Speedlite 430 EX

[Marto]

Hi guys,

Just looking for a bit of advice really. Pretty new to DSLRs and am now in the market for a flash. Do you think the 430 EX would be a good flash for the Canon EOS 40D?

Pointers and experience welcome.

On a bit of a budget now as spent all my money on lenses!

Thanks in advance.

[Vortex99]

Marto, I have the 430 with XTi and love it.
Great place to start with a flash.... IMO
Then get some e-bay triggers to play with off the camera flash...
This is the route I took and works greatkeep me very happy. for me, I don't want some studio strobes, but for now a couple 430's and some ebay triggers

[bsaber]

I started out with the 430 and its a great flash. Have a 580 now but still use the 430 with wireless trigger all the time. In fact, I still use the 430 more than the 580.

[kevin_c]

Unless you need the extra power or features of the 580 EX II, then the 430EX is the one to get!
You can always get the 580EX II at a later date if you need more power and/or a two flash wireless setup.

[Jethro790]

The 430EX is a great flash, high power enough for even most of the outdoor work I do.

[JamieMcCoyPhotography]

I have the 430 & the 550 ----- and I will say I prefer the 550

[yogestee]

Yup,,,,great little flash..

[ben_r_]

I have both the 430EX and the 580EX II and I think they are both good flashes and for a budget flash the 430EX is awesome but you will want to upgrade in the future and once you do youll wonder how you went without :)

[squigles]

Just starting out on using flash too :) Couldn't see why I needed a 580 so got the 430 ;) Very nice results so far, just have to get to grips with using catch light etc.

Trawling through the various threads on here, gets you some good insights to what you need to do in order to achieve the desired results.

[Marto]

Cheers all. I think it sounds like the best model to learn flash. I'll go price hunting.

Thanks again.

[Raphael V]

I have it for the last 15 months and use it extensively.

[slimninj4]

430 is a great flash. I use it in conjunction with a vivitar 285HV that I use as my main.
You will have good results with yours. Later you can upgrade to a 580 and use the 430 as a slave. I was gonna sell my 430 but people kept trying to lowball and I decided I did not NEED to sell it. So I put it back in my set.

[Ollie]

I just bought one today based on the following thread. New $199.99 + 12 shipping and legit according to about 5-8 posters in the thread listed. Mine should be here end of week. It's a camera shop in OK. Tele #405-943-1047.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=428019

[Ridebmx]

my 430 should be here soon, ive got an off camera sync cord 3 foot, my tripod doesnt like the coiled cord, it wants to tip over so i need a weight for the tripod, im thinking of getting a 580ex to master and use the 430 as a wireless slave, and have the 580 on my sync cord, might even get a 2nd sync cord to have it 6 ft if needbe. im still deciding

[slappy sam]

Can you fire a 430 ex off camera (slave) with a 580ex on camera without any other components (like pocketwizards, ebay triggers, cables, etc)?

If so I think I will purchase the 430 EX tommorrow for $200.

[MT Stringer]

Slappy, the answer to your question is "yes". 580 is master, 430 is slave...line of site is required though.
Good luck. I had a 430 and loved it.
Mike

[slappy sam]

Ok, for $199 I can't go wrong, right?

I will have roughly $300 available to spend for this month, so I guess a 430EX would be a good bet.

I don't even really need a light stand - I can always use that little attachment foot thing that my 580ex came with - I assume the 430 comes with this too?

[Psychobiker]

Just wait though until the buttons on the back drive you up the wall. otherwise...great flash

[Vortex99]

Just wait though until the buttons on the back drive you up the wall. otherwise...great flash

They annoy me a little, but wouldn't say that it drives me up the wall. :)

[Psychobiker]

Yes, the 430EX also comes with this little foot thingy! :D

L

[MarKap77]

430EX is a great first flash.

[jelened]

Hi,

I've lost my 430 EX manual and really need it for my upcoming flash class. Does anyone know where I can find one online? I'd love to be able to download it somehow.

Thanks for any and all help!

[aRKay]

430 ex great flash and nice price....go for it... =)

[EdgarG]

Hi,

I've lost my 430 EX manual and really need it for my upcoming flash class. Does anyone know where I can find one online? I'd love to be able to download it somehow.

Thanks for any and all help!
http://www.groovydos.com/Tom/430EXManual.pdf

[andrew748]

Hi guys,

Just looking for a bit of advice really. Pretty new to DSLRs and am now in the market for a flash. Do you think the 430 EX would be a good flash for the Canon EOS 40D?

Pointers and experience welcome.

On a bit of a budget now as spent all my money on lenses!

Thanks in advance.

got it with my 40d and i love it, i'm new as well and it's my first real flash, and it will high speed flash in sync with the hi speed shutter.

it's quite customisable

http://photo.net/photos/andrew748

[smorter]

430EX is all the flash most people need, but it can't compare to the 580EXII.

I loved (and still love, but less so) my 430EX before I got the 580EXII. I wouldn't say it sucks, but it is outclassed by the 580EXII in all areas except for price, size and mass.

If you don't need the 580EXII's extra power or features, the 430EX is an excellent flash. Neither of them are crap, but one is clearly more "pro" than the other.