3rd party flash(s) comaprable to 430ex?

[babekha_2]

Is there another company that sells a flash like the 430ex or 520ex by Canon? And in your opinion, how do they perfrom compared to the Canon flashes?

[Grentz]

I think Sigma probably comes the closest with their line of flashes

http://sigma4less.com/shoe-mount-flashes.html

[ooo]

Prices are pretty good there for canon flashes. I remember checking that site a while back and shipping costs killed the deal, but it seems even with shipping $210 for a brand new 430ex is pretty good. I mean used ones sell about $200 on this forum. Thanks for the link Grentz :D

[xMClass]

You can get some decent deals on some old 550EX's and 420EX's. Heck even a 380EX could still have some potential.

[babekha_2]

Adorma has the 430ex for $200 new :-) I think I'll go with that. I at least know the quality of them

Thanks for the link grentz, they have great prices, but Adorma has free shipping. You can't beat that!

[ooo]

I fail at shopping, haha. Good thing I'm not in the market for a new flash at the moment.

[Scott Vogan]

Is there another company that sells a flash like the 430ex or 520ex by Canon? And in your opinion, how do they perfrom compared to the Canon flashes?

Nissin is a brand out there boasting they are Ettl compatible. I don't have one, I am actually considering getting one as they are a bit cheaper...... but everyone always is saying you get what you pay for ! I think the Nissin 622i is compatible with or between the 430 and 580 as for power. But $170 VS $370 for a 580 ex2 is $ 200 saving.... you can get 2 of these for the price of one !

Anyone have any REAL TIME experience with these and do they work wireless like they SAY they do with the 580 ?

Scott.

[40Dude6aedyk]

I have both a genuine Canon 580 EXII and a genuine Sigma EF-530 DG Super. The Sigma cost $215 and does practically everything the 580EX II does. The Sigma can be used as a master or a slave, and does a few things the Canon cannot do.

The thing that is missing is that my Canon 40D does not recognize the Sigma as a master flash, so I need to use the buttons on the Sigma itself to use it as a master. I will say that I do not use it as a master since I have the Canon 580EX II which does a better job as a master. The 580EX II or the camera itself can control the Sigma as a slave in either ETTL or manual mode.

[Scott Vogan]

.... Sigma EF-530 ....... The 580EX II or the camera itself can control the Sigma as a slave in either ETTL or manual mode.

I am going to consider that. That is some great info, thanks. I wasn't aware of this Sigma model. It is just slightly less powerful than the Canon 580, so that would be a better choice over an off brand unit ! I have a Sigma lens that I just LOVE ... almost as much as my Canon EF-S..... almost :lol: !

GUIDE NUMBER COMPARISONS : You check the price, I am not advertising.... I know what one I am getting. :)

Nissin 622 144 ft @ ISO100, @ 105mm
Sigma EF-530 174 ft @ ISO100, @ 105mm
Canon 580 EXII 190 ft @ ISO100, @ 105mm
Canon 430 EXII 141 ft @ ISO100, @ 105mm

Thanks again !

Scott

[babekha_2]

sorry, I don't have a flash so I'm not sure. . . whats the difference between master and slave?

Thanks for email Scott, I will look into thos

[Grentz]

Master is the unit that is controlling the slaves.You will have one master and one or more slaves controlled by the single master in a multiflash setup. With Canon flashes, the 420/430ex work as slaves only while the 550/580ex work as Masters or Slaves.

This is just for using multiple flashes though, all work mounted to the hot shoe directly.

[Wilt]

Is there another company that sells a flash like the 430ex or 520ex by Canon? And in your opinion, how do they perfrom compared to the Canon flashes?

Metz 44AF4C would be Canon wireless compatible and a bit more powerful, and (in Auto mode) a much more reliable, exposure-wise.

[tkbslc]

Sunpak PZ42xc is really close, but lacks High speed sync. Really only an issue if you'll be using it outdoors at high shutter speed. It is about $50 cheaper

Sigma 530 ST is a bit cheaper, but lack the manual controls and high speed sync.

[ssracer]

Good prices on that first posted site

[KPBara]

Sunpak PZ42xc is really close, but lacks High speed sync. Really only an issue if you'll be using it outdoors at high shutter speed. It is about $50 cheaper

Sigma 530 ST is a bit cheaper, but lack the manual controls and high speed sync.

Could you comment on how these two flashes compare?

I like the Sunpak's small size but read somewhere that it may have compatibility issues?

Also, I thought the Sigma 530 has manual controls.

[tkbslc]

Could you comment on how these two flashes compare?

I like the Sunpak's small size but read somewhere that it may have compatibility issues?

Also, I thought the Sigma 530 has manual controls.

This particular Sunpak is not any smaller than a 430EX. it is fully compatible with any ETTL canon camera. You may be thinking of some of the older models.

The 530 Super has lots of manual controls, but costs MORE than a 430EX. The cheap version, the 530 ST has very limited manual controls. For, example, the flash output only has 2 settings. 1/16 and full.

[KPBara]

This particular Sunpak is not any smaller than a 430EX. it is fully compatible with any ETTL canon camera. You may be thinking of some of the older models.

The 530 Super has lots of manual controls, but costs MORE than a 430EX. The cheap version, the 530 ST has very limited manual controls. For, example, the flash output only has 2 settings. 1/16 and full.

Thanks. I didn't realize the 530 ST had no other settings between 1/16 and full. The Sunpak would seem a better value, then. Would you know if it is as powerful? The Sunpak's GN is 42M at 35mm. How does that compare to the Sigma's 53M at 105mm?
Regarding size, I was just noting that the Sunpak is 9 oz and the Canon almost 12 oz.