430EX owners- regret not having 580EX?

Yes, this is another 'which one should I buy?' post. I've read all the stickys and a lot of the related threads and they have been very helpful. Really want to save some money and go with the 430EX, and it seems to be all I'll need but I'm still not sure.

So for any of you 430EX users - are there many situations where you wish you had the 580EX? Thanks!

I have yet to come across any situations where I needed the 580. I do not shoot professionally, only stuff of the family, wildlife, and dabble in some macro. The 430 is THE BEST purchase I have made.

I had the 430EX and 580Ex.. sold the 430 because I didnt use it enough. It was a great flash, but only needing one I kept the better of the 2. If your not using your flash all that much, then the 430 is perfect.

love the 430ex...I don't really know what the 580 would give me...I don't shoot pro, but I can tell you at a family wedding I went manual on the 430 and went full power at the reception to just see how much of the dark room would be lit and it was more than enough to see detail at 60+ feet, although most of everything close was blown out. I really just did it to get an idea of the power that the 430 gave me. For the money I think it was the best thing I ever got.

I am a pro shooter and I love my 430EX. The 580EX offers a bit more power, but in those situations I find myself using Normans anyways. Each situation is different though, so look at what you need the flash for and decide.

I just got the 430ex due to its size, and I couldnt happier. I dont shoot alot of flash so I got the smaller and cheaper of the 2. If you dont use it much, I suggest you get the 430ex.

I got the 430ex for a month now and it has handled all the situation i've ran into. It really depends what your needs are. The 430ex is definately perfect for me, and just couldn't justify the added price and size for the additional power and features of the 580ex.

So far it sounds like most of you 430 owners have no regrets. I think it's the way for me to go. Thanks for the knowledgable input.

The 430 is a great flash - I have both. The 580 is more powerful - maybe a cosideration if you use bounce a lot - I would be quite happy with the 430 though.

I'm trying to decide between the two - does the 580 generate more natural looking results than the 430? For me that'll be the deciding factor.

jli86 wrote in post #2148311
does the 580 generate more natural looking results than the 430?

Generating natural looking results is a matter of skill and experience, not so much technology. Learning how to bounce the flash, select the most appropriate diffusion device (if any), and balancing flash with ambient light are all skills which take some time to learn.

What the extra stop of power (of the 580 vs. the 430) gives you is the ability to use a smaller aperture or a lower ISO setting in a given situation. In some situations this translates into better image quality through greater depth-of-field or less digital noise. But again, some skill is required to make the most of your flash unit's power, and to know when that power is needed.

I'll be the odd one here and say I've had my 430EX for a year and I've used it on one occasion. Hooray for fast glass. That being said, I'm debating selling my 430EX but would hate to need it one day. I think the people who need a 580EX are few and far between among the hobbyist level, unless they have a very task specific use for it (such as using it as a master).

What I miss in the 430 is the size... The 580 is bigger and heavier....

I have the 430 and I bought it based on cost and need. I don't use a flash often and it has done what I have asked of it whenever I have needed it.

I am considering a 580 - because it will act as a master and I could use the 430 as a slave from a different direction - but it won't happen anytime soon because of my infrequent need for flash.

Sold my 430, to me it did not have enough power when bounced, your needs may differ. I like the metz 54 flashes better then the canons.