Am I a fool....

[adauria]

(wait don't answer yet until you read the rest)

.... for planning to buy a 420EX tonight??

Should I just wait for the 430EX? I don't want to spend the $300 list price of the 430EX, or even more than $200 for my first flash. And I really want a flash soon. To make it worse, these Amazon gift certicates are burning a hole in my pocket.

On the other hand, if that 430EX comes out and it sells for $200 street price, I'll be real upset.

Any thoughts? Should I wait, or should I pull the trigger tonight?

Thanks!!

-Andrew

[jesusdelallata]

Adorama is selling the 430EX for $299.00 I'm sure everyone else will be in the same range.

[adauria]

Ok, then, how about if I could get the Sigma 500 EG Super for about $40 more than the 420EX??? Should I go for the Sigma for general purpose flash, or stick with the 420EX??

Thanks!!

-Andrew

[alfa1six4]

You can compare the Sigma 500dg super and 420ex/430ex here:

PhotoNotes (http://photonotes.org/lookup/)

The Sigma is most often said to be comparable to the Canon 550ex.

[adauria]

Thanks for the link, professor!! Very helpful.

-Andrew

[adauria]

OK, took the plunge (it was only $6 after I applied my Amazon gift certificates). Maybe I am a fool, but from what it sounds like on this forum, you can never have too many flash units. And there's always ebay....

-Andrew

[wareseeker]

If you keep waiting so when you gonna have one to use

[scottbergerphoto]

The 420EX and 430EX are very different flash units. The 430EX has full Manual controls and designed to take advantage of flash enabled features of ETTL2 (white balance and sensor size). It also recycles 40% faster then the 420EX.

[Snapman]

The 420EX and 430EX are very different flash units. The 430EX has full Manual controls and designed to take advantage of flash enabled features of ETTL2 (white balance and sensor size). It also recycles 40% faster then the 420EX.
Already owning a 550EX, I wish the new 430EX could be used as a trigger so I could mount it on my camera's hot shoe and use the heavier 550EX as a slave.

[MadMesh]

OK, took the plunge (it was only $6 after I applied my Amazon gift certificates). Maybe I am a fool, but from what it sounds like on this forum, you can never have too many flash units. And there's always ebay....

-Andrew

You can always buy more later, and use a master/slave setup... That was my plan. Im still waiting on another 420ex...

[Ballen Photo]

You can compare the Sigma 500dg super and 420ex/430ex here:

PhotoNotes (http://photonotes.org/lookup/)
Thanks for posting this. I used their comparison charts and didn't really notice any major advantage the new 580EX has over the 550EX. :shock: The biggest difference I found was that the 580 weighs 30 gms less (No big deal to me.) And with the diffuser panels down the 580 will support a 14mm lens vs the 550's 17mm. :rolleyes: that and aside from the 580 having a miniscule advantage in GN, the specs looked almost identical. I think I'll stick with the 550 for now. ;)
-Bruce

[scottbergerphoto]

Thanks for posting this. I used their comparison charts and didn't really notice any major advantage the new 580EX has over the 550EX. :shock: The biggest difference I found was that the 580 weighs 30 gms less (No big deal to me.) And with the diffuser panels down the 580 will support a 14mm lens vs the 550's 17mm. :rolleyes: that and aside from the 580 having a miniscule advantage in GN, the specs looked almost identical. I think I'll stick with the 550 for now. ;)
-Bruce
I was faced with a similiar decision two weeks ago. I needed another 550 or a 580. I ultimately decided on a 580EX due to it's 25% longer battery lfe, faster recycling and start up to ready time, ETTL2 enabled features-wb and sensor size and white pull out card.

[robertwgross]

Already owning a 550EX, I wish the new 430EX could be used as a trigger so I could mount it on my camera's hot shoe and use the heavier 550EX as a slave.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but wouldn't it be a hell of a lot easier to use the 550EX as the master and let the 430EX go as a slave?

---Bob Gross---

[Ballen Photo]

I was faced with a similiar decision two weeks ago. I needed another 550 or a 580. I ultimately decided on a 580EX due to it's 25% longer battery lfe, faster recycling and start up to ready time, ETTL2 enabled features-wb and sensor size and white pull out card.Dont get me wrong, If I were in the market for another big gun flash, I'd certainly look at the 580 for those reasons, however, according to a review I read about Sanyo 2500 ma NMH rechargeables, the longer battery life can be addressed in that fashion as well. Now we're down to recycling time. How much faster is the recycling time? :rolleyes:
-Bruce

[Ballen Photo]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but wouldn't it be a hell of a lot easier to use the 550EX as the master and let the 430EX go as a slave?
Bob, I think Snapmans concern is getting the heavier flash off the camera. :rolleyes:
-Bruce

[Snapman]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but wouldn't it be a hell of a lot easier to use the 550EX as the master and let the 430EX go as a slave?

---Bob Gross---

Haha, Yes Bob, as Bruce has realised, I feel it would be better to be able to use the lighter unit on my camera. Also, the 430EX can compensate for the 1.6 crop factor - not on my 300D but would be useful on my new 20D if or when I get it :)

[MadMesh]

I was faced with a similiar decision two weeks ago. I needed another 550 or a 580. I ultimately decided on a 580EX due to it's 25% longer battery lfe, faster recycling and start up to ready time, ETTL2 enabled features-wb and sensor size and white pull out card.

what is that white pull out card for? Its in there.. but i never use it hahahah

[MadMesh]

Dont get me wrong, If I were in the market for another big gun flash, I'd certainly look at the 580 for those reasons, however, according to a review I read about Sanyo 2500 ma NMH rechargeables, the longer battery life can be addressed in that fashion as well. Now we're down to recycling time. How much faster is the recycling time? :rolleyes:
-Bruce

Bigger the better my friend.... When you NEED it, its nice to know YOU GOT IT.

I hear the 430 is like 40% faster than the 420ex... Im going to upgrade my slave to the 430ex...

But.. MORE THE BETTER, so i might just keep the 420ex for ****s and giggles... I do like that fact the 430ex has manual modes, so I can mix up my speed lights with strobes if i wanted to. The 420ex would be sittin in the bag if that was teh case.

[scottbergerphoto]

what is that white pull out card for? Its in there.. but i never use it hahahah
The white pull out card takes the place of an Omnibounce. Indoors, you put the flash at 45-90 degree bounce and pull out the card. It directs light forward to put some light directly on the subject.

[MadMesh]

The white pull out card takes the place of an Omnibounce. Indoors, you put the flash at 45-90 degree bounce and pull out the card. It directs light forward to put some light directly on the subject.

fantastic - you learn something new everyday