G12 and 430 EX flash-so what do you think ?

I tried one on my G12 today. Boy am I impressed. The quality of light is...no surprise...much better than the in camera flash.

I like the features, the tilt sideways and bounce ability.

It is big, it is heavy for a small camera....but the G12 seems to be a tough and robustly built small camera and I have faith in it that it can handle...what seems to be an oversize flash.

Canon indicates that the G12 can be used with both the 430 and the 580...so theu seem to have the same confidence.

I'm thinking of buying one. It would only be used for my G12....as all my DSLR equipment ...and there's lot's is Pentax....so no connections, I'm assuming. Anyways I have the Pentax equivalent of the 430 ....the Pentax 360 flash...for the Pentax stuff.

Questions I have :

• Anyone have a 430 that they use with there G series , particularly the G 11/12 ? Good, bad or ugly...issues...or non issues ?
  
• The 430 is heavy...if you have used on the G series...is it too heavy, too much of a strain on the hot shoe...or does everything seem to be just fine ?
  
• Would you recommend anything else...or does the 430 seem to offer the most punch and features for the G12 application ? I know the 580 offers even more..but...out of budget and too big, even for me.
  

I use the 430EX II with my G9 and G11. It works fine for me, and I don't consider it too big. I like the ability to swivel the flash head, and it also works with the ST-E2 wireless transmitter I have. However, a lot of other folks have opted for a smaller size with a bounce head, the 270EX, or the newer 270EX II. The smaller ones do not have a swivel head.

http://www.usa.canon.c​om …as/speedlite_fl​ash_lineup

Dennis

I use a 430EXII on my G11, which is essentially the same camera as the G12.

I am very pleased with the results, especially when I bounce off the ceiling for softer lighting.

Yes it is a bit big but certainly not too huge for comfortable use. When I carry the camera with flash attached, I cradle it in my hand the way you would hold a newborn baby, head in hand, body on the arm. Flash in hand, camera resting on my arm.

When I set it down, I lay it down so both flash and camera are resting on whatever I set it on. The hot shoe is plenty strong enough to handle it.

I started with a 380 on my G9, but quickly went to the 430 instead. I like the swivel and tilt feature.

If you can live with its limitations, the size/weight/appearance of the 270EX complement the G12 very well, I think.

Note you also may be able to just use your Pentax flash...I've used a Nikon SB-28 with my G12 sucessfully.

G11/12 work great with 430ex and 580ex, as well as with Metz flashguns, but the camera becomes a bit top/side heavy , so I much prefer to use a small 270ex with my G11.

Thanks for the input , much appreciated. I will ensure I use the 'handling' recommendations, Bob'sYour Uncle. Ever watch the excellent movie, 'Frenzy' by Alfred Hitchcock ? They use that phrase in the dialogue...one of the characters. Great movie...don't want to give the plot away..

AGold...where did you get that camera frame for your G12 and 430 ? Neat unit.

denncald wrote in post #12019845
I use the 430EX II with my G9 and G11. It works fine for me, and I don't consider it too big. I like the ability to swivel the flash head, and it also works with the ST-E2 wireless transmitter I have. However, a lot of other folks have opted for a smaller size with a bounce head, the 270EX, or the newer 270EX II. The smaller ones do not have a swivel head.

http://www.usa.canon.c​om …as/speedlite_fl​ash_lineup

Dennis

Picked up a 430 today.
The feature you cite....swivel and bounce...also power...those are reasons I got the 430 EX. I think I will be happy with it.

walternewton wrote in post #12021092
If you can live with its limitations, the size/weight/appearance of the 270EX complement the G12 very well, I think.They had sold out of 270's, but I've seen them before...nice compact flash.

Note you also may be able to just use your Pentax flash...I've used a Nikon SB-28 with my G12 sucessfully.

Appreciate the question...as a result of your input I asked the camera store clerk and they said they thought I could use my Pentax 360 on the G12...probably wouldn't have all the features of the Canon camera or the Pentax flash...but should work in a basic way.

Lesmore wrote in post #12026332
Picked up a 430 today.
The feature you cite....swivel and bounce...also power...those are reasons I got the 430 EX. I think I will be happy with it.

You "think" you'll be happy with it.

I KNOW you will be happy with it!!

BobsYourUncle wrote in post #12026357
You "think" you'll be happy with it.

I KNOW you will be happy with it!!

I've tried it out a few times today. So far, very impressive. I shot at 80 ISO and aperture priority, F8, I think.

Picture quality at this ISO, F stop and using the 430 EX...seems remarkable for a small sensor.

The camera does feel a bit over balanced with the weight and size of the 430....overwhelming the G 12...a bit.

I am working at cradling the G and the 430, as per your suggestion.

I regularly use the older 420EX on my G12 and find it very useful.

Lesmore wrote in post #12026321
..where did you get that camera frame for your G12 and 430 ? Neat unit.

\
That's a Hama folding flash bracket:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ding_L_Flash_Br​acket.html

You will need a short TTL cord to use a flash on a bracket, the Canon cord is quite expensive, I use a YongNuo TTL cord, was about $13 including P&P from HK.

Any of the EX guns will work really well, so take your pick from 580 EX II, 580EX, 550EX, 430EXII, 430EX, 420EX, 380EX, 270EX, 220EX, MR-14EX as well as the MT-24EX. As pointed out the bigger guns are better mounted on a flash bracket as when combined with a G are a bit top heavy. You do not have to buy new, so you can save some money on a second-hand unit.

Points worth remembering, flash are basically in 3 groups, those that will work as Masters and Slaves (580 EX II, 580EX, 550EX and the ring flashes MR-14EX, MT-24EX) – this means they can control other flashes, work in groups and change the output ratio between the groups. Slaves (430EXII, 430EX, 420EX) – these can be controlled by Master Guns and simple units (380EX, 270EX, 220EX). The other exception is the small ST-E2 which is a flash controller and acts like a mini master and can be used to control up to 2 x groups - flash really starts to give far better results when moved away from the camera.

While the simpler guns are nice and small they do have some useful features but to move to the next level the bigger guns give far great flexibility – if you want more info I would suggest you look at K Guy’s wonderful web site - Flash Photography with Canon EOS Cameras - http://photonotes.org/​articles/eos-flash

Also you are not just restricted to Canon EX kit, you can use other guns very successfully, some of the older kit does have higher voltage so do some research first – a really great flash resource is http://www.strobist.bl​ogspot.com - be warned going that route can be damaging on your wallet, but it does give amazing results…

i get a YN465 Canon mount, i hope the TTL work fine...

I've used the 430EX on the G11 a few times and it works really well. I don't think I'd use it as an everyday solution b/c I don't like how top heavy it is, but it works. Most of the time if I'm in a static environment (holiday, family get-together, etc) I will use the 430EX off-camera in combination with a couple of Nikon SB-26's using wireless CTR-301P triggers/receivers and I find that works better for my style of shooting. That of-course gets more into "strobist" type of photography, but I'm very pleased with the outcome of my photos using that technique.