Will the 430 EXII be enough for me?

I'm currently entertaining the idea of a 30mm 1.4 Sigma or a 430EXII flash for my European cruise at the end of the summer. Destinations include Rome (St. Peter's & Colosseum), Amalfi Coast, Taormina, Sicily, and some island off of Turkey.

I'd like to be able to get some mid-day family portraits as well as some nice ones aboard the ship, and inside buildings at the various locations - I think we're wine tasting at one or two ports of call. I think a flash will be more useful for me at this time.

Because I have the 7D, it already is a master and that seems to be the driving point for initially going with a 580.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Well, the 430EX is working fine with my 7D and I have yet to need more power. I use in outdoors for fill light and inside rooms bouncing the light from ceilings, usually 10-15' high.

Should I ever need more power I would also consider this: Speedlite.

I agree that the flash will likely be more useful than the lens. You already have a lens with a relatively wide aperture (the 50mm) and you already have the wide angles covered. Go for the 430EXII; before your trip, practice using it off-camera with the built-in wireless control in the 7D, and practice bouncing it off walls and ceilings to soften the output.

Note that the wireless control is a signal that's embedded in a small burst of light emitted from the pop-up flash. When you use the wireless control, you can use the off-camera flash with or without fill from the pop-up flash - but the pop-up flash will send that small signal-flash even if it's not contributing to the lighting in the photo.

A flash would definitely be useful for fill on midday family shoots.

A flash is useless in museums where flash is not allowed. A low light capable lens is what you'll need here.

430exii will probably be enough for your needs unless there's something the 580exii can provide that the 430exii can't. Your 7d has wireless optical (which negates the 580exii acting as master) as you've already pointed out.

I'd probably go with a flash, though.

If it was me, I would go with the Sigma 30 over the flash for your vacation. In my eyes, it's just one more thing to have with you, and mess with. I know my friends and Family would get annoyed with me if I took longer than 2 seconds to take a picture, however, you might have more willing participants. I think the focal length of the 30 is great on a crop body, I absolutely love my Sigmalux on the 5DII. Also, in low light the 7D handles noise really well, and the wide aperture of the 30 would help, too. For my taste the 50 is a little long on a crop body as a general purpose lens.

I have an upcoming Vacation, too. I will be taking a lightstand, umbrella, and the 580exII with me to get one group shot, and after that it will stay in my suitcase. I've decided I need to enjoy this vacation as much as possible..

silvrbullet wrote in post #12745769
If it was me, I would go with the Sigma 30 over the flash for your vacation. In my eyes, it's just one more thing to have with you, and mess with. I know my friends and Family would get annoyed with me if I took longer than 2 seconds to take a picture, however, you might have more willing participants. I think the focal length of the 30 is great on a crop body, I absolutely love my Sigmalux on the 5DII. Also, in low light the 7D handles noise really well, and the wide aperture of the 30 would help, too. For my taste the 50 is a little long on a crop body as a general purpose lens.

I have an upcoming Vacation, too. I will be taking a lightstand, umbrella, and the 580exII with me to get one group shot, and after that it will stay in my suitcase. I've decided I need to enjoy this vacation as much as possible..

I hear you. I'm only 22; however, this will likely be the last family vacation. Thank god we're not doing museums or churches. When we went on a similar itinerary a couple years ago we covered them. St. Peter's is another story especially with a UWA!

I think I might be able to pull off both! Not too worried about carrying it, I can leave what i dont want in the safe on the ship and its going to fit in my travel bag regardless.