Enable Me, Please: Canon Speedlite 430EX II

I need that extra push. I've read the reviews ... I've seen the results ... I know that I should eventually get this flash, especially with all the indoor candid portraiture I do. I guess I just need someone to underscore the importance of me getting this sooner rather than later.

Anyone want to twist my arm?

Honestly... how do you do candid portraiture with a flash? That'll give you away? JK... I know it's done.

I'd rather twist your arm to get the 580 EXII, instead of the 430. More power and you can use it as a master if you ever get another flash.

Nathan wrote in post #9291095
Honestly... how do you do candid portraiture with a flash? That'll give you away? JK... I know it's done.

I'd rather twist your arm to get the 580 EXII, instead of the 430. More power and you can use it as a master if you ever get another flash.

Hey now -- don't go for the up-sell, dagnabbit. The 430 is all I'll need for a while. Besides, I've got other addictions (cigars, tattoos ... student loan bills, etc.) to feed.

Damn -- I just realized that I totally posted this in the wrong forum.

(hangs head in shame....)

Or if your a cheapskate like me you could pick up a 540ez on eaby. No ettl, just attl. Powerful and way cheaper then buying one of the ex series flashes. Perfect if you ever get bit by the strobist bug later on too. Good luck.

go for the 580EX II and be done for a while - I trying to talk myself into it as well - maybe they will give us a two for one deal

I got the 430ex ii...then returned it and got the 580ex ii. I'm just sayin.

I like the idea of having more power, full rotation, master capabilities, faster re-cycle. If you don't need it you don't need it.

JS

Nathan wrote in post #9291095
Honestly... how do you do candid portraiture with a flash? That'll give you away? JK... I know it's done.

I'd rather twist your arm to get the 580 EXII, instead of the 430. More power and you can use it as a master if you ever get another flash.

Well if he wanted the master/slave thing, couldn't he get the 580ex II later? I like the idea of 430ex II now, to see if you even like flash, then if needed 580 later.

of course if you want to get two 580's then sure.

I was going to do the 430 first now as well. IT's a significant price jump. But the GF bought me a 580 so now I'm trolling this forum reading on how to use it

john stakes wrote in post #9291256
I got the 430ex ii...then returned it and got the 580ex ii. I'm just sayin.

I like the idea of having more power, full rotation, master capabilities, faster re-cycle. If you don't need it you don't need it.

JS

Damn you, John Stakes -- all that explanation is making me look at the 580, now. Grrrrrrr....

Okay. So the price difference between the 430 and 580 is about $140, which is considerable in my book. Given that I've never had a "real" flash and am a neophyte, I'm thinking the 580 would be too much for me right now. I have no plans for a multiple flash setup and if I feel the need to upgrade, well, I take pretty good care of my stuff and shouldn't have a problem selling it.

Still thinking....

(PS, thanks to whichever mod moved this to the right place.)

I'm kind of in the same boat as you. But I'm looking hard at the 580ex because of more power, multi-strobic, built in card, bracketing, -7 degrees down, the wider coverage for my 10-22mm, the AF points for when I upgrade the body and the master/slave feature.

Now if I can just find the $$.

bzollinger wrote in post #9291420
I'm kind of in the same boat as you. But I'm looking hard at the 580ex because of more power, multi-strobic, built in card, bracketing, -7 degrees down, the wider coverage for my 10-22mm, the AF points for when I upgrade the body and the master/slave feature.

Now if I can just find the $$.

Shoot ... the 10-22 thing is something I hadn't considered. That'll probably be my next lens, though I'm not sure how much I'll use it indoors (really planning to get it for urban & landscape photography).

Gee, I remember saying to myself "nah, I don't need the 580..I'll just save some money." Now I"m saving that money to buy a 580. It's just like bags and tripods: get the good ones first-you're gonna buy em anyway.

go for the 580exII, you'll be getting a 2nd flash anyway. Not much of a power difference, but the 7 degree down and 360 rotation really come in handy.

I was about to purchase the 430, when for some reason I impulsly (if thats even a word, lol) bought the 580 instead and have not regret it.