430EXII versus 580EX II

I own a 430 EX II and there is nothing wrong with it.

I see 580 EX II's coming up for sale and wonder if it's worth buying one and moving mine on.

I'm a newbie and don't, as yet do anything creative with flashes but who who knows once I start developing my skills.

I mostly use a flash in a disco environment, people dancing etc. As yet I've not done any off camera flash photography.

So if anybody can give me three reasons why I should make the upgrade or should I stay put.

Many thanks.

I was in your predicament not long ago myself.

Then i got a 580EXII and a copy of the speedliters handbook, and fell in love with everything flash, i own 3 now, they're addictive once you start playing.

The 580's can trigger other units (inc the 430), the 430 can't trigger, it can only receive.
The 580 has more power, useful when you want to overpower the sun (though not much of that in a club lol, well maybe Space in Ibiza).
The 580 plugs and plays with PocketWizards, the 430 needs other bits.

And the controls are easier to use, i found the buttons on the 430 so fiddly, the 580 are more like proper buttons.

I've just gone the opposite way - sold my 580 EXII and bought a 430 EXII. For my needs, the 580 was overdoing it.

I put the money saved toward a set of Pixel King triggers.

The best thing about the 580 over the 430 is how much more flexible rotating the flash head is - that's really the only dislike I have on my 430s

If you're fine with the 430, don't get the 580.

What I prefer about the 580 -

-as said above, easier to rotate
- built-in PC port (if you do want to use it off camera)
- dial instead of buttons makes it easier to adjust flash power
- can adjust power down to 1/128 (I find this more useful than the additional power over the 430)

Thank you all for the reply. I'm at just as confused.com

I was in the oposite position and bought a 430EX II to complement my 580EX II.
I hate the 430EX II it's got longer recycle times eats more batteries the button layout is a disaster it's flimsy and don't have an RC port.

The 430 is ok because it cane be slaved to the 580 and with a hotshoe attachment accepts RC cables.
It does it's job but it's only something i use as a slave to the 580

Mark Anthony wrote in post #14352439
The 580 plugs and plays with PocketWizards, the 430 needs other bits.

I don't know what bits you mean; they're the same in this way, and in fact some people have problems with the 580 and PWs.

Darkwand wrote in post #14358654
I hate the 430EX II it's got longer recycle times eats more batteries the button layout is a disaster it's flimsy and don't have an RC port.

Not sure why it would eat more batteries compared to a 580. I haven't heard that complaint before. The controls are definitely more fiddley. The buttons (and the swivel) can be improved with some modification but that's not for everyone.

However, the OP is asking about the 580, so I'll say that the biggest reason I (as a 430 owner) would get the 580 is for more swivel, followed by external power. However, neither is a big deal for me and I'm happy with the smaller size of the 430. I'm not a power user and don't need to be constantly adjusting the power. If you shoot manual flash a lot, the 580 is WAY easier to control.

I had one 430EX and liked it so much that I also purchased a 430EX II. Both are great flashes, and both work very well as wireless slaves controlled by the pop-up on my 60D. You can do the same with your 7D. I have no desire to ever own the larger and more expensive 580EX, which is only 2/3 stop more powerful. Learn to use your 430EX II off camera, then get a second one.

Darkwand wrote in post #14358654
I hate the 430EX II it's got longer recycle times

The 430ex2 cycles faster than a 580ex2

Can you take the 430 off the camera and set it off manually like with the 580? You know, by hitting the button.

AntonLargiader wrote in post #14359016
I don't know what bits you mean; they're the same in this way, and in fact some people have problems with the 580 and PWs.

I can't remember my 430 having the port for the pw to plug straight into?

THE Phreak wrote in post #14360735
Can you take the 430 off the camera and set it off manually like with the 580? You know, by hitting the button.

Yes. Also, you can set it to manual on the flash, and then the pop-up on the 60D, T3i, and 7D will simply trigger it. Alternatively, you can use the pop-up to trigger all wireless flashes manually and adjust the power settings at the camera. The 430EX is very flexible and works very well with Canon pop-up wireless.

Mark Anthony wrote in post #14361525
I can't remember my 430 having the port for the pw to plug straight into?

Ahh, you must be thinking Plus 2, etc. Right; the 430 has no port. I was thinking TT1/TT5.

HughR wrote in post #14361892
Yes. Also, you can set it to manual on the flash, and then the pop-up on the 60D, T3i, and 7D will simply trigger it. Alternatively, you can use the pop-up to trigger all wireless flashes manually and adjust the power settings at the camera. The 430EX is very flexible and works very well with Canon pop-up wireless.

This.

If you haven't started playing around with flash yet, keep your 430 and start playing. The 430 is a good flash and you won't feel limited.

Play around with off camera flash as well. You already have every thing you need to do it. Check the link in my signature for a tutorial on the Canon wireless flash system.