430EX vs 430EX II

[223waynet]

Can someone explain the differences between these two flashes? I need a small flash for use on a macro bracket. Will be using it on a 40D and 5D MK II. Would like for it to be TTL (setting own exposure) Will both flashes do this?

[tim]

430EX II is a bit easier to use.

[Familiaphoto]

They both will do ETTL. The 430EXII has a better interface as you can control it from your 5DII and has a 20% faster recycle time according to the canon literature. With that said I would recommend a 580EXII as a primary on camera flash if it were me.

[apersson850]

I wouldn't call neither the 580 EX II nor the 430 EX II "small", however.

But when it comes to flashes, "small" is often equivalent to "nearly worthless".

[Rendition]

Difference, new fast locking system as opposed to the old screw-to-tighten, quiter recycling sound and... they say faster recycling by I-cant-recall-exactly-but-i-think-less-than 20%.

Why I hate the locking system? cuz it has been giving problems when I want to use it off-shoe. It doesn't sit or rather, LOCK, fully on many hot-shoe umbrella holders I've tried. Actually, Nikon has this fast-locking thing too and I've heard users experiencing same problem as me.

But hey... if you don't do off-shoe, why not settle for the latest. Price's the same.

[borism]

http://photonotes.org/cgi-bin/flash-lookup.pl?flash1=canon430ex&flash2=canon430exii&flash3=canon580exii


May be this chart can help in case you haven't seen it before

[Najo]

I have both, with the II the recycle time is a bit faster and you have more control using in camera settings and also 1/3 stop increments. The locking system has not bothered me and I use FlashZebra's hotshoe #0126 (http://www.flashzebra.com/products/0126/index.shtml) also it is a metal hotshoe. As far as ETTL I don't think you will find much difference.

[Green Li]

Can someone explain the differences between these two flashes? I need a small flash for use on a macro bracket. Will be using it on a 40D and 5D MK II. Would like for it to be TTL (setting own exposure) Will both flashes do this?

Hi 223waynet,

I have a short review comparing Canon 430EX and 430EX II: http://photo.greenlightstreet.com/www/index.php?/publisher/articleview/frmArticleID/8/

http://photo.greenlightstreet.com/www/images/reviews/canon-430ex-vs-canon-430ex-ii/images-big/canon-430ex-vs-canon-430ex-ii-pre-2.jpg

I'm going to publish a more detailed review a bit later.
Hope this helps.

[223waynet]

Thanks for all the good info. I think I will be happy with the 430 I just purchased on ebay. THANKS