580ex or 430ex II?

[MikeZip007]

I'm looking into getting another slave flash and don't know if I should get the 580ex or the 430ex II? Comments for or against one or the other?

[Tiberius47]

I use a [pair of 430 II as slaves, controlled by a master 580. They work nice. :)

[dtfuzzy]

You don't say what you have now as far as master/slave?

[jxg]

^ +1 I have a 430EX as a slave, which is also nice as a primary if I want to travel light

[apersson850]

I use 580 EX II only, both as slave and master.
Only one thing to learn, same power from all.
Besides, one 580 EX II has almost the power of two 430 EX II, so it's cheaper and smaller in relation to the capacity.

[Tiberius47]

But you only get one light. With two 430s, you get two lights, and you don't need the extra power of the 580 unless you have the flashes mounted a long way from your subject. Two lights gives you greater flexibility with your lighting setups.

And the 430 isn't that different in operation to the 580.

[aram535]

I'm actually confused by the OP. Sounds like you have a 580EX or 580EX II already, so you have a wireless master, why get another 580? What's the advantage in doing so? The original 580 has had a lot of issues and problems with overheating so I would stay from it as much as possible.

If you're going to go non-TTL wireless (PW, Cyber, poppers, etc) than you're better off going with Vivitar's as they are cheaper, faster, and somewhat lighter -- although a little more boxy.