430EX II

[sanderd]

Hi,

I am looking to buy a new 430EX II external flash gun. However, just before I pressed the buy button I noticed a post on here which said the 430 will not swivel 180 degrees.

BUT, I have read elsewhere that it does ;)

Could someone please clarify if the 430EX does or does not tilt and swivel ?

Thanks,
Doug.

[rdricks]

Yes, the 430EX tilts and swivels.

[smorter]

It swivels 180 degrees to one side only, the other side only goes to 90 degrees (the 580EXII swivels 180 degrees both ways)

It tilts a full 180 degrees (the 580EXII tilts 187 degrees)

I recommend you get a 580EXII

[sanderd]

How much of a limitation is the "180 degrees in one direction" in reality ?

I do not have a budget to cover a 580ex

[smorter]

It's annoying to say the least, and potentially can cost you the shot if you're in a fast environment where you don't have time to reposition yourself

For family shots etc, the 430EXII is more than capable

The 580EXII has a lot of better features like faster recycling, battery pack compatibility, FEB etc, but if you don't need them (i.e. don't photograph for time critical things or professionally) the 430EXII is more than capable

[sanderd]

Many thanks for your help. 'Buy' button here I come !

[Roy Webber]

Many thanks for your help. 'Buy' button here I come !
Go buy! :)

[apersson850]

The disadvantage of not having swivel more than 90° to the right is that when you shoot in portrait mode, you can only reach straight up, not a bit behind you. So if you want to bounce at the corner between wall and ceiling behind you, you are lost. Or have to hold the camera in the upside-down portrait mode.

The tilt down 7° is to allow the bottom part of the image to be illuminated when shooting at short range.

The 580 EX II can be a master in a multi-flash system, the 430 EX II a slave only.

For ordinary work, the 430 EX II is just fine, as stated above.

[smorter]

Yeah I personally never recommend the 430EXII anymore, but from a budget standpoint, I think no amount of persuasion from me would have convinced him/her otherwise :(