Third Flash for ETTL II

[Tim Sheridan]

After reading Part II of PacAce's post on wireless ETTL II setup, I am thinking of adding another flash. Would I gain anything by buying a 580EX II? I already have a 420EX and a 580EX to use as a master. There is about a $100 difference betwwen the 430EX and the 580EX II.

[Curtis N]

As an E-TTL slave, the only advantage I can see is 35% more range, faster recycling.

[Tim Sheridan]

As an E-TTL slave, the only advantage I can see is 35% more range, faster recycling.
Are you talking vs. 420 EX or 580EX vs. 580EX II?

[Curtis N]

I'm talking 580EX II vs. 430EX, specifically as a slave in a Canon wireless arrangement.

[ben_r_]

Id say it depends on whether or not you need the extra power. I have two 580EX II units and wanted a third flash to use on a background and I just went with the 430EX as I shouldnt need as much power back there.

[PacAce]

One of the "problems" I see with Canon's implementation of the "master" flash is that only the 580EX/550EX flashes can be used as masters. The less powerful 430EX/420EX flashes can not be. But for most applications, the camera that is on the camera, the master, if used, is used as the fill flash which doesn't require as much power as the main flash which is usually the flash that's off camera. If one has a 580EX and a 430EX, the 580EX ends up as the fill and the less powerful 430EX ends up as the main light. Am I the only one who sees the irony of this? It would really be nice if the more powerful 580EX could be used as the main light and the 430EX as the background or hair light since it can't be used as the fill light. So, given a choice between another 430EX or a 580EX with money not being an issue, my pick would be for another 580EX instead of another 430EX.

[rhys]

I have an STE2 as a master. I have 2 580EX2s, a 430EX and a 420EX

I much prefer the 420EX as a slave as it's so much easier to set up - flip a couple of switches and it's all done.

With the others I have to plough through the damned menus. I don't really care whether I have to use a pen-light to read the settings in the dark - I just want ease of use.

[Curtis N]

If one has a 580EX and a 430EX, the 580EX ends up as the fill and the less powerful 430EX ends up as the main light. Am I the only one who sees the irony of this?Yes, you are the only one.

I don't see it as ironic, I see it as one more piece of evidence that Canon's flash department is filled with too many techno-geeks and marketing egos and not enough photographers.

But the reality, for me anyway, is that the fill light on the camera is several feet away from the subject, while the main light can be placed quite close. So the fill needs more power to account for the distance.

[Tim Sheridan]

But the reality, for me anyway, is that the fill light on the camera is several feet away from the subject, while the main light can be placed quite close. So the fill needs more power to account for the distance.
That makes sense. From what I can see, the differences between the 580's are basically in build-metal shoe, dust boot & weather sealing. Is this correct?

[Curtis N]

From what I can see, the differences between the 580's are basically in build-metal shoe, dust boot & weather sealing. Is this correct?Plus the external flash metering capability and the PC socket. But those things are immaterial in a wireless E-TTL situation.

[NelsonChen]

That makes sense. From what I can see, the differences between the 580's are basically in build-metal shoe, dust boot & weather sealing. Is this correct?

Pretty close. The 580EX can be switched to the master or slave mode with a simple switch. On the 580EX II, it has to be done through the menu interface.

On top of that one has to hold down the Zoom button on the 580EX for at least a second for the required master/slave menu to appear. That could cause the photog to miss the shots during a busy event when he/she needs to switch from master to standalone.

I have the 550EX, 430EX, 580EX II and recently picked up a used 580EX to gain the quick access to the master/slave settings. The 550EX has the switch as well but it is much slower in recycling.

The 580EX II has everything right except the hardware master/slave switch.

[rhys]

Pretty close. The 580EX can be switched to the master or slave mode with a simple switch. On the 580EX II, it has to be done through the menu interface.

On top of that one has to hold down the Zoom button on the 580EX for at least a second for the required master/slave menu to appear. That could cause the photog to miss the shots during a busy event when he/she needs to switch from master to standalone.

I have the 550EX, 430EX, 580EX II and recently picked up a used 580EX to gain the quick access to the master/slave settings. The 550EX has the switch as well but it is much slower in recycling.

The 580EX II has everything right except the hardware master/slave switch.

Spot on - I hate menus. I'd much prefer a set of mechanical switches and sliders.