12 ft ceilings 430 EX II or 580 EX II

After coming to the reality that my home isn't nearly as well lit as I thought,
I'm going to bite the bullet and buy myself a decent flash to get some better pics
while I get my lens collection in order. I know I want a Canon flash which will
work well with my 450D and any new body I might pick up later this year. I'm
looking for some versatile bounce flash for group portraits and maybe a little
daytime fill flash. So for my home, with 12 ft off white ceilings is the 430 going
to give me what i'm looking for or should I go ahead w/the 580. I can afford
either but don't like to waste money...

If you can afford either, go for the 580. It's a nicer flash though both will fill a room with 12 foot ceilings with no problem.

580 for the win

Thanks for the quick replies, okay another question. Is there any situation I might find myself in where the 430 might not cut it. I mainly do family pics and my daughters sporting events. Since i'm the only one at every game w/a DSLR, I ususally get picked to do the team photos.....

Hard to say without knowing the specific circumstances, but the 430 is a fine flash as well. It's just that the 580 is a bit more all around. More power, can be used as both master or slave when you eventually go for the second flash, and recycles faster. There are a few other features that are handy.

Thanks looks like i'll go with the 580. I forgot about the ability to control slaves. I'm just getting into flash, theres a ton to learn. I think I spend more time reading this forum than I do taking pictures lol!!!

I have 10ft ceilings in my house and all my walls are painted very dark colors like greys and blacks. My ceiling is the only white thing in the house and my 430ex gives off more than enough light in my house even with the lights off.

For me it was a budget issue. I could buy
a) two used 430ex + ST-E2 or
b) one 580ex + one 430ex.

I chose a). It gives me the opportunity to play with 2 OCF instead of one. Still hoping to find a cheap wireless ETTL solution. ST-E2 and/or 580ex do not work well in bright sunlight as a master.

I just got a 430EXII... already have a 580EXII
I'm not very eperienced but I can say that the 580 just feels of higher quality build and materials, more functionality, better controls/ergonomics, more power, weather sealed.

430 is definitely a good unit. smaller, lighter, cheaper.

You should check out flash zebra's off camera ETTL chords. I got a 24 foot one and I absolutely love mine. The cheapest and easiest way to move your flash off camera =)

liupublic wrote in post #9326350
For me it was a budget issue. I could buy
a) two used 430ex + ST-E2 or
b) one 580ex + one 430ex.

I chose a). It gives me the opportunity to play with 2 OCF instead of one. Still hoping to find a cheap wireless ETTL solution. ST-E2 and/or 580ex do not work well in bright sunlight as a master.

Stone 13 wrote in post #9326262
Thanks looks like i'll go with the 580. I forgot about the ability to control slaves. I'm just getting into flash, theres a ton to learn. I think I spend more time reading this forum than I do taking pictures lol!!!

I bought a 580EXII to replace my old 430EX almost a year ago and wow what a difference it makes. The single button to bounce or rotate & the single action hotshoe clamp where almost worth the cost alone. After years of fighting the twist clamp on the 430EX you have to think they made it crappy on purpose so you would buy the newer models.

Also the custom function that allows you to adjust your flash power with the wheel without pressing a button first is very convenient.

Controlling slaves is a nice feature to have, I have an ST-E2 and don't really need that feature but I like to know it's there. One flaw in this, there isn't a dedicated button to switch it to master or slave like the older models and that isn't as quick. I guess it only makes a difference if you are changing your setup and your model is waiting.

Once you get it and try it out, fire it a couple of times and listen for the recycle... NOTHING! Not a sound! Awesome!

Overall it's an excellent product and you will be very happy with it.

Now if Canon can add a twisting head too keep the flash head horizontal during portrait shots... That's when I go off camera.

The 580EX II will have the option of being more powerful, but I have taken a picture with a 430EX II bouncing off of a 30feet ceiling and it has been fine, just a little brighting in DPP. There were NO other lights in the room and it was at night time so no window light either. The ONLY light in this photo was my 430EXII bouncing off of the ceiling.

Photo here:

How did you get focus in pitch black? hahahah that's amazing.

gibsonla wrote in post #9326848
How did you get focus in pitch black? hahahah that's amazing.

Focus assist light...

430EX II is one stop less powerful than the 580EX II, the 430 will be fine for 90% of people.