corrected. :oops: ;)

[joegolf68]

Ok, I have made the decision, a tough one, for sure. I could wait another week, and go back and forth a dozen times. I buy Canon, simply because I think if I want to sell at a later date, it is easier to sell. Thanks to EVERYONE for your advice and help!!

580EX on its way from PHphoto.

[Bamamike]

:rolleyes: In bright sunlight you might need full power fill flash...
Just an idea, especially with a long lens....
And the additional ounces might be a good balance for an IS L lens 2.8...
You never know....:lol: