Another 580 vs. 430 flash question

I've been reading through old threads on this subject and while I see the 590 has a greater range than the 430, what about overall coverage?

For example, if you were shooting a large group (40-60) people sitting or standing in a group, say in bleachers, does the 580 give you broader coverage as well?

Wish I could see a side by side shot of what the 580 does in comparison to the 430.

I can't tell you exactly but if its just down to how much its gonna cost I would say that its probably worth getting a 580 anyway because you can pick them up cheap, well... 450 dollars!

The 580 EX II will cover a 24 mm lens (on full frame camera) as it is, and a 14 mm non-fisheye lens with the extra wide spreader in position in front of the flash tube.
Don't have any 430 EX II, but if you see data for that one, you now know what to compare with.

CatchingUp wrote in post #6115264
Wish I could see a side by side shot of what the 580 does in comparison to the 430.

Look at the specifications.

Canon 580EX: 14mm - 105mm.
Canon 430EX: 14mm - 105mm.

Well, other than the various added options, all the 580 provides over the 430 is one stop of light. this would mean that what the 430 does at full power, the 580 does at 1/2.

You'll need more than one light to get a group of 40-60 lit up. Both flashes will have pretty much the same fall-off, which means that the people in the bottom middle (straight in front of the camera) will be properly lit and as you get to both ends of the bleachers and towards the top will be darker.

430 unless you have need for features of the 580:
- One stop more power
- High voltage port
- White pull out card

I have posted this before, but I just want to point out again that there are MANY MANY 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)
Weather Sealing (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)
FEC adjusted in 1/3 stop increments (also on 430EX 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)