(2) 430EX Flashes...Did I blow it?

[jargaguy]

I'll make this short and sweet. I purchased 2 430EX flashes to have a small studio set-up. I bought them because of the portability, wirelessness:cool: and because they were, as I thought after seeing lighting set-ups for $1500+, inexpensive.

I 've recently been seeing lot's of different lighting set-ups, including AlienBees B400 Flash Units for the same $$ as each Flash.

Have I blown it? Should I try and sell the Flashes and pick up some AB's or keep 'em and get the AB's as well?

I have done a small amount of indoor portrait work, but have gotten more requests and have found some space to rent.

Thanks for your help.


JA






JA

[Lotto]

I wouldn't say you blown it. Strobe and dedicated flash each serve different purpose.

For studio works, strobes will win hands down. But there are lot less chances that I will take the strobes with me to vacations, a party at friend's house, or for a creative shot at the beach. Of course you can replace the EXs with some Sunpak 383s, but that's for a different topic. My point is that I use speedlights lot more than my Alien Bees because they are in my the camera bags all the time.

[naqs]

Why did you buy 2 430EX? why not a 430EX and a 580EX?

[vert310]

PM me if you want to get rid of one. Let me know.

vert

[cdifoto]

I'd say you blew it for that purpose if you're only using them as off-camera studio type portable strobes in a fully manual capacity. You basically spent way too much money, IMHO.

You could get some Sunpaks or Vivitars (80 bucks each) and save even more cash if you don't need oodles of oomph. Sunpak 383s, for example, are about as powerful as the 580EX.

[UNDRCOVR]

looking at his/her sig, he/she already has a 580 and as stated in his/her original post.. inexpensive :)

t

Why did you buy 2 430EX? why not a 430EX and a 580EX?

[naqs]

ah sorry about that... disregard

[jargaguy]

I wouldn't say you blown it. Strobe and dedicated flash each serve different purpose.

For studio works, strobes will win hands down. But there are lot less chances that I will take the strobes with me to vacations, a party at friend's house, or for a creative shot at the beach. Of course you can replace the EXs with some Sunpak 383s, but that's for a different topic. My point is that I use speedlights lot more than my Alien Bees because they are in my the camera bags all the time.

That's what I figured when I got the 430's. I do have them with me all the time and set them up pretty quickly when needed. I wonder if they are strong enough though. If the AB400 is 160w what would the 430 be?

Why did you buy 2 430EX? why not a 430EX and a 580EX?

I have a 530 as my main and set is as master when using the 430's

I'd say you blew it for that purpose if you're only using them as off-camera studio type portable strobes in a fully manual capacity. You basically spent way too much money, IMHO.

You could get some Sunpaks or Vivitars (80 bucks each) and save even more cash if you don't need oodles of oomph. Sunpak 383s, for example, are about as powerful as the 580EX.

I got them to take advantage of their wireless capabilities and ETTL-II. I also figured I should stick with Canon products.


ah sorry about that... disregard

No sweat!



Thanks for the commments guys. If I wanted to get a strobe, would the AB400 be a good start or should I spend the extra $50 and get the 800? What would be the benefit? Could I use my 530 to trigger it wirelessly?

Thanks!



JA

[Lotto]

From my testing, shooting into the same umbrella, the AB400 has roughly 4 times more power than the 430EX, or 2 stops.

For the first Bees, I would recommand the 800. The AB400 does not have enough juice for group shots. Yes you can set the on camera 580 to manual mode and trigger the Bees opticallly.

[foto202]

I have 2 AB800's and they work great when I use them for studio typr work or location work. I also have 1- 580 and 2 430's and they work just fine for how I use them- skateboarding location shots.