recommendations for slave flash, to go with 550EX

[DStanic]

I've read some of the flash tutorials here, and it's all very exciting, I'm looking at getting a second flash to do more creative work.

I have a 550EX which can operate as a master, so I'm looking at either a 420EX or 430EX to use as a slave.

I see that the 420EX is pretty basic, no manual controls on it. When using as a slave, would the manual controls of a 430EX make a difference, or is everything controlled from the master flash? (I know, I need to read the 550EX manual, right?)

I realize the 430EX would probably be a nicer flash to use with my XTi instead of the giant 550EX (for general purpose use), but it's also twice the price of the 420EX.

Help please! :)

[Marbeck]

I would get the 430 as it has the manual mode which can help in some cases. I have all three and use the 420 as a backdrop flash to light up the backdrop. It helps to read the manual as it is very helpful about all the ways to use different flash setups.

[tim]

The 550 is a bit of a PITA to use as a master, it works, but the 580 V1 is much easier to use. The 580 V2 less so.

I would get the 430, it's way better than the 420.

[Headcase650]

If the only intention for the new flash is to be an E-TTL slave, what advantage does the 430 hold over the 420 besides slightly faster recycle times? None that I know of. All the improvements are only used when the flash is on the camera. I would think it would be better to save some cash and get the 420. When you sell it you wont loose any money. Basically you get to use it for free.

[tim]

Yep recharge time is the big one, plus ease of use, head rotating, things like that. The 420 will work as a slave, but if you ever put it on the camera the 430 will be way better.

[Headcase650]

Hears a 420 for $120
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=584502
I dont think you can touch a 430 for that.

Recharge, who cares about 1/2 a second, and the head rotation doesnt matter when its shot into an umbrella.

[tim]

420's are ugly :p

[Titus213]

The 420 will work fine in ETTL but I'll bet your ditch ETTL fairly soon and then the 430EX will be the way to go.

[Headcase650]

The 420 will work fine in ETTL but I'll bet your ditch ETTL fairly soon and then the 430EX will be the way to go.

If your gonna ditch E-TTL then why even get an EX speed light, go with the cheapest most powerfull flash you can find with manual control. Sunpak, vivitar, etc. Hell, if your going manual you can pick up 2 or 3 manual flash guns like the 383 super, or 283's and the cheap ebay radio slaves for the price of one 430EX. He alread has the 550EX he doesnt need anything to go on the hot shoe.

[DStanic]

I appreciate all the replies, and still trying to wrap my head around it all.

I know the 430EX is "way better", but is there any benefit if it will never really be on the camera? I had a 380EX (bought it for $50 and flipped it for a profit) if it was able to be a slave I would have played around with it.

I want to have ETTL because I'm just learning and I think that would make things simple. But when using a 430EX as a slave, do the manual controls make a difference? (Can you adjust things, or is that just when used on the camera?) Or is it controlled by the camera or master flash (550EX) ?

[Headcase650]

but is there any benefit if it will never really be on the camera?

No.

Once you set the 430 to slave it controls nothing. Everything is decided by the camera and the 550EX does all the talking. Like I said if you just want E-TTL slave get the 420. If you want manual forget E-TTL flashes all together.

I have 6 different flash guns. A 550EX is my work horse on camera when I need E-TTL, a sigma 500DG super is a back up that I should probably sell. And 4 vivitars that I use manually for multiple off camera set ups using a cheap radio slave.

[Titus213]

If your gonna ditch E-TTL then why even get an EX speed light, go with the cheapest most powerfull flash you can find with manual control. Sunpak, vivitar, etc. Hell, if your going manual you can pick up 2 or 3 manual flash guns like the 383 super, or 283's and the cheap ebay radio slaves for the price of one 430EX. He alread has the 550EX he doesnt need anything to go on the hot shoe.

The 430EX will allow him to use ETTL now and then expand into radio controls at some point in the future is all that I'm getting at. The 420EX would be difficult in a non-ettl environment since it has no manual mode or power adjustments.

If you are never going to leave ETTL (your deluding yourself:lol:) the 420EX will be fine.

[tim]

When I use my speedlites off-camera I use them in manual 90% of the time, with radio triggers. The 430 will do that, the 420 won't.