Additional 580EX?

I use a 580EX II flash and a Speedlight ST-E2 transmitter.
For an additional flash, is there any reason to use another 580EX, or will the lower priced model do a sufficient secondary fill or backlight job?

Thanks for any advice
Trailguy

I use the 430EXIIs in combination with the 580EXII and ST-E2 all the time, in fact I like their being lighter weight. They both give me the same light output into a 60" reflective umbrella. The biggest advantage for me with the 580EXII is the head rotates more.

I would get the 430exII. As long as you use your 580 as the key you won't loose any power because your fill will, by definition, be a couple of stops dimmer. Plus, the 430 is smaller and lighter so you would now have another option when overall power isn't a concern. Not to mention it will save you a couple hundred bucks!

I just did the same thing but in the other direction. I had a 430 and just bought a used 580 from KEH.

One thing to consider is that if you get another 580EX/EXII, you could use that on camera as the master in place of the ST-E2 and potentially sell the ST-E2 to help fund a third speedlite.

430EX II is a good choice and can save you almost 100$ over 580EX , I think 430EX II recharged faster than 580EX if this is concern.

If you look around, you can probably buy two 430ex (the original version) for the cost of the extra 580exII. Plus the 430ex and 430exII dont have the reported problems with HSS that some 580exII's have exhibited.

stick with another 580ex. the 430ex recycle time will inhibit you from using it when you want to shoot consecutive shots in which power is needed.

munzzzzzzz wrote in post #13319982
One thing to consider is that if you get another 580EX/EXII, you could use that on camera as the master in place of the ST-E2 and potentially sell the ST-E2 to help fund a third speedlite.

That's an interesting thought, except I don't really need a third light. But thanks for the idea. I'll give it some more thought.

trailguy wrote in post #13320995
That's an interesting thought, except I don't really need a third light. But thanks for the idea. I'll give it some more thought.

The downside with that idea is that you are putting your best flash, the one that costs $400 plus on the camera where it does the least good, simply to use it as a master.

Yeah... If you are using it as fill, it helps. If it is only a controller... A little harder to justify.

The difference in power output between the 580exII and 430exII is only about 0.6 stops maximum. Which is at the tele zoom end. When used at the wide end (for umbrellas and stuff), the difference is even less. The 430exII recycles much faster than the 580exII (without battery pack). If used for fill and when you need a smaller (but still powerfull) solution, the value of the 430 exII is hard to beat.