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FORUMS General Gear Talk Flash and Studio Lighting 
Thread started 12 Mar 2009 (Thursday) 13:04
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Is the 430EX better than Vivitar 285 as a second flash?

 
mhthomps
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Mar 12, 2009 13:04 |  #1

I'll be honest, I am learning as I go with the off-camera flash stuff. I've spent time at the strobist website and others, but can someone answer this simple question:

Is the 430EX more powerful than a Vivitar 285?

Leave ETTL, head swivel, and all of that out of the equation. I have a 430EX, 580EX II, as well as cybersyncs for both and I just want to make sure I can get the same power out of the 430EX in manual mode that I could with an additional second flash (such as the Vivitar, Lumopro, etc.).

And if you want to throw in a suggestion of a softbox for the 580EX II, then even better.

Thanks in advance.


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matonanjin
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Mar 12, 2009 13:09 |  #2

Vivitar GN. 120
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cdifoto
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Mar 12, 2009 13:11 |  #3

On-camera? I'd try to spring for a 2nd 580 instead but would go with a 430 over a Vivitar.

Off-camera? I'd go with the Vivitar on the basis of cost (falls over & breaks, cheaper to replace, using it in manual mode anyway, no other features necessary). You don't need swivel off-camera. Just spin one of the light stand's sections around.


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snakekid
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Mar 12, 2009 13:15 as a reply to  @ cdifoto's post |  #4

If i where you i would get the canon you have a 580 and a 430 already. this would give you the option of shooting with ttl in a situation where light changes a lot like a sunset portrait or something like that.
With that said i have 2 vivitar 285hv and 5 vivitar 283s(all form ebay $75 total :]) They work great.
yes 430 is more powerful


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Familiaphoto
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Mar 12, 2009 13:27 |  #5

Need for ETTL get the 430. If you are going off camera and manual then the Vivitar, they are great values.


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Is the 430EX better than Vivitar 285 as a second flash?
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