Do you think two 430EX SPII for wedding day is good enough?

[canotographer]

Hi again, I am new to wedding day photograhpy...But when I check the spec of the 430EX, looks like it will do all the things I need...

I am trying to see if the benefits of the 580II EX can justify it's price tag which is roughly about 2 times of the 430EX 's...I don't think I need wireless flash on the wedding day, do I? So, I don't need the master control 580 EX with me...

Do you know if the recycling time of the 430EX is fast enough for wedding? If not, I will just go get the External-pack. Correct me if I am wrong, I think 430EX takes less power so it's supposed to last longer than 580EXII??


Thanks for your advice.

[jjmucker]

right now i only have one 430ex speedlight. if i was you i would try and pick up 2 580ex or one 430 and one 580.either way i think you should make sure you get at least one 580ex that way if ever you need to use wireless you can use the 580ex to trigger the 430ex.
i think the recycling time is good enough for me on the 430ex. i dont have the power pack but i do carry 16 AA 2700mah batteries and they seem to be great so far. im looking to be picking a 580ex up in the next week or 2. im not too fussed about the mark II at the moment and hopefully with that coming out it may bring the price down of the mark I. doubt it though :rolleyes:

hope that helps a little

[Mario.]

The 430EX was such a pain to rotate the body, and it didn't rotate all the way around like the 580EX does. Not only that, but changing the power or other settings on the 430EX takes soooo much longer than the 580EX. The 580EX recycles faster, and has more power. The ergonomics is so much better over the 580EX that you don't realize how important it is until you need to do things quickly at a wedding. :)

I personally would shoot with a single 580EX any day over 2 430EX's, but that is just my opinion, having had the opportunity to shoot with both of these flashes.

[canotographer]

Thank you guys! I am listening..and I am getting at 580EX or the Mark II verion instead of going for 430EXs. The most important factor if fact is the recycling time and possibility to use external battery pack. Just checked 430EX do not compatible with the CP-E3 pack... so this leaves me no choice but 580EX. Thanks again.

[Mario.]

Good luck! You really won't be disappointed with a single 580, and the built in wireless functions of the Speedlite's leave a lot to be desired IMO. :)

[tim]

Don't buy the 580 for the extra power, it's only one stop, buy it for the single button head rotate, the pull out white card, and the ability to take a CP-E3. I almost always use the CP-E3 at weddings now, it's very very handy. Also be careful not to burn out your flash head, manual has details. I've never burned one out.

[captiankirk28]

The 430EX was such a pain to rotate the body, and it didn't rotate all the way around like the 580EX does. Not only that, but changing the power or other settings on the 430EX takes soooo much longer than the 580EX. The 580EX recycles faster, and has more power. The ergonomics is so much better over the 580EX that you don't realize how important it is until you need to do things quickly at a wedding. :)

I personally would shoot with a single 580EX any day over 2 430EX's, but that is just my opinion, having had the opportunity to shoot with both of these flashes.
I have a 430ex and think it is great, as far as the ergonomics go i think you must be thinking of the older 430s because as far as i can tell (my friend has a 580ex) they are very much the same as far as that goes all the buttons are the same and the lcd is the same.

[jjmucker]

Don't buy the 580 for the extra power, it's only one stop, buy it for the single button head rotate, the pull out white card, and the ability to take a CP-E3. I almost always use the CP-E3 at weddings now, it's very very handy. Also be careful not to burn out your flash head, manual has details. I've never burned one out.

isnt the 580 the only flash that can trigger the 430ex wirelessly or can the 550 do this too. im in the market for one just now. if the 430ex could trigger another 430ex i'd probably just go for one of these because mine does a great job

[Mario.]

isnt the 580 the only flash that can trigger the 430ex wirelessly or can the 550 do this too. im in the market for one just now. if the 430ex could trigger another 430ex i'd probably just go for one of these because mine does a great job

The 550EX is can also be a master. :)

[jjmucker]

The 550EX is can also be a master. :)

interesting. i really should do my homework eh :rolleyes: .
i will probably still go for the 580ex though, ive had my eye on it for some time now

[Mario.]

I would go with the 580EX as well, simply because of the ergonomics like Tim has stated earlier. :)

[jjmucker]

yip. it also seems the wheel at the back makes it much easier. kind of like the wheel at the back of the 30D. i get so used to that, that when i pick my 350D up i miss it. i guess i need another 30D as well. oh the joys... :rolleyes:

was maybe hoping the 580 would come down a little bit in price since the arrival of the mark II also

[Mario.]

yip. it also seems the wheel at the back makes it much easier. kind of like the wheel at the back of the 30D. i get so used to that, that when i pick my 350D up i miss it. i guess i need another 30D as well. oh the joys... :rolleyes:

was maybe hoping the 580 would come down a little bit in price since the arrival of the mark II also

That would be the ergonomics I was talking about. ;)

580's aren't really all that pricey, picked mine up for $380 months and months ago.

[jjmucker]

yeah but over here in pricey uk they go for £280 - £320 in some places. thats online too. though there was one on ebay the other day going for buy it now £200 but missed it

[tim]

I'll probably sell my 550 and get a 580 EX II some time, I want the ergonomics and auto mode.

[jjmucker]

I'll probably sell my 550 and get a 580 EX II some time, I want the ergonomics and auto mode.

whats this auto mode you speak of tim?