any alternative on 430EX flash?

[suzyalex]

I heard and read a lot of good review on canon 430EX flash and i'm actually planning on buying one for my xti. However, I'm still broke after getting my new lens. Are there any alternative cheaper flashes that work as fine as the 430EX? Thanks!

[Curtis N]

There are none that are significantly cheaper yet just as good.

There are some that are significantly cheaper and just as powerful, but don't have some of the capabilities of the 430EX. It all depends how you want to use it.

[mastertech01]

I saw a 420EX in the for sale forum for 125.00 shipped. I think that would be pretty close and about half the price of 430EX. Once in a while you see one on Ebay for under 100.00.

[suzyalex]

I'm more into indoor shooting so i think i really need a good flash. I saw this Sunpak - External Flash for Canon Digital SLR Cameras and thinking if it will do good on my shots.
Any idea?

[Curtis N]

For indoor, on-camera use, the Sigma EF-530 DG ST goes for about $190. All you really need is an E-TTL flash that will bounce & swivel for that kind of work.

If you eventually graduate to off-camera use or manual flash, you'll want something better.

[ben_r_]

Dont know if it helps any, but there are used 430EX flashes being sold in the Classified: Sell section quite often for $200-$220...

[suzyalex]

Thanks for the replies. I saw a 430EX in office depot for only 229. I think i'll settle on that unless I find cheaper a cheaper one. :p

[Psychobiker]

And of course it acts slave...!

[rhys]

Why has nobody suggested a Sunpak 383? It's good but lacks ETTL metering but what the heck - it should work just fine.

[bcdoug]

go with a 420ex or a 550ex. i've said it in a few other threads, nothing wrong with these flashes, and are found for a fraction of the 430 and 580 cost.

the 420 will slave to a newer flash, so you can continue to use it as you upgrade your gear.

[Elton Balch]

Thanks for the replies. I saw a 430EX in office depot for only 229. I think i'll settle on that unless I find cheaper a cheaper one. :p

That's not bad; one Amazon reseller has it for $199. That's as cheap as I've seen for a new one.

[suzyalex]

And of course it acts slave...!

dunno what's slave flash means. i have read some article saying about that but i don't totally understand what it is all about. does it mean good or bad on flashes? :o THanks!

[suzyalex]

Why has nobody suggested a Sunpak 383? It's good but lacks ETTL metering but what the heck - it should work just fine.

When you say lack ETTL which functionality/feature the flash does not have? Sorry I’m new with photography so I’m still having a hard time with all the terms and stuffs.

[Curtis N]

Why has nobody suggested a Sunpak 383?1) The Sunpak 383 requires some knowledge to use properly, and has only three auto settings. Those with a thorough understanding of flash can make it work, but it's not what I would recommend for a beginner.
2) Traditional auto flash generally does not work well for outdoor fill, so the Sunpak 383 is less versatile than a dedicated E-TTL flash in that respect.

E-TTL stands for "evaluative through the lens" and is the name Canon uses for its flash metering system with digital cameras. An E-TTL compatible flash unit is one that is designed to be used with Canon digital cameras. All Canon EX series Speedlites are E-TTL compatible.

A slave is a flash unit that either fires when it "sees" the flash from a master flash unit, or receives commands from a master flash unit. It's an overused word that can mean several things. The 420EX and 430EX can be used as slaves within Canon's wireless flash system, but only if you have another flash unit that can be the master. If you only have one flash unit, those capabilities are meaningless.

[suzyalex]

1) The Sunpak 383 requires some knowledge to use properly, and has only three auto settings. Those with a thorough understanding of flash can make it work, but it's not what I would recommend for a beginner.
2) Traditional auto flash generally does not work well for outdoor fill, so the Sunpak 383 is less versatile than a dedicated E-TTL flash in that respect.

E-TTL stands for "evaluative through the lens" and is the name Canon uses for its flash metering system with digital cameras. An E-TTL compatible flash unit is one that is designed to be used with Canon digital cameras. All Canon EX series Speedlites are E-TTL compatible.

A slave is a flash unit that either fires when it "sees" the flash from a master flash unit, or receives commands from a master flash unit. It's an overused word that can mean several things. The 420EX and 430EX can be used as slaves within Canon's wireless flash system, but only if you have another flash unit that can be the master. If you only have one flash unit, those capabilities are meaningless.

Thanks so much Curtis!!! You've explained it so well and made a lot of sense.

I tried looking for a 420ex but can't seem to find it in store. I can't wait that long to order it online so i would probably settle on 430ex or 550ex.

And of course it acts slave...!

sorry but i'm kind of confuse... is it the 430ex that acts as a slave? can't i use it without a master flash unit?

[Curtis N]

sorry but i'm kind of confuse... is it the 430ex that acts as a slave? can't i use it without a master flash unit?Canon has a wireless flash system that allows the use of off-camera flash units which act as slaves, with an appropriate master flash on the camera's hotshoe.

The following units can be used as master or slave: 550EX, 580EX, 580EX II.
The following units can be used as a slave but not master: 420EX, 430EX.
The ST-E2 Transmitter is a master but produces no flash of its own.

Again, you need at least two flash units of the appropriate model to make any of this work.

The EOS Flash Bible (link in my sig) describes Canon's various flash metering and wireless systems in detail.

[bcdoug]

I tried looking for a 420ex but can't seem to find it in store. I can't wait that long to order it online so i would probably settle on 430ex or 550ex.


you won't find a 420 or a 550 new in store. they are discontinued products. generally you find them on ebay, craigslist, or here. someone posted earlier in this thread that there is a 420 in the for sale forum for $125 shipped.