430EX V. 580Ex

Hello all,

Ok, I've read the stuff at the top of this forum about the different flashes, but with the 430 being a LOT cheaper than the 580 is it worth it? To be honest I prefer using natural light and only use flash if I really have to.
My question - for general fill-in shots and some indoor stuff am I really going to be pulling my hair out with a 430? Anyone just use 430's?

Cheers!

Rhys.

I could probably get along just fine with a 430 for most of the time for indoor stuff. It's the outdoor stuff in direct sun where I like the full power of the 580.

I've owned both and sold my 430 mostly because of the puny buttons on back which make FEC adjustments difficult unless you have pins for fingers.

And every time I walk into an area with a 16 foot off-white ceiling I'm glad the 580 is on the camera, the extra power is often needed when bouncing.
Mike

Good to know. I was thinking of just getting an ST-E2 and slaving my 420 to my 430 and calling it good. I also have an old Vivtar 285HV ( I know way old stuff, but I inherited it).
B&H has a deal on two 580 EX II's and the ST-E2, maybe that would be a better deal.

mmahoney wrote in post #4050362
I've owned both and sold my 430 mostly because of the puny buttons on back which make FEC adjustments difficult unless you have pins for fingers.

The only buttons/switches I use on my flashes are the power and master/slave switch. Everything else I control from the camera.

tim wrote in post #4051398
The only buttons/switches I use on my flashes are the power and master/slave switch. Everything else I control from the camera.

The most common control used with the flash is the FEC and only up to 2 stops +/- FEC is available on camera (20D) .. to access higher (up to 3 available) you need to use the buttons on the flash itself.

To the best of my knowledge you cannot control either HSS or the flash head zoom position from camera, only directly on the flash?

Ok good point, I do use the HSS and flash zoom buttons occasionally, but i've never needed more than two stops of FEC. If I do it's usually a technique thing, and I should probably think more rather than just throwing more light at the scene. Or sometimes I shoot manual flash.

tim wrote in post #4052144
Ok good point, I do use the HSS and flash zoom buttons occasionally,

Lately I've been experimenting with different zoom head positions relative to ceiling height or wall distance when bouncing and it can make a big difference in the light quality.
Mike

On paper there's 2/3rds of a stop difference between the 580 and 430. It's up to you as to whether you want that extra power or not. Personally, as I'm on a budget, I'm not convinced that I need the extra power.

mmahoney wrote in post #4052772
Lately I've been experimenting with different zoom head positions relative to ceiling height or wall distance when bouncing and it can make a big difference in the light quality.

I agree - if it's a high ceiling I zoom to 105mm, and for off camera work I usually set to 50mm.

I only have the 430, but I do like to bounce the flash and have found that the 430 is limited in its movement.

Tim - if you are using manual flash surely you would be using more buttons on your flash.

I am constantly using manual flash exposure at the reception and for off camera work with pocket wizards. I think you should go with the 580 personally. It will allow you to grow into yoour photography more.

But if budget is really a huge issue - go with the 430.

Yeah I kinda contradicted myself. For the first 2 years I had a 580 the only buttons I used were power and HSS, lately i've been using more.

I was sold on the 580 for the extra power since i just about always bounce my flash. But I could have almost had two 430's for the price of my one flash which may have been more useful.