Which Flash?

[dahblazinazn]

The time has come for me to experiment with flash and external light meters... so I need your opinions

For the flash, i'm looking to spend around 200-250

The ones im keeping an eye on are the

430 EX (200 in these forums)
430 EX II (275 on ebay)
580 (250 on ebay)

Is the 580 better than the 430s?

As for the light meter im lookin to get a sekonic, but have no idea which one I should get, I'm hoping to spend less than 150 dollars on one (used), anyone got any suggestions?

[tim]

A 430 or 430 II will be fine, you don't need the 580.

[KarlosDaJackal]

A 430 or 430 II will be fine, you don't need the 580.

The 430 is a fine bit of gear, but if you can get a 580 for nearly the same money grab it. Its a tiny bit more powerful although larger and heavier as a result.

Its main advantage over the 430
1. Can be used to wireless trigger some canon slave flashes like the 430ex, so if you later got hold of another 430 your 580 can trigger it. The 430 can only be a slave.
2. The 430s af-assist beam only covers an area usable by 9 AF points. The 580 is supposed to cover all the AF points of the 1D/s series.
3. Weather sealing I believe.

[tim]

580 II has weather sealing, but unless you have a 1 series camera that doesn't help as the camera isn't weather sealed. 580 I doesn't have weather sealing.

Sure the 580 has advantages, that's why I have them, but for more people the 430 will be fine.

[caseyjohnphotography]

430 mk2 over 580 i must say

i have 580 mk2 (x2) they go wicked and i had a 430 mk1 and it went well...

[tim]

430 mk2 over 580 i must say

Why? I think I know but i'd like to hear it from you if you've used both.

[z-monster]

If you're going to score the 430EX II you might as well score a used 580EX II instead and get the added benefits.

Aside from that, the 430EX will do you well until you decided to get into off shoe shooting and multiple flashes. In that case, the 580EX II can be used as the MASTER with the 430EX as the SLAVE.

[dahblazinazn]

ahhhhh so thats what master and slave means =DD

hmmm right now im just trying to get the most bang for my buck
but I am leaning towards the 580 mark 1

how is the 430 mark 2 better than the 580 mark 1? (and they're about the same price anyways)

[Lunajen]

There are two 's580II on this site right now for 375 ea.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=584087

I would rather have one of those with a 430 EX