This thread is different...430EX or 550EX? (NOT 580!)

[budawg]

I'm considering a flash for a few reasons. First, to get back into event photography to make a little mula, to fire into an umbrella for portraits for a little more mula, and for bounced stuff as well.

Here's where my thinking is so far...

-550EX: About as powerful as the 580EX, can act as a master, built in bounce card and able to take external power.

-430EX: Not as powerful, but it'd be new, not that expensive, but 550EX could still probably be had for less.


Now there are still some things I'm not sure of. Which, if any of these units can be used with a sync cord? Also, I know it says that the 430 can't be used as a master, but what if you were just doing things manually? Could it trigger another flash just from the flash of light itself?

What do you guys think about this?

Thanks for the help!

[In2Photos]

For event photography I think you would be wise to have an external power pack so the 550 wins there. For portrait stuff into an umbrella the more powerful 550 should win there also. General stuff the 430 does just fine.

Canon does not use a sync cord on any of its EX models. For an inexpensive unit that does have one look for some older Nikon units.

The 430 can trigger any other light source that has an optical trigger. Just make sure you are in Manual mode on the 430 so that it does not fire a pre-flash for ETTL metering.

[StealthLude]

Unless you plan on buying more lights later on down the road to use as slaves. Id get a 430ex.

[Curtis N]

The 550EX is more powerful. I think it would be the better choice if price is similar.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I own all three, and frankly I'm blown away with the 430EX (the most recent addition)

Unlike the lowly 420, the 430 is a real knock out little flash. Very handy indeed.

Buying the 550ex "because it can be used as a master" is not really a good reason , as to be a master you will need a slave, ie: at some point you'll need a second flash for that to matter. Well, the same would be true if you buy a 430 to use as a slave. In either case you'll only half half what you need for master slave to matter. So you can by a slave now or a master now, and them buy a master later or a slave later to make the pair.

[budawg]

When you want to do "off shoe" photography then, what can you use to trigger the flash besides the infared Canon flash trigger thing? That's expensive!!

[delhi]

550ex. more powerful and can act as a master. In fact my next 'slave' flash will still be a master capabled Speedlite. I want to have that flexibility.

[budawg]

to add to my last post, i know you can get an off shoe chord, but i want the length of a sync chord or something...

[In2Photos]

to add to my last post, i know you can get an off shoe chord, but i want the length of a sync chord or something...
You can modify the Off-shoe cord to be extended (http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=123662). For wireless though you will need to go with either pocket wizards, those e-bay transmitter/receivers, or a Canon master/slave combo.

[Curtis N]

To use Canon's E-TTL remote flash system, you need one of these connected to the hotshoe:
550EX, 580EX, or ST-E2.
Admittedly, none of them are cheap.

If you just want to trigger an off-camera flash and are willing to manually adjust the flash power, there are a whole list of possibilities.

[René Damkot]

430EX. Its so much more ergonomic, it's actually usable on camera in a non TTL setting.
The 550EX is only an advantage if you absolutely need the power (not likely, since you can use higher ISOs), or if you must have a master now.
I have a 580 and a 550, the 550 is used as slave or gets left at home.

[Dante King]

550 hands down. just for the master capabilities as your flash collection may grow. I picked up 2 the other day for $400. :)

[jr_senator]

550 hands down. just for the master capabilities as your flash collection may grow. I picked up 2 the other day for $400. :)

You lucky dog!

[jr_senator]

Here's where my thinking is so far...

-550EX: ...built in bounce card...

Nope, I have one.