430 Ex Flash + Better Beamer for Birding

I am thinking of going with this combination to use with my XT and 400 5.6 and 70-300IS for bird photography (and other usages as well but birds are my major concern).

Anyone using this combo? Any opinions? I posted a similar question in the Flash forum yesterday and have gotten a lot of responses but no real answer to my birding question so I figured I would try here.

I could go with the 580EX but with what I would save with the 430EX (assuming it is enough flash for birding), I could buy a set of Kenko tubes.

Ed, IMO, it's a waste of money. I have used my 550ex a total of 3 times.

I disagree with Mitch and use my flash and BB almost daily for fill flash. As to which flash the 580 has more range so if shooting far away it might make a diff. But for the 400 5.6 bare lens I think the 430 would be ok.

I use the 580 for fill flash with the 400 F 5.6. I don't have the Better Beamer but its on my short list ( for larger birds that are further off) I use the flash all the time even on sunny days to reduce shadows....especially with small birds. With the high speed synchronization I can still shoot a 1/1000 sec shot and run the flash at -1/3 to -2 depending on the conditions to pull the shadows out. Even if I am not using it,,,the flash is on the camera almost all the time.

morehtml wrote in post #3065515
I disagree with Mitch and use my flash and BB almost daily for fill flash. As to which flash the 580 has more range so if shooting far away it might make a diff. But for the 400 5.6 bare lens I think the 430 would be ok.

i agree 100%. i can see grea improvment even since i started shooting with my 580ex and BB.

Thanks for the opinions and information. The more I read and look around, the more I am convinced that a flash would help a lot both for fill and for softening the shadows on all those wonderful backlit shots I have a habit of taking.

I recognize that the 580 is a more powerful flash but I really wanted to know about the 430. I am torn because I don't want to buy the 430 only to find that I will want the 580 a few months down the road. But if the 430 will do the job for birds, I'll be happy with it. And happy to have the extra $160 for a set of Kenko tubes.

So Allen, you really feel that the 430 is a powerful "enough" flash to do the job. That's what I am hoping. I will probably order the flash, BB and, hopefully, the tubes in the next day or two.

Any other input?

EdV wrote in post #3065807
I recognize that the 580 is a more powerful flash but I really wanted to know about the 430. I am torn because I don't want to buy the 430 only to find that I will want the 580 a few months down the road. But if the 430 will do the job for birds, I'll be happy with it. And happy to have the extra $160 for a set of Kenko tubes.

So Allen, you really feel that the 430 is a powerful "enough" flash to do the job. That's what I am hoping. I will probably order the flash, BB and, hopefully, the tubes in the next day or two.

Any other input?

It's more a matter of the distance the flash will reach. The 580 reaches about 30% farther out and has more gizmos. But I really think the 430 will do the job, especially with the BB. I have a pic in the about section on my site with me and my setup which has the BB on.

EdV wrote in post #3065807
So Allen, you really feel that the 430 is a powerful "enough" flash to do the job. That's what I am hoping. I will probably order the flash, BB and, hopefully, the tubes in the next day or two.

Any other input?

The 430 EX has a guide number of 141. The 580 is 190.

At f/5.6 on the 400mm you can illuminate a subject at:

430 EX = 141 divided by 5.6 = 25 feet
580 EX = 190 divided by 5.6 = 34 feet

The better beamer is supposed to add 2 stops of light so for f/5.6 that becomes 2.8 so the equation is as follows:

430 EX + BB = 141 divided by 2.8 = 50 feet
580 EX + BB = 190 divided by 2.8 = 68 feet

Of course it all depends on a few other things but this is close for full subject illumination.

I am with Allen and a few others on this one. I have been shooting with the BB for a long time. I always have it on the flash when in the field.

When I decide to sell my 550ex, somebody will be getting a brand new flash.

canonloader wrote in post #3066152
When I decide to sell my 550ex, somebody will be getting a brand new flash.

Are you the original owner? And how much do you want for it?

Thanks for the explanation Allen. From what you have provided and what I have read elsewhere, I think the 430EX will work fine for my purposes. I will probably order in the morning - a 430EX, Better Beamer and Kenko Tubes. Then I think I am set for now.

EdV wrote in post #3066222
Are you the original owner? And how much do you want for it?

Yep, got one of the last ones in stock. Nope, not going to sell it, even though I use the built in flash when I need flash, I'm going to hang on to it cause I got nothing else that fits the hole in the foam in my Pelican.

Seriously though, I only used it a few times for birds, not wanting them to fly blind into a tree, but Macro bug season is coming up and I do use it for that.

You should look in the Sell forum before buying a new one though. Even a 430ex.

I go to the sell forum here before buying anything new. Often it's the only place I visit before logging off. Much better deals to be had here in many cases than eBay.