430 limitations

So i've never used a speedlite, and i'm unfamiliar with how they work exactly, especially off camera.. but i'm torn between the 430 ex and 580 ex ii

i want to eventually get 2, so that i can do outdoor portraits with a main light and a fill light.

Should i just get the 430 now, and then the 580 later? or start off with a 580?

As far as using either model off camera, will i need to use a pocketwizard for wireless, or a wire to make it work?

Start with the 580. When the time comes get a second 580 (or current equivalent) and leave the 430 alone.

Off-camera lighting and triggering options here:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=308108

Just FYI, my 430EX has issues with the cheapie Cactus remote triggers (even the V2s).

If you go with the 580 first and the 430 later, you can fire the 430 using the 580 (if it is on your hotshoe).

But for the price (total 580+430), you could get a 430EX, a cheap aux flashes (i.e. sunpak 383), and a set of nice set remote triggers (i.e. PW / Skyport).

But if you got with the 580 now, you could buy some aux TTL flashes + RadioPopper P1s and use TTL metering wirelessly.

There are so many combos available now, I'd try to hit up a strobist meet and see if you can get some hands-on demos.

As for me, I think I'm gonna go with the Skyport (but after the release/review RadioPopper Jr.'s).

PWs are too pricey for my current level of suck.

hmm.. sounds like people dont like the 430 ex......... what about the 430 ex ii that's coming out next month? anyone heard about it?

funk1196 wrote in post #5822874
hmm.. sounds like people dont like the 430 ex......... what about the 430 ex ii that's coming out next month? anyone heard about it?

???

It all comes down to what you need and how much you wanna spend.

If my poverty wizards worked with my 430EX, I'd have little to nothing to really complain about.

Moral of the story, don't use the cactus v2s with the 430EX.

The 430EX is a hell of a flash for the money.

funk1196 wrote in post #5822874
hmm.. sounds like people dont like the 430 ex...

I have no idea how you came to that conclusion.

Have you seen the sticky thread at the very top of this section?

I have a 430 and absolutely love it. There are pros and cons to both.

The 430EX is smaller and lighter than the 580EX. If this is going to be your primary hot shoe flash, you might want to take into account the extra size/weight, especially if you a hump a camera with flash around a good bit. This was my main reason for going 430 over 580. I am planning on buying a 580 in the near future for offcamera slave control.

As you are going to buy both, it really doesnt matter what order you buy them in. If you have the cash now, pick up the 580. If you are a bit strapped, grab a 430 and save for the 580 down the road.

Dunno if you have checked out the marketplace forum but there is a link to Microsoft Live where they are giving significant discounts. You can pretty much pick up a 430 and 580 now for what you would have paid for a 580 3 months ago (even though Microsoft makes you wait 60 days for your rebate). Check it out!

So when it says that the 580 can be a slave or master.... and 430 only a slave.... does that mean that i cannot use the 430 with a PW? or does the slave/master thing only apply with more than 1 flash?

funk1196 wrote in post #5824348
So when it says that the 580 can be a slave or master.... and 430 only a slave.... does that mean that i cannot use the 430 with a PW? or does the slave/master thing only apply with more than 1 flash?

It means the 430 can not be master to another Canon flash using Canon's communications IR protocol.

If you use another means of syncing your flash units, then this is not a concern.

Above I said get the 580. I base this on I have the 430 and at times wish I had gone for the 580 up front. I like the 430 for its size and capabilities. As others have said the poverty wizards and the 430 are unfortunately a bad mix, and since the 430EX can not work as master to another Canon flash (what were they thinking?), that's another reason.

If you're planning on using main and fill outside you'll want to be using radio triggers, as IR isn't reliable in bright sunlight. Because of that you don't need Speedlites, cheaper flash units are fine, they just cycle a little slower unless you do something about giving them more power.

A 580EX II with a CP-E4 and Skyports, is the perfect option but will cost about $760 (or about $1200 for two, with two receivers). You don't have ETTL unless you add a transmitter, like an ST-E2 or another 580EX. The 580EX II is good because it has a sync port.

A cheaper option is the Sunpak 383, and Gadget Infinity triggers, total about $150 - the downside is no ETTL, and slower recharge. You can make sealed lead acid battery packs for about $30-40 each, but they're not as portable as CP-E4's that can be easily strapped to a light stand.

hmm.. sounds a bit out of my price range to go over $500.

what i'm trying to do is 2 things with the flash that i buy.

1.
Concert photography with shutter dragging the ambient lights.

2.
do outdoor portraits with a fill flash off of the camera...

So if i can get the same speedlite to do both things, thatd be good. but as far as setting it off, what will i have to buy extra?

I have bene trying to avoid getting a battery flash, but I am finding myself limited in some of the clubs I am a part of. There is usually only 1 or 2 continuous light setup's (which are always awesome lights), but people with flashes can shoot anywhere. I get jealous. So I am looking at the 430. It's about $230 at B&H, which isn't too bad.

Can you use a skyport to fire a single 430? Are there any external battery packs for the 430 to speed up recycle and make it last longer?

c71clark wrote in post #5827284
Can you use a skyport to fire a single 430?

Yes. You'll need a hotshoe adapter to connect the Skyport receiver to the 430EX.

Unfortunately the 430EX is not designed to accept external power sources.

Will the as-15 adapter work? I use it to connect my XTi to a sync cord.