580EXII or 420EXII

I use 2 Quantum 5Dr's for my paid gigs but I need to lug around a Turbo battery. I need something light to carry around for travel and perhaps use as a back up. I don't think I'll be using the canon flashes for multiflash setups. The question is should I get the 580EXII for an extrat $160 or go with the 430EXII for portability?

genekublanov wrote in post #6966475
or go with the 430EXII for portability?

I don't think there's much of a size or weight difference between the two. Very minimal as I understand.

For travel and/or back up, I would save the money and get a 430EX.

From The Digital Picture

"One of the primary differences between the 430EX and the 580EX II is the amount of light each can provide. The 430EX has a Guide Number of 141' (43 m) while the 580EX II has a Guide Number of 190' (58 m) (both at 105mm). The 430EX is not under powered for many uses, but the 580EX II's significant power advantage can become important when using a flash modifier such as an umbrella, softbox or diffuser - or bouncing light off a high ceiling. In addition to being more powerful, the 580EX II allows 1/1 (full power) to 1/128 power in 1/3-stop increments while the 430EX allows power settings from 1/1 to 1/64 in more granular 1-stop increments.

The other primary difference is that the 580EX II can be used as a master to trigger remote Canon wireless slave flashes while the 430EX can only act as a slave flash. Any number of Canon 430EX , 420EX, 580EX II, 580EX and 550EX Speedlites can be combined as slave units but only the Canon 580EX II, 580EX and 550EX Speedlites can act as slave masters. In addition, the Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX, Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX, or Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 can be utilized as wireless slave flash masters. Many people start out with a Canon Speedlite 430EX Flash (or started out with 420EX) and later move up to a 580EX or 580EX II. The 430EX can then be used as a remote flash.

Those using Canon bodies with 45 focus points (1-Series bodies) should take note that the Canon Speedlite 430EX Flash's AF assist only covers up to 9 focus points. You can still utilize the 430EX's focus assist, but need to know that all focus points are not covered as in the 580EX II.

The fact that the 580EX II can be powered from an external power source will be important to photographers expecting heavy flash use. The 430EX does not have this capability, nor does it have the PC terminal.

While the Canon Speedlite 430EX Flash head moves up/down from 0 to 90°, left from 0 to 180°, and right from 0 to 90°, the 580EX II allows an additional -7° down and a full 0-180° rotation right. While both flashes feature a pull-out/flip down wide angle diffuser to cover lenses out to 14mm (FOVCF equivalent), the 580EX II includes a white plastic pull-out catchlight reflector panel in addition. The Canon Speedlite 430EX Flash features 6 custom flash function settings, the 580EX II features 14. Instead of a dial for adjusting settings, the 430EX utilizes rounded parenthesis-shaped buttons. I can understand making buttons safe from accidental changes, but these buttons are narrow and require an excessively deep press to make changes. The dial is much easier to use.

If any of the 580EX II's advantages are important to you, buy the 580EX II. Otherwise, the 430EX is a very nice flash as well. It is about 15% lighter and more than 25% smaller in overall volume. Perhaps most important is that the Canon Speedlite 430EX Flash is less expensive. "

The 430EXII has buttons rather than a speed dial of the 580EXII. In most cases I would think the 430EXII will provide enough light in many situations.

If your getting paid for your photos I would get the 580EXII. Its always nice to know you have power on tap when needed.

In the US the 580EXII is amusingly dirt cheap at $360USD compared to a $438-499 CDN. The 430EXII in the CDN is roughly the same price as the 580EXII in the US.

Getting the 580EXII for $360 USD is a no brainer IMO.

Here is a list on main differences (and some comparison pictures):
http://photo.greenligh​tstreet.com …ticleview/frmAr​ticleID/9/
It's a matter personal choice. It all depends on the photographer needs.
Canon 580EX II is more advanced but bigger, heavier and more expensive.

The 430EX mkII is a good second flash to have for fill or short distance shooting. The 580EX mkI or mkII would do much better as a primary flash. If you only had the 430EX mkII, you get disappointed quickly at being able to only use it for short range shots in real low light situations.

AlanU wrote in post #6967702
The 430EXII has buttons rather than a speed dial of the 580EXII. In most cases I would think the 430EXII will provide enough light in many situations.

If your getting paid for your photos I would get the 580EXII. Its always nice to know you have power on tap when needed.

In the US the 580EXII is amusingly dirt cheap at $360USD compared to a $438-499 CDN. The 430EXII in the CDN is roughly the same price as the 580EXII in the US.

Getting the 580EXII for $360 USD is a no brainer IMO.

430EXII can be had for around $300-320 in Canada, shop around and price match. Don't forget the exchange rate isn't 1 to 1 anymore, $1 CDN = $.82US, so the $360 is actually $440 in CDN.

AlanU wrote in post #6967702
The 430EXII has buttons rather than a speed dial of the 580EXII. In most cases I would think the 430EXII will provide enough light in many situations.

If your getting paid for your photos I would get the 580EXII. Its always nice to know you have power on tap when needed.

In the US the 580EXII is amusingly dirt cheap at $360USD compared to a $438-499 CDN. The 430EXII in the CDN is roughly the same price as the 580EXII in the US.

Getting the 580EXII for $360 USD is a no brainer IMO.

nuropa wrote in post #6983760
430EXII can be had for around $300-320 in Canada, shop around and price match. Don't forget the exchange rate isn't 1 to 1 anymore, $1 CDN = $.82US, so the $360 is actually $440 in CDN.

I was directing those comments to US photogs. IMO if you live in the US the 580EXII's go for $360USD (amazon.com) its ridiculously cheap. At the moment the 580EXII goes for $479-549 CDN.

I own 2 x 580EXII's but I just purchased a 430EXII recently. I will admit I hate the buttons because they are not soft touch. You must depress the buttons alot to set the buttons. Indoors/in home the 430EXII flash works extremely well with my Joe Demb flipit.

To be honest I cannot feel much of a wait difference between my 580eXII and 430EXII on my 5d or XTI.

I will use my 430EXII as a primary flash indoors where there is low cielings and such. When I need more power I can lug my 580EXII around. The 580EXII definitely seems much more easier to depress the center button and quick dial.

In most cases I think the 430EXII will provide enough power for most situations when bouncing flash. I think its is built extremely well and will provide great service for most.

I'd highly recommend the 580EXII for multipurpose use with more power on tap. Use the 430EXII as the "well used" indoor flash where you'll simply use it for indoor low cieling bounce or outside direct flash fill.