430EX or 580 EX II for the XTi

[hfgerena]

Hello;

I need an external flash, and I want to make a decision between 430EX and the 580EX II, but I have read some threads or recomendations where most of them suggest that if you can afford it get the 580 EX II. Ok let's say I can afford it, my questions is how well does this speedlite works together with XTi.

I have read in the 580 EX II that some of the functions are exclusivily dedicated to the MarkIII, I don't want to spend that amount of money in one flash that its not 100% compatible in the basic functions with my current camera.

Ok, the answer to your question before you can help out here is;

I want to use it as as a Fillinflash, take photos indoor and outdoor of my family (I have no studio and not interested) or whatever is in front of the camera that requieres a flash, and I also would like to use it for closeups or macro photography (not interested in the Macro Ring, thanks). But I want a flash that gave me the oportunity to be creative and room to expand.

[StaticThought]

I have both and tbh the 430 is a bloody good flash. I use the 580EXII on my 400D (XTI) and use the 430 as a slave. Saying that I have exclusivly use the 430 on my Camera and have'nt really seen much difference. If the extra features that the 580 has to offer are what you require then go for one of those, if not then get the 430. Baring in mind that the 580 of course has more power. Both bloody good flashguns and both have their good and bad points. The main thing with the 580 is that its waterproof.

[Raymate]

2nd the 430 it is very good for the price and so far served me well and I never thought it was under powered. Not wished I had the 580

[Ultimate CC]

i use the 430 and love it, its smaller and gets the job done for what i use it for, if i needed larger i would be using an AlienBee of somesort...

[Curtis N]

The 580EX II is an expensive unit, and some of its "features" like weathersealing and dedicated auto mode either have no practical value on the Rebel XTi, or are not compatible with it.

I use flash a lot. I don't have a 430EX, but according to its specs it would work fine for 99% of the flash shots I take.

[PacAce]

Hello;

I need an external flash, and I want to make a decision between 430EX and the 580EX II, but I have read some threads or recomendations where most of them suggest that if you can afford it get the 580 EX II. Ok let's say I can afford it, my questions is how well does this speedlite works together with XTi.

I have read in the 580 EX II that some of the functions are exclusivily dedicated to the MarkIII, I don't want to spend that amount of money in one flash that its not 100% compatible in the basic functions with my current camera.

Ok, the answer to your question before you can help out here is;

I want to use it as as a Fillinflash, take photos indoor and outdoor of my family (I have no studio and not interested) or whatever is in front of the camera that requieres a flash, and I also would like to use it for closeups or macro photography (not interested in the Macro Ring, thanks). But I want a flash that gave me the oportunity to be creative and room to expand.
Based on what you want to do with the flash, the 430EX will be more than adequate for your needs.

[Space]

I use the 430 most of the time, 70mm and under. I'll use the 580 when i'm playing with the 200mm.

[pjtemplin]

I have the 580EXII, XTi, and 24-105L. Although this combo seems to underexpose for me, you can easily dial in Flash Exposure Compensation from the XTi.

A week after buying the XTi (I already had the lens and flash, as my 1D3 is in orbit I guess), I went with my GF and her family to SeaWorld. The last show we saw that day was Shamu Rocks Texas - because of "travel" delays, we sat at the back corner of the "stadium". I tried a few flash shots of the crowd on the other side, expecting flash to be useless - I was SO wrong. It added such a boost to my pictures. The results weren't all amazing, but once you realize I was shooting a mostly black marine animal who would stay underwater until jumping out at unpredictable spots, the results were quite good.


http://photos.templin.org/albums/seaworld01/IMG_3483.sized.jpg

[MEllO37]

Great shot!