In the market for a flash... anyone have trouble with deciding on which speedlite?

I've read so much about the 430ex ii and 580ex ii and looked at a billion pictures of them. I research products to death.

So I went to bestbuy today just to look and touch them physically. When I first saw them, I thought they looked ridiculously huge. After seeing so many pictures, it was totally different seeing them in person! wow!! Well they let me put them on the camera and test them both out.

I am quite stuck deciding between them. Many sites say 580ex ii is worth the extra money. I am willing to spend that money if it really is worth it. But I can also deal with settling for the lesser of the two.

Has anyone else had difficulty choosing between the two? If so, which one did you choose and how do you feel about your purchase?

I own an xsi. I am a hobbyist, but I love to try new things and a bit of everything.

i have a 430ex ii (never had the 580's) and haven't had an issue...i added 2 lumopro L120's which replaced the vivitars (these are highly regarded in off camera flash OCF)...

i too like to try new things, but i also have a limit on spending...just because it costs more doesn't mean you'll get more out of it...gotta decide what you'll be shooting to determine if the extra money for the 580's are worth it...it just wasn't for me...

My 420 EX died and I spent a while trying to decide between the two to replace it. In the end I went with the 580 as I read it was easier to use because of the wheel (I heard the buttons to change settings on the 430 were difficult to press). Another factor was the power. You can never have too much as you can always turn a more powerful flash down but you can't turn a less powerful flash up. Power comes in handy when you want to bounce the flash or use a modifier.

thaking wrote in post #8975323
i have a 430ex ii (never had the 580's) and haven't had an issue...i added 2 lumopro L120's which replaced the vivitars (these are highly regarded in off camera flash OCF)...

i too like to try new things, but i also have a limit on spending...just because it costs more doesn't mean you'll get more out of it...gotta decide what you'll be shooting to determine if the extra money for the 580's are worth it...it just wasn't for me...

Thank you very much. That was very helpful. I believe I am in a similar position that you were in.

Swann1 wrote in post #8975596
My 420 EX died and I spent a while trying to decide between the two to replace it. In the end I went with the 580 as I read it was easier to use because of the wheel (I heard the buttons to change settings on the 430 were difficult to press). Another factor was the power. You can never have too much as you can always turn a more powerful flash down but you can't turn a less powerful flash up. Power comes in handy when you want to bounce the flash or use a modifier.

Thank you for sharing. How often do you find that you need that extra power?

To answer the question in the title:

Not half as much as trying to decide on a softbox!!

Austin.Manny wrote in post #8975616
To answer the question in the title:

Not half as much as trying to decide on a softbox!!

isn't that the truth! ha!

Im thinking the Photoflex LiteDome Q39, but I'm not entirely sure. Ughhh I should be asleep but I"m up looking at these damn softboxes!

I have 2 580EXII's and 1 430EXII... Both are great flashes... the 430 is slightly smaller, slightly less power, and slightly slower recycling time than the 580. The 580 has a few more features and I do like the controls on the 580.

The bottom line is, are the features, recycling, controls, and power worth the extra money?

I'd say... if you have the extra $$$.... get the 580EXII... you will not be disappointed!

punkerz123 wrote in post #8975604
Thank you for sharing. How often do you find that you need that extra power?

I've only had it a week or so and haven't had a real chance to use it in anger yet, only tests about home. I don't see myself being disappointed with it. If I'd bought a 430, I might have gotten to the point of thinking I need the extra light.

Echoing other's comments, if you can afford the 580, get it and know you've got the best on camera flash you can get from Canon.

I am deciding to buy the 580 EX II after trying one of my friend. I should say it is better that I own before (Nikon). So I already purchased two days ago by using the chance of saving $50 instant rebates of Canon (until 01/16/2010). I have also hear the Metz 58 AF-1 digital which the same league as 580 EX II but it has an extra small strobe light which is beneficial for portraiture.