430exII Vs. 580exII... please help me understand the differences

Hi guys,

I have done some searching and can't see the answer here just yet. So the 430exII is now just out and brings a lot of cool 530exII features to the party...

Other than simply 43 meters range Vs. 58 meters range, what are the key differnces on these two bits of kit?


Apreciate you help and guidance here as for now, I can only aford one and wnat to know if I really need to spend the extra £50 ($100) on the 580exII if all I get is more range.


Rgds,
Nick.

580EX II can be used as master and a slave as opposed to slave only on the 430EX II. Apart from that, I am not sure what else.

Edit : PC Sync connection and voltage pack connection on the 580EX II.

when you say voltage pack connection, is that some sort of extra batt that makes it more powerful?

NG.

Nick G wrote in post #6049433
when you say voltage pack connection, is that some sort of extra batt that makes it more powerful?

NG.

Not more powerful but allows you to use the external battery pack. The Canon CP-E4 attatches to the flash giving you more constant power than standard AA batteries so you can shoot for longer without switching batteries.

So in short, the only difference is;

Extra range (58m instead of 43m)
Wireless sync master/slave on 580 where 430 is slave only
Ablility to add battery pack for stable power


I see one of the 430exII upgrades is to have on camera body flash control as the 580 does so they are now the same.


Have I missed anything?


Nick.

If you ever consider shooting through an umbrella/softbox you may appreciate the power of the 580exII unit. It has a PC connection so you can put wireless triggers (cybersycs, skyport, Pocket wizard) without purchasing extra gear like this if you use a 430EXII.

http://flashzebra.com/​wizardcables/hotshoe.s​html

Indoors I've even used my 580EXII in master mode to fire an inexpensive used Nikon sb80DX old powerful flagship flash (in M mode) using canon's wireless IR system.

Would have been nice if Canon put a couple more pennies into the 430EXII and installed a PC port for more versatility.

I don't think there's too much difference between the two. Don't know why but i've always thought that 580 is more of a studio flashgun.

I hope you don't mind if i "steal" your thread and ask if the 430 ex II is worth buying more than the 430 ex?

the main upgrade from 430ex to 430 exII is the on camera body menu/control on newer camera bodies like the 580exII has had for a while. I have a 40d that would work well with this.

The 580 is more powerful, works as either a master or slave and has a head that turns a full 180 degrees to either side. The 430 can only work as a slave and the head rotates 180 degrees to the left but only 90 to the right

580EX (II) also can fire when partially charged, has FEB, stroboscope, -7 deg head tilt, more CFns, better display, 45 points AF beam coverage, catch-light panel and control wheel. 580EX II is also weatherproof and has auto flash mode.

Thanks Tiha!! my mind is made up. the extra £50 sounds well worth it.

Cheers for all the input guys.

Nick.

Good decision. If you are to have only one flash the 580 is the one to get. I have both and use the 430 as a slave. For that it is just fine, but I wouldn't want it as my only flash, it just lacks some of the versitility I love in the 580.

I'm also considering a 2nd flash as slave for strobist usage.. been debating the same thing..

I have posted this before, but I just want to point out again that there are MANY MANY 580EX II features that are missing from the 430EX or 430EX II.

I may not use all of them now, but it sure is nice to know they are there if I need them one day.

Threaded PC socket (580EX II only)
External AutoFlash Exposure Sensor(580EX II only)

Control Wheel (580EX or 580EX II)
Pull-out catchlight panel (580EX or 580EX II)
Flash head tilts downwards (580EX or 580EX II)
Flash head swivels full 180° both left and right (580EX or 580EX II)
stroboscopic (MULTI) flash (580EX or 580EX II)
Master Slave Capability (580EX or 580EX II)
Flash exposure bracketing (FEB) (580EX or 580EX II)
High voltage input port (580EX or 580EX II)

Metal Hotshoe (580EX II or 430EX II only)
quick release mechanism (580EX II or 430EX II only)
silent recycle (580EX II or 430EX II only)
Flash Menu in Camera with 40D, 1D III, XSi, etc (580EX II or 430EX II only)

As far as I've heard (I don't have any), the 430 EX II can't swivel 180° to the right. Only 90° in that direction, but 180° to the left, which means down into the floor for vertical images.