Best bang for the buck?

I am in the process of buying a flash for the 40d and have narrowed the choices down to the following:

550ex
430ex II
430ex

My question is, I can get a used 550ex for about the same cost as the 430ex and about $40 less than the 430 ex II.

Of these 3, which one would be the best bang for the buck purchase? I would think it would be the 550ex as it can be used as a master if I decide to. Also, does the 550ex recycle faster than the 430ex II?

and before anyone says it, no I cannot afford the 580ex II anytime soon, so the only choices are these 3.

Thanks

http://photonotes.org …430exii&flash3=​canon550ex

I like my 550EX - but I also like my 430EX. I bought the 550EX new. I would expect that if I had some confidence (or recourse) on the used 550EX I might select that one.

There is a lot to be said for a manufacturers warranty IMO.

Thanks for that link Dave. It really helped to compare the 3 side by side. I think I will go with the 430ex II. For only a few more $$, might as well go for the newer model and get a full warranty to boot.

I could always pick up the 550 down the road if the need for a master should arise.

Thanks again.

550EX would be my total choice here. It has a lot more to offer over the 430EX II beyond just the ability to be a Master.

550EX has...

The ability to point downward

Stroboscopic mode

Flash Exposure Bracketing

Rapid fire mode

Ability to use external battery packs

Manaul power range down to 1/128th power

Your question was "bang for the buck' and if that is the idea - then its the 550 hands down. It was built to be the top of the line flash in its day......the 430 series flashes were always built to be second fiddle to a big brother.

The only one of the things bauerman mentions that's useful to most people is battery packs... even that's limited. I use a 550EX with a battery pack at every wedding, but if it wasn't for strobing rooms and using light stands I wouldn't bother.

For most people the versatility and recharge speed of the 430EX II is probably best, and you get a warranty.

For most people, including myself, none of those features are important. I never use them on my 580EXII.

More power, rapid fire... and the convenience of a built in bounce card and Master are the only reasons I would buy the 5 series over the 4 series. The latter only important if you have "serious" plans of going multiple flashes. Even then, the next flash could be a 5 series.

The question was "bang for his buck" and I have seen 550EX's under $200 on Ebay and other sources...compared to what a 430EX II is going for new, that is the clear bang for the buck winner in my mind.

I have successfully used the rapid fire mode of my 550EX in a number of different situations. Don't assume because you don't use a feature that other people would not.

Whatever flash he gets, it will be a good one as it will be a Canon Speedlite. But you would never convince me that a 400 series flash would be a bang for the buck winner over a nice shape 550EX. I think that too many people put too much emphasis on being the one "that takes it out of the box" for the first time. I have never had that mean much to me. I am also not as concerned with a warranty on something like a flash, as say I would be with a camera body. I can live without the warm fuzzy of a manufacturer's warranty on an item like a strobe.

bauerman wrote in post #7036629
550EX would be my total choice here. It has a lot more to offer over the 430EX II beyond just the ability to be a Master.

550EX has...

The ability to point downward

Stroboscopic mode

Flash Exposure Bracketing

Rapid fire mode

Ability to use external battery packs

Manaul power range down to 1/128th power

Your question was "bang for the buck' and if that is the idea - then its the 550 hands down. It was built to be the top of the line flash in its day......the 430 series flashes were always built to be second fiddle to a big brother.

Let me ask you this since you own a 550,
1. how quick does it recycle?
2. how noisy is it when it does recycle?

I have read that the 550 is a noisy flash, any truth to that?
Also, since I will not be utilizing the "master" function for quite awhile, would I be better getting the 430ex II now & pick up a 550 down the road (hopefully still at sub-$200 price) when I need it?

I keep going back & forth between the 2 and can't decide.

If you want best buck for the bang look at the Sigma 500 DG SUPER or the 530 DG SUPER

It really depends on if you want to have the Canon connect-ability with your 40D or a non-Canon flash that does a good job. I went with Canon flashes and I have the 580I, 550, and 430I and they are amazing. If you don't need the power of the 550, then for a similar price, go for the 430II. Otherwise, the cheaper flashes offered can do a pretty decent job.

Mr. Bill wrote in post #7039063
Let me ask you this since you own a 550,
1. how quick does it recycle?
2. how noisy is it when it does recycle?

I have read that the 550 is a noisy flash, any truth to that?
Also, since I will not be utilizing the "master" function for quite awhile, would I be better getting the 430ex II now & pick up a 550 down the road (hopefully still at sub-$200 price) when I need it?

I keep going back & forth between the 2 and can't decide.

It recycles pretty quickly from my use to this point - but I rarely fire the thing at anywhere near full power too - so that means my recycling times are generally pretty low. When I am shooting close range shots of my kids I can use the rapid fire mode so that the recycle time is almost nothing in situations like that.

I also heard going into my 550 that the flash was loud and noisy, I must have a quiet one because its operation is no more loud than my 420EX.

Since you are not tied to needing a Master flash right now - the 430 would be a good purchase too. The prices of used 550EX's will probably just keep dropping anyway and you can grab one in the future for even less dough.

bauerman wrote in post #7039406
It recycles pretty quickly from my use to this point - but I rarely fire the thing at anywhere near full power too - so that means my recycling times are generally pretty low. When I am shooting close range shots of my kids I can use the rapid fire mode so that the recycle time is almost nothing in situations like that.

I also heard going into my 550 that the flash was loud and noisy, I must have a quiet one because its operation is no more loud than my 420EX.

Since you are not tied to needing a Master flash right now - the 430 would be a good purchase too. The prices of used 550EX's will probably just keep dropping anyway and you can grab one in the future for even less dough.

Not sure what this mode is - and I have a 550EX. Careful use of ISO and f-stop can keep the flash discharge to a minimum which will translate into multiple quick shots.

Maybe it's the "quick flash" mode of the camera body?

"Quick Flash" is a feature available on some newer Canon flashes:


580EX II manual

550EX just isn't as nice to use as newer flashes. Two buttons to rotate the head, which is a lot slower than the 580. Clunkier user interface. And are you sure quick flash isn't on the 430 II?

Until I started doing a lot of off camera work the only control I used on the flash was the power switch.