Which external flash??

[Methodical]

I'm thinking of getting an external flash for my camera for indoor photograph - 1st being my daughter's birthday party but unsure which to get. I recall seeing a canon flash 430 or 530 but I am not educated on flashes though. Can someone provide some insight or a link with the some education of flashes.

Thanks

Al

[p360]

Hi Al

I recently purchased a Canon 580EX II; it's the best one available. I really like it.

This thread was a tremendous help for me:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138907

Good luck.

[swidjaja]

It's easy. If your budget allows, 580. If not, 430. 580 has faster recycle time and more controls. I am not too expert so I rarely take advantage of the manual controls, but the faster recycle time is very useful.

I have both, and I found myself using 580 most of the time despite its extra weight.

[keener]

I had a 580EX I, and upgraded to the EX II. The faster recycling time was well worth it. I also shoot a lot of studio stuff with the flash off shoe, using wireless triggers. The 580EXII has a dedicated PC sync port for this purpose, very handy! If you can afford it, get the 580EXII, otherwise the 430EX will be enough light output. Not everyone needs all the bells and whistles.

[amfoto1]

When you get the flash, also get a flash bracket (there are many brands) and an off camera shoe cord. This will make for far better flash shots, than usual ones using the flash in the hot shoe of the camera.

Moving the flash off-camera, a little to one side or the other and a little above, helps reduce redeye and hide shadows behind your subject. It's much nicer than head-on flash.

[keener]

or just learn to bounce your flash off of the walls and ceilings, rather than pointing it directly at your subject. Makes a huge difference!

[Amamba]

430 or 580. Both are excellent. My biggest gripe with 580 (apart from cost difference) was its size, so make sure to check if it's OK for you. So far I find 430 to be all I need and more. I am actually surprised how long the batteries last.

[RPCrowe]

Both the 430EX and 580EX are great flashes. The 580EX is more expensive, bigger and heavier, more powerful and can be used as a master, while the 430Ex cannot.

If budget is a consideration; a used 550EX or 420EX are very viable flash units which can be had, on the used market, at a fraction of the price of a new flash. The 550EX can be used either as master or slave while the 430EX can be used as a slave only in multiple flash setups.

[BLACK MAMBA]

580EX I or II.. I think the price difference is well worth it. It's always good to know you have the power when u have to kick it up a knotch

:)

[AlanU]

Just noticed the price increase on the flashes in the US. $420 for the 580exII and $244 for the 430EXII.

If budget allows I'd go 580EXII without a question. You can buy a cheaper used old nikon sb series flash and fire off it remotely with the 580EXII in master mode.

I cannot tell the difference in weight between the 580EXII or 430EXII. Sure the 430EXII is marginally smaller but its not significantly lighter when it sitting on top of the camera.

Just be careful of buying used flashes. I'd personally disuade buying a used light bulb. I did buy 2 used nikon sb flashes but they are for remote use and not my main flash on camera.

I know between the 430EXII and 580EXII you'll see the power difference. When I use the 430EXII indoors I'll use an FEC of +1/3 to +2/3. Same settings on the camera I'll use 0 to +1/3 with my 580EXII. Changing the FEC settings on the 580EX series is extremely easy with quick dial compared to the brutally cumbersome buttons of the 430EX (II).

[gasrocks]

I thought this was the lens section, hmmmm.

[Methodical]

Well I just bit the bullet. I did some research and pushed the button on the 580ex ii. So it should be here on Friday. I guess the 100mm f2.8 macro will have to wait 'til things get warm around here. Thanks for the advice.

Al

[AlanU]

Well I just bit the bullet. I did some research and pushed the button on the 580ex ii. So it should be here on Friday. I guess the 100mm f2.8 macro will have to wait 'til things get warm around here. Thanks for the advice.

Al

My first flash was the 580EXII. I've purchased 2 new 580EXII's as a hobbyist. I just bought a 430EXII several weeks ago.

I can see a dramatic difference in light output between the two speedlites. The 430EXII is an excellent flash for the money.

You will have no regrets getting the 580EXII. I was soooo use to the quick dial on the 580 and took it for granted. Now that i use the 430EXII in home (heavy useage) the buttons really makes it a task to change the FEC ( I DONT have sausage fingers either)

[40Dude6aedyk]

I was soooo use to the quick dial on the 580 and took it for granted. Now that i use the 430EXII in home (heavy useage) the buttons really makes it a task to change the FEC ( I DONT have sausage fingers either)
That's very interesting because I have never used the 580 dial to change FEC since it seems to be much easier to do that from the camera body without taken one's eye off the viewfinder. Am I doing it wrong? Can one change FEC on the 430EXII when it's attached to the camera?

[PacAce]

That's very interesting because I have never used the 580 dial to change FEC since it seems to be much easier to do that from the camera body without taken one's eye off the viewfinder. Am I doing it wrong? Can one change FEC on the 430EXII when it's attached to the camera?

That's what I do, too, as I, too, find it easier changing the FEC from the camera rather than on the flash itself. The only drawback, if using a camera other than a 1D series camera, is that you're limited to +/- 2 stops of FEC instead of +/- 3 stops available on the flash.

[roszell]

Well I just bit the bullet. I did some research and pushed the button on the 580ex ii. So it should be here on Friday. I guess the 100mm f2.8 macro will have to wait 'til things get warm around here. Thanks for the advice.

Al

Good choice! I bought mine about a week ago.

[SYS]

Okay, so how do you change the FEC from the camera rather than on the flash itself? My body is 40D...

[PacAce]

Okay, so how do you change the FEC from the camera rather than on the flash itself? My body is 40D...

On the 40D, you press the right-most button on the top of the camera (the one behind the shutter button). It's the same button used for the ISO. Then use the quick control dial at the back of the camera to set the FEC value. You should see the metering scale with the FEC index marker on the top LCD and in the viewfinder while you'll setting the FEC.

[SYS]

On the 40D, you press the right-most button on the top of the camera (the one behind the shutter button). It's the same button used for the ISO. Then use the quick control dial at the back of the camera to set the FEC value. You should see the metering scale with the FEC index marker on the top LCD and in the viewfinder while you'll setting the FEC.

I found something interesting... I was doing exactly that prior to asking the question, except the meter point wouldn't move. It turned out that the reason why the FEC control from the camera didn't work was that I had my flash set to FEC +2/3 already. In other words, in order to control from the camera, you'd have to set the flash FEC to +0. If you had already manipulated the FEC setting, then you can't control it from the camera.

[blssdwlf]

I can't speak to the 5D, but on the XTI I change FEC by making the SET button to set FEC (Custom FN01: 2:SET:Flash Exp Comp).


My first flash was the 580EXII. I've purchased 2 new 580EXII's as a hobbyist. I just bought a 430EXII several weeks ago.

I can see a dramatic difference in light output between the two speedlites. The 430EXII is an excellent flash for the money.

You will have no regrets getting the 580EXII. I was soooo use to the quick dial on the 580 and took it for granted. Now that i use the 430EXII in home (heavy useage) the buttons really makes it a task to change the FEC ( I DONT have sausage fingers either)

[PacAce]

I found something interesting... I was doing exactly that prior to asking the question, except the meter point wouldn't move. It turned out that the reason why the FEC control from the camera didn't work was that I had my flash set to FEC +2/3 already. In other words, in order to control from the camera, you'd have to set the flash FEC to +0. If you had already manipulated the FEC setting, then you can't control it from the camera.
That's right and a good point your brought up. The settings on the flash for FEC always overrides whatever is set on the camera so, in order to control these from the camera, the FEC needs to be set to 0 on the flash.

[SYS]

That's right and a good point your brought up. The settings on the flash for FEC always overrides whatever is set on the camera so, in order to control these from the camera, the FEC needs to be set to 0 on the flash.

Thanks for the confirmation. Things I learn by accident... :)